This is what summer is all about.

Summer is meant to be special for kids and adults alike. Swimming, playing, vacationing, etc. Here are just a few things we did this week to enjoy our summer.

We have replaced many mail boxes at our house over the years. Vandals seem to have fun driving in the neighborhood with a baseball bat, people back out of the drive way and run over it. . . . stuff like that. Two days ago it happened yet again. Jack and Charlie spent the day with us today and we decided to put up a new mailbox. As you can see--we had fun. First you have to get more dirt from the back yard.a> Then you take it back out front and pack it in the hole to hold up the new post.

Then you talk this kid out of taking the old mailbox home---as it is needed atop the new post. "But Gramma, I really need this."

Now there's one proud repairman.

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I also got to see Owen and Liesl's swimming lesson this week. They did awesome. Yup--summers are fun.

My fabulous weekend

To make a long story short. . . .Cris and I had planned to drive to Utah for my niece Angelica's wedding. I hurt my back--decided the drive would kill me. . .decided to fly up one day and back the next. We found a great health care person to take care of Cris on Friday and Becca and Jason took care of him on Saturday. He did great even though I was nervous about leaving him. I had a blast. It was great to see my siblings and participate in this special event. As you can see---she's a beauty!!!!
Her mom, my sister Patty MADE THIS DRESS. It's true. I know. Unbelievable!

I took a picture of a picture. It's stunningly beautiful. Taken at the Bountiful Temple at sunset.

Look!!! It's Tiffers Landelu Landerson's mom.

And Dad!!!

Patty, Angelica and Me.

Parents of the Bride. Uncle Howard was a softy and was choked up much of the time.

The bride wanted ruby red shoes. I loved it. And yes, those are Gramma Decker's legs on the left.

Sister-in law Leah Jane, Marge and Pete.

Jim and Marlene. (Landee's look alike Dad)

What fun we had.

The happy bride and groom.

Annie and her girls, Marci and me. I love these girls so much. It was a fast trip but so much fun.

Some things are just meant to be shared.

I came across this picture the other day and it just screamed "post me". There are so many good things about this picture--family--fashion--fun. I await your comments.

Fourth of July fun

For some reason, my camera did not make an appearance much for this holiday. It's not because we weren't having fun--I was just lazy. But here are the 3 pictures I DID take.

Clara enjoying watermelon. She would have eaten the green part too if we hadn't watched her.

Our dilemma was this: Go to the cub scout pancake breakfast at 8:00 A.M. and 100 degrees---or just contribute to their fundraiser on Sunday and stay home and have THESE babies. Puff Pancakes, Ebelskievers. One of my favorites and soooooo easy. Just any old pancake mix will do. They're scrumptious.

this is what they look like before you turn them with skewers. Thanks again to Bella and Tasha for my Ebelskiever pan. (Check on line at Williams Sanoma for this http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/c332/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1%7C16%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7Cebelskiever%20pan&cm%5Fsrc=SCH

Hope you all had a great 4th.

Father's Day festivities

It's amazing how kids can entertain themselves. Pick a few leaves off the trees, gather twigs and grapes and presto---instant imagination.
There is some serious hero worship goin' on here. Clara LOVES to sit by Riley at the piano.
Case-in-point!

Ahhhh--the gift that keeps on giving. A new iPod Nano. Sweeeeeeeet. I gave Cris the Nano--the kids gave him iTunes gift cards, headphones and awesome photos. Add hot fudge sundaes and you have a perfect day. Happy Father's Day to my sweetheart.

June has been a fun month for us.

Get your scrolling fingers ready. This is a long one but well worth your time.
Video #1: Jack and Charlie having fun in our driveway.


Owen's T-ball games are so much fun. He loves to hit, catch and especially run.

Just helping out the opposing team. Good sportsmanship.

We decided to adventure out on a road trip to Oregon in our recently acquired conversion van. It went really well even though the drive was long. Cris handled traveling fairly well and I did not fall asleep at the wheel so all was good. We drove up in two half days but came home all in one day. Hard to say which was the best way to go.

This is Seth in action at his soccer tournament.

THIS . . .is what the sky looks like in Oregon. Beautiful!!

Saturday evening the girls had their spring ballet recital. Rachel did a beautiful job.

Christine danced three numbers and debuted "en pointe". Very impressive.

I think Rachel loved the flowers almost as much as dancing.

Two sweet sisters.

After the recital we had fun at Cold Stone Ice Creamery.

Ricky LOVES to ride on Papa's chair complete with seat belt.

Video #2: Ricky on Papa's chair.

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A friend of Kevin's built these two ramps so Cris could easily get up the steps to their front door. We REALLY appreciated it.

Relaxing on Sunday afternoon.

Beautiful Christine.

Video #3: Christine on the trampoline

The Lukester.

Super Seth, as we like to call him. It was a great visit and we're so glad we made the trip.

This post is for you Memzy

So Shed and Memzy are out of town for a few days and the boys had a sleepover with Gramma and Papa last night. The college student "kid-sitter" takes over this afternoon.
Some how the topic of pirates inspired this creative idea from Jack.

We decided to see "Up" at the movie theater. It was sooooo good. The popcorn, cookies and bottled water contraband from home was also awesome.

One of my many "happy places".

"Gramma---can we see this movie next? Please, can we, can we? Mercy.

And yes, Gramma lets the blanket go to the movies also. It may need to be washed.

Someone ran out of gas at 3:30 this afternoon. Good luck miss college age kid-sitter. Gramma and Papa are going home now. Have fun.