I forgot to post about the PG Rodeo!

My pictures are all pre show.

Probably because I forgot to take pictures of the actual Rodeo. Oh we'll, there's always next year. 

We haven't been to a "Radio" as the younger two call it, for years. I was nervous about how they would react to the hard crowded seats and the western hats and the slightly disturbing calf roping. I shouldn't have worried. They loved it! Well, except for the violent throw downs of a few of the mutton bustin' contestants. That, and the calf roping was a little disturbing. 

Big summer for this guy.

First skateboard. 

First tooth lost. And actually first tooth grown in, at the same time. He was hoping a little that it would never fall out so he could always have a row of "shark teeth". Creepy. 

I love that N. thinks he deleted this self portrait!

And of course I found it in the picts that were streamed from my phone to the computer. 

And of course I will publish it for all to see.

 Moms are like that. They love to collect blackmail and use it from time to time as entertainment. Sounds more like something dad would do, now that I think of it. 

Um, I don't think so ladies.

Maybe in a few(meaning ten) years. Maybe!

Grandpas Salt and Pepper

Growing up so quick! 

Doing each others nails.

I can't even say how much I love these two growing up together! 

So,cellulitis or bee sting? We will never know.

T thought it would be cooler to have his hand look like this rather than the "boxing glove" swelling he ended up with a while back. (I disagree, that looks like Major surgery would be required!)

This was the first hospital. Diagnosed as cellulitis. Lots of antibiotic necessary. 

Next hospital a few short hours later. Now the swelling was past his wrist and halfway up his forearm. And his fingertips were purple. Yuck! Diagnosis #2 Allergic reaction to an insect bite/sting. Lots of allergy medicine necessary. And just in case it was cellulitis he had to continue the antibiotic. 

He's a good sport. And good at finding something to do in horribly boring ER's. Thankful for photo booth! And thankful even more so for quick easy access to doctors and medicine. And for a quick healing healthy little boy! I am blessed well over what I deserve in this life! 

Silly string as art

Who would have thought? 

Although I have always personally wondered what the big deal was about spray string. 

It was high on the kids summer homework reward list( which they accomplished last week, hence the backyard covered in it!).

Things of the most value to me need to have a purpose as well as looking pleasing. 

String art. 

I can live with that. 

Close, cheap and refreshing.

Cooling off at the city pool is highly recommended. The kids can act crazy all they want. And it tires them out nicely. 

No I don't have permission to post this picture.  But isn't my prego sister cute? (Andrea, please don't beat me up for this)

More fun times at Grandmas house.

BBQ and swim party. 

This summer just keeps getting better and better!

Bike ride

Grandparents invited the family for a ride. 

We are fortunate to have the canal trail connecting our neighborhoods. 

July days are too hot but evening is perfect.

For a scenery change we rode from there  going the opposite direction than usual. 

I wish we had time to ride the trail everyday. 

Floating the river at Lava Hot Springs

The river is cold but SO fun!

S. and mom were some of the many who got dumped on one of the small falls. She did not ever want anything to do with floating on a tube ever again! 

Lets hope the water level is higher next year and do it AGAIN! And again and again.....

Cache Valley Cruise In

Checking out an electric car at the car show

 This guy restored his old car after it had been in a landfill for years. Fun story and pictures.

 Shady spots and drinks were a must. The fairgrounds get awfully hot in July and there are tons of cars to see.

The kids hangin' with UncleD. before the car parade down main street. He is the cool one to sit by.

Idaho trip day 2 (minus the car show)

Four wheeler lessons. N. and T. nearly gave dad a heart attack. They are speed demons! Z. said" this is the single best thing I have done in my life!". Now they all want 4 wheelers of course.

 Back to the reservoir for some more swimming and splashing and throwing each other off the dock.

 Treasure.

 Besides the dock the kids loved seeing what logs could do and skipping rocks across the water.

 Merrill reunion. Happy times.

 Wish it never had to end!

Fourth of July

S. would tell you the best part of the day was PUPPIES! Especially puppy Roxy!

 Idaho cousins were kind enough to host us Merrills for the weekend so we took advantage and moved on to their property semi permanently.

 Everything there is good: Lots of land to park a trailer, cousins to skateboard with and show off tricks,

 and new puppies just a week old to hold and snuggle and pet and hold some more.

 Harley remembered the place and was dying to get out of the truck miles before we got there. She was so happy running around and she looked like she was smiling the whole time!

 Lets see, it wouldn't be a holiday without hours of Portal for N.

 Within walking distance is a reservoir that was the perfect place to cool off and burn off the last of the days energy.

End the day with some fireworks and a room full of movie watchers. Perfect. Exhausting enough to almost sleep through the Tornado winds outside the trailer.

There is nothing quite like the Free feeling of Summer in such a pretty place full of grain covered hills, blue sky, birds chirping, kids voices in the distance laughing and shouting. It truly was the perfect place to feel freedom and feel gratitude for the freedoms we have in this beautiful country.

We love our new cousin!

The kids cant get enough of holding him and trying to get him to smile.

 They try so hard to be the one who gets the most eye contact while he is on an adult lap.

What a blessing it is to live near family and get to share a baby, straight from heaven!

Family campout up the canyon+the flu=

Family campout in the backyard!

Hot dogs and marshmallows taste the same roasted in an impromptu fire pit as they do in the canyon.

 Sleeping in the tent trailer is actually a little bit better than a campground because there is wifi from the house and Netflix on the iPad. Well, better until waking up in the morning and realizing you are still at home and not surrounded by pine trees and the river. At least this year we were safe from the bears!