Home Sweet Home

While in Alaska we got the kids a few souvenirs. Nothing too exciting. Socks, shirts, and hats....Jocelyn and Creed were partial to the hats... And I am partial to them. No matter how beautiful Alaska is these kids will always be more beautiful to me.

Family Party and Puppy party

Grandma Rice got back from her mission in July. It feels like a huge gift to have her back. We really missed having her around but appreciated her good example to all of us. And I feel proud knowing what a good job she did.

Melissa also had a birthday party for her puppy Beaslie. The kids love Beaslie and we have never gone to a puppy party before so we were all in. Melissa really went all out it it was a great time.

Summer Youth choir concert

All summer Cami participated in a youth summer choir. In August they had their concert and it was sooo amazing. The music selected was great as were all the soloists and accompanists. It was a great way to spend time during the summer. I hope next summer both girls participate.

Summer PE online is the best!

Cami likes school classes too much. To fit in all the classes she wants to take she had to take something online over the summer. I was a little nervous that it would not be easy to do. BUT in true Cami fashion she finished the class work in about two weeks. Then she just did her cross country preseason training and all the hours added up to enough for an A in the class. BUT she was required to run a 5 K as her final....luckily Uncle John kicks bum and helped her with her 5K race. He really is such a life saver since I am sure if I tried to run it with her I would keel over....We're lucky he's willing and able and here.

When it rains in the dessert and you want to catch a lizard...

Summer rain in the desert is the best. It smells good and feels good. No one can stay inside.

I just can't enjoy lizard traps the same way Creed and Jocelyn do....but what lizard wouldn't like grapes and gold fish crackers...and a fake buddy.....

A bit of an annual Regency Garden Party

The annual cousins garden party was regency themed this year. We had fancy finger foods like cucumber sandwiches and fancy goblets. We wore fancy dresses and hairdo's. We had archery and picnic games outside.  I'm pretty sure Jane Austin would have been proud. This has been such a fun fun fun family tradition. The kids embrace it and love going all out. I'm thankful for creative people in my life who come up with great memory making ideas.

Cousins and swimbqs

This is pretty much our definition of summer. Cousin play time and swimming and barbecues....Those are the good things in life....and dog sitting....

Hey what is better than floating while holding hands with a favorite cousin?

Nothing like a little make up tutorial...

Regency Romances...if pictures had sounds the ohs and awes were pretty hilarious coming from these two....They truly appreciate pride and prejudice....

Frozen treats are an absolute must....

Back to school sewing....

As soon as school was out Taryn started working on a back to school sewing project. She made her own backpack and it turned out so great! It took all summer and was pretty tricky in some spots to get all the layers laying in the right direction and sewn down flat and tight. She did a really great job and has been using it all school year. She's a girl with skills and work ethics! I love her!

First Swim Meet of the Season

We (parents) missed the first swim meet of the season while we were in Alaska...but it sure looked like Jocelyn and Creed had fun. And it was nice to see older siblings watching out for youngers....

Such a stinking tease!

Creed is such a funny kid....He has had a lose tooth forever but told me he wasn't going to pull it out until after I left for Alaska because he knew I didn't want to miss it...And true to his word he pulled it out the day after we left.....Also hey look mom. I'm peeing in the pool....Nice....

Love...True Love...

Cousin Katie got married and we went to the wedding/party. Brent actually was on a business trip but the kids and I road tripped and had a great time. We drove like maniacs to make it on time and miracle of miracles we made it clear there without a single potty stop. That is a very historic first in our family. After the ceremony we went to Los Hermanos Mexican Restaurant. Creed only wanted nachos....and they only came in an adult meal...Biggest plate of nachos ever...We also took a detour around the Provo City Library because doesn't every normal family want to hit the highlights on a road trip? We also checked out the Bean Museum on BYU Campus and its gotten legit in the last few years. Taxidermy never looked so good. After that we found our way to the reception in a very Edenbrook kind of  setting. We had to twirl in the orchard. We spent the night in Heber at Papa's then busted home in the morning. Good Road trip!