Boys Adventure....

It was time for another All Boy's Adventure no girls allowed.  Dave, Ryder, and Blake headed out on Saturday morning to visit Lehman's Caves in Nevada.  Dacoda wasn't able to go since he was on his own adventure at scout camp.

New Cedar City Temple
Still under construction.

What an awesome mountain view.
That boy is awful cute as well.

Blake checking out the view
It was a beautiful day for an adventure.

Don't get too close Ryder
Your Dad just might push you over???

Not!!! they all three made it home in one piece.  Ryder told us all about the caves and that he volunteered to hold the flashlight for the ranger to see the bacon formation.  This boy loves his bacon.  The ranger also demonstrated what an earthquake feels like inside the cave.

The girls didn't have as much fun at home cleaning the house.  We did have some amazing rainstorms while they were gone and with .68 of an inch in 24 hours.  The thunder was pretty amazing as well.

It was a good weekend!!!!  Only 6 more days until the next one.

New Additions

Everyone saw the pictures Dave posted on Facebook about the new addition to our family.  Ginger Tiberius (courtesy of Ryder) Waters, 6 month old Golden-doodle.  Her previous owner passed away and his cousin brought her home with her.  However, she already has 2 large dogs and is gone for most of the summer.  So she needed a permanent home and we were the first on the list.

I told everyone that our next dog was not going to be a small, barking dog.  Dave had said no more dogs at all.  We took  him down to meet her and what does she do but snuggle up to him.  Dave gave us his blessing and we brought her home to meet Dexter.

Our barking machine didn't know what to think of this big fuzzy dog.  They started playing and chasing each other.  Dexter has really calmed down with the barking and doubled his playtime.  He doesn't like sharing his toys since she destroys them.

Playing tug of war.
The size difference is fun to watch.
Dexter has turned into the Alpha Dog.

They can do this for hours.
Or until Ryder gets in the middle then its outside
for all three.

Another white addition....A Ford Freestar Van just for Mom. Dave found this one at a price & mileage that couldn't be beat.  It was a must have for this Mom to haul kids, equipment, and friends.

It didn't start out so well for this addition.  We had mechanical problems on our first long trip to Springville.  Thousands later it finally made it home and runs really great.

The downside it cancelled most of our summer travel plans this year.

Let's hope these new additions settle in soon and we can enjoy the new summer plans we will need to make.

Summer Sports

Summer has arrived and so has sports.  Ryder has been taking swimming lessons since February.  He amazes me on how much he has learned.  The Kite Festival this year he discovered summer swim team.  The final class of the school year he was in the advance class to prepare for tryouts.  The first class was a little rough but with a few minor adjustments he made it through. 

Check out my backstroke

No my freestyle

The day arrives for tryouts..... They had to swim the length of the pool without stopping.  Then swim each stroke.

He did it!!!!
He made the Stingrays Swim Team

Soccer tryouts are over and she is staying with the Rage Program.  They had a Saturday morning scrimmage with a Cedar City team.  Premier & Development teams playing together.  Pretty amazing seeing them work together all playing on the same level.

Breaking out of the Goalie Box trying defender.
She was able to play goalie the second half and only gave up 2 goals.

Something new to try an inside sport....Bowling!!! Beating the heat as well.

Reganne & Rylee aren't too sure of this sport.  Ryder is all in and can't wait to learn and play.  Maybe it's the bowling ball he will get at the end of the 8 weeks.

Give me the 7 pound ball
Oomph

Who knew it 7 pounds was that
HEAVY!!!!

A busy summer is underway and from the looks of it we will get plenty of exercise.

Paying Tribute

The past couple of weeks have been really hard to imagine.  Our family friend Kay Ricks disappeared from work without a trace.  The news spread really fast through social media and the outpouring of support, encouragement across the country.  It was amazing to see were former neighbors live now and how quickly we go back to our roots in times of need.

The news wasn't good they found his body in Wyoming and most likely part of a crime spree by a father and son from Northern Utah.

We were able to attend the viewing on Friday night and pay our respects & condolences to his family.  The first thing I noticed was the flags surrounding the entrance, the second is how everyone has changed (got older).  The third thing and most important was the love and support felt as you walked in the door.  The negative feelings were left at the door.  I am sure there will be anger, frustration, and even what ifs for a long time.  Yet at that moment all that could be felt was love.

We took my mom with us and met up with Emily, Randy, and Janelle.  As we waited outside we were able to visit with others from our old ward and play with Owen & Kasen while Randy & Janelle waited in line. 

Kasen & Emily
Every time I turned my phone towards him
He gave me the biggest smile.
How can you not want to kiss those cheeks.

Owen & The Ricks Grand-kids

Owen & The Ricks Grand-kids

A second generation playing together same as the first so many years ago.

Seeing old neighbors & ward members and being mistaken for my mom. They exclaimed how she hadn't changed at all still looking so good.  I will take it as a compliment that 50 looks young still.

I learned something new that UTA has a police force and they showed their love & support for a fallen co-worker by standing guard at the casket and doors.  They even preformed a change of the guards while we were there.

Another One For The Record Books

Where did the last 9 months gone and how did it go so quickly?  School is out for the summer!!! Each kid has their own ideas what this summer is going to look like.  Now if Mom will only cooperate.

The boys have their report cards and class assignments for next year.

Mrs. Reeder & Mrs Guynn
Dang!!! They aren't going to be together next year.

This girl is headed across the street to
Sunrise Ridge Intermediate School
(in the background)

Celebration Lunch @ Culver's
Ryder, Johnny, Rylee, and Reganne

Rylee is glad this year is finally over and Mom will leave her alone about homework.  She has many activities planned with her friends.

Let the fun and games begin!!!!  Mostly please let our house survive the next eleven weeks.

Waters' Weekly Sports Update

Soccer season ended 2 weeks ago so it must be time for tryouts for fall season.  There are a lot of teams holding their team tryouts all at the same time.  Which one to choose?  

Reganne chose to stay with her current team and friends.  Half the team decided to go another direction with a different team.  Once Reganne decided what she wanted it was time to fun with possible new friends and teammates.

Large Group
2004 & 2005 Girls

No Goalie needed today.
Playing defense instead.

Who says girls aren't competitive players.
The girls were breathless at the end.

Soccer is adjourned until mid July.  Unless everyone gets bored then it might continue on.

Ryder has continued swimming lesson this month with a new group.  The level 3's were practicing for swim team and practicing the different strokes.

Watch My backstroke.

Now my freestyle

Thursday was swim tryouts for summer swim team.  Ryder was excited, nervous, and his mouth was moving a hundred miles an hour.  The pool was full of kids excited to get started.

Aced it!!!

They worked these kids by swimming the different strokes and more important making it from one end of the pool to the other end without stopping.  Ryder did it and then some. He starts the summer swim team program in June.

It's going to be a busy summer full of fun and adventure.

Amazing....

If you watch the news each night you hear how our kids are in trouble with the schools lacking funding.  This all maybe true with the lack of money.  What they don't talk about is the amazing teachers that spend day after day teaching our kids.  This year our teachers have been great.  Their imaginations and teaching skills are pretty darn amazing.

I am so appreciative of the knowledge they share with our kids and the excitement they bring each day.

Mrs. Wilson, 2nd Grade with 18 8 year old boys and 8 girls she gets a lot done.  Check out their My Body Project.  Mom, this is me!!!! She traced each one of us and then we cut it out.  All year they learned about their bodies and what each part does.

I guess it is you.

Mrs V has worked really hard with her rowdy 5th graders.  Her classroom was one of the portables which required extra attention when the kids need to go to the bathroom or office which  required a partner.  Reganne was able to help out many times.  She was so responsible and watched over everyone.  The amazing Give Me Liberty program and not to be left out the normal girl drama.  Art was an important part of her class and she encouraged each ones talent.

Meet the Masters Project

We are sad to say goodbye to these amazing ladies.  We are sure they are glad the year is over but we will miss them and their smiles.