Back to School

After a 3 week break, Brenna goes from half day Kindergarten to full day 1st grade.  She has been looking forward to eating lunch at school.

Emi is our 4th grader now, loving her tie dye backpack.

Lindz is starting 6th grade.  Ready to rule the school.

Sending them off to school for the 3 weeks, then the next track comes on and then we will enjoy a little more summer together.  Gotta love year round school!

Tramp Success

Slumber Party on the newly installed tramopline! YEAH!!!

Trampoline Growth

After years and years of excessive use, our tramp died, literally breaking in half.  After searching local stores we found 15 foot tramps, but our currently hole was dug from a 14 foot tramp.  It was a small detail to that led to A LOT of digging!

First we had to dig out the legs of the old tramp.  Lindsay and I spend 4 1/2 hours working on that aspect of the project, sweating like pigs.  

Once Robert got home from work, we began the 'expansion' of the hole.  Oh man.  It was harder than I imagined.  If you live in northern Utah, you know what our soil is like. Heavy Clay is a good description.  Heavy, heavy clay.  We kept digging and then trying to fit the frame in, seeing which parts still needed to be dug out more.  We dug and dug and made an In-N-Out run and dug and dug some more.  We eventually were able to fit the frame into our new hole, but then had to level it.

If there was ever joy in this project is was this moment. Level.  Granted to this was only one section of the tramp, but by golly that section was level.

We finished up just as the fireworks were starting. Today is Pioneer Day - July 24th, a day when we remember those who came before us, who sacrificed all that they possessed, even their lives sometimes, in forging new paths to create a better life for themselves and those to follow, and to build up the kingdom of God here on the Earth.  Our project has no real significance in that regard but it was good to work hard, work really hard together.   

Brenna's 6th B-day

This year Brenna was able to celebrate her birthday with her cousins and grandparents in Orlando.  She spent the day swimming and miniature golfing before boarding a plane back to Salt Lake.  The next morning we did family presents.  She loved her light up rubber ducky, to add to her ever growing collection.

Reading an awesome card from sisters.  The cards are often as good as the presents.

All her new treasures

And a final stunt with Aubrey.  My grandma had a tradition of standing on her head each birthday.  I guess Brenna may start a tradition of standing on others each birthday.  Happy Birthday B!  We love you and are so grateful to have you in our family!

First Class

While in Orlando, we gathered around a computer in Papa and Grandma's room to watch a Brian Reagan comedy routine on YouTube about  'First Class' passengers on airplanes.  "Bring me the head of a Pig"   "Snap that Shut"  were some of the funny lines often repeated throughout the week,

Well.... who knew that these lucky girls would be flying home in style in 'First Class'.  They were beyond excited.  That's a perk of flying with the Dad, the frequent flyer.  Glad you had such a great time Girls!!!

Orlando Trip Slideshow

Orlando was a magical place for us.  There we met up with Robert's parents from California and Robert's brother Mike, wife Katherine, and 6-year old twin boys Bobby and Christopher from Illinois.  We were able to spend the week together enjoying one another's company and making magical memories.

Orlando Temple

We always love to visit temples when we travel.  

Orlando is beautiful

 

We were able to attend church at the building across the street and return later in the week with Aubs and Kay to do Baptisms for the Dead.

Leapin' Lizards & Frogs

The girls could not get enough of the frogs and lizards in Florida.  They spent many hours around the resort hunting, collecting, and naming these little guys.

 

 

 

 

 

It brought them pure joy to collect so many friends.

Double Fun

Aubs friends came by to take her out for a ride.  These 4 girls have been friends since 5th grade and we love them all!

AZ Treasure Hunt

Spent a few days in AZ helping Ally find a place to move to.

This house was a treasure

And we are so glad she found it.

Girls Camp

This morning we abandoned our guest and headed for the hills east of Kamas for Girls Camp.

Robert wanted to take the convertible but with the many miles of dirt roads, I think the sun roof was sufficient, but man, it was such a beautiful drive up there, and so fun just the two of us, it was like a date.

The girls stayed at a Ranch complete with room entry locks and bathrooms inside each room

Not much roughin it here

Aubrey doing Archery.  There was swimming, archery, sports, paddle boats, pretty much whatever you wanted to do, and meals were prepared by a chef in a cafeteria. 

This is why it was nicknamed 'Spa Camp' (there was even a sauna)

 
And of course, horseback riding

Aubs looks like a pro

I'm not sure what I look like

Paddle boating on the lake

The devotional was given by a retired police officer who talked about the importance of putting on the 'Armor of God' and he used Robert as his example, with that beautiful rainbow in the background

Our Crew - Girls Camp 2012