Evan the Pilot!

Evan had an amazing opportunity! His Cub Scout pack participated in the Young Eagles program. Evan got to actually fly a Cessna 172 airplane!

Thanks to the pilots who so generously donate their time to this program.

Family Reunion

Our July started out with a bang! We spent lots of time with family in Utah and Wyoming.

Marianne was very popular with cousins Max & Maddie. Their Mom Julie used to play dress up in these very same outfits!

Fireworks were a highlight of the trip. The kids went wild with fireworks. Evan & Josh even lit a firecracker outside of church on Sunday. I just looked around saying, "Whose kid is that?"
The fireworks in Evanston were unbelievable. We tried to watch the display put on by the city, but we kept getting distracted by fireworks from other areas. We were surrounded by 360 degrees of fireworks. We weren't sure where to watch. The explosions were everywhere. It was definitely more exciting than California, where even sparklers are illegal!

This is the big tree planted by John's great grandpa out on the family ranch. The family still owns the property and we had a fun reunion at his aunt & uncle's house.

The egg toss was a highlight of the reunion. John & his cousin Connie were the winners.

My kids were thrilled when the thunder and hail started. Only in Wyoming!

Fortunately the weather cleared up and I took this picture of the family!

Evan and Josh loved these cool sculptures and had to try making their own.

I love family reunions!

My Little Girl!

Having a daughter is one of the great joys of my life. After two sons, I wasn't sure I would ever have a girl. I had an ultrasound, but they couldn't tell the baby's sex. Then in the last month of my pregnancy I had another ultrasound and my doctor was sure it was a girl. I wasn't convinced, but I did go buy one girl outfit "just in case".

Marianne was a "mommy's girl" from the beginning. She wanted me to hold her all the time, even when she slept. Thankfully she did love her swing, so I could put her down occasionally!

4 months old - She looked like a little angel in this outfit.

2 years
Marianne's planning & organizational skills were already developing. She knew exactly what she wanted for her 3rd birthday party and she planned the whole thing.. My boys didn't even know what a party was when they turned three!

7 years

Marianne has always been a thoughtful girl. She often sends get well cards or notes of encouragement to friends and she never forgets a birthday.

She is still planning great parties. She had a luau at the beach to celebrate her 12th birthday!

She decorated the cupcakes herself.

As pretty as a mermaid.

I love you Marianne!

My Favorite Colors!

This is the time of year for red, white & blue!

My Aunt Muff brought Grandma for a visit and it was wonderful to see both of them.
Here we are out by Jenny's pool.

Thanks to Marianne, our house is decorated for Independence Day!

More of Marianne's work

Only in Wyoming . . . the wind makes for some great patriotic photos.

I am blessed with a great national & family heritage.

Happy 4th of July

My Mountain Men

John & Aaron had a great adventure in June. They went to Yosemite with the Young Men in our ward. The trip started out kind of rough when the group got off the trail and spent many hours struggling to get back on track. John lost his sleeping bag along the way and spent the night beside the fire trying to stay warm.

Fortunately things got better! Another hiker found the sleeping bag and the climb up half dome was amazing. I think that Aaron's favorite part was bringing home those "over the edge" pictures that make me sick to my stomach.






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