Grand Canyon, June 17,18 2014

Oh man we have been partying hard this week! Tuesday our good buddies the Lapicolas flew in and we met them up in Williams, AZ for an adventure on the train up to the Grand Canyon! This was a last minute decision and I am so glad we did it. It was so much fun to be able to chat, laugh, and catch up with Mike, Jill, AJ, and Regan on the train. We met Tuesday night up in Williams, went out for some Mexican food, and then swam at the hotel. Wednesday we got up, witnessed a old western shoot out, and then boarded the train for the Grand Canyon! The Lee family literally drove all night and then met us on the South Rim that morning. It was a fun reunion, we haven't seen these guys since last summer!

 

 I couldn't get enough of these cute buns! Or in Sadie's case saggy diaper buns!

 These boys talked and laughed and talked some more.

We hiked down Bright Angel trail for a little bit, as Kathy with a K advised us to. I was holding Sadie's hand and nervous the whole time! I don't think I could ever ride a mule down that trail!

We hiked to this little archway and took a picture with everyone! I can't wait to see that pic!

 Tay Tay come stand by me! Tay Tay, come play with me! These girls got along so well.

 Boarding the train for the return trip! Eli, Jonah, and Regan went with the Lee's, and Jamison and Taylor came with us. But the fun does not stop here… oh no, stay tuned!

Fathers Day 2014

We have been spending some quality time on the boat and it has been so much fun! I even got CJL up on the wakeboard last Friday:) Canyon Lake is our new favourite place to go- it is clean, breathtakingly beautiful and there are mountain goats to look out for! More on that later!

 Fathers Day was really fun, we got CJL a new pillow, and the kids made some coupons for foot rubs, and back massages. I made chicken alfredo and crock pot chocolate cake. We love this guy so much. He does so much for our family. He is wise beyond his years and it is so comforting to have a righteous priesthood holder to ask those difficult questions, and know that in the end he takes care of everything, down to making sure that there is butter in the butter dish for toast tomorrow. We love you CJL, thank you for taking care of us and loving us so well!

June 2-8 2014

First week of summer school and swimming lessons at Stapley was intense! Ethan starts swim team at 7 am each morning, and then heads over to a classroom at Stapley for CB02 (a computer class) for 7th grade. The first morning I walked him over and totally had a back to Jr. High experience- nervous tummy and all! Eli and Jo are taking a beginning diving class, while Janie and Sadie have swim lesson at 11. Then the girls and I have some snacks on the grass under a big umbrella while the boys have their lesson. All while I melt in the sun! It has been so hot! My phone and my care give me different info about the actual temp, but by the time we get into the van at 12:10 or so my face is sweaty that my sunglasses are sliding all over, and my back is sticking to my clothes! Whisk Jonah over to Mountain View for Basketball Camp, and then back home to get Eli some lunch.  Back in the car with Eli, pick up Jonah and friends, drop Eli and friends at Mountain View, and home once again for good this time! Eli comes home at 2:30 with a buddy. The afternoons have been really warm because we have been keeping the air off from 4-7 pm, in an effort to save some money on our utilities. I don't know how long this is going to last, because 2 out of 5 nights I was sweet talking CJL into picking something up for us for dinner because I literally couldn't think of a single thing to make. Of course it was the heat! Haha!

I have been reflecting this week on how things have changed so much in the last 6 months, and how also how much they are the same! As a family our surroundings and friends have changed since the move, but many things have not. Kids are still fighting, laundry is still piling up ( I know, even with that nice big washer and dryer), meals are prepared and eaten together. CJL and I still gravitate tour computers Sunday night and catch up on Facebook, watch funny videos, and I attempt to blog! Did someone say the more things change, the more they remain the same. So blessed to have all those  moments of joy, frustration, annoyance, tickles and giggles, and getting elbowed in the stomach by Janie Kate climbing on your lap. Life is really, really good.