24th of July

The boys had so much fun at the Stake 24th of July Celebration held down at the Haddon's place.  Natalie did such a great job putting it all together.  There were so many fun things to do!

Fishing,

eating good food,

hanging out with the cousins,

playing pioneer games,

stick pulling with friends...by the way Andrea, you still owe me a stick pull match.

and washing (I liked this one best)!

My favorite part of course...the food.  What a way to spend an evening. 

Exactly why does the Tooth Fairy need my tooth?

Whahoo, another first for us!  Race lost his first tooth.  A few weeks ago, we checked out a library book on the Tooth Fairy.  Such a cute book that has a good explanation as to what she does with all the teeth she gathers.  It was perfect for Race.  He has happily donated his tooth to her cause...

Though he still tried to stay up with his head-lamp and catch her...

But...he didn't.  She's way too good at her job!

What didn't we do this summer...

I love summer.  I think it stems back from both my parents being teachers so the entire family had summer vacation.  We were sure lucky.  The theme for this summer is "strengthening relationships"  Here's why...

We love Grandma Sara.  I did my student teaching with Sara back in Fall of 2003.   We were instant and life long friends; she's been so dear to me ever since.  The boys love spending time with her.  We love summer because we get to see her more!  Here's some pictures of them golfing and feeding ducks at the Piggy Park in Sedona.  We love you Grandma Sara!

She's a great swimmer too! 

For the Pre-4th of July, the Bleaks invited us to vacation with them down at Jim and Vickie's resort in Scottsdale.  Of course I forgot my camera.  But we had a blast, and of course, lots of swimming!  We love you Bleak Family!  For the 4th, we went up to Arena Del' Loma to watch the fire works over the Casino.   Lane loved his first fire-works show!

We love Monday Movie Day with Nanna and Tanner.  We head over the hill to spend the day with Nanna and Papa every Monday.  We're getting to be quite the pro's at Theatre shows.  Every Monday is a new adventure, right Mom?  We love you Nanna and Papa!

Of course I have to go out with the girls to make fun of, I mean watch the new vampire flick.  What a fun night out with the A-Team (Andrea M., Andrea F., and Adriane.)

The boys also had fun catching up with old friends.  We loved getting to see Malachi and his family.  Miss you guys!

Of course we still hit the library when we can.

Our good friend Jo met up with us at the Cottonwood library this summer.  We're so sad she moved to Cottonwood, Witt misses riding his bike down to her house. 

And of course, we harvested our apricot trees.  We didn't get much this year, but we got some!  The boys had fun pickin'.

If you're ever in the mood for the best omelet around, the little place up the road, Crickets, serves the best.  Grandma Armstrong agrees.  About February we started our monthly tradition to drag her over to our side of the mountain for breakfast.  We look forward to our visits; this last time, the boys even washed her truck for her.  One side of the truck looked great!

And lastly (we wish we could have stayed longer), we headed down to my sister's house for her wonderful music class.  Annell teaches a class called, Let's Play Music, and it is absolutely wonderful.  Check it out, the curriculum is amazing; a great way to get your kids started in music. 

Good ol' Arty came for a day too with his son Bosen.

We got to see Logan (Tyrrell's son) while we were down.  He's so cute!

And of course, more swimming in Kissy's (that's what the boy's call Annell) pool!  We love hanging out with the cousins.

What a fun summer filled with wonderful memories.  One of my most memorable summers as a kid was the one I spent with my Grandma.  I still remember the songs she sang to me (Que sera sera), the movies she introduced to me (Funny Girl, and Funny Lady), the music we listened to in the car (Tom T. Hall, and George Straight), the stories she told me (mostly about my mother...good ones of course), and the places she took me.  I love those memories.  I want my kids to have the same kind of memories with the older generations and the new.  How blessed we are to have those special relationships with so many special people.

Summer Swimming

If anybody asks what we did this summer, the answer is....swimming!  Yes, Race and Witt are swimmers!  Going to the pool practically six days a week (facing my fear of public pools, and my anxiety of taking 3 fearless boys to the pool) has payed off; not to mention they had a great time too.

Race loves his goggles.  He doesn't take them off the whole time.  Such a cute kid.

Witt climbing out of the DEEP END!

Little Lane loves the water too!

Race swimming through the deep end.

Witt swimming through some traffic!

Lane loves swimming with Daddy.

Go Swimming Speed Racer Go!  He loves this picture.

Thinking of Home

John and I took a quick trip up back up the mountain for a dear friend's funeral.  I've been needing to go back (for the funeral and to see my good ol' high school getting repaired)  One too many unexpected events.  And as usual, when I come back to our home, so much reflection and thinking takes place.  I've been looking through old pictures, trying to find some to send to Julie, and in the process, crying, laughing, and just being so thankful for my life.  I'm so grateful that I grew up where I did.  I'm so grateful for the roots I have in that small town, for the people who had positive influence in my life.  It's the place that carries so many memories, it's the place I found my testimony, it's the place I ran probably most the streets of, it's the place that made me...me.   I love you RV, see you in another year. 

This was the way my house looked as a kid.  The big tree out front isn't there anymore.  We used to swing out of that tree into the road.  It's so sad to see it without that tree.  It's so sad seeing someone else living in the house.  It kind of makes me think of that new song.... When I drive by now, I can't help but see Daddy working in the yard, Mom through the living room window, reading a book on the couch; Annell playing the piano, I'm out jumping on the tramp...dreaming; Tyrrell's drawing one of his inventions, Tanner's crawling around by Mom, and Bandit's laying by the tramp watching me jump.  I love this house.

These are my dear dear friends the Bosen girls when they graduated.  It was their dad, Todd, who passed away and we went up to the funeral.  He was an amazing man.  This family has done so much for me.  I love you girls.

Daddy and Todd on the Trek in 2000.  Two great men.

My John helping Todd put up his Christmas lights in I think 2001

This was our State Champion 4x8 team.  We were so awesome, these girls meant so much to me.  Michelle, Dustin, and Kimmy.  They taught me so much! 

Janice, Leah, me, Sarah, and Michelle during the trek 2000.