Happy Pioneer Day!!

What a fun Holiday this was for us!!
Jeff, Kara and I met Liam and Marcie at the park for the Pancake breakfast - which was great, then off to scout a spot to enjoy the parade. It was great- no comercial products, mostly primary kids on ward floats or following on thier decorated bikes and scooters. Following the parade, it was off to the art exhibit to see the displays - Jeff displayed three of his paintings - this is his second year to do so - he got some very positive comments on them!
We walked around for a bit, to see all that was happening and Kara took off with some friends to try the games.

The afternoon was spent at home. April, Vicente and the twins along with Marcie and Liam stopped in - we played some music for the kids, took some photos and visited- it was very fun! Katherine is lifting her head incredibly well (see the slides) and Liam did a bit of dancing.

Jeff and Kara and I attended the evening patriotic performance of music and history and then waited for the fireworks. I didn't expect much - being such a small town, but I must say we were all very impressed!!! Laying on the grass under the show with great music playing - it was really my favorite fireworks ever! It was really a wonderful 24th celebration for us -

Kenna and Lance went backpacking with thier children (Coca and Che) check out the photos on thier very up to date Blog -

A little Camping

Monday night Jeff had reserved a RV from Toy Share, so we invited the kids to a cookout/family night up at Whiting campground. Lance and Kenna and Marcie and Liam joined Jeff, Kara and I. We enjoyed traditional summer camping food ( hotdogs, hamburgers, potatoe salad, pop, cookies chips and smores) Not exactally "healt" food, but it sure tasted great!

Jeff gave a great and very short Family night lesson on keeping the colors of our life bright and happy not dark and confusing -

After Marcie needed to take Liam home for his bath, we took a short and very beautiful walk and then sat around the fire and visited. After everyone left, we read for a bit and went to bed...............around 2:00 a.m with both Jeff and I still awake and very hot - we decided to head out. Arriving home, Jeff went in to bed and Kara and I slept in the RV (in the driveway!) and we all finally got some sleep -

Carlos- Lexie and Saint George!

Last Thursday, we were delighted to welcome two friends to visit, one from far and one from near!

Jeff's good friend Carlow Mayer was coming to the states for business and came a few days early to spend some time with us! Jeff showed him the twins and Mapleton, first in the car and then on an early morning 4 wheeler ride. Friday we headed to Saint George to see "Sound of Music" (Ali Fisher our dear little friend plays Marta) and show Carlos another Utah environment. Kara's best friend Lexie Shadle came with us as well. Rob and Kim let us shack up in thier incredible home there and as soon as we arrived, Ali came over and the girls hit the pool! They had such a great time jumping off the rock hot tub and playing King of the mountain. Nancy came after an hour or so and wisked Ali off to get ready for her performance. We enjoyed the show emensly though Carlos was quite tired, and ran into the Watkins family after (from alpine) and had a nice visit with them.

On our way out of town, we toured several beautiful art museums and Brigham Young's winter home. We also stopped and toured Cove fort on the way home. Though it had been a long trip home, Carlos felt strongly about attending mass, so we unpacked and Jeff and I went with him. It was very interesting and had a good feeling about it.

I took some photos with my I phone with the intention of adding them to this post, however, I forgot to get them off before I sold my phone - Darn -

Happy 4th of July!!

July 3rd Jeff and I headed for Louisville Kentcky to visit Jeff's dad and stepmom! We had a fantastic fish fry on the dock of Harry's lake with some of Harry's friends,
spent some time gathering family history documents and visiting relatives, went to the horse races and bet against each other (we each won one) and going with Harry to Mammoth Cave for the 4th of July Reunion. Harry was interviewed as one of the people who lived on the park land - before it became a National Park. We had such a great time!

Susan and Andy were in town from Nashville, and on Wednesday the 8th, a bunch of us got together and crowded on Kenna and Lances boat to go wave surfing! We had a great time. Annesha announced her pregnancy (a baby boy - due in November - same day as Marcie and Josh's daughter is due!) We stayed late and played guitar hero and some roasted marshmallows on Kenna and Lances new back yard entertainment patio.

Kara was with Brown's for the stadium of fire and then with her Sargent cousins and family and had a great time as well. She is happy to be home and happy to be with Ali and Lollie again - (and hopefully us)

I have deleted and added some photos again to the five year slide show - hoping to get it to where I want it and then do individual slide shows from August forward.

Jeff and I spent today catching up on life that got behind in our absence.
April and Vicente and the twins are doing great as well as Josh, Marcie and Liam. Marcie is sooooo excited for her new little girl! She will be here before we know it!

What a great week!

We have had an eventful and wonderful week! Tara, Steve and Taryn have been visiting us! They are out of school for the summer and in the middle of a move, so they are taking full advantage of the opportunity to travel to Colorado, Utah and Oregon to spend time with friends and family

Sunday was an important day as Vicente and April had thier thier twins blessed and we had a family BBQ here. Vicente's Mother, grandmother, and three of his sisters came - as well. The day was beautiful and warm and we took some great photos.

Kara returned from her first girls camp on Saturday and had a great time! We brought Ali home from the Breeders yesterday (monday) hoping she is with foal!

Kara and I went boating with Lance, Kenna and Cade on Saturday - We had such a great time - we wake surfed - how fun and how much less taxing it is on your body! I even got up my first try -

Jeff and I have sooo much fun watching and playing with the grandchildren!! What a great treat it is to reexperience life through thier eyes and new experiences with this world!

Looks like we are all headed in various directions for the 4th. Marcie, Josh and Liam, to Wyoming, Vicente, April and the twins to Colorado, Kenna and Lance will be enjoying Tara and Steve will be heading to Oregon, Kara to Stadium of Fire with McKinley and the rest of the holiday with her Sargent cousins. Cade is looking forward to the 4th with his Dad, and Jeff and I are headed to Kentucky to a reunion with Harry's family! WOW!

We are very sad and at a loss as to what to say or do for Sam (Cade's friend) and his family. His father collapsed and died last Friday.