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!

Behind on blogging AGAIN....

It's been a few months since I added anything to the blog. I am behind, yet again, feeling like this is the story of my life. I have added pictures of things that happened the first half of the year but hope to get caught up soon. I enjoy viewing everyone's blogs and am trying my hardest to keep on top of everything. Sometimes I tell myself if I don't take pictures, I won't have to scrapbook and blog about it. I don't think I have pictures from my childhood of every birthday, holiday and special occasion but know my kids will appreciate my diligence later in life. They love looking back on their scrapbooks. Bailey, who is now 5 1/2, asked me the other day where her book was. That tells me how long it has been since I have done scrapbooking. This is the main reason for the blog. To help me remember a little bit about all these pictures I have taken when I finally make time to catch up on the books. Wishful thinking..... :)

Swimming Pool 2010

We have lived in St. George 8+ years. Ever since we moved here, we have talked about adding a swimming pool to our backyard. We had the space to do it but kept waiting not wanting to take the "plunge". This past spring, we decided to make it happen. We have enjoyed using it every day. It was interesting to watch so I took pictures of the step by step process.

The hole (8 feet deep on the far side)

Laying the plumbing & electrical pipes (hot tub in corner)

Adding the rebar....

Spraying the gunnite. This was fun to watch.

The gunnite would get sprayed on in big globs for the stairs and then they would go back and smooth it out. The globs turned into stairs and seating.

The gunnite had to cure for a couple of weeks.

During that time, the tile was placed and the cement around the pool was poured.

The forms for the edges of the pool were made out of styrofoam.

Filling the pool.....

I didn't get any pictures of them plastering the pool but it did get done.

Once the plaster was finished, the water was immediately added.

They started with a hose from the house but soon after, a fire hose was hooked

up to the hydrant across the street and the pool was filled in a few hours.

The finished product

Enjoying....... :)

(Jared photographer)