Patiently, Prudently....

It's been fun watching Reese and his cute personality develop over the past few years. We've really enjoyed having such a goal oriented person around the house. Reese loves to plan ahead, work for and save his money, then spend it on something he's really been wanting. Earlier this summer, he saved up to help pay for half of his new bike and this time he decided he really, really wanted the new Lego Harry Potter Wii game. Here he is the day he reached his goal.

From the time he decided on what he wanted, he patiently worked away at home and at Grandpa's house while on vacation to earn what was needed. The decision was also made (by him) that he wouldn't play any other video games until he was able to buy this one. Reese also likes to plan ahead so much that as soon as he had enough cash to pay his tithing on the amount he was hoping to earn, that he decided it was best to pay it in advance, that way he wouldn't have to worry about it when he reached his goal. He did his time, stuck with the goal and finally got the reward! Good Job Reesey! Keep it up and you'll go far! We're proud of you little buddy.

Photos of a Friend

This is my beautiful friend Marrya and her beautiful kids. To fill everybody in on why we did this fun little photoshoot, I'll have to explain that after a long wait, her husband secured a job to become a State Trooper. He recently left for training and Marrya asked me to take some pictures of the family for him to have while he's away. The training camp goes from now through December. What a woman Marrya is to keep her family and home together in light of the challenges! Marrya is such a dear friend and brings life and excitment to our street and lives. I'm so glad I was the one to take these pictures so that I can share them with you all (because I know Marrya won't) and show you what a wonderful friend I have!

Seth and Audrey were great, (in addition to being adorable) and very patient with all of the pictures.

I completely struggled to get any pictures with all of them together. Mia, as seen here had a ball when left to her own devices, but as soon as we'd try to arrange or pose her with anyone else, it just was not happening. She's such a little cherub!

The beauty and the brains of the operation, Marrya. What a gorgeous girl!!

Thank you Marrya for being such an amazing, giving friend. We love you!

Oh How I Love Thee

I decided to make an impromptu drive home. Brave the 11-12 hours trapped in the car with just the kids and I. Miles and miles of countryside with no tv or movies, just books, music, crayons and paper. I typically head home in August, and although I still plan to, we decided to make an early jaunt to be home when my brother Eric and his family were visiting. Even though we didn't stay our usual marathon length of time, it was, and always is, well worth the drive.

Click on the collages to see larger

Here's some fun out at Mom and Dad's. Cute little bambi baby deer that was running through the daisies. The kids were given various jobs around the property to earn their keep. This time it was picking up pine cones. The kids also always have fun on the famous zipline and this year they've taken to playing in the old grain silo and calling it the leprechaun house. Fun stuff.

Here we were at a fun day downtown and at the city beach. The kids had a blast on the paddle boats.

Here's Audrey making a clean entrance to the water out at the family beach

Elle opted for the diving board

Tarah, my sis-in-law and I took the kids out for a hike and to a little beach, took them to the Resort to get a famous "Gooey", as you can see Elle's is about as big as her head. Dallin was having lots of fun pretending to be a dog and fetching his stick for Reese. Whatever they want, it's all great during the lazy days of summer vacation.

Tail end of the 4th

Arriving home July 5th, we were able to catch the tail end of the 4th's festivities. Grandma and Grandpa saved their fireworks for us and so we had a great way to celebrate completing our long, long drive.

The kids were so giddy and excited to be out of the car, let alone get to light more fireworks! Here's mom, ever-ready with the hose, just in case things got out of hand.

Audrey and her cutie-pie cousin Amanda. It was so great to be home with cousins that we don't always get to see.

I can't think of a better place to celebrate

4th of July Best

Summertime Partaaay!

I do want to document all the great fun we've been having this summer.... It's just that to do that I have to stay up very late at night when I should really be sleeping! So, here goes with the quickie captions!

Sam's Mom and Step-Dad Tony came to visit. Lots of fun was had, with cookie baking, trips to the zoo, smashing of geodes, playing in the hammock etc..!

This is the gorgeous view from the Heber Creeper. My Mom and Dad were here visiting and decided to take all their grandkids that live in Utah on this little adventure. Lots of fun, and lots of kids!! There was even a robbery! Yikes! :)

Well, we forgot to take the camera to the parade on the 4th (3rd) of July, but Sam said we were so cute he had to snap this one when we got back.

Fun with friends! Our good friends the Johnsons hosted everyone in their back-yard and the kids had a blast in this bouncy-house water slide! Woo hoo! Thanks for the good time! A note about the smoking mailbox, I guess this is what happens to a girl when she grows up with three brothers closest to her age, and her only sister is spaced at ten years apart.... I love fireworks/fire!! Yay!

On to the big fireworks with more friends. We had such a fun day and the kids were absolutely pooped by the end of it all!! We love summer!!