July 2015 (Part 1 of 2)

July is always the summer month that gets absolutely packed with activities.  As a result, I will be splitting the month in two so that I may do justice to everything that happened without giving anyone calluses on their behinds because they were sitting so long.

Steve and the boys were are scout camp the last week of June into the first week of July.  When they got back on the 4th they were full of stories of how much fun camp was this year.  Nick loved the archery and getting to shoot a rifle.  Jeremy spent most of his day in the ATV program.  Everything was absolutely amazing, except for the food.  Jeremy did alright because I sent all his food with him because of his allergies.  Nick wants to have an "allergy problem" as well next time so he can have good food.  I love these boys!

Steve must have had fun as well because this is the only picture he took the entire week.  

We spent the 4th getting the boys stuff put away and doing the stinkiest laundry before heading to the Stewarts for the 4th of July picnic.  Steve and the boys were too exhausted to go to the big fireworks show in Harrisburg with the group so we headed home and did our own private fireworks show before going to bed.

The "gang" at the Stewarts.

For Mother's Day, Steve and the kids gave me frames and fun stuff to hand on my "Wall of Happy".  I finally got around to putting it up and I love the result.  We can display art work and school work and anything that makes us happy on this wall.  The scenery will change as new "happy" things come about.  The big wall does not look so sad anymore and I do get happy every time I walk down the stairs.

The New and Improved view from the top of the stairs.

Naomi's artwork.

Nick's artwork.

July 7th I took the boys to the orthodontist.  If Jeremy wears his elastics religiously for the next six weeks he will get his braces off two days before school starts.  If that is not motivation, I don't know what is.  That night, Nick went roller skating with the youth group.  They were all impressed with his mad skills.  He had a huge smile on his face when he walked in the door.  Naomi was not as happy.  She lost another tooth and couldn't find it to put it under her pillow.  She left a note for the Tooth Fairy who kindly left her a dollar with a note telling Naomi to put the tooth under her pillow as soon as it was found and she would pick it up.  Naomi was so relieved.  Crisis averted.  

Since Steve's heavy travel time is during the summer, he delegated the responsibility of mowing the lawn to the boys.  They have been really good at keeping everything looking top notch.  Some weeks the lawn grows very little and doesn't take long to mow.  Other weeks it is like someone dumped Miracle Grow on it and it is out of control.  July 8th was one of those weeks.  It took us four hours to get the whole thing done from edging to mowing to cleaning up.  WHOA!  We decided to treat ourselves to a showing of "Inside Out".  We got to the theater an hour early (I was so tired from doing the yard work I misread the clock) so we hung out in the town center park. It was a nice breezy day and the shade felt really good.  The movie was excellent and well worth the wait.  Jeremy drove us home and had to drive right through a down pour.  He was nervous, but did a great job.  I love seeing his confidence grow every time he drives.  

July 9th I got to drive several boys down to Youth Conference at Wingate University.  The drive was really beautiful and the boys had a great time talking.  I got them all checked in and moved into their dorm rooms for the weekend.  Jeremy was excited to have Nick Tincher as a roommate and even more excited about being with youth from three different stakes. 

Jeremy in his room with Ezra and Nick.

Nick, Ezra, Justin and Jeremy.  Let the fun begin.

Back at home, I picked up the kids from Tabitha's house.  They had played there while I drove the boys. Nick, Naomi and Haylie wanted to go to the pool so that is exactly what we did.  It was a fun way to end the day.  Steve got home from Cleveland that night.  Shelli, who was a leader at the youth conference, kept sending us text updates on Jeremy.  He had met a girl and was dancing and having a great time.  Shelli even sent pictures and video.  It was fun to watch.  I couldn't get the pictures from my text to my computer otherwise you could enjoy as well.  Let's just say he was all smiles and animation around Talia.  

Our gorgeous garden out front.  All the flowers are just starting to bloom.  My hours of hard work pulling out the ivy, cultivating the soil and planting the bulbs is definitely paying off.  

Naomi had Haylie come and spend the day with us since we were leaving on a two week vacation and as soon as we got back, Haylie was going away for another week.  They were both thrilled when I pulled all the kitchen furniture into the living room so I could mop the kitchen floor.  We had ants and I was determined to get rid of them.  Over the course of the next hour they built an amazing fort with all the blankets and sheets in the house and spent the next several hours playing in it.  I love their imagination.  

A fort fit for two princesses.

Meanwhile, out in the garage, Nick was doing some work on his bike.  He wanted it to sound like a sports car so he took some old hotel room keys and gorilla tape and made his dream a reality.  It worked like a champ.  I could hear him coming from halfway around the block.

July 11th was free Slurpee day.  Nick and Naomi felt like they had won the lottery.  I must admit that free Slurpees taste better.  Jeremy got home from Youth Conference and we decided to go and see the new Minions movie.   It was a great way to end a great day!

Having fun with the Dale Earnhart, Jr., statue in downtown Kannapolis after the Minion movie.  It brought out the silly  in us.

July 15th was a busy day.  My vigorous mopping had not worked.  Neither had several home remedies.  It was time for the big guns.  Killingsworth was on our doorstep first thing in the morning to end our ant problem once and for all.  Leighton always takes care of us.  He sprayed the entire downstairs and then the perimeter of the house just to make sure the ants wouldn't come in anymore.  Nick and I then ran to the Davidson library to pick up some books to read on the flight.  We got a little distracted by a bike shop on Main Street but were quickly back on task since we had to hurry home to finish packing and cleaning before going to the airport at 4.  Phil drove us to the airport which made it so much easier.  Parking is a pain and can be expensive.  THANKS, PHIL!  The flight was easy and uneventful.  Just like we like it.  We got to Shaun and Kathy's house about 9:30 and got to see David, Jalisa, and Adalyn and meet Isabelle.  The kids loved holding her and she didn't seem to mind it either.  

July 16th the kids were up bright and early ready to go to Grandma and Grandpa's pool. We had a really good time goofing off, talking and relaxing.

You are never too old to stand on Dad's shoulders.  

Mom and I watching everyone play in the water.  

Taking a break and refueling with solar energy.

See, never too old to stand on Dad's shoulders in the pool.  

My new bathing suit I made for myself.  

Naomi and Jeremy doing their impression of a walrus getting into the water. 

Steve and Nick doing their impression of a T-rex.

Jeremy impersonating the Geico gecko.

After swimming the kids wanted to do a little site-seeing.  After an amazing lunch at Cafe Rio (you can't go to Utah without eating there) we stopped by the Utes store to get some stuff for the kids bathroom.  That was fun to look through all the University of Utah stuff and pick out what they wanted.  We then drove past the house in which I grew up. It was kind of a shock to see how much things have changed since I saw it last.  The elementary school I attended had been torn down and tennis courts for the high school were put in.  They also expanded the soccer fields as well.  The middle school was completely new.  By this time the kids were thirsty so we stopped at another of our local favorites, Shivers,  for a Lime Ricki.  Only Jeremy remembered eating in the train, although now he barely fits (see picture below).

Jeremy almost couldn't get out.  It was quite funny.

Since Shivers was right around the corner from where Steve grew up we made that our next stop.  Unlike my neighborhood, his had not changed a lot.  We then went back to Shaun and Kathy's ("headquarters") to drop off our loot and relax a bit before heading out to Mom and Dad's for dinner.  We had been waiting to hear from Sharron, Steve's mom, as to when she would be settled and ready for us to visit.  She was being transferred to a recovery center after having her knee replaced.  We were excited to go and visit with her for a bit before heading back to headquarters for the night.  

July 17th started out with a tour of Laura's (my sister) new house.  All I have to say is "WOW!" 

We then took the kids to lunch at one of Steve's favorite places from his childhood - Milleys Burgers.  It was fun sitting outside eating our burgers and talking about what had and what hadn't changed.  We did a little shopping for all the birthdays that were being celebrated while we were in town and even got some groceries for dinner at Katrina's house.  

Back at headquarters I got to help Shaun get the boat out of storage and make sure that it was ready for the lake.  That was really fun.

Dinner at Katrina's was a blast.  We had excellent ribs with fixings and then took a walk to the gully to look at the river.

Nick, Cole and Grandma EllaRene

Playing on the big pile of dirt out in the field.  The kids were in heaven.  

 The rocky road down to the river.  I used to come here when I was a teen.  

Checking out the water and looking for wild life. 

Jeremy caught in thought.

Jeremy caught in deep thought

Grandpa, Randy and Katrina taking a break while the kids explored. 

They found  a hummingbird nest.  

July 18th Steve helped Shaun and Kathy clean out his dad's garage before the condo was sold later in the week.  We then all piled into the car and went over to Derran and Sarah's house for a visit.  Summer and Graham were hilarious and super cute.  After the grand tour for everyone we went to Training Table (another favorite - yes, we like our food) for lunch.  I really miss the mushroom bacon burger and cheese fries.  Derran and Sarah took the kids back to the house for a nap and our party of five went off to do some more site seeing.

Nick and Graham

Happiness is...Training Table with family

Steve wanted to stop by the best fishing shop in the west.  The kids loved it and we spent a good hour there before moving on.  The kids were done for the day by this point so we dropped them off at headquarters to chill while Steve and I went to the grocery store to get what we would need for the condo and cabin. We went to our favorite grocery store (Maceys) and got everything on our list and then picked up a Papa Murphy's pizza for dinner.  We got ourselves all settled and ready for the condo the following day before collapsing into bed.

July 19th we started packing for the condo and decided to take a break to feed the ducks.  Shaun and Kathy live close to the canal road and there are always ducks wanting to be fed.  The kids got a kick out of throwing the bread the canal and watching the ducks swim really fast to get to it.  This was especially comical when the ducks had to swim against the current.  

Heading out to feed the ducks.

A mama with her babies.

Swimming against the current to get the bread

It didn't take long to get everything in the car.  Before we knew it we were on the road ready to go to the condo with only one stop to make.  We had to get our fishing licenses - Off to Walmart.  While Steve and the boys took care of their licenses, Naomi and I wandered around.  I found a Utes furry blanket and Naomi found one with leopard print.  We were both very happy.  We stopped at 7-Eleven on our way out of town for a Slurpee and then hit the open road.  Condo, here we come.

The condo was up Ogden canyon in the town of Eden.  The scenery was gorgeous.  I had forgotten how much I love being in the mountains.  We dropped the kids off and went to the local market to pick up the last few things for dinner (we were in charge of dinner the first night).  Back at the condo everyone was starting to arrive just in time for dinner.  The cousins all played on the lawn in between the two condos while the adults talked and enjoyed Jalisa's yummy sweet rolls for dessert.

Uncle Steve with Isabella.  She is awake this time.  

Fixing dinner.

Morgan, Shaun and Adalyn relaxing.

Naomi on her rock.

July 20th we all slept in because we stayed up late talking the night before.  It was fun to have the whole family together.  We woke up to a light rain which made it actually chilly.  I had forgotten that mountain rain is chilly - love it.  The guys and kids were content to have a down day, but the girls wanted to do some shopping.  Laura finds the best places to shop so she was in charge of the location.  We ended up in historic Ogden and had a blast looking in all the different boutiques and shops.  About 1:00 we were all getting hungry.  We stopped in front of a restaurant to talk about where we wanted to eat and the restaurant own came out and talked us into eating at his place.  We are glad we did.  The food was amazing.  Laura, who has never met a lasagna she liked, really liked the lasagna.  We sat around and chatted for a bit after finishing our lunch and then headed out to do some more shopping.  

Amanda and George (he is eating the lemon from his mom's drink).

from left to right:  Amanda, George, me, Kathy, Jalisa, Laura and Jenny.  Mom is taking the picture.

We got back to the condo just in time to watch BreElle, Waylan and Adalyn riding their bikes all over the place.  I volunteered to stay outside with the kids while everyone else fixed dinner.  The kids were so cute showing me all the "tricks" they could do on their bikes and then taking me to explore the club house.

Inside the clubhouse.  Happy cousins.  

 After dinner I got to cuddle with Isabelle for a long time (YAY!) while everyone sat around and talked while doing various activities.  We also got a tour of Sam and Amanda's new house.  WOW!!  I can see why they love it so much.  The view is breathtaking and they have a huge area for their horses.   Grandma also had out the crafts for the grandkids and was right in the middle of them having a great time.  The boys started a game of poker that lasted until about 11:00.  Nick came downstairs and got in bed, but Jeremy was nowhere to be found.  I finally located him about 12:30 in the other condo with Eric and Andrew playing video games.  He didn't put up too much of a fuss after I told him we were going to the lake in the morning and he needed to get some rest.

Grandma's craft table.

Legos with Waylan

I think the crafts and grand kids finally wore her out.  

The boys playing poker.  

July 21st was the day to which my kids had been looking forward since the day they found out about the summer trip - Lake Day!  Uncle Shaun and Aunt Kathy brought their boat and we were going to spend the day playing in the water.  We went to Pineview Reservior and got the beach stuff set up while Shaun and Kathy launched the boat and drove it over to meet us.  My kids have only every been to the ocean to play in the water and they were concerned about whether it was high tide or low tide so they would know where to set up base camp.  My sisters thought this was funny until I explained it was of vital importance when visiting the ocean to know what tide it was if you didn't want to lose your belongings to the sea.  

Playing with the cousins

Me, Chris and Jenny goofing off while setting up the shade.

David doing his impression of the Coppertone commercial.  

The little kids got to go for the first boat ride while the water was relatively calm.

Amanda and her kids ready for a ride.

The guys getting ready to fish.

Mark, Chris and Steve heading out to find a good spot to fish.

My three were ecstatic when Kathy FINALLY told them it was their turn on the boat.  They piled onto the boat with their cousins and we headed out to see how long they could hold on before getting dumped in the lake.  We took it easy on Naomi, Nicholas and Andrew.  They just wanted a fun ride.  When Jeremy and Eric got on we had some fun.  Jenny took the wheel and really gave them a ride.  They were all exhausted by the time we got back to base camp.

Jenny driving.  I think she is having fun!

The wind really started to pick up about 2:30 and we were worried we would not be able to get the boat out of the water safely if we waited much longer.  There was a storm headed our direction so we called it a day and went back to the condo to relax for the night.  Nate and his girlfriend, Kimber, arrived just in time for dinner.  While the older cousins played video games and the adults watched a movie, Amanda and I had fun with the little kids until it was time for her to take them home and get them to bed.  They are all growing up so fast.  I am glad I got to spend some time with them while we were at the condo.

July 22nd we were back at the lake.  Jeremy and Nick tried kneeboarding and really liked it.  All three tubed until they were so exhausted they could hardly stand up.  Everyone got a turn on the boat and had a blast playing in the beach.  It was a relaxing day.

David and Adalyn building a sand castle.

Dad wearing his shirt displaying his best advice about life. 

Kathy riding the tube with her grandbabies.

Eric before riding the tube with his mom driving.

Eric after!

Nick, Naomi and Jeremy having a blast together on the tube. 

Steve chilling in his hammock.

Papa and George.

We all returned to the condo worn out, but happy.  It was a great day.  Shaun brought the boat back from the lake and we all helped get it cleaned out so it could go back into storage until next time.  While the adults watched Sharknado III in the one condo, the boys played video games in the other.

The cave where the boys stayed most of the time.  Cousin time is a good time. 

They played video games together and loved every minute of it. 

Grandma and her crafts for the kids.

Grandpa with one grand and two great grands. 

Nick and Andrew emerged from the cave long enough to have some dinner.

July 23rd we packed up the car in preparation for the second half of our Utah trip, The Cannon Cabin.  We were sad to leave my family, but excited to see Steve's family at the same time.

Jalisa, Jenny, Mom, Me, Kathy and Laura

Packed up and ready to go!

Stayed tuned for Part Two.