Fun in the Sun......alone

I was surprised when we pulled up to Darinda's house and we were the only ones there for swim day.  I was running a little behind and expected the pool to be busy.  Hunter broke his finger at a baseball camp and so Natalie and her kids wouldn't be coming.  In fact Darinda needed go watch Natalie's kids so that Natalie could take Hunter to the doctor.  She said that the others wouldn't be coming either and so we could just swim and enjoy the pool by ourselves.

It was nice and relaxing.  The scenery is so nice and beautiful.  The pool was warm and there was a little breeze.  At one point I was sitting out in the sun and could look over at Pine View and hear the people playing there.  It was a great day.

The kids loved having the pool to themselves.  They floated all around.  Jumped off the diving board.  Dove for eye goggles. Went down the slide a few times and laughed a lot.

We played for hours and I think they would have stayed even longer if we wouldn't have promised to pick up Zaden to come stay with us for the night.  Ivy left for Mexico today and so one of Trichelle's friend invited her to a soccer game to help ease the pain of having her baby leave for 7 weeks.  Zaden was excited to come and play at Gramma's.

We won't be visiting the pools for the next couple weeks and so we thought we had better this week.  A few more days and we will be back at Randee's.  I am so glad that the family shares with us.  My kids love the pool!  I do too and did as a kid also.  I always had a summer pass to the Terrace Pool. (no longer there ...but glad it was while I was growing up)  So much fun in the sun!!!

Sisters by Choice!

I love this girl!  Tonya and I chose each other to be sisters.  We have been friends since we were really little. We've played dolls together, raised kids together and continue to love spending time together.  

I took Tonya to lunch today for her birthday.  Her birthday was a month ago and this is the soonest we could go.  We went to Rainbow Gardens which is always a great place to eat and visit.  We beat the crowd today.  Only two other ladies were there when we got there but there was a crowd when we left.  It was yummy as always.

We had a little fun in the shops afterwards.  We got a little crazy.  I wonder if our kids are embarrassed?  I would have been but there will come a time when the kids will realize this is healthy and good.  We really are young at heart!  We were taking pictures when Tonya noticed a sign that said pictures weren't allowed.  Actually after seeing the first sign we noticed them every where.  We talked to the lady working there and she said she would leave so we could have our fun. And.....we did have some fun!

It's surprising how being a little crazy can brighten the day!  Who knew a pair of wacky glasses or silly hat could be so fun?  We laughed and thought we were so funny!  I still think we are funny!

When we were through exploring one shop we headed over to the other shop.  I didn't notice any signs saying we couldn't take pictures so we just continued to have our fun.  Dang it's fun making memories with my sister/friend.  I like growing old with her.

From toddlers, to teenagers, to young brides, to "fat momma's", to where we are now.  I am thankful for the journey with Tonya.  We have always been there for each other.  We support and encourage each other.  We celebrate the good times.  We cry together through the hard times.  We laugh when it's over and rejoice for the experiences.  We are sister by choice and I love my sister!

Memory of Mine (Honeycomb)

One of my memories as a child was a treat we called Honeycomb.  When ever my grandma Bessie came to visit,  my mom and her would go get Honeycomb.  I know we had it other times too because my mom really liked it.  And because my mom and grandma really liked it....I did too.  I loved how airy and crisp it was.  I loved the thick layer of chocolate surrounding it.  I buy Honeycomb now whenever I can find it.  The name has changed to Sea Foam...and really the Sea Foam I have found and bought isn't quite as yummy.  It's not as fluffy and crisp...it's more dense.  It is still good and I will continue to buy it for the memories.  This picture is how I will remember the Honey Comb from my childhood.

I remember one time my mom bought a nice size bag of Honeycomb and hid it under her bed.  We had a little dog named Stretches and she found it and got into it.  I know my mom was quite disappointed when she found out that Stretches had got to the Honeycomb.  I remember laughing about that.

Mmmmmmmm I love memories like this!  I love Honeycomb!!!

Temple & Friend & Chocolate

Today Pam and I met and went to the SLC Temple then to lunch.  I didn't even know the Temple was open on Mondays but the SCL Temple is in the mornings.  Pam lives in Springville and so SLC was about half way for each of us.  It was so great attending the Temple.  Pam and I met through our missionaries.  Braxton served with her son Kyle and they thought we should meet.  They told us to look for each other on FB and we became instant friends.  When I met Pam in person for the first time (when Kyle got home)  it was as if we already knew each other. We both felt very comfortable and are great friends.

It was nice attending the Temple before lunch.  It just made me feel good.  We decided to walk over to the City Creek Center for lunch.  Pam hadn't been their yet and we really wanted to "fix" our cravings for chocolate and I knew their was a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory there.  We stopped in the chocolate store first to get a whiff and take a look around.  We came back after having lunch.

Visiting with Pam is fun and easy.  I am so glad that we met.  We just fit together quite well.  She's a great person and such a joy to have as a friend.  I don't know why I am so lucky to be blessed with so many wonderful friends but I am so thankful that I am!!!  Heavenly Father spoils me!  (I LOVE HIM!!!)

Father's Day 2012

I am so thankful for the wonderful dads in my life.  My dad is wonderful and kind and it was wonderful growing up thinking that I was his favorite.  Larry's dad has always made me feel like I was one of his.  I love them both and I'm so thankful for all they do for me and my family.  I am especially thankful for the Dad of my kids.  I love Larry so much and marvel at the man he is.  He is grrrrreat!  Kimi pampered him today with a pedicure.  He loves them!  Kimi is great at giving them.  I get one tomorrow....I just didn't feel right about letting her give me one on father's day....it's Larry's day not mine.

 I got Larry a banana clip for his gun and the kids went in on a target for him.  They had a great time shooting at it.  Guys and guns....they just go together.  I am also very thankful for my son's that are dads.  Justin is such a wonderful dad and loves spending time with his kids.  They sure do love him.  Kevin is also a great dad.  He stepped into the role really smoothly and loves taking care of Kamryn.  She loves him too.

I am also grateful for Daniel, Joe and TJ.  They take care of Trichelle's kids really well.  That is one thing each one of them is really good at.  They love their kids and it shows.  I am glad for these wonderful people. They all mean the world to me!

Fridays are FUN!

Randee is so sweet to have a Ropelato Swim Day every Friday.  Trichelle and Natalie both had off today and were able to come.  Natalie (Dave's) brought her kids too.  Darinda was even there for a while.  I love visiting with my kids, nieces and sister in laws and watching the little ones.  I want my kids to know their cousins and relatives and Randee and Darinda are making this happen.  Darinda has Wednesdays set aside for swim days at her house.

I love that Randee and Marc are so close.  We've already been swimming twice this summer.  Last summer we didn't make it once to Darinda's.  I think we will this summer though since she changed the day.  My kids love it and so I will try to make it happen as often as possible.  It's FuN being a Ropelato!  Oh....just saying that made me think of Kamryn last week.  She was so excited to become a Ropelato that she was telling her cousins on Friday that on Saturday she was going to be a Ropelato! :)

Lagoon with the Grands

It was Stake Lagoon Day and Larry's day off so we decided to take the grands to Lagoon.  Little kids just make me smile....and my grands are just so darn cute I can't stop smiling!

Some of the grands were a bit cautious starting out.  Even though at first a few didn't ride many rides they still said they were having so much fun.  They really liked Lagoon.  Ivy went off with Kimi and Jared and did a few "big" rides for a few hours.  Then we met for lunch and pretty much stuck together.  We ran into Heather Anderson and her boys, and Barbie and the rest of her family.  Jared decided to hang out with them and he had a great time. (I love those people!)

We had a great time too.  A little after lunch Kamryn came with her Aunt Jen and Grandma Lynette so we played with them.  It was so much fun watching the grands get braver and braver.  It was so much fun watching the grands enjoy each other.  They really do love each other!  I love that!!!

It was the perfect day to be at Lagoon.  Not a ton of people at all.  The grands could get in a line and maybe wait one turn and then it was theirs.  Perfect in every way if you ask me!  We loved it!

The little tug boats took the longest to get on because they only had one worker who took one child at a time and put them in their boat then walked back to get another child. SLOWwwwww!  It was the same to get them off.  They can't get accused of not being careful! (they even locked the gate in between each kid. :)

My heart smiled today being with my cute Hubby and darling grands and Kimi & Jared.  Dang I love these people.......a bunch!  Kimi and Jared are such cute Aunts and Uncles....the grands love them!

Ivy was a cute big sister and cousin when she came back and rode with the younger kids.  When Mya finally got brave enough to ride Puff (the roller coaster) Ivy had her arm around her...protecting her! Sweet!

I believe the kids rode every ride as often as they wanted.  They all had a great time!

Parker didn't care to ride the rides but he was sure good watching and staying close to us.  All these little grands have such cute personalities.  Each unique and perfect!

I am so glad that Larry wanted to do this.  It really was his idea.  It had to be since I couldn't afford it.  We just took some $$$ from savings and went.  I would rather make memories than interest. ;)

The only "conflict" I even saw was when Kamryn and Mya rode the tug boats together.  They both wanted to ring the bell at the same time.  It make us all laugh at their little expressions.  The last time around the circle Kamryn was ringing it and Mya put her hands over her ears and threw her head back shouting that it was too loud. :D  It was funny to us and was over when the ride ended.

Larry tricked Parker with the little swings.  He put Parker in and hooked him up and Parker was loving it while it was stopped.  He didn't love it when it started and yelled the whole time.  I was down a few rides with Ivy and Larry asked if I heard him.  I didn't!  We didn't trick him anymore.

I know this was a fun day for everyone.  The kids were so good and so cute and very grateful.  When we were leaving Mya very quietly asked me if they could get something.  Since they had been so good we took them in the little gift store and let them pick out a little gift to take home.

I will admit that I was exhausted when the day was over.   The sun has always drained me and I felt it today. The grands were great and more fun than anything.  We decided that for sure we are taking everyone to Disneyland now in January!  

I know I've said it before but Larry is a Dream Maker!!! He makes our dreams come true.  Man I LOVE HIM!!!