Katie's Goodbye Party

We had a goodbye party for Katie Cook (the one in the middle with the big smile), since she is moving this weekend. Everyone had a lot of fun. We will miss you Katie!!

Happy 15 Year Anniversary!!

Janelle left me this note today. If you can't "read" her writing it says, "Happy 51 Anniversary Mom and Dad!!"

Wow -- we look great for 51 years, don't we!

We didn't get a big "alone" trip this year (unless you count the pioneer trek) but at least we got to spend the evening together.

We went out to eat at the Anasazi Restaurant and quite enjoyed it. We topped off our meal with a yummy chocolate fondue.

Then we went and saw "Footloose" at Tuacahn. It was quite hot but then after intermission a huge storm blew in. There was brief rain and lots of wind and lighting. It looked really cool with the lightning lighting up the mountains. But unfortunately they canceled the rest of the show.

The next day I exchanged our tickets and Janika and I went to see "Annie." Then Rick and I went and saw the second half of "Footloose" the next night. So it all worked out!

Oh, and I have to mention that for our Anniversary Rick wrote me a sweet love note of "Remember whens..."

Words are totally my love language and so a sweet heartfelt love note is the best gift I could receive! I think Rick and I are perfect for each other. I have truly enjoyed the past fifteen years and look forward to many many many years to come!!

24th of July Parade

We participated with our Deaf Branch in the Ivins 24th of July Parade this morning. Everyone was really excited about being in a parade. Except for Jase and Jared -- they said that they would rather be on the receiving end of the candy instead of the giving end. We dressed up in Pioneer Clothes and sang and signed Pioneer Songs. Jenna's stroller broke ten seconds into the parade and so she had to be carried the whole way.

Happy Pioneer Day!

Dress Up

Janika put make-up and accessories on all of the kids -- including Josh. Poor kid. I guess most boys who have older sisters have to endure such treatment. He really didn't seem to mind much. In fact, I had a difficult time getting him to take off those earrings. "Why don't you take off those earrings, Josh?" "They are NOT earrings -- they are stickers!" "Oh, well in that case..."

Awwww!

Jacob Hamblin Home

Our Deaf Branch had a family home evening activity at the Jacob Hamblin home. One of the girls found a king snake -- eeeeew! All of the kids were getting restless in such cramped quarters and so Rick led them all in a game of "Red Light, Green Light" on the grass.

Grandma and Grandpa's

After the pioneer trek, Rick, Janika, and I arrived at my mom's around 2:30 a.m. We slept over and then Rick went and picked up the rest of our kids from Gerilyn's. They had a great time while we were gone -- I don't think they even missed us!

We all slept over another night and Chris and Sandy were also there with their three youngest boys and so the cousins had a fun time playing together. We all went swimming in the afternoon and then ordered in some pizza.







Jenna was so good at Grandma and Grandpa's. She was perfectly content sitting on the floor playing with all of the new toys that were in Grandma and Grandpa cupboards. Here she is laying down by Grandpa -- just relaxing!!