Park City 09

If Grace had her way, we would have spent all our time in the pool. She has really taken to the water and has no fear. She gets around quite well with the help of a swimming noodle.

This is the part about the pool that I enjoy. Sitting and relaxing.

Will likes both the swimming and the relaxing. The relaxing gets a 2 thumbs up! He is much more cautious about the water. Aunt Jenny got him to let her take him around the pool holding him, but in the end, he is much happier on his own on the stairs in the pool-where he has control.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Shoppe-woo hoo! This year Will chose a caramel and chocolate covered pretzel rod, and Grace the caramel and chocolate apple-YUM!

The many faces of Will & why is his hair so short?

Will wanted to pose for the camera with all the faces he can make, so I obliged him. He is such a funny character. This is the shortest Will's hair has ever been, we don't usually buzz it this close, but he took his craft scissors and just cut away at his short hair, hence the really, really short buzz.

Note to self: Kids safety scissors do NOT keep hair safe from kids and remember, hair grows back really fast and buzzes are super cool for summer.a

Robyn's & sweet dog Shiloh come for a visit

Robyn got herself a cute little dog that is the light of her life. This dog is lucky and loved beyond measure. We took him out back and he chased his frisby AND found a dead bird on my lawn (damn cats). I had to remove the bird which had been dead for a bit and watered by the sprinklers, needless to say, it left behind some maggots and a stench which was most unpleasant to experience.

Note to self: Check lawn before watering & head into the backyard more often. Be grateful your mom & sister were there to ooh and ahhh and cringe with you and to help by holding the garbage can lid open for disposing.

Beautiful Wonderful Kaylee

2 of Kaylee's pets.

I love the green and the hues in this photo.

Beautiful Kaylee.

Another beautiful Kaylee. So proud of her and all she is doing. Keep up the good work, Kaylee! Love you! Mama

Fireworks on the Fourth

More races....

I love this pic because in the back, behind Jett-you see Will and Corbin running in Jett's race. The little ones had already had their turn, and decided to race in the next one, as well.

Will, sans shirts and shoes (so he can run faster), takes off as fast as he can. He is all about upper body-check out the arms. He tried so hard and had a great time.

Todd coaching Corbin and Will on what to do and to run really, really fast. Todd is a bit competitive, but it is all in good fun. Will just wants to finish and get the prize at the end of every race.

50 yrd dash, gunny sack races-good times!

Will is hot and waiting for the gunny sack race to start. He has never done this before, so he got a quick lesson from me, Todd gave him and Corbie pointers and off they went.

Here is Gracie in her gunny sack race.

Gracie & Pyper prepare to hop. Brings back images of the Brady Bunch, doesn't it?

Will found it harder to hop than he'd expected. He is such a good sport and was so happy to be there and try. Go Will!

Jett & Will before their race started. Will is oblivious, although we told him what to do. Next year he will be more prepared.

Gracie wins 3rd in the Hula Hoop Contest!

Gracie has practiced hula hooping all year long in preparation for this contest. I am so proud of her! Gracie & her friend Pyper ended up in top 3.

Gracie competed against 6 & 7 year olds, about 20 kids altogether. She has just barely turned 6.

I love her arms and her wiggle.

Thrilled to win 3rd place! The prize was $2 and a 3rd place ribbon. Her hard work really paid off. What a great experience for Grace and what a fun thing for mom to witness.

4th of July Festivities....

Corbin so sad that he cannot hula hoop. He gets so upset when he cannot pick something up and do it right away.

Corbin before the hula hoop contest started. Getting ready.

Will thought it was funny. He sat down on his hula hoop, which means "You're out." The boys didn't really even try very hard to hula hoop. Will was a good sport.

Will gearing up for the ready....set....go! Hula!!!!!

4th of July Festivities

Grace and Aubrey partner up for the balloon toss. Aubrey's family has a booth selling fun things at the carnival, so she got to come and hang with us. She had a great time.

William and Corbin are teamed up in the balloon toss. 3 year olds are still trying to get it, but had so much fun. They are so fun and funny together.

Jett is paired up with a stranger, but excited nevertheless. Acacia and Pyper are a team. Yeah! Let the games begin!

Grace and Aubrey get ready to compete. Gracie chose her own outfit today and she is so happy to be here. We forgot to dress patriotic, but we felt it in our hearts:).

I love this photo of Gracie. We had so much fun competing in the Riverton Games. Between each competition, the kids got to go to the booth and choose a prize for participating. We got a kazoo, yoyo, Chinese yoyo, balls, etc.

Corbie's Birthday cake

Corbin turned 3 on June 20th. I offered to make his cake, too. My neighbor and friend Mindy sells Pampered Chef stuff (which I love) and told me how to make these chocolate molten cakes in 10 minutes in the microwave. Now I am not a microwave fan and rarely use mine, but I figure with all the ingredients in the cake that aren't nutritious anyways, why not. They turned out well. Corbie loved his Spidey cake. I think I just like a creative challenge, because I get so into my head, it is a nice break. The kids love them regardless and over the years I improve a little here and there. Happy Birthday Corbin!

Gracie's Birthday and Barbie Cake

Uncle Chad and mom get ready to tackle the Barbie cake. I was not feeling well at all, I had a headache and felt nauseated-thank goodness Chad was there (we were celebrating his birthday) to help with Gracie's cake for the morning. Todd and Angie Jacobs were here, too, helping.

Chad styled her hair, of course, and we designed her dress and top as we went. It was actually quite fun, Chad was really into it. Thank goodness.

The finished product. Ready for tomorrow morning-Gracie's 6th birthday. She turned out very well, I think. I really enjoy making cakes, some turn out great and others-not so much. Just ask Kaylee, who at one point said, "Mom, please don't ever make my birthday cake again." I think she would change her mind now. I love to do things like this for my kids. Lots of love goes into it, no matter how they turn out. Chad put lots of love and effort into this one with me. I am so grateful and it was a fun group effort. Thank you, Chad, Ang and Todd. Happy Birthday, Gracie!

The back of Barbie, she had straps and a small bustle.

Gracie's face shows it all. Barbie was a hit!

Gracie's 6th birthday

Gracie's friends and brother pose with her second Barbie cake-a mini one made by friends: Chelsea, Acacia, Aubrey and Anna. Good job, girls!!

The sing Happy Birthday to Gracie and present her with her decorated Barbie cake.

Acacia, Aubrey and Chelsea.

Anna, Chelsea, Aubrey and Acacia used their amazing teamwork skills to get this cake decorated. They did a great job.