Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

Hard to believe my little boy with the white blond curls is all grown up! For his 11th birthday, Connor was super jazzed to go to his favorite restaurant, Chuck-A-Rama (I like to call it "Up-Chuck-and-Die", but that's a whole other post!) to celebrate his big day! Lucky for us, Aunt Mindy and her kiddos were in town from Texas and were able to join in the fun with our family and Grandpa Bar and Grammy Su. Connor was thrilled to get more creatures to play with, and, of course, his favorite gift on earth--more video games! But I think his true joy was the unlimited pizza and dessert bar. That boy will go for pizza anytime of the day or night. Wishing him another fab year--love you, my handsome blue-eyed boy!

These Are The Days To Remember, 'Cause They Will Not Last Forever

Last year, Grammy Su and Grandpa Bar bought a ranch in Fort Bridger, Wyoming. One of the reasons they did so was with the hope of someday being able to host family reunions. This summer, they got their wish! They worked really hard to have a huge pavilion complete with showers and a big kitchen built in time to host the 100+ members of the Wakefield family gathering together. For three days, several families camped out and enjoyed good food, turns riding the many four-wheelers and ATV vehicles, messing around on and in the pond and campfires at night. Shayne wasn't able to go, so I hauled the kids up there by myself and even put up the new tent we had just bought all by me onesie! (Yeah, I've still got a few camping skills!) The kids had a blast hanging out with all the many cousins and getting to know those who live far away. I always loved hanging out with my cousins as I grew up and it was really fun to reconnect with them and see their families. Thanks to Mom and Dad for hosting a great party...

The new pavilion

Our home (on the far left)

Connor and Grandpa Bar

Dane and the cousins

Kensi, Luke and Natasha

Dane checking out the floating pad with the cousins

Adding a few more folks to the canoe

Connor gets a fishing lesson from cousin Derek

Johnny-boy sacked out by the pond

My little mermaid

Grandpa Wakefield giving his reunion address

Cousin Brad helps Fynn take a horseback ride

Fynn's turn in the canoe with Aunt Kathy and cousins

Nice crack...hee, hee

Floppy-Do

Aunt Mindy hauling the kids in the golf cart

Paris, Dane, Luke and Fynnley loving the ride (and the shade!)

Paris and Fynn getting a mud bath

Johnny entertains the troops

Look, Mom!

Little wedgies--my fave summer photo opp!

Connor, Johnny and Zach Wakefield

Being dragged through the pond by a four-wheeler on the bank

Dane's canoe trip

My fave bachelor

Ho, The Aim Of Our Patrol Is A Question Rather Droll...

Thanks to a great Webelos leader, at the last second Connor was able to finish the requirements to receive his Webelo rank in boy scouts. The pack meeting was held at the duck pond (a nice change of scenery from the church gym!) and Connor was really excited to get it! We are so proud of you, buddy!

Bro. Hayter explaining what Connor had to do to receive his Webelo.

Fynn taking pics of the rest of us during the meeting.

Congrats, Connor!

Checking out the ducks before we left.

Oh, I Love A Parade...

The girls had a blast dancing in the American Fork Steel Days Parade with their studio friends! I wasn't planning on having Fynnley participate, but when we arrived, they asked if she wanted to join in the fun. I ran to Target and bought her a black tank and she got to ride on the truck with the other littles. Natasha had learned a routine with the rest of the company teams choreographed just for the parade . It was pretty hot, but they lasted the whole route and had fun spotting people they knew lining the streets. The popsicles at the end were a nice surprise, too! Always fun to watch my girls dance!