Summer, Summer, Summer (part 2)

The summer ended with Parker's 3rd birthday. We had a little family celebration, which Parker thought was great. I can't believe how fast time seems to be going by...it truly is bitter sweet. I miss my cute little, chubby babe that I could burrito wrap and snuggle, but it is so fun to hear him talk and see his little personality (most of the time :) and he is so excited about preschool. So, on we go to another fun and exciting phase of life.



One last hurrah before real life starts and we all head home and start school and schedules. It always goes by way too fast. Thanks mom and dad for a great summer!



Oh yeah, we did a little bit of this (work), this summer too. :)

****The Big Day****
Kurtis and Haylie

August 12, 2010

I think the girls and I might have snuck away to do a little shopping.

Lake Powell. Between all the weddings and parties we still had time to squeeze in a week at Lake Powell. For the first time in a long time we had some scary weather. It rained quite a lot and it was pretty cold, cold enough to be grateful for the sweatshirt you always pack but never end up needing. One day we were there the winds started picking up and there were white caps on the waves out in the bay. Some day campers next to us had to come take shelter because of the high winds blowing sand every where. But we had some good tie downs and our boat held strong. I am really proud of all the kids. They all tried knee boarding, water skiing, tubing and cliff jumping at least once. Brandon is quite the little daredevil...he got up on the knee board and started doing 360's without anyone telling him and he was jumping off the high cliffs with uncle Jerry and uncle Jordan. Emma got up on both skii's and kneeboarding and after a lot of talking, ok let's be honest, BRIBING, Caitlyn gave it a good try. She is now enjoying those Calico Critters she got...thanks Aunt Alli. We played lots of games, played in the sand, and even got to ride on some Jet skiis (thanks Paxton and Kara). All and all it was a great trip, but we missed those who weren't there this year! Thanks grandpa for all your hardwork!

Haylie's bridal shower. As always, good food, good people, good fun.

This is Grandpa's summer pride and joy. Yes, he grew it all by himself.

T-R-O-U-B-L-E...BUT SUCH GOOD FRIENDS!

The climb. So we decided to try something different this year and took the kids to hike Mt. Timpanogas. Grandpa came with us and THANKFULLY grandma stayed home with Parker---If you can't tell from the picture, I made it (barely :) and can't picture having to carry Parks up the mountain, since most nights he can't even make it up the stairs to bed without me carrying him (ok so he might be SLIGHTLY spoiled). But, it was a great time and the kids were real troopers, Brandon and Davis practically ran the whole way up the mountain. The cave at the end was really great and it happened that some people from our part of Indiana were out visiting Utah and taking the tour at the same time...man it's a small world.

You've heard shop til you drop? Well this summer it was PLAY til you drop. This would often be the case. Parker just konk out totally exhausted in the middle of playing.

Welcome to the Wild West. Grandma (and grandpa) like to throw a little party for the kids. This year it was the wild west. They made some tasty grub, got to dress up like a cowboy/cowgirl, played some games (including a sunflower seed spittin contest), panned for gold, traded in their gold pieces at the trading post, and even learned a little line dancing. The kids always have so much fun, thanks grandma and grandpa!



My Grandma and Grandpa were the Grand Marshals of the Pioneer Day festivities, so we got to get up Xtra EARLY (notice Tyler sleeping) to see them drive by in the carriage in the parade. Hey we even got to see a group of missionaries parade by! Amazingly it was still blazing hot even though it was so early and I think more cotton candy ended up ON parker rather than IN him.



Pioneer Days Rodeo...I think our favorite parts were the bull riding, mutin bustin, the rodeo queen contestants, barrel racing, and the motor cross demo at the end. Oh, and of course all the yummy treats, gotta love the ginormous snow cones.



Happy Birthday, Grandma Nanny!
What better way to celebrate 93 great years than a little pizza pool party. We love you Grandma!

****The BIG day*****
Amy and Tyler
July 16, 2010