Jake did swimming lessons this summer
He learned to swim at a level where mom felt ok about letting him swim without floats! (Last Child Even) He could swim before I think, but I was just too afraid to let him try without floats. Big step for mom!
MaKensie Graduation! Woo Hoo!
James at 4th of July Parade in Provo
Elli, Emma, and Jake at parade
Shortly after Trek, I had my torn meniscus repaired. These are the beautiful flowers from my parents and siblings! Thanks so much!
In Rob's family it is a tradition to make homemade rootbeer in June and have it ready for the 4th of July. We tried it in early July to have it ready for 24th of July. We need to change something though, because we think we may of almost given all our friends rootbeer that could have been considered alcoholic. It had a funny taste, unlike the rootbeer Rob's Grandma and Aunts always make. Oops sorry! Hope no one felt a little tipsy or anything. We'll do better next year!
The boys making rootbeer
Some of the finished product!
Jake got real good at clamping those lids on the bottles!
For my birthday, some of my sisters and I got pedicures, went to lunch, and went on the beautiful new duck pond trail in Provo. So fun!
DawnAnne, Patti, Jan, and Stacie. Sure missed you Kris! Birthday lunches are a tradition we started a while back, but since Stacie and DawnAnne are now in Utah, they get to join us!
So one day I told the kids that I wanted them to try to make some kind of rock stream thing out of our murky pond that comes from the ground water that is pumped out of our basement every august. It was eroding away the ground and just looked ugly. I left to run some errands, and when I got home, lo and behold, this was their creation. I was so shocked and impressed! I was so proud of them for working together to create this little stream.
So creative!
They even put a little bridge for little plastic animals. I was very proud of them.
24th of July parade! Tradition every year!
More parade pictures!
Watching Awesome fireworks in our back yard!
Provo duck pond trail
more pond life
Pretty little waterfalls all along the trail
Emma with a snake at Pioneer Heritage Park in SL. A new tradition I would like to start. Emma too, wants to make a new tradition of having a whole week full of doing pioneer activities during the week of the 24th. She wants to make lots of homemade things, dress like pioneers, and pretend to be pioneers.
Jake and the Snake!
Elli with snake! Brave kids!
Eating icecream on the train riding around Heritage Park!
Panning for gold!
Emma and James friend Christian
James
Emma and Jake
Jake, Emma, and Elli
Elli
EUREKA!! Jake found some after about an hour or so.
Emma turns 10!!!!!
Make a wish! Wishing for a friend party that she never got, so we'll have to make next year an extra big celebration with her friends.
Ta Da!! Matching dresses for her Bday. Cute cousins!
Emma and her creepy manican head that she begged for so she could learn how to do hair. Great idea, but this head is a little creepy we discovered. Her eyes always follow you no matter what direction her head is. Can you hear "Twilight Zone" music in your head?
Beautiful Birthday Girl!
Happy Birthday on a Sunday in her Bday church outfit! We actually got to spend it in Logan with Jewetts. Very fun Weekend! We spent it with Jewetts as we were on our way up to Idaho, to take James to EFY.
20 Miles for 20 Years! August 27th. Rob and I did a 20 mile bike ride for our 20th year anniversary! We had such a fun time! Thanks My Love! 
