Today is one of those days . . .

when I wish I did not live a 3 days drive from my family. I wish I could load my kids in the car and head on over to hear this boy

speak as he gets ready to leave for his mission on Wednesday.

This boy means the world to me. I was just a freshman in high school when he was born. I remember meeting him in the hospital for the first time. I remember how he learned to walk holding one arm straight in the air for balance. I can still hear his dad ask teasingly, "Question?".

I spent vacation time and holidays with his family before I had a family of my own. Ryan and I took him snowboarding when we were dating. Now that I have my own kids, I love watching this cousin of theirs playing with them. He and his brother are the big brother Jack does not have.
I will forever cherish the memory of being with him in the Salt Lake Temple this summer.Riley, you are one wonderful young man and we cannot wait to hear of your adventures and life changing experiences in Chile. We love you!

Thank you, Emily!

Olcott Beach Carousel Park is my new favorite place. I think it might be Jack's favorite place too. Before he even got to ride any of the rides, he declared, "This is the best day ever!"

I will agree that this was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Jack drove a Sheriff's car
and called for back up
and shouted orders.
Jack and Addy worked together to "shoot the bad guys."
Addy rode a horse, twice!
A red fire truck? I think so.
"Mom, I'm driving!"
I can't believe they went on this but they loved it too.
Driving boats together.

Who needs Disney World when you can ride all of these rides for just 25 cents a piece and never wait in a line? Did I mention the ice cream and the cool summer breeze off of Lake Ontario?

Thanks for the tip, Emily. We now have a new favorite place to visit in Western New York.

Next year, we're taking our swimsuits and going to the spray park down the street before we ride the rides. Anyone want to join us?

Pioneer Children

We spent Pioneer Day (and my friend Erika and Katy's birthday) in Atlanta. My kids have no concept of what Pioneer Day is because they have never lived in Utah. To help them understand, Grandma Shirlene brought some fun props with her.

Jack

Lilly

Carissa

Ella
She might be the cutest little pioneer I have ever seen. She was adorable in her sun bonnet.

Jay

Love this guy. Always willing to make you smile. Here he is wearing a sun bonnet and super hero arm bands.

Lilly

Caleb

Thanks Shirlene for the fun costume pieces. We love them.

The Ballad of Cowboy Addy

This little girl wants to be a cowboy.

Add a mask and her trusty steed Bullseye and she is off.

We decided maybe she needed a real horse.

Riding off into the sunset.

The Best Reason for a trip to Atlanta

Carissa Lynn Perry
sealed to Mike and Stephanie
July 23, 2011

Family Group Hug in the sealing was a highlight for me. Love these guys.

Grandma Shirlene with the Patels, Perrys and Sheltons.

Mike and Steph have wonderful friends. Carissa has a wardrobe to last into Kindergarten hanging in her closet because of their generosity. But more then that, we are so glad that Mike and Steph have the kind of friends who love and support them like family.

Caseworker Jenny who orchestrated the whole event. Bless her!

Fun With the Southern Cousins

I was brave and flew with my three children by myself to stay some extra time with the Perry Cousin in Atlanta. (yep, we have Parrys and Perrys in our family). It was an adventure making it to the rental car but we did it and I would do it again tomorrow. The Perry house is a favorite to visit and I loved having some great adult time with Steph and Mike. We had a blast!

Ella showered everyone with smiles!

There was swimming,
exotic animals,
more swimming,swinging,and more swimming.

We also made 6 trips to the airport (a highlight for Jack), ate Chik-fil-a, visited the Georgia Aquarium, played at Kangazoom (twice), laughed a lot and I even got to go shopping with my sister-in-laws.

Resurfacing the Road

Jack was so excited for our road to be resurfaced. We may be the only family on the block that looks forward to these kind of upgrades with so much excitement. He out his chair out in the morning and said he would wait all day.

He made it home from the baseball game, with the cotton candy he saved to eat while watching the trucks, just in time to watch "Dusty" the street sweeper clean off the road. (Jack names all of the trucks that work on our road.)Best activity all summer.