Last Day = Lake

After a great week with my sister and her family we hated to see it end.  On the last day they were here we headed to Lake Powell to show the Easterners our beaches. 

 

 

After the Lake we cleaned up and headed to Twin Rocks Café for dinner.

 

 

To finish the day we had everyone up to make s'mores. 

 

 

It was a great way to end the day, and we look forward to the next visit.

Samantha. 16. Beautiful. Brilliant. Best Friend. Kind. Strong. Courageous. Good Example. Leader. Miracle. Awesome Sister.  Playful. Loving. Determined. Independent. Aunt. Self Motivated. Spiritual. Daughter of God. 

 

 

Sammi is all of that and so much more.  She is also a licensed driver!  For her birthday she wanted money, clothes, and a glow pet.  By the time kids reach this age the element of surprise seems to be lost.

 

 

Happy Birthday my sweet, sweet Samma Lee!

Fabulous Fourth

The 4th festivities started bright and early this year by running the 5k with my sister.  She came all the way from Virginia, and she took 2nd place in her age division... which is young, very young ;)

 

 

After we waited forever and a day for the awards we made it home just in time to get ready for the parade.  The only thing that makes the parade bearable on a hot July day is water, and plenty of it.  The kids always look forward to the water trucks that drive by and cool them off.

 

 

Of course getting a little candy makes the parade fun too.

 

 

I always feel for those walking, or in the case of the Royals, dancing in the parade.  They looked hot.  So, we cooled them off with a couple of water balloons.

 

 

Squirt guns work great too.  My dad doesn't normally come down for the 4th, but this year he did.  I'm sure he appreciated the cool down with the water gun as much as everyone else.

 

 

The swimming pool is a hot spot for cooling off on the 4th.  After lunch and the parade we took the two younger girls and headed for diving for dollars.

 

         

 

After a quick nap we started preparing for our annual family bbq.  Although our numbers were fewer than normal this year, the food was great and the company was even better.  We snapped this picture right before heading to the best fireworks in the state, which is the perfect end to a day of celebrating our freedoms.

 

RAIN

RAIN!!  Need I say more? 

 

 



Super Moon

This past Sunday you would have found us eagerly awaiting for the super moon of 2013 to show itself.

 

 

With great company, it made it all the more exciting.  Kristy and Troy came for a visit, and it was so fun to have them here.

 

 

Kay was happy to finally see all the army men he'd bought years ago being played with.  He's not actually shooting at Troy in this picture, but he's teaching him how to play with the army men.  Troy would line them up and Kay would shoot them down with rubber bands, after Troy moved out of the way to safety of course.

 

 

To pass the time while we waited for the moon we built a fire to roast hot dogs and marshmallows.

 

 

Sam loves her marshmallows burnt to perfection.

 

 

Showing off their "tricks" was another fun pass time.

 

 

Once the moon started to show itself everyone took turns looking through the binoculars.

 

 

Till next time.....

 

Happy Dad's Day

Surrounded by females, sparkles, and various girly frills Kay would do anything to see his girls happy.  Our girls are the luckiest girls around to have the dad they have.  Kay's newest favorite cake is a death by chocolate cake, and he was nice enough to share it with us. 

 

MooShu decided to contribute in her own way on Father's Day with her first batch of kittens.  Baby anything is cute, and these little guys are no exception. 

 



Summer

You know it's summer when...

 

 

 ....sleeping outside becomes an option.  With our faithful four legged friends keeping watch Jill, Kenzie and Miki could rest easy.  I think Miki stayed the warmest with her little tent packed full of fluffy blankets.

 

 

You know it's summer when we head for the mountain. 

 

 

fashion statement?

 

 

You know it's summer when my mom's birthday comes around.  I can't believe she's 71!  She runs circles around me daily.

 

 

Either we sing too loud, or we are terrible singers.  Either way Kyler just couldn't  take it.

 

 

 

You know it's the start of a special summer when you get to go to a grand child's baptism.

 

 

Grace was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Mesa AZ on the first of June.  Grandpa Walker was happy to be the one baptizing her. 

 

 Surrounded by family Grace felt the blessings of a special day.