Maxine and Ellen's little road trip...

Maxine and Ellen went on a day trip to Tropic, UT. Ellen used to live in Tropic and wanted to show Maxine around. They went through Zion and up to Bryce.

They hiked in the rain a little bit.

Maxine ended up driving all day long, since Ellen doesn't have her license yet. She was pretty worn out but had a fun time together with her bestie.

Good old-fashioned summer...

Pioneer Day started the way it always does, with the primary parade. Val and I aren't in the primary presidency anymore but got roped into helping. 

The littles are the only kids still riding the float. I rode on the float with them and my new water bottle got knocked off and ran over by the trailer. :(

Julie and I were goofing off after the parade. 

In the afternoon, we hiked down to the river by Little Babylon and Sky Mountain. We went with the Beattys and Rosenbergs. The Beattys brought a friend, who happened to be Maxine's friend, Jason. They were in the same group for Preference and he's always playing around with Maxine's hair. She's told us stories about how he'll come up behind her and fluff her hair and say things like, "Why do you have so much hair? Where does it all come from? Why is it so fluffy?" Good times. 

We played a fun game throwing water balloons back and forth in a Battleship meets Red Rover game. Mark and I got out after a while because he needed a snack.

The weather was overcast and a little humid but kept the heat off. 

Happy peeps.

After the Beattys left, Merril and Ryan hiked to the arch and the rest of us stayed behind to play in the sand and we found these teensy frogs! They were the cutest! By the time we left, it was about 4:30 p.m. and the sun had come back out. The hike back up the canyon was a little brutal but it was worth it. Here's to enjoying a relaxed, uncomplicated summer!

Growing summer foods!

How fabulous that peaches and tomatoes are ready at the same time? Peach salsa anyone?

Mark wanted to plant corn in the greenhouse this year. It's working!

I haven't grown corn for years because it blows over in the wind. Not so in the greenhouse. I'm super excited for the corn stalks for fall decorations when they're done too!

And I just tossed this on because I thought Jack and Mark were cute! Mark got a ride home from a jog when he tired. He latched onto Jack like a baby monkey! Sweet!

First lake day of the summer! What?!

We have been so busy with Merril's motorcycle rally and both family reunions that we haven't been to the lake at all. We sold our boat and the weather in May was crappy. Like 60 degrees crappy! We drove the truck to the sandy cove and took our snow tubes and some sand toys. Merril even got the jet ski running and we took it as well!

Everyone was there even though I didn't get everyone in the shot. The weather was fantastic! The perfect evening. It ended too soon! As the full moon began to rise, we headed for home with our spirits filled. 

My parents are getting old...

I've been hit with the realization that my parents are getting old. My Dad had to have a toe amputated a few months ago because of an infection and he has poor circulation and type 2 diabetes. Then my Mom fell down the stairs at Gwen's house and broke her tibia/fibula bones and required surgery.

She just retired so I guess she won't have to worry about work while she's recovering for 6 weeks.

She came out of surgery up North and is now on her way back towards St. George to recover.

Little running buddy...

School is approaching and I can feel it. We have 1 month left and are done with all our major plans.  Now it's time to focus on getting the kids ready for school and finishing our summer with some small plans like hiking and shaved ice.

Walking through Walmart yesterday, I spotted tennis shoes on clearance for $3.00 in Mark's size. I bought 2 pairs. Even if they crap out soon, they were only 3 bucks. Since Mark had new shoes, he said he wanted to go for a run like Mommy. So this morning, we went for a little jog.

When we were almost home, Mark said he wanted to make a protein shake all by himself.

Healthy habits start young. It was fun and we jogged .75 miles. Not too shabby for someone with such skinny chicken legs. (If you're reading this later Mark, I love your chicken legs!)

Gordon Palisade Reunion...

The Gordon family reunion was at Palisade State Park by Manti. There is a cute little lake that doesn't allow motor boats just paddle boats or kayaks. We brought something borrowed kayaks and paddleboards and had a great time on the lake with family.

On the other side of the lake there was a cool rope swing and rocks for cliff jumping. Julie wanted to swing but didn't want to get wet.

Grant and Jeannie's boys were doing backflips but my family mostly just jumped off and did cannonballs.

Jack caught this cool water snake.

Playing in the sun and the water tires the children out. Mikayla fell asleep in the super hot tent.

Jack fell asleep in a chair at the campground.

There was lots of good food to be had and we taught Maxine how to play pinochle. Merril and Maxine left Wednesday morning at noon in order to get back so they could go to work. Me and the younger kids stayed one more night. We got up the next morning, Thursday, and packed and headed home. I kept losing stuff along the way and had to stop probably four times at the beginning of the journey to get everything secured properly. After that, we did great and was able to just drive the rest of the way home. 

Campbell Pine Valley Reunion

Okay so I didn't take like any pictures at the reunions except for these three. 

Merril and I snuck away for a little hike one morning. He feels like he hasn't exercised a lot lately because of the Iron Butt Rally. This morning hike was perfect with my favorite person.