24th of July Celebration

THE CANDY DROP!!!!

Every 24th of July, my mom's ward puts on a

24th of July celebration for the town.

The highlight is the airplane that flies over the ball field and drops candy.

Bailey and Madison after they collected their loot.

Notice the hard hats. One year, they dropped suckers from the plane and one hit a lady in the head. She ended up getting stitches because it cut her head open. After that, they learned to not drop suckers (sticks) and decided to have the kids wear hard hats.

Bailey having fun!!!

Casidy and Kelsee hanging out.

SNAKE RIVER

This year we decided we would take the kids on a float trip down the Snake River while up in Wyoming. I chose to do the scenic ride so Bailey could come along. She gets left behind a lot and my guilt got the better of me that day. It lasted about 3 hours and by the end Bailey was begging for "white water". We did hit a couple of small patches and I guess she thought that was way more exciting than just floating down the river looking at bald eagles, the Tetons and the scenery.

Casidy, Kelsee, Abby, Madison and Bailey

Abby took this picture. She called it rainbow clouds.

Abby and Casdy chillin'

Madison and Kelsee enjoying the ride.

BEFORE

Bailey when we first began our journey...

AFTER

Bailey about an hour or so after the trip started...needless to say there is a reason why you leave your youngest at home sometimes.

The kids had a fun time and we saw quite a few bald eagles.

Palisades Lake

While visiting my mom, we went to hang out at Palisades Lake. I took a raft, packed a lunch and headed for the lake. The kids weren't sure about hanging out there, (no boat) but made the best of the afternoon and had a little fun.

finding tadpoles...

Abby watching me and Casidy float away in the raft...

Casidy and Abby living the good life!

Casidy and Kelsee deciding they were floating out a little too far and trying to use their make shift oars to paddle back to shore.

Star Valley visit

We went up to visit my mom in Star Valley this summer. My brother Kyle and his family were visiting from Texas. The kids love playing with their cousins. The older kids made great babysitters for their 2 year old.

Kayla and Kelsee

My kids loved playing with Kayla and were quite entertained by her cute personality.

Sisters hanging out...

look mom...a butterfly!!!

Madison, Bailey, Hayden and Garret showing off their t-shirts they made at Grandma's house.

Abby, Kelsee and Casidy showing off their tees.

Abby, Kelsee and Casidy thinking they are a little too cool!

Hayden and Kayla...Hayden wasn't too sure about all the hugs Kayla was trying to give him while he was eating. I kept trying to take pictures of his funny expressions but I never quite captured it.

Zions

On our way back from the cabin, we drove through Zions and took the kids on a hike to the mouth of the narrows. They had fun playing in the water.

We stopped by the visitors center for our friends out of town guest to buy a couple of souvenirs. Bailey wanted to buy the store out and got pretty upset when I told her no. She got really quiet and looked up and asked "well, will you at least take a picture of it so I remember what it looks like?" This is her posing with one of a number of items she spotted. The bird happened to be her favorite find.

Sunmer Fun

Our friends invited us to go up to their family cabin and hang out for a couple of days. The kids had a blast playing in the pond, going down the zip line, roasting marshmallows, singing camp fire songs, swinging, playing games, doing crafts, hanging out and having fun.

Abby P, Madison, Sarah, Abby S., Grant, Emma, Jack, James and Bailey making silly faces. Trying to get the group to all sit up, smile and look at the camera was asking too much that day. What a rowdy looking bunch!!

4th of July BBQ

When we take the kids to visit Grandma and Grandpa Speakman, they always know they will be roasting hot dogs and smores over a fire. Grandpa was teaching the girls how to chop kindling with an axe and how to start a good fire. Jared and I got a little nervous watching the girls using an axe...even if it was dull.

Homemade ice cream...Jared's favorite