Family pictures

I swapped with fellow photographer Larry Reeves way back in May, and we just now got the pictures to each other. Um. . . embarrassing. They turned out great, and I can't wait to blow one up for our entryway. Thanks Larry!

Happy Birthday to MO yesterday!

Happy 1st birthday Mo! We love you! I can't believe it's already been a year.

We Finally Went Away!

For our 10 year anniversary (Aug 14th), we took a cruise to Cabo San Lucas. It was our first cruise and it probably won't be our last. We had a great time. A great big thanks is a must for Barbara, Harland, Summer, Sarah and Vanessa for watching the ninos. Here are a few memories.

1. Arriving at the port to find that there was a murder on the cruise just before ours. . . same ship . . . awesome.

2. Now we know what Simon means when he says that the song "sounded like something from a cruise ship."

3. Me and dramamine don't mix. I may as well have taken 2 benadryl and called it good.

4. Roulette is not Shane's friend.

5. Pumpkin pie should not jiggle like jello.

6. Showgirls make great line-dancing teachers

7. It's going to be a cracker of a day!

8. Don't try to drink Pepsi while in an inflatable speedboat in the bay of Cabo.

9. Sometimes towel animals can go wrong.

10. Always, always, always sit on the balcony of your cruise ship, watching stingrays jumping in the water and licking a strawberry frozen yogurt cone.

Now, Shane. . . . give me your best "I'm a cruise ship entertainer" SMILE!

Very nice, you're hired!

THE END

Grand Canyon

On the way home, we took a detour at the Grand Canyon. Everyone should see this at some point in their life. It's really amazing.

Mo may need to visit again someday. As you can tell, she wasn't that impressed.

We didn't stay too long. Paige just didn't have enough fear of the edge. Kind of gave us the

creeps.

Family Reunion part 3

The rest of the week was packed with golf, worming and more 4-wheeling. I should have captured the kids while they were worming, but by then, I had almost filled my camera. We had an all-around great time.

I got to take a few pictures of Marilyn and Ryan and their new little cutie patootie.

Mater was feeling left out. . . (I swear he was Mares. He looked at me and his eyes said, "take my picture while I'm young and handsome.")

Ty and Grandma had to get their fill of the microscope. Their favorite subject. . . wasps.

Grandma also taught Ty how to play Sudoku.

Vivian and Mo became best buddies. . . . willing to share everything, including the leftover pizza stuck in their teeth.

And, we picnicked pizza style at airport park.

Shane took Dad on his first round of 18 holes. . . . hopefully not his last.

And, I went with Mom around sunset to photograph the temple.

Family Reunion part 2

Sunday July 5th

Sunday starts off with a bang as we head off to church. Shortly after the meetings start, Mom takes Paige to the bathroom. Mom comes back without Paige. Mom says, "she wants you."

I go to the bathroom and think that I can hear her singing from the hallway. Nope, she's throwing up. (Not that her singing sounds like hurling in any way. . . seriously. . . she sings fairly well.)

Shane takes her back to my parents' house. Shortly after that, Tyler pipes up with some serious acting skills after he realizes that he may have to go to primary alone. "Mom, my stomach hurts." So, Grandpa heads home to drop off Tyler. Can't risk two throw-up sessions in the church. Mom runs home to grab something between meetings and comes back with the report that they are eating sandwiches and watching Tom and Jerry. Sounds like the worst flu bug ever. I'm so glad that they have learned the importance of church at such a young age.

The rest of the day goes smoothly with a yummy chicken dinner and plenty of competitive croquet.

Monday July 6th

The day that I was schooled in the ways of the quad and the Big Butte. Just push this they said, just do this if you get stuck. . . and off you go. They made it sound as if I would be taking a relaxing ride to the top. Tracie hopped on with me. Her first time and mine. One big wash and I was tipping sideways. Tracie was hysterical, the poor thing. Mat saved the day and got me on my way again with Carson as a passenger this time and with a word of advice. Keep the wash between your wheels. The rest of the climb was great. The suburban came up too even though the adult passengers inside were sure that they had met their doom. We picnicked at the top.

On the way down, it was Marilyn driving and me on the back. I had to save her from riding in the suburban again.

We all gathered for dutch oven dinner and grilled porkchops. Then, Corinne fired the candy cannon.