Happy 4th of July!

We had a down home 4th of July celebration this year at Ron and Janes. Craig and Brian took the kids to a couple of firework tents and bought loads of mild explosives. In true Arkansas fashion we abandoned all safety rules as my boys launched roman candles from their bare hands, my little girl lit her own smoke bombs and my two year old baby sat dangerously close to it all. We held our breath everytime a 'flyer' went into the trees or the neighbors yard. Bottle rockets flew every which way, and one of the roman candles exploded on the backyard fence! My favorite was the 'experiment' that Brian and Craig put together. They wanted to light a bunch of snakes in a bottle to see if they would grow out the top opening. It ended in a pretty loud explosion that consumed the whole bottle! I'm pretty sure this was our kids favorite 4th of July ever!





Good thing Craig is an Eagle Scout!

Clinton Library

We spent the forth of July weekend in Arkansas with Ron and Jane. There was an outdoor fair going on at the Clinton Library, so we checked it out.




Tolan and Addie didn't fully appreciate the library, so we didn't stay long!

Road Trip!

We signed Bryce up for the Especially For Youth program in Provo UT. Flying us all is way too expensive, so we decided to take a road trip! Unfortunately, Craig couldn't take two weeks off, so the four kids and I braved the trip without him.
I picked Bryce up in Arkansas where he had been for scout camp all week, and we went on from there. We stopped in Kansas City Friday night, Laramie Wyoming Saturday night, and made it to the Barton's house in Mapleton Utah on Sunday afternoon.

Here are Alana and Tolan stretching their legs at a 'free side of the road museum' (a.k.a. glorified souvenir shop). We also did the side-of-the-road water slides next door.



Bryce and Noah in their apartment for the week at the Riviera.


While Bryce was EFYing, the kids and I explored Mt Timpanogos...



...visited my college roommate Jodee and her family...



...toured Temple Square and the LDS Conference Center...



...visited my dear friend Heather and her family...



...and stayed with the Bartons again (along with the Briscoes). We all went to the Manti Pageant Friday night.





Bryce and Noah after EFY (don't they look so much older and wiser?). Bryce absolutely loved EFY! He experienced living on his own for a week, his first dances, great classes and activities, and a renewed testimony of the gospel. I just love this kid.


We picked Bryce up on Saturday morning and headed up to East Garland for a family get together. My cousin Craig bought some property at the riverbottoms and built a couple of professional ski courses on it. We all played in the water and enjoyed a barbecue. I haven't seen most of these cousins in over 10 years.





On Sunday afternoon we toured the Kennecott copper mine with Dad & Mom, Dave & Jen and Jake & Brandon. It's one of the largest man-made holes in the world!





We took the sourthern route home and stopped at an indoor waterpark in Albequerque. It was a very long trip, but worth it for Bryce's neat experience!

Alana turns 5!

Alana wanted a rollerskating, bowling, pizza, donut, movie, sleep-over for her fifth birthday. I talked her into settling for a pajama party instead!


She had 8 friends over. We did crafts, played party games (musical chairs, hot potato, limbo, charades) ate cake, and watched Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeekquel. The kids had a great time.



Craig was on a business trip so Brian, Crissy and Addie came over to help out -- thanks guys!

Girls Camp

I have the wonderful opportunity to serve as the Memphis Stake Girls Camp Director. My staff and I put together a great week for 87 teenage girls in the Memphis and Northern Mississippi area. What an exciting and exhausting experience!!