On to SUMMER!

Summer Vacation






swim little ones

You know summer break in Arizona isn't the same as in other regions of the country. We have to fill our summer days escaping the sun! So we spent the hours with swimming lessons, karate class, summer movies and visits to the library. You can go out after dark for a little non-water outdoor activity but mostly people around here stay in doors, or just leave....and go North- anywhere North!

The kids all loved swimming lessons. I tried to schedule them at the earliest times available, because while the offspring were being aquatically educated - #5 and I were melting. We did bring ice water and a spray bottle to spritz ourselves but that half hour was a cooker! We saw fabulous progression from everybody - thanks teen swim instructors!

IN JUNE -


Little sister and her Eternal family.


this picture just didn't want to be big- I tried.

We (the sweetheart, #5 and I) did a quick trip Home - Idaho way, to attend a momentous event. My youngest sister, spouse and her darlings were sealed together for time and forever more! Oh - the joy! Plus, we were able to meet our new little nephew - who was born in May.


Then in July -

We made the crazy long trek to Idaho for our annual 4th of July Reunion. As usual it was so very much fun and a highlight of the summer. I just can't get enough of those Parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, cousins kids etc. You might have noticed that I didn't mention sisters - well that could be because non of them showed. Pretty lame - but we did get some great quality one on one with the Parentals.



#2 Eating Chow with the Parentals


The Sweetheart hanging with Cute little Daddy



The Whole gang!
#5, #1, the Sweetheart, #2, #3 and #4 hanging in the common area at the Family Reunion.

If you look really close you can see #5, me and my darling Aunts. I sure do love these incredible ladies. If everyone could be so lucky ........

We were camped next to this wilderness hill that the kids kept wanting to hike and explore - So they got all suited up with their tennis shoes, sunglasses and water bottles and even found a courageous good sport to be their escort up the mountain side - and off they went. "Auntie" as she is referred to as by #4 - is seen here displaying their wondrous find. It ended up being the complete skin of a rattle snake - #1 and #3 were thrilled - we the parents - on the other hand thought it wise to halt the hiking excursions and find other less - dangerous activities to do......they were not pleased.

After our 4 days days in the hills - we headed to Boise. I had to get my Idaho fix plus, I wanted to see at least one of my sisters - so my eldest ventured down to bond with us for a few days.

We had so much fun taking out the ol' boat to Lucky Peak-. Most likely the unspoken nick-name of this vessel is"Ol' Reliable" - in the most sarcastic form possible. But on this occasion, to every ones pleasure and surprise - it started right up and we had a delightful afternoon. Every grandchild had the chance to captain the boat and I even tried water skiing after years of not.... I did get up but man "It ain't like it used to be". The kids still thought it was cool - and that's all that matters - right?Now this little photo of #5 and Little Mother on the dock - had a mind of it's own so just tilt and squint - it's worth the effort.

I do have some other really cute photos of this day and Boise - so stay tuned again....because it's so worth waiting for.......