Bzzzzzzzz

This is aptly titled because we have been busier than bees lately. It seems our entire summer has been devoted to going somewhere. Really, there shouldn't be any complaints because we have chosen to make our lives crazy. As you can see the red truck has been put to good use already this summer. Mark has it set up so we can easily transport the kayaks and still have plenty of room to stow other gear. It's also been to girls' camp, hauling girls and gear, camping and boating at Jordanelle, boating at Willard and an upcoming trip to Wyoming and the Jackson Hole area for Youth Conference. And everytime it goes out, Mark has a smile on his face! We spent the 4th at Utah Lake BBQing and kayaking with family. How unbelievable that it chose to be cloudy the entire day!Tayson and Pate.....Tianna and Shadow...
Capt'n Mark took the helm as the boys did some wakeboarding at Jordanelle. This is one of the best things about summer in Utah that I love...the gorgeous weather and scenery. Dan showing his skills on the water. Good for him. I'm too chicken--I'm fearful of how my neck and back would feel once I got done...if I survived. Even our little Buddah Wuddah Cohen and Maisey went on the boat with us, since they accompanied us on the campout. All in all, they did well.

Each of the boys have taken their turn in learning how to drive the boat under Mark's close tutelage. It must be a guy thing because Becki and I really don't care if we drive it or not but the boys, well that's a different story.

Mark was gone for one week to Las Vegas for a Cisco convention. As fun as that may sound, he couldn't wait to get home. It's hot enough here...who needs to be someplace where it is 5 degrees hotter? YW's camp was 3 days of food, friendship and fun. The girls are so awesome. And it gives me a chance to be immature and not be reprimanded for it. :)

Meagan...Meagan...Meagan....

I was going to photo bomb these girls and this is what happened. Good times!

Better Late Than Never

I never intended to delay my update this long but when life comes at you so fast, there's not too much of a choice. So now I am playing catch-up. Our summer took a while before it truly decided to act like summer. Last year I had never seen snow on my birthday. Well, this year that got beat by snowing on Memorial Day. Here is my proof. This is my patio--definitely not a day for a BBQ.
In mid June we drove back to see Mom and family. We've driven this road many a time in the past 28 years. It was fun to see the changes along the way. And, of course, the amusing antics of people in general. For instance, this is Omaha's solution to end filling the land fill with grass clippings. Just load it on your flat bed trailer and take a drive down the freeway until it all blows away. We thought it was funny how the kid in the back seat kept looking back at it, like he was telling his dad when it was empty.

I managed to have us stray off the path a bit in Omaha but we finally got to Winters Quarters. Jordan hadn't seen it since he was just a little shaver.

Jord and Mark near the Winters Quarters temple.

I'm not sure what this is but I think it is Omaha's tribute to Edward Scissorshand.

This drive was so different from the ones we made with all the kids. It was pretty quiet and peaceful. Jord didn't have anyone to argue with so it was very nice. This is how Jordan spent a lot of the trip.

Grandma had a list of things she wanted done. The rest of my army flew out. We attacked the list with a vengeance and got everything done we wanted to. One of the big jobs was washing the windows outside and cleaning the siding.

Repairing a hole in the wall.

Repainting the kitchen.

We came out for 2 things specifically--to get the buffet and to see lightning bugs. We found a trunk in her basement filled with a treasure trove of family history--old photographs and hundreds of old postcards. It was quite interesting to look at them.

Before we knew it, the time had come to take our farewell picture.

We rented a U-haul to bring back all of our treasures from Grandmas. The buffet, the old trunk, old guns, cookies, cookies and more cookies, 3M stuff and of course, cheese.

Both going out and coming back home we met up with Jim, Mark's cousin in Cheyenne. It was so wonderful to see him.

Here was our welcoming home committee. Very excited to see us all and have things back to normal.