Memorial Day Weekend

Rain or shine, we were determined to enjoy our holiday weekend. It's been very relaxing....which we all know I don't get often enough. We got to treat ourselves to family time with dinner & a movie yesterday. Today we got the pleasure of spending the afternoon with some of our friends, or as we call them, "The Extended Family". Doug continued to perfect his mastery at using the smoker, and made up some mighty tasty ribs! Kaley & I had fun mixing up cookie dough together last night (though sure I probably had 1 too many & is not suggested for breakfast! :})

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Kaley was thrilled to play "When The Saints Come Marching On" for Lara. I really need to find out how I can fit in piano lessons. But, proud she learned it all by herself by just looking at the book. :}

 Good Job Sweetie! :}

 So glad to have the Moultons over today too. I know this was a tough day just the same, with it being the 1st Memorial Day since Jacob passed. Glad they got in quality time at the graveside & got to also enjoy being with the rest of us, their other family! Cute little Maddie is always fun to see! :}.

 We did get a little bit of sunshine & time outside. I hadn't really even seen my Bonko prize (the metal flower) out in the flower beds yet...think it looks cute! :}

 Always good to get best buddies, B-Dog & C-Hawk, together!

 Also good to have their nephew, Drew, here today 

 Our very own comedian, Dyl-Pickle!

 It was fun to have Aisha finally meet the families, and good to meet her parents, Gina & Brian, who just moved here form California a couple of weeks ago.

 Meg hating picture time! (they should all know better when they're around me! :})

 But, hopefully she knows what a beauty she is! :}

 Great to have Rachael there too before her big week ahead. She's about to be a high school graduate, and experience life in Australia. How exciting! :}

 Bailey & her Daddy

 Enjoying the bit of sunshine that finally came out

 We had to get in a round or two of Left, Right, Center.  

 

 Dylan could hardly contain himself over the excitement of the game! :} Just like last year when we all played together, it came down to him & another one of the kids. How come the kids always win?! :} 

 And the winner is.....Mason! :} (and Rachael won the 1st Round)

"Show Me The Money!" :}

 Then it was time for Apples to Apples 

 Aleah & her Daddy 

 The boys chillin' in the back yard

 The wind playing a little "Spin The Umbrella" :}

 Of course, Memorial Day is not just about fun times & BBQ's. We did not forget the true reason for the day & would like to take time out to remember what the holiday is all about. Thank you to all our Veterans for your service to our country! And special thanks to our Fallen Soldiers, and their families, who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us free! God Bless Our Troops & this amazing country we live in!!

Now, I believe this is what is supposed to bring on summer. We're ready Mother Nature...bring it on! :}

Time at the Cliff Lodge-Snowbird

One other nice benefit of Laurie's visit, is that we all got to take advantage of her time share up at Snowbird. And because we are in Utah, and Mother Nature is not giving up anytime soon, there is still plenty of snow! They say at this rate you can still go skiing for the 4th of July. Now that's just not right! Poor Laurie hardly got to stay there herself since she was such a busy body trying to enjoy time with everyone & spread herself out in the valley. But, we appreciate her sharing! :} I went ahead & borrowed Colleen's pictures once again, so you get a feel for the beauty up there.

 We made it up later; but, at least still got some pool time. It's cool to be in the warm water, while being surrounded by snow. 

Thanks again for sharing it with us Laurie! And thanks for all the extra fun time Kaley got with you too! :}

All Kinds Of Fun Family Birthdays

Well, the cake says it all! Those are some BIG Birthday celebrations right there! :} And how fun we got to celebrate Laurie's big day with her, as she got to come home for her birthday! :} There will be more to come on our time with her & the rest of that crazy family of mine; but, for now, Happy Birthday to our family members: Doug, Both Dad's, Laurie, Annie & Mary! (and anyone else out there reading who has a birthday this month! :})

Oh, that bag was nice....has the fire extinguisher & sirens going off! Just in case she wasn't all ready feeling old! Ha Ha :}

Dad would want nothing more for his birthday than being with his family! Now if we can only get ALL of us here at the same time! We've come so close! :} And thanks to Laurie, he also got to go back to his hometown & be with his California family. That made one happy man! :} (and fortunately they all survived the road trip...I won't lie & say I wasn't a little nervous about that one. They're not all exactly the best drivers! Ha Ha....is that where I get it from?! :})

Laurie is so glad to have gotten more time with Grandma! We know this is the hard part of living on the other side of the country; when you want more time with your family. Especially when you know time is much more valuable with someone like Grandma. But, she does good at soaking it all in while she's here & able to!

Dad got an early birthday night with his kids, since he would be leaving for California two days later to be there with his sister, on his big day.

There's one thing you can guarantee when us siblings/cousins are together; it doesn't matter what we're doing, we still get good laughs in! :}

Oh, how it makes a Mama proud when her kids represent! :} (sweet Lil' Kaley wore this shirt this day, because she wanted to wear Laurie's favorite color on her birthday. Isn't that cute?! :})

What always happens when I found my camera & realize Kaley has gotten a hold of it! :}

Kaley was so excited to give Dad her present she made. She got real creative while spending an afternoon with Aleah, and made him his own "Ocean". It was too precioius! There's no better present than a sweet homemade gift from your child! :}

 We're glad we got one last night with the family before Laurie headed back home. And nice they went with the flow, as we ended up having our softball game after all (we thought for sure it was rained out!) They enjoyed hanging out, and we made it back to still enjoy more time with them, after we got another win in! :}

 No Dylan, you can't play! :}

The beginning of Sherrie, and family, hearing about "Lamar". Don't even ask...just know they have been entertained over this for 2 weeks now over this! :} 

....which was funny trying to explain something, that doesn't make sense as to why it's funny, to Grandma who just has to know what we are laughing at! Let's just say these notes with Lamar written on them have been found all over our house, as well as Sherrie's place! Never boring in our family! :}