Bear Lake....

We went to Bear Lake again with the Cooke's and the Mile's.  It was so much fun!  Oh my we laugh a lot and talk a lot and just have a lot of fun!

 Thursday the wind was blowing and so the water was rough.  I was nervous about driving the boat once we put it in the water so I told Kerry to take over.  Laughing started immediately at that point.  Kerry wasn't use to our boat or it's motor and "Jerked" us back and forth quite a bit.  I will give him credit though for NOT hitting the dock....or the scuba diver that was by a dock.  I think he made the others boats nervous too with all the jerking but he managed and got the job done!  (I am thankful he took over since I can only imagine what I might have done with the wind and crowded space)  The water wasn't much good for anything but Tubing or the Water Wienie.....we chose the Water Wienie.  I was a little nervous that I wouldn't be able to give the guys a "good" ride.  Not a problem with the wind blowing.....I got them off the wienie easy.  I guess Kerry kept yelling "she's going to kill us".  YAY!!!!  They had fun!

Us girls had fun too just watching our guys "POP" all over the place! It was a fun day out on the water even though it was a bit rough.

We drew to see who got what room.  The rooms were in one baggie and the couples names were in another baggie.  I got to draw and I drew the Master Bedroom first.  Then I drew which couple would get it and I drew us.  Larry and I were both excited about that draw.  (Last years bed wasn't comfortable at all)  Then I drew the upstairs room and the Cooke's.  That meant that the Miles got the downstairs.  I guess the only disadvantage to the basement is the spiders. (yikes!)  I didn't see one upstairs but Crystal kept seeing them downstairs.  If we do this again I think Larry and I will volunteer for the downstairs. (it should be our turn)

The mornings were beautiful and Crystal was able to capture it with my camera.  I was glad I left the camera on the counter.  The ones up early saw Moose and Deer walking around outside.  I saw a deer but enjoyed laying in bed a bit longer.

On Friday the guys got up and went golfing.....they had so much fun they scheduled another T-time for later in the day.  The water and air temp were perfect.  I have never seen Bear Lake so nice.  The water was smooth all day.

I think Larry must have thought that it would be cold because he chose to wear the dry suit.  It's a bugger to get that thing on and after using it Larry decided it was time to throw it away.

I loved watching Larry ski and enjoy himself.  We usually just watch the kids have fun which is enjoyable to us also...but playing was also very fun!

We were even able to convince Kellie to get out on the water wienie.  Kellie doesn't know how to swim very good and so big amounts of water make her nervous.  I was proud of her and we had a great time.

After Kellie had her fill Crystal and I went for a few rides.  It was fun being bounced around and even thrown off.  I liked that there was only two of us.  That way when you flew off you were less likely to hit.  Oh and speaking of hitting.....when the guys were riding and they flew off....Brad ended up under Kerry and Kerry ended up pushing Brad under the water even more in the process of trying to get to the surface himself.  Funny and scary both.  I had that happen once and it's scary not knowing when you will surface to get some air again.  The good thing is we all survived and no one was hurt.

After another round of golf we all went to the Club for dinner.  It was nice sitting outside and the meal was good. There was a live band and it was fun watching them set up.  We even stayed and listened to a few songs before heading back to the cabin to play games.

It was a nice, relaxing, fun weekend.  We all get along really well and are so comfortable with each other we can totally be ourselves.  Oh what fun memories me made!

Another Swim Day

Swimming this summer has been so much fun!  I think it's because we have actually been able to go a few times.   I think Kimi and Jared have enjoyed it too.  I love seeing my nieces and their kids and visiting with my sister in laws too.  The little kids make me smile because I see their parents in them and it brings back such fun memories.  I love reminiscing!

I was impressed with Stacey's little girls.  She told them not to go into the pool until she came out and they were so good to obey.  They didn't even get close to the water while they were waiting.  Sara even talked to me and told me how her mom only had brothers and prayed that she would have daughters and look.....she got us!

Natalie and her cute little ones came up today too.  I didn't get in the pool today since Mallory and Kathy were taking me to lunch again for the second half of my birthday. (we decided celebrating twice for each birthday is how we need to do it for now on.)  I love the little moments that we have together.  I think the little bit of time we have together here and there will keep us close.  I want my kids to know their cousins and their cousins kids and I like the idea of them knowing us too!

This summer has been one of my favorite summers for a long time.  I feel like I have enjoyed it more and also have been able to enjoy my kids more.  I'm thankful for my extended family and for the sacrifice they make of their time to have us over.....Darinda and Randee rock!

Parker and Papa

Most Sundays, Justin and his family come to dinner and we get to enjoy them.  This week it was only Parker and Justin because Natalie and Mya were having a girls weekend in St George with Natalie's mom and sisters.  Parker is so cute and we really were able to enjoy him.  He's the only grand that came today and got all the attention.   Mya and Natlie did come after dinner awhile later so we did get to enjoy them for awhile too.  When it was time to leave Parker was curled up in bed with Papa, my blanket and my bunny.  He didn't want to give any of them up.  I let him take the bunny so he wouldn't leave upset.  He promised to give it to me in the morning when I took Kimi to piano.  Man I love my grands!!

*On Monday morning when I took Kimi to piano I went up to give the grands a hug.  When the door opened my bunny peeked out and behind it was Parker.  Oh my how these little ones make me laugh!  I am so thankful for the continuation of children!  They have always brightened my life and always will!!!

Little Lyra

I got to watch Lyra for Hillary while she went to her best friends wedding.  Lyra was comfortable with me right from the get go.  I think it was good that we went to lunch a few days earlier....she remembered who I was.  Lyra is a cute, quiet little thing.  She just played and played and every once in a while she talked.  Her little voice is so stinkin cute.  It's really high pitched...reminded me of what a fairy would sound like.  Lyra made me smile.

The rest of the family was gone.  Kimi went to a demolition derby with a friend and Larry took Jared and Jaydan to the movies.  Braxton and Chelsea popped in for just a minute and I was surprised to see Lyra warm up to Chelsea.  I learned that Chelsea works at a daycare.....I guess Lyra could sense that Chelsea loves kids. Lyra was really good at ignoring anything Braxton said to her.  I wonder if she really even knew he was there? ;) (she wouldn't even look at him...so funny)  Before the guys left for the movies Lyra was liking my lap.  She hung on me as she observed the boys.  She did discover the candy jar while they were there and was brave enough to get down and run right in front of a few boys.  Lyra loved the candy jar....notice how I keep it low so the littles can get to it easily?  Lyra didn't eat a lot of other food and I did try to get her to but she enjoyed the candy. :)

It was really fun having her over.  I'm really glad that Hillary knew that she could ask me and that I would help her out.  I love my sister and her family.  I am always glad when I get a little time with any of them.

Kathy O....

Kathy is my really good friend.  We have so many fun memories together.  We laugh a lot while we are together.....everything seems to always be so funny!

Kathy took me to lunch for my birthday!  I know I'm spoiled....I like it!  We went shopping afterwards and I found a few shirts I liked.......and now own.  It was a lot of fun....but being with Kathy always is.

Looking at our picture makes me smile......we both look so mischievous! (maybe we are)

Swimming Anyway!

It's Wednesday so it's swim day.  We went up to Darinda's for swim day and no one was there.  Thank goodness for cell phones.  I texted Darinda and she said No Swimming since she was headed to Canada.  

I told her I was just letting the kids play on the tramp for a bit and then we would go.  She told me to let the kids swim since we were there.  I wasn't going to but the kids (mostly Ivy) were disappointed so we did stay for about an hour.  Darinda is so nice to let us come and swim....whether she is home or not. :)

The kids had a great time and it was a nice break in our day.  We have actually made it to more swimming days this summer and it has been fun.  That must mean our summer is a bit more relaxing this year.

We have enjoyed the swim days.....thanks to Darinda and Randee!  It's so nice of them to share with all of us!

Awwwww.......Loving this summer!

Rainbow Gardens

Hillary came to visit for a few weeks and so I was again invited to go to lunch with her and my sister.  I appreciate my cute niece for including me when she is here.  She's such a cutie.  This time we also had another motive for getting together.  I am going to watch cute little Lyra on Saturday while Susan and her family to go a wedding. (best friend of Hillary....I think her name is Yen)  We wanted to make sure Lyra was reacquainted with me before she comes and plays.  I am excited to have her.  I just love little ones.  The just make me smile.

Hillary loves Rainbow Gardens and so we went there.  Heck it's one of my favorite places to go too and I don't get there much since it's not as central as so many other places.  I love my sister and her kids!  I'm glad for the opportunities when we get to see each other. WooHoo!