Summer Fun

Here are just a few pictures of things we have done this summer. There is a nice little bay area near us that the kids have enjoyed going to a few times. The beach is a little rocky but they don't care. It is just fun to dig and swim.

They have also enjoyed finding ways to make some money.

They did pretty well too, but who wouldn't want to buy lemonade from these cuties.

Finally the Fourth

On Fourth of July weekend my mom and dad came up for a visit! It was really exciting to see them. They drove here and spent just a few days with us. They helped us in the yard and then joined in on our fourth festivities. We missed the little parade that they do with the golf carts in the morning because we were at church but we here it was really fun. We made these firecrackers and took them to the neighborhood BBQ.






While we were there they had a chipping contest and sure enough my lucky brother won the whole thing.

The kids played and played while we ate and ate. (why do we do that?)

Then it was off to the firework show.

It was no where near a Mellaluca Production (Idaho Falls' show)

But it was really pretty good for such a small community pooling together. We all had a really great time.

I finally gave in

Mr. Incredible is all alone.
I am at my parents house.
The kids are having fun.
I am not.
I got my wisdom teeth out.
I have seen funner days.
My sister traveled 10 hours to take care of me.
She is an angel.
Mom and Dad are too.
I am still behind on things to post, namely the 4th.
I am missing some great deals at Safeway this week.
Jack Jack is missing his dada.

A day at the Salon

I am way behind on all of my blog posts, but eventually I will get caught up. Violet's birthday was on June 23rd and she chose to have a salon birthday party. She only invited her best girl friends and they were pampered on all day. It all started with a light lunch and Italian Sodas.

Then she had her cake because...

"Mom, we don't want to mess up our lipstick with cake later."

So the treatments began with a homemade green mask. It was cold and it didn't smell great, but the girls couldn't stop giggling.

Then they soaked their feet and enjoyed a relaxing pedicure with a manicure to follow.

Poor Kaysha was a little too small to soak.

Look at those beautiful feet.

After that they put on their favorite dress and got their hair and make up done.

It took about 3 hours to get to this point and they were loving every minute of it. When they were all dressed to the nines they strutted their best runway walk down the red carpet (those pictures didn't turn out) Then we did a photo shoot. Here are just a few.

She finished it all by opening her presents!!

So now she is finally 7,

but will someone please remind here that there is not a 1 in front of that 7!

Horton's were Here

A few weeks ago we were blessed with a visit from Jenny's Family and Grandma. They drove all the way here from SLC area. When they got here they had a gift for me. Jenny and Shiela worked together to make this beautiful picture of the Idaho Falls Temple for me!

Isn't it amazing? I love it.
We really enjoyed having them here. Cory and Mason did a lot of golfing while the other kids did a lot of swimming. We all know the Horton's are no strangers to the pool, but Michael is still getting use to the idea.

Mason has grown about a foot since we last saw him and Brooke is beginning to look like a beauty queen. Kobe is now so sweet and calm it is like they have taken the hurricane right out of the Horton.

My kids just loved having their big cousins here to play with. They look up to Brooke and Kobe so much.

One day we actually had the privilege of going out to eat with no kids thanks to Grandma. We showed Jenny and Cory our little Mexican fix. It is no Lorena's but it isn't too bad.

Grandma decided to go for a walk with the kids to enjoy the beauty of Blanchard. She took the kids and set off. Despite my warnings not to wonder left sure enough they did. Soon Dash looked up and said, "Grandma, I think we are lost." But it wasn't long before she found her way safely back to the trail.

Grandma also spoiled us all with her wonderful cooking. She made all kinds of wonderful things to eat and she helped clean up the kitchen everyday. I wish she could stay forever and do that.

Thank you guys for coming to see us. We love and miss you all so much.

New Nieghbors

My brother and his lovely family have moved into the house right next door to us. It is wonderful to have family so close. We have missed that. They have three kids as well and they are fairly close in age with ours. My whole world has changed by having them next door. I now have the convenience of borrowing things (in case you forgot our closest store is 7 miles away), swapping childcare, and having a real live face to face adult conversation in the middle of the day. It's been great, we are so happy they are here. 1 down 7 to go. We will have you all here before you know it. Kelly will do the real estate, Corey and Jason will develop the community, while Austin runs the sales office. Not to mention all the farm land that is here, Howard!!! And hey there is not one dentist nor chiropractor in this town yet so it is ripe for the picking.

Professional Golfers' Association

Troy passed the PAT!! The playing ability test is 36 holes of golf under an immense amount of pressure where you must shoot a qualifying score to pass and become an official member of the PGA of America. Troy has had a journey trying to get through this, but he has worked so hard and is now rewarded. We couldn't be more proud!

He played a course in Missoula Montana and this particular course required a score of 156. He shot a 76 the first round and felt great that he only needed an 80 to pass. However, on the second round he and his playing partner teed off from the wrong set of tees on accident and incurred a two stroke penalty. He pulled it together and finished with an 80 so he passed without a stroke to spare.