Monticello in July

The family, minus Tia who was working in Cedar City, went to Monticello in July to visit Trisa, Travis, and Chewy (the dog).  Kayli and Connor went early and so they got to spend a little extra time being spoiled by Travis' cooking, and baking, and all of the attention they got from their sister and brother-in-law.  They didn't want to come home, but we wouldn't let them stay forever and so they gave in and came back so they could earn some money this summer.

I have so many good pictures!  Here are a few.

Kayli, Connor, Trisa, Sherie, Dan, Jake, and Chewy

Isn't this a great creature?  It's some kind of dinosaur at a museum we went to.
I didn't learn enough to know the Dino's name, but Jake probably would know, if he was home to ask.

Jake, Derek, Travis, Dan, Connor, Kayli, Trisa

Jake, Derek, Sherie, Dan, Connor, Kayli, Trisa, and Chewy

Connor climbs a tower.

Jake, Dan, and Derek on one of Travis' Dad's trucks.

I asked Travis if I could drive one of his Dad's trucks.  He was very quick with his "NO!"
But he let me pretend to drive the truck, which is good enough for me!

Dan and Jake -- feeling tall

Travis rigged up a microphone for some Karaoke.  I think they could hear us quite far away.

Chewy and Dan.  Dan loved Chewy and wanted to spend his vacation throwing the ball for Chewy to retrieve.
Dan was unhappy when we did activities that did not include the dog!

Trisa and Travis were great hosts and we had a good visit.  We were fed a LOT of good food.  We went up the canyon where the scenery was lovely.  We also got to spend a beautiful day at Lake Powell with Travis' family who were very patient and kind -- especially with Dan who was grumpy that we forgot his life jacket and he had to wear a pink one (wrong side out).  Dan wanted to go "home" and play with Chewy.  Travis' family members are all good company and lots of fun to be with.  This was a happy vacation.

Connor Goes to the Sadie Hawkins Dance

The theme for the dance was "Grease Lightning".  Connor was in a group with friends,

and had a good time.

Baby Charles

Occasionally I get lucky and I get to borrow a baby to snuggle.  The boys liked taking a turn too. Charles is my husband's first cousin once removed.  Yes, I had to look it up to make sure I had it right!

Dan and Charles

Jake and Charles

Sherie and Charles
This is a selfie, I didn't try again because Charles was hungry!

Dan's Baptism

Dan was baptized on the same day and the same place as his cousin Caleb.  Thanks Chris and Tina for traveling from Idaho so they could be together!  These cousins were born the same day, and now they have been baptized the same day too.  Here are some pictures.  We forgot to get any with the Moms or the Grandmas and Grandpas and we were too lazy to try to get all of the nice Aunts, Uncles and Cousins together!  These are nice though.

Dan and Caleb

Chris and Caleb, Derek and Dan
The babies of two families are baptized!

Dan and his Dad

The day went well.  There were quite a few children baptized that day and so there was a lot of waiting time in the chapel while different wards took their kids to be baptized, which I find stressful.  It is so hard for people to be reverent while waiting, and waiting!  When we went into the room with the font things improved a lot, and the confirmations were great.  My kids laughed because my sister Tina and I were wiping our tears in a synchronized fashion.  We had lunch at our house afterwards and everyone was super nice and helpful as we got lunch ready.  It was good to get to visit with some of the people we love.

Congratulations to a couple of really good boys.

First Day of School Pictures

Dan, First day of 3rd Grade.

It started to rain kind of hard right as he got off the school bus that morning.  We made a mad dash for the school after this picture!

Jake.  First day of the 7th Grade!

Connor.  First day of 11th Grade.

I was too sleepy to remember their picture in the morning.  This is my Connor and Jake after having survived their first day of school.

Dan's 8th Birthday

Dan turned eight last Friday.  I am really proud of him.  He seemed determined to be happy about everything that happened, and he was a happy boy all day long.  We had him get up early to open presents before his brothers had to head to school.  He loved his presents!  Later in the evening we went to the annual fireworks event at Aunt Megan and Uncle Leon's house.  There were cousins, treats, and a big beautiful fireworks in the sky for our city celebration.  When I told Dan the fireworks were on his birthday he imagined showing up at cousin Noelle's house to find presents on the table.  Luckily he wasn't at all disappointed to just find playmates.  It was a happy way to end a birthday.  Here are some pictures.

Dan got a couple of books and a movie in his honor (It belongs to the family but is in honor of the birthday boy)

Meet "Beary".  He was hiding in the van, after having hidden at his C. Grandparent's house for a few days.  Dan was surprised, expecting a much smaller animal, and he has loved the huge bear who takes up most of his bed every night.

Dan can't wait to use Beary as a blanket in winter.  I think that blanket will be too heavy.

Dan's robot cake.  He has had some variety of robot cake for the last few years.

Dan managed to blow out all but one candle on the first try.  That one was hard.

It was a happy birthday for Dan.  We love this character.  He is excited to be baptized on Saturday along with his cousin Caleb who shares the same birthday.  I'm not sure how many people he's invited!  I think he even was planning on inviting his school teacher!