The Wolfpack

The Wolfpack (a new St. George club team) asked Landon to play with them in the Color Country Classic baseball tournament. This was his last 8U (8 and under) tournament. I guess he is growing up, even in baseball. Dang it... ;) It was a Friday Saturday tournament and we thought about staying over, since the last game on Friday got over at 8ish and then he had to be back in Cedar by 7:00 am for his 8:00 am game the next morning, but we didn't. Gavin and my Dad just went up early Saturday morning and Mom and I (with the kids) came later. The crazy thing was Gavin and Landon had to go back to St. George after the second game to weigh in for football. While they did that we hung out in Cedar and had a little Costa Vida (Yum!) and the best shaved ice this side of the Virgin River! :) We made it to the championship game so Gavin and Landon drove back to Cedar just in time for it to down pour! We waited around and the rain stopped. They ended up playing the Championship game it just got over late that night. Talk about a crazy Saturday... which made getting up for 9:00 o'clock church Sunday even harder! We did make it though, maybe (or maybe not) a little late! :) Typical, we're never late for a sporting event, but to church, now that's a different story.

Carlee 10 Months

This is a crawling, baby doll loving, human vacuum, bow hating baby. She doesn't get mad very often, but when she does look out, she might try to bite anyone in reach. Carlee's top teeth are trying hard to come through, but nothing yet. Her nose has been running like crazy and she chews on anything and everything to relieve the pain, but she is still a great baby. Smiling, cooing and laughing is what makes up most of her day. She still sleeps through the night and takes two naps. She loves to rub her head and suck her thumb. Her hair is stick straight and sticks up like a peacock most of the time. I put gel, lotion even aloe vera in it to help it lay down, no luck so far. Between the stick straight and being rubbed all day it, Carlee could win a crazy hair award. Not sure what I am going to do about it either! We still lover her though. :)
Can't believe she's 10 months already.

The TOC

The Tournament of Champions was a little different this year compared to last. The boys came to the first game a little bit off, and it got worse from there...needless to say, we lost the first game of the tournament. The other three games we played awesome. We even beat The Horns, a really great team! But, because of our first lost, we didn't even make it to Championship Saturday. It was crappy, to say the least. Funny thing about it, The Horns ended up being the TOC Champions and we beat them. Ha! You win some, and you lose some. Right?! :)

Despite the lose, we still had a great 5 days in Park City. It has to be one of my favorite places in the summer, heck I think I would love it in the winter too! We rode the Alpine Slide and Coaster, partied in our condo with the Shipp's and the Stuart's shopped till we dropped and best of all went to the Kamas Demolition Derby! I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of it. What was I thinking? Guess we'll have to go back next year, so I can get some footage.  :)  It's a one of a kind, small town "Crashin' Derby" and we all loved it!

It was hard to come home after being footloose and fancy free... I love vacations! :)

Celebrating Grandma

I forced a family picture right when we arrived the morning of the funeral. We don't all usually look that spiffy at 8:30 am every morning, so I had to remember it. My family is growing up right before my eyes and I thankful I captured this moment in time.

The viewing turned out nice. Sunday night was busy, a lot of family and friends came to show their support and express their love for my sweet Grandma Corinne. She will be missed by many.

I was able to say a few words at the funeral. It was hard to put into words my love for Grandma. She was a gem. I am going to try harder to be more like her, judge less, love more and maybe even hum a little.

Landon was an Honorary Pallbearer, but they let him carry the casket with the men. He was honored and proud he could help. I know he will remember this day forever. Sweet Preston is the one that had the hardest time through it all. My little tender heart cried and cried. Uncle John spoke to him at the funeral and gave an analogy of death like going from one room to another. Grandma has just changed rooms, and though we can't see her today or even tomorrow, I know we will see her again. She is waiting for us and will be there to greet us when it is our turn.

It was a nice day honoring Grandma. I am thankful I could have her in my life. 

We had a luncheon after. There is nothing like a family, and I have a great one. 

We love you Grandma. 

God be with you till we meet again.

Carlee Janer

Love this girl.

Lemonade Stand

{July 11, 2011}

This summer was the first time my kids ever had a Lemonade Stand. It was on our summer bucket list, and it turned out to be fun! They started out at our house in the front yard. After a while they decided that the cars go by to fast, so it would be better to take it down to Grandma Frei's by the fruitstand. Gavin was glad, cause he was all weirded (is that a word?!) out by the kids sitting in front of our house selling stuff. He thinks crazy's will see where our kids live and then do I don't know what to them. I guess I am glad he is a protective dad and cares so much about his little ones. 

The kids had a great afternoon selling their goodies. Addie would get so excited if someone stopped, after every customer she would run and tell me they made a sale! There isn't anything quite like the  excitement of a child.

After a while it started to rain, so we packed up shop. The kids have the money saved in their piggy bank waiting for the "just right" item to buy.  

Perfect summer afternoon.

Bar 10 Ranch

{July 9th and 10th}

Gavin took his Teacher's in Young Men's to the Bar 10 ranch this summer for their high adventure trip. I was jealous of all the boys going, because there is a special place in my heart for the Bar 10 Ranch. When Gavin and I first started dating, he took me there. It was so much fun. His lifelong best friend Gavin Heaton owned it, so we could just go hangout at the ranch.  Later Gavin married one of my lifelong friends Andrea and now they run the ranch together along with their 3 soon to be 4 children. Gavin and I hadn't been back to the Bar 10 in over 10 years. Can't believe we are that busy, that we hadn't been there for that long!  Anyway... On the day Gavin was suppose to be coming home, I got a phone call from him. (Mind you, the Bar 10 is in the middle of nowhere and the only phone that works is a satalite phone that is only for emergencies!) He said, Pack your bags, I'll be home to drop the scouts off and we are coming back with the kids tonight. I was so excited I was going to the Bar 10, and that my kids got to see it too! I love last minute trips the best! 

We had such a great time! It was just like I remembered with a few upgrades and addition's of course. ;) Preston loved the snakes, lizards and rodent's. Addie loved the Bar 10 show and watching Hailee (Gavin and Andrea's daughter) perform. I loved the food, it was the same meals as last time and still just as good! :) Landon loved the Helicopter ride into the Grand Canyon, what a treat for my kids to experience. 

We came home in a summer down pour. The Arizona Strip can flood in a hurry! There were a few times I was biting my nails, but we made it. Preston had brought a little canteen full of water. It had been spilled and a pain in the you know what... the whole time. When we were just about stuck in mud up to our eyeballs Preston said, "Well, it's a good thing I brought the canteen, now at least we'll have water tonight while we wait for someone to come get us, and if we run out of that, we can always walk out there and drink from a barrel cactus!" Gavin and I cracked up! Especially since there was plenty of water running right down the side of the dirt road we were on, too much water was the problem! It definitely lightened the mood for the rest of the nerve wracking drive home.  Gotta love Pres! :) 

Thank you Gavin and Andrea for a fun spur of the moment trip to the Bar 10. I hope it doesn't take us another 10 years to get back! :)

4th of July

On the actual 4th of July Gavin had to work, so it wasn't all that exciting. The kids had a sleepover at Grandma Gai's the night before. They always love having a sleepover with Grandma! We did have a fun BBQ in the evening, and the kids helped me take down the flags with the Young Women. I love looking at the flags lining the streets, so it was fun to help put them put them up and take them down. My kids were troopers and good help. I hope it gave them a since of pride for America and the freedom we enjoy each day.

We watched the fireworks on the Black Hill. We had quite a crew! Good times!

After we got home we let off a few fireworks of our own. This was the first year I have bought fireworks. The boys loved it, Addie and Carlee were to tired and went to bed.

I am so thankful for the 4th of July. It is one of my very favorite holiday's. I am so grateful to live in the free country. 

God Bless America!