Dear Anna

Dear Anna got to come back with us from Utah and visit for a bit before the family reunion.  I learned that she really enjoys playing the piano.  I turned her on to the Hourglass series and we played some cards, although not enough!  She is so good with children, John just loves her.  She was a great joy to have around.

Ryan's Art

 Each month of Kindergarten Ryan made a nice work of art for the top of a calendar.  I photographed them and am saving them here.

Happy Anniversary Grandma and Grandpa!

 We celebrated my grandparent's wedding anniversary all together.  My Grandpa has not been feeling well, but he was able to make it to dinner.  He really wanted to make Grandma happy.

 Here's the whole crew at one dinner table.  Good times!

Utah Trip - The Road Home

 We got to bring back my niece Anna with us.  She is so awesome.  It really just made our trip home great.  The kids had comfy spots and lots of treats and entertainment.  I wish I could sit in the back seat!!

 For the first time ever we stopped in the Salt Flats.  It was so weird.  The ground tasted salty - yep, we tasted it.  The kids had fun wandering around on all of that salt.  The ground crunched under our feet.  I think we'll stop again and again now, it was really a treat.

Utah Trip - Tyler Smith Family

 Here we are at our last stop on our Utah trip.  This is my niece Courtney with her little Ava in Uncle Tyler's swimming pool.  The kids were all dying to go swimming, even though it wasn't too hot.

 John never got in the whole way, but he did like splashing his feet in the pool.

 Mac enjoyed the water slide!

 Aunt Delayne is the most fun!

 Mac and Ethan got their first taste of a rip stick and they both loved it!!

 We ate some popsicles.  Lily was so funny - she hates the grass on her bare skin, so she would sit with her legs raised to eat the treat.  The abs on that girl!!  Meanwhile, some of the kids got to go and see Katie's horse, Sam.

 Bonnie worked like a maniac to lose a tooth.  It was totally disgusting.  She has three missing teeth now!!

Utah Trip - Grandma and Grandpa

 Grandma and Grandpa had a nice big dinner for us and all of the Utah Smiths when we visited with them.  It was awesome.  Ethan had a great time juggling.  John really loved his grandparents' home.  He finally settled down and was much happier.  Maddie, however, was extremely sick.  We found out that her spleen was enlarged and that she probably had mono at this point in the trip.  She was able to get a blessing from her grandpa, which was very special for her.  Ryan really wanted a blessing too.  I asked him why, and he said, "For all of my aches and pains."  I had to try really hard not to laugh out loud at that one.  But, he was so good and reverent for the blessing. 

Utah Trip - Whiteheads and Hills

 Here we are in Sandy.  This is Jeff Hill with his little Bryant, and our little John.  John was not a very happy camper and Jeff was AWESOME with the distraction techniques.  I was able to help with dinner a bit...

 This is Maddie and her buddy Ellie.  At this point Maddie was entering in to the beginning of mono.  We didn't know it then, but I sure feel badly for her.  She was pretty miserable for this visit. 

 Our favorite thing to do with the Whiteheads is play cards.  The kids had a great time with all sorts of games. 

 The Hill have a fun swing in their backyard.  Maddie had a great time on it. 

 Here we are playing Wackee Six - a crowd favorite.  One of the kids got the camera here and started taking photos. 

 This is cute Garrett.  This kid played so hard, I found him asleep on the couch twice!  He is Ryan's birthday buddy.

 Brian loves electronics.  We figured out how to connect with each other via Skype.

Here's a nice photo of Macky blowing a bubble.  I think he's also wearing a Darth Vader mask as well.  I didn't get too many photos this time as we were just too busy having fun.  Matt Whitehead graduated from high school just after our visit with them.  He's already started at the U.  He is just so awesome it's fun to see him grow up!!  Brandon and Brian had singing performances.  We also got to visit with the Wises and catch up with that fun family.  Alicia has really grown up and is starting to wear make up.  Samantha was as fun as ever - wearing her trademark pony tail.  Matthew has started to play soccer and is on Garrett's team.  They are both very good.  Steve is their coach.  Man they are all very busy!!