Celebrating the 4th in Mormon Lake

We spent the 4th of July at the cabin. The weekend started off with a trip to the lake. The water was freezing so we were mostly there to observe. Jared's cousins braved the cold! Gwen still talks about how fun the boat ride was...I agree!!!

Caela and Gwen. Life is so much easier when there are girls around to play with Gwen!

Danielle and Daylee 

The Burr's decorated the boat and a trailer for the parade through Mormon Lake. Not a lot of U of A fans in that part of town if you can imagine! But Dustin proudly supported his school!

Max had been waiting all morning to wear this hat he made.

Jared and Max should have switched saddles.

I'm surprised Briant willingly wore this hat! His face only turned red a couple of times!

Even though everything was tied down really well, except for when I took this picture, I was holding on to her.


Everyone that rode on the trailer with us...minus Stacie who was taking the picture.


The parade was soooo fun! I was shocked at how many floats were in it and at how many people were there to watch!

Tom Kuyper

The boys participated in the Tom Kuyper basketball camp this summer. I didn't get a picture of Briant at the awards ceremony...he had to leave early that day for scout camp.
The coaches said something nice about each kid so they felt "special" even if they didn't win any extra awards. Here is Max feeling "special".

Trent, a friend of Briant and Max, got most of the extra awards.

A Little Cabin Time

Dan and Barby invited us to the cabin over the weekend. Some of the highlights;

- Lots and lots of good food (always top on my list)

- Duke taking us fishing

- Taking rides in the golf cart/go cart

- Pete teaching Briant how to ride a quad

- NO HEAT!

Water Balloons

Remember the big bag of water balloons it took to pull Max's tooth? Well, this is how they were put to use. Hundreds were filled and thrown...but these got to stick around for a while. They were the biggest one's the boys made and they were pretty proud. Notice they are lined up according to size.

Memorial Day Camping

We went camping with the Eagar's and Nichol's over Memorial Day weekend. This is the second time we went to the Los Burros campground and the second time we had crappy weather! Last time it rained and rained. This time there were 40 mph winds the ENTIRE time!!!

Despite the winds the kids still had a lot of fun, and of course the men loved their bike ride!

The kids attempting to build a fort.

Gwen's drink of choice that weekend.

I wonder when she will use her normal smile again for the camera?

Just dancin around.

The kid's fort was pretty sad so Jared and Torel stepped in to help.

On Sunday we hike up the bike trail to do a "Service project". A log fell over the trail and bikers had to get off their bike to get around it so the men made it into a jump. The hike was beautiful and all the trees blocked most of the wind so it felt very nice!

All the kids.

Check out those finger nails!

One of the men trying out the new jump. I won't say who since it was Sunday and they may not want to be identified : )

The finished fort.

Thankfully we had a lot of yummy food and good conversation. We love the families we went with...they made for an entertaining weekend!

On to Bigger and Better Things

Max graduated from Kindergarten!!!

Such a big moment for my little Tow-Mater.

This is in the crowded cafeteria of the old campus, the new one will be ready for this next school year! Yay!!!

Principal George handing him his diploma.

Max with his teacher Mrs. Gullette. She was such a trooper, she went home with the flu the day before and managed to get herself together to come to graduation so she didn't disappoint 24 littles. I made sure to ask her if she will be around when Gwen is in Kindergarten. We love her soooo much!

Ummmm....student of the month? Or engagement photo? Either way I'm jealous!

Face Paint

Briant advanced in Scouts along with Will (far left) and Junior (middle).

Part of the ceremony includes....

...getting your face painted!!! He was thrilled about this. I was even MORE thrilled than him! I love any opportunity for him to get out of his comfort zone!

 So embarrassing.