Summer Fun - Part III

One day that was tons of fun involved us crashing the Farmington Youth's Waterskiing trip to Pineview. It was such a beautiful day and while the girls had an amazing time in the water (and checking out adorable boys), Krista and I had an amazing time soaking up some sun. At least Krista helped - I did nothing. But they put up with me anyway. It was a great day. Good company, good fun= great life.





It is a rare luxury for me to hang out with my mom. She is the ultimate go-getter and game for almost anything - including helping at The British Car Show at a local park AND (most importantly) cutting down a "historical" (and dead) branch from her apricot tree. Man, she did NOT want to lose that branch. It's a branch that my sister's and I hung from and sat on all through our childhood. It's featured on a Christmas card. Sometime when I really feel like incriminating myself, maybe I'll post the picture. Anyway, now all that's left of the branch is this great picture of my mom clinging to it. Maybe she'd feel better if I put this on a t-shirt for her. Love you, Mom!

Driving Into The Fun...

Our summer fun continued as we drove to Utah and stayed with Jeff, Krista, the "M" twins and reluctantly returned "Cookie" to her home. Krista made the excellent suggestion that we take "P" (who we picked up from "S" and "E's" on the drive toward Farmington) go visit "M" who is working and going to school at Utah State in Logan; we jumped in the car and took a beautiful drive through Logan Canyon. Happily, "M" had the day off from work so she gave us a tour of campus and then we headed to a yummy diner on Main Street for lunch. By this time, "P" was already sold on the idea of going to school there and when "M" suggested that they could be roomies, that pretty much sealed the deal! It was the perfect girl's day!
Mark, Jeff and "S" had headed out on a fishing trip - I'm sure "S" will detail that in his own blog - and happily we talked "E" into coming up and spending the weekend with "the girls" in Farmington. It was a fun, relaxing weekend and when July 24th rolled around, we piled into the car and drove to what had to be one of the highest streets in the city to watch the fireworks. Looking over the city, I found myself wondering what the pioneers would think of all these amazing lights and this area populated by people who owe them such a debt of gratitude for their sacrifice and dedication. It was a sweet weekend...

Summer Fun...Where Do I Begin?

Our summer was so much fun, but a complete whirlwind! On July 2nd, "S" and "E" drove down with cousin "Cookie" for "P" and "B's" annual dance recital. We had so much fun with them! The girls did an amazing job in their recital and we're already looking forward to seeing their progress in next year's recital. I am especiall excited because both girls will be taking Hip Hop AND Ballet.
We were so happy that "S" and "E" were here for the 4th of July. A few years ago, after we moved into this house, we quit trying to fight the crowds at the park on the 4th and we found we had a KILLER view of the fireworks in the parking lot of one of our local stores. Ta da - a new tradition was born and now we go there every year, see the awesome fireworks and still beat the crowds home.
Several days later, our two Utah kids had to make their way home and they took an excited "P" with them and left "Cookie" to hang with "B" for some summer fun. "P" had the time of her life in Provo and it will no doubt be some of her favorite memories.
As for "Cookie" and "B", they had many beach days and a few excursions throughout San Diego - one to the newly renovated Mormon Battalion - it's beautiful and well worth the trip.
Is this the end of our summer fun? Not even close - in fact, the fun is just beginning. Stay tuned for more summer fun....Hall-a-mania style.

Missing Modern Family

Dear Claire and Phil,
I REALLY miss you. The only reason I'm anxious for summer to come to an end is so that I can see you again every week. You two remind me way too much of my own marriage - some episodes make me think you are spying on us. I think if I was lining up the perfect neighborhood you guys would be my next door neighbors (and Tim McGraw would live on the other side - you're welcome, Claire). Please come see me soon. Wednesdays became my favorite day of the week and it's just not the same without you and your hilarious family. Hurry back - can't wait to see you!

Blog Fever

I have a fever...I wish it was a simple as staying in bed for a few days and drinking plenty of liquids, but the truth is that my fever runs high day after day. I have "Blog Fever". I LOVE blogs. I especially love writing my own blog; I'd like to be a professional blogger - is there even such a thing or is that just me wishing for something that hasn't even been invented yet? One thing that makes me LOVE blogging is Memory Mixer (beware, I'm plugging a product-but it's too great not to). It is the coolest digital scrapbooking program around and I was introduced to it by a darling girl in my ward. Every week I wait patiently (that is a lie - I do not wait patiently) until I get their weekly newsletter and then I pounce to read the new "digi-know" section and learn some very cool new technique to make my scrapbook/blog look better. This has become more of an obsession than "Pringles" used to be...and that is saying a lot because at one point in my life I should have belonged to "Pringles Anoymous". Any who...I've spent the last week or so updating "R's" missionary scrapbook. I thought I'd just share a little of what I've done. It's not finished yet, but I'm sure having a great time working on it. And just for the record, this week I've not only had "Blog Fever", but I've also suffered from "Achy-Breaky Heart Syndrome". Scrapbooking for your missionary will do that to you.

More Harbor Fun....

The proof is in the pictures!

What A Weekend!

This weekend had to go down in my book as a favorite! When I got home Friday morning from working out, whose car did I see in the driveway - "S" and "E"! I couldn't have been more excited..in fact, I think my exact words were "NO WAY" for at least the first five minutes. I knew they were coming, but I thought it would be early evening. I was so excited that I ALMOST forgive them for driving through the night! We had a great day together catching up and hanging out together. They also brought a little "bonus" with them - cousin "B"! Our "B" has been waiting for months for the two of them to get together and now the dream had come true.
Saturday found "P" and "B" spending the entire day getting ready for their dance recital "Born To Fly". Mark, "S", "E" and "B" hit the beach and by the time we met them for an early dinner they looked like lobsters - ouch! After dinner (which we ate in the parking lot because of parking space at the diner - but it added to the fun, so it only added to the experience), we went to the much anticipated dance recital. The girls did an amazing job and had a lot of fun doing it.
Sunday was July 4th so we celebrated by meeting a bunch of friends at our favorite spot for fireworks - the Albertson's parking lot! There was tons of fun, food and I think they may have even been a game of Phase Ten to keep Dad happy. It was really nice hanging out all together.
Monday we got a dose of reality when "S" and "E" headed back to Utah - they even took "P" for a fun little get-away of her own. We missed them before they even made it to the bottom of the driveway. Happily for us, the Bittons invited us to drown our sorrows (okay, that may be a tad dramatic) by riding jet-skis and going boating with them at the beach. It was cloudy outside, but man oh man did we have a blast. If you want a BIG laugh, ask "B" about a dunk that she and Sister Bitton took on the jet-ski. Heehee. We even attempted to find some dolphins, but the weather was getting pretty wild and we didn't want to make our own version of "The Perfect Storm" so we headed back to the harbor. It was such a fun day - thanks, Grace, VJ and Dylan for such a great time!
It was a weekend that we had been looking forward to for some time and it sure didn't disappoint us.
Oh and by the way - Happy Birthday, America!