Making Memories...

Willard Bay was the place we called home for a week.  I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it as much as I did.  The reason I wasn't sure is because I knew Larry was going to work everyday and I wasn't sure when the older kids & grands were coming.  It turned out wonderful!

Every day someone came up which we really looked forward to.  We boated during the day a few times when some of the big boys came that could take care of the boat.  I use to do it all back when my kids were little but we have changed boats a few times since then and I am not as confident about it these days.  It got me thinking though and I think I could if I really wanted to.  We had a blast all week.  Even the nights weren't bad as far as weather and sleeping went.  Almost every night we had a grand or two spend the night...sometimes even their parents did.  On Wednesday Night we had the most people since Trichelle and her friend, Krissie and their kids all spent the night.  The trailer was packed but I think it was comfortable. (there were 10 of us)  It was fun having them.  There were a few times Krissie asked me if I was ok.  I was and I think I must have just been thinking and remembering when Trichelle and Krissie were teenagers.  I also think I was wondering how we were all going to fit but knew we would make it work.

I really enjoyed this week and hope that we made some fun memories for the kids and grands as well. I loved spending time with each and everyone of my kids and grands and hubby.  I loved playing games with them and taking pictures of them.  I loved not having to cook or be anywhere but there with the ones that came.  I loved seeing the Orrocks out boating with their family.  I loved seeing the mountains all around us and the beautiful sky and sunsets.  (I'm sure the sunrise was nice too but I didn't see any because I enjoyed staying in bed just relaxing)

I enjoyed having to come home a few mornings too.  It was a nice little break each day and I was able to get a little laundry done which would make the clean up easier.  (I had a Doctor apt Wed and was a sub for bowling on Thurs)

 I love looking back at the pictures because they make me smile as I remember all the fun that we had.  Larry and I talked about how that was a pretty inexpensive vacation.....a stay-cation of sorts.  I would think that this might become a tradition.  No one had to miss work and was still able to enjoy some boating and family togetherness.

I believe I would even look forward to doing this again because it turned out to be so fun.  I drank a lot of pop and ate more hot dogs than normal and enjoyed some traditional boating goodies.  I didn't get up and ready like normal because I didn't have things to do or places to go.  I wore my swimming suit a lot and enjoyed playing in the water a few times. I got high centered climbing through a window because the lock on the door broke and I even had bruises on my legs showing that I "inched" my way in.  I enjoyed cleaning the trailer up because it is small enough to be done quickly.  I also was able to just read a book....a wonderful book in fact. "Heaven is Here" by Stephanie Nielsen...a memoir of her life.  A story of attitude and faith and love!

It is times like this that I am thankful for my life.  Life is mostly what you make it and with the help of my family mine is really fun and wonderful.  I am so blessed.....we all are!

A Hoorah with the Coy's

Tonya and I wanted to get our families together one more time before Alexi left for her mission and so I volunteered to have a dinner at my house.  I figured my kids and their families would be coming anyway so why not Tonya and hers.  It was fun as always.  I love the Coy Family and I love how well we all get along.  Everyone from both sides mingle and enjoy each other.  There is no segregation which is really nice.  Even the grands all play with each other.

I love each and every person that belongs to this family.  They are such wonderful people with big hearts.  They love us all as much as we love them.  They all make my life better.....truly they do.  I love watching our kids that have grown up and now have children of their own.  Tonya, Mark, Larry & I have raised some good kids.  They are good parents and have good partners.  My heart beams while I watch and visit with them.  The grands are all really great little people too....they are all kind and respectful and loving.  It's cool to see the good passed down and become even better.

Time flies when you are having fun and tonight it surely did.  Before we even realized it was after 9:00 pm and we needed to leave to get back into Willard before the gate closed which is at 10:00 pm.  I would have rather stayed and visited with this cute family but that didn't happen.

I will be forever grateful to Heavenly Father for blessing me with Tonya as my friend at such a very young age.  What a blessing she has always been to me.....a dear friend who has become family in every way.

I LOVE all the Coy's, Mocks, Lindsay's, and Shaffer's!

Willard Bay for a Week.....

After Ivy and Hayley's baptism's we went out to Willard Bay to camp for a week.  However we planned on coming home for Church and then returning after a get together with the Coy's.  Our first night was nice and relaxing.  We stayed at the South Marina because the North is still closed because of an oil spill.  The North Camping is much nicer but this worked....we were camping.  I'm really glad that there are places that are close so that we are able to enjoy our new trailer and our boat.  It seems like life gets too crazy to be able to take off otherwise.  This was fun and it was nice just being with the kids in a small, confined area!  I believe it is times like this that families bond and get close.  It's a good thing to do every now and then....just get away together in a small area where you play and talk more than on regular days.  Oh and take your camera....so you can capture some of those memories!

Ivy's Baptism

What an exciting, wonderful day!  Little Miss Ivy was baptized and confirmed a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!  It was such a great day.  Ivy wore her mommy's dress.  (not sure if Trichelle was baptized or confirmed in it but one or the other she was and it was Trichelle's)  Ivy has longer legs than her mommy so she wore leggins but it was cool that she was able to wear the same dress as her mom.  (Kamryn also wore this dress while being sealed to her parents on their wedding day)

I love baptisms because the Spirit of Christ is always at them.  It is one of my favorite things....going to baptisms.  In fact, after Ivy's we went to my niece Hayley's who is only a few days older than Ivy.

Ivy was baptized in her Spanish Ward and so a lot of it was in Spanish.  It doesn't matter that I don't understand the words....the Spirit is the same!  I gave the talk about Baptism and Confirmation and Jared gave the closing prayer and so that was all in English. (wink)  Daniel was also considerate of our family and baptized and confirmed her in English as well.  The Spirit was so strong.  Ivy is a wonderful girl and has a wonderful family.  She's a very blessed little one and we are all blessed to have her in our lives.

I felt bad that we needed to hurry afterwards and wasn't able to visit with Daniel's family much but we felt it was important to make it to Hayley's as well.  I'm glad that my kids stayed and supported Trichelle and Ivy....that made me very happy.  I love my family and the love and support we all have for each other.  Today my heart was extremely happy!

Birthday Dinner for me and Rich

Julie and Kevin like to treat their parents to dinner for our birthdays.  We celebrate twice a year.  Larry and Lynette's birthdays are close and Rick and mine are.  So tonight we went out for Rich and mine.  Kamryn sang to us before we left.  Kam is such a tease that she ended her Grandpa Dunkleys song  by singing Happy Birthday to Gramma Dawn instead of him.  Silly girl!

Larry and I appreciate Kevin and Julie and Kamryn for this kindness.  It's fun going out to dinner with them and Julie's parents.  It's so enjoyable sharing birthdays and friendships!  We have great kids!

celebrating the 4th....

Today we worked....we pulled weeds.....we sweat our guts out.....we accomplished a lot....and then we rested.....and after we rested......we played!

We went up to the Dunkley's and the kids swam and had a blast in the pool.  Larry & I watched since we were cleaned up and feeling fine. It was fun watching ...especially the volley ball games.  Dunkley's against the Ropelato's....each won a game and I'm not sure who won the final game....doesn't matter it was fun!

We had a cook out which was delicious and then we visited and watched fireworks.  The Dunkley's had a box of fireworks and lit them in their driveway and behind their's there were a few other families celebrating with the big fireworks that lit up the sky.  It was fun seeing them all.  It was a great day and really fun spending the evening with the Dunkley's.  I sure do love the families that my kids have married in to.  They are all pretty great!

4th of July

Today as a Nation we Celebrate our Independence!  I'm so thankful for this country and all the men and women who have fought for our freedoms so that we can ALL enjoy them.  After visiting a few other countries and reading books about different ones I know that we are truly blessed!  It's something I always took for granted.....I always enjoyed freedom and didn't realize other countries really don't have it.  It is worth fighting for.  We are also blessed with so many luxuries.  It's hard when the power goes out for a few hours....or the water is dirty and we can't use it for a few hours.  Things that one doesn't really think about growing up until you realize all these things are a blessing.  I am Grateful to live in this Country....I am Grateful for all those that serve and have served this Country so we can enjoy the Freedoms that we do.  I pray for this Country and it's leaders now more than ever.  I don't want to ever lose what we have and enjoy.  I Love the United States of America!

Today I lingered in bed a bit longer and was enjoying snuggling with Larry.  For some reason I opened my eyes and couldn't help but scream and throw my elbow back into Larry.  I had "spider-man" in my face!  Jaydan has purchased a few Lycra body suits and enjoys scaring others with them.  Well today he succeeded.....he got me good! hahaha

I laugh every time I get scared from someone in my family since it was me that scared them all for years.  Larry got me the other day too and it's funny to me!  I love my silly family .... they are such a blessing to me!  I love how Patriotic the Spider-man costume is.....so appropriate for this day!

Happy Fourth of July!!!  Hooray for the RED~WHITE~&~BLUE!!!