4TH OF JULY

Jack, Emma and Bailey sitting on the sidelines waiting for the firework display to begin. I guess Emma didn't want her picture taken :)

We spent the 4th of July in St. George this year. For the past couple of years, we visited Grandpa and Grandma Speakman in Mt. Pleasant. Jared was working so we decided to stay at home and have our own fireworks display. The kids were given a smores maker from a family friend. They decided it would be a great idea to roast marshmallows (over a lightbulb) while watching the fireworks. The neighbors came over to join us.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

Creativity and fun

Maddy loves to do craft projects. Over the summer, she saw an idea to make puzzles using popsicle sticks. The idea is to draw a picture or scene on both sides and then you have two puzzles in one. I love her creativity.

The kids like to use geometric shapes to build cool designs. This is one of many they have made over the years.

Bailey and Maddy....best buds!

With having four girls in the house, I find we have a lot of drama and emotions. At times, I wonder how I will make it through the day. It's nice to be able to look back through my pictures and realize how much fun the girls have together, Maddy and Bailey especially. They are still easily entertained by the simples things....from making crafts to setting up photo shoots.

Summer - Visit to Star Valley

We love going up to Star Valley each summer to visit Grandma Luthi. It is a much needed break from the heat that sticks around most of the summer in St. George. We took a quick hike up to the intermittent springs. It is really interesting to see this spring stop. It was still a little early in the season so we were not able to see it happen. Maybe next year. Bailey stayed at home with Grandma. We weren't sure she could make the hike. I remembered it being a lot further away when I was younger.

We had such a great time at Grandma's house. We play games, go on bike rides, do crafts and eat lots of yummy food. It's a nice break from regular day to day life.

BEAUTIFUL!

SNAKE RIVER

Abby, Casidy and Jared (pictured above)

Karen, Maddy and Kelsee (pictured below)

Last year we took a scenic boat ride down the snake river up above Jackson, WY. This year, we took the rapids trip. We left Bailey behind with Grandma not knowing if we felt very comfortable keeping a 5 year old from flying out of the boat. She was a little sad but Grandma made sure she did something fun too.

Summer Visitors

In June, Aunt Karen, our cousin Casidy, and Grandma Luthi came down for a visit. We had a great time hanging out, playing in the pool, shopping, going to Tuachan and eating great food.

Waiting for the play Tarzan at Tuachan to begin.

Bailey, Abby, Casidy, Kelsee and Maddy at Tarzan. We had great seats. The monkeys were hanging over our heads during part of the production.

Dinner at Samarai 21. One of our favorite places to eat. The kids love the food and think it is pretty cool to watch the onion volcano and the other antics the cooks throw their way. The shrimp toss at the end always gets them laughing...

Summer Fun!

Summer started off on a great note....swimming every day. Well....the pool was finished the middle of June. After that, the kids were in it every day, multiple times a day. They loved having friends over and having fun.

This was one of the first pictures I took of the kids swimming. Bailey was having a blast. She was smiling from ear to ear and as she sat in the pool floating in her tube she said to me, "This is the best day EVER!" Ahh....to be a kid again. I am glad she was having fun.

The kids enjoyed swimming at night. There favorite thing to do was roast marshmallows by the fire, eat smores until they were sick, then turn off the lights and swim with glow sticks. Jared took this picture while he lounged in a chair.

Spring 2010 Music Recitals and Concerts

Maddy 9 years old

Piano selection - Christmas Parade

Abby - 12 years old

Piano selections - Hairspray and Spooks

Kelsee's orchestra concert

Kelsee's orchestra concert and piano recital were held on the same night. Luckily, they didn't completely overlap, and we were able to see half of her performance. She wasn't able to participate in the piano recital.

Band Buds :)

Sara Prince, Abby and Megan Draney

Abby chose to participate in the band this year. She is playing the clarinet. It's amazing how quickly these kids learn to play a new instrument. Wow! What a difference a few months can make.

Bailey's Preschool Days

Bailey attended Barefoot Montessori Preschool this past school year. She had a lot of fun, made new friends and learned to read. One morning a week during preschool, she took a gymnastics class.

Bailey "saluting" at the end of the gymnastics meet for the parents. She did such a great job.

Bailey waiting to say her part during "Mother's Tea"

Bailey and mom - Mother's Tea Party

Bailey's Graduation Program.

They learned about people from all over the world and different cultures and teach it to the audience through music and verse.

Bailey's graduating class - May 2010

Congratulations Bailey....

Look out Kindergarten....here she comes!