Water We Been Up To?

As you can tell by my title, getting wet has been included in many of our activities. Jordan survived scout camp 101. I know it was successful because he earned 5 merit badges, came home tired with a collection of mosquito bites and a bag full of dirty clothes.
The family has enjoyed being out on the kayaks so much. Almost every Friday Mark & a son or 2 have gone to Pineview to beat the heat. Usually I found a good reason to stay home; shopping, laundry, too hot, etc. But I caved and went along on the last trip. I must admit, I thought it was much more fun than laundry or shopping. What was I thinking?

Jordan and his neighborhood friends have made their trips to the swimming pools, practiced belly flops, and had balloon water fights as well. Such are the joys of summer. None of us are really ready to see it come to an end. Why does summer seem so short and winter so long?

Reverting To My Childhood

I've had the same mountain bike for close to 20 years. It has gotten me where I've wanted to; it has served it's purpose. Naturally, with something that has been around that long, it tended to not always be in the best working condition. Last year when Dan bought his new mountain bike and I took it out for a couple of rides, I was amazed at how much nicer it is to ride a newer bike with better gears, brakes, seat, etc.

So a few weeks ago Mark & I went out "just looking" for a new bike for me. (You know where this is going.) Aaron hooked us up with one of his buddies who happens to work at a bicycle shop. He gave us a super deal on a new bike. I just love it. Despite the hot weather, we have still managed to get some rides in. Some of the new subdivisions around our house have lots of walking paths, plus there are 2 relatively new trails close by also that go for miles. This makes it incredibly easy to get a good ride in without having to fear for your life on the streets and roads.

Sometimes when I'm out there riding my thoughts go back to my childhood when I was riding my bike up and down gravel roads. Oh, blacktop is so much nicer. This time I'm not wiping out and pulling gravel out of my knees. It's much more enjoyable this time around. It does a body good.

Say, Ahhhhhhhh!

I would say I have hit the jackpot. Ahhhhhhh! I've got tons of apricots on my tree, peaches are plentiful on my one tree and my loaded raspberry bushes are beginning to ripen. That's one of the things I like about summer. Yeah, the peach fuzz itches after I've picked the peaches, and the raspberry bushes have scratched my hands and arms. But it's all worth it. Peach cobbler, peach and raspberry jam, dried apricots, raspberry & peaches w/cottage cheese. Am I making your mouth water?

On The Go

Our family has been hopping lately. Jordan spent a week at Boys Scout camp, enjoying the time away. Of course, the parents didn't quite mind him being at camp either. It is amazing how much cleaner the house can stay when just 1 person, who's home for the summer, is gone:)
Mark & I spent one whole day driving 639 miles thru the middle of NOWHERE to shuttle cars for the YW's group while they were on their river trip. The group had a fantastic time. I was content to drive since I don't do tents. No, thank you.

Aye, what a grand time Dan & I had at the Scottish Festival. The melody of bagpipe bands drifted throughout the park the entire afternoon, which created a relaxing mood. We look forward to going next year to take in the sights and sounds. Maybe we'll try to change our name to McJensen.

The cousins

Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy the great outside. No wonder I don't get anything done around home, I'd rather be playing. As long as I can do it, why not, right?

Mark, Becki, Jord & I took Brennan, one of the "cousins" on a hike. We got a fantastic view of the valley. The views were breathtaking; however, Brennie was more interested in catching grasshoppers.

Cohen went with us as well, posing on the monument.

Saturday, the 4th, gave us the chance to take our watercraft out. We loaded the kayak and rubber raft into the truck, brought some food, and headed to Tammy & Jason's house, which is close to a lake. With the temps hovering close to 90 it was perfect weather.

Maisey showed off her swimming skills. We thought she did well considering her long fur made it like swimming with clothes on .

Pate paddled playfully in plenty of the pastel pond (BIG pond.)

Tammy tamely treaded along, treating herself to a terrific time.

Ahaaaaaaa.

Ahaaaaaaaaaa.

Abandon ship??

If Cohen could speak he'd quote Jack Dawson, "I'm the king of the world."

Tianna loves to walk Maisey.

Squeezing it all in

Between scout merit badges for Jord (ones that take 3 months to complete), YW camp activities and normal living life, my priorities have shifted. Summer fun seems to take presidence over my hobbies. So here's a couple more pages I finally finished. Perhaps I'll have to post just pictures for a while or just not post anything for a while. Besides, my computer is in dire need of a clean up. Will I survive without it for a day or 2? We'll have to see. Anyway, here's more fun Calif. pictures.

The 4th of July is already here. I've got a busy week ahead of me. For sure, my life doesn't slow down at 50.

We're in Style!

I've been very busy so I haven't had much time to post on my blog, or even work on Photoshop, for that matter. One thing that came to my attention is how recycling and being earth friendly is "in." To that I say, "wow, I'm hip; I'm in style; I'm chic!" Our family has been doing that for years. For instance:
- I've hung out my levis to dry on a clothes line when I can instead of drying them in the dryer (to save electricity)
- We've all worn 2nd hand clothing at times. Jordan's wardrobe consisted of the neighbor's hand-me-downs for years. And he was well dressed, too. (Thank you, Heidi.)
- Some of my best Tupperware are Cool Whip containers, cottage cheese containers, etc.
- Most of my furniture I've bought from people instead of going to the furniture store. That way I have saved thousands of $$$.
Who would've thought having redneck tendencies could be so cool?

I'll get more of my pictures from what I've been up to later. Right now I just don't have the time.