~First Day of School~

Wow!  Hard to believe school has started.  Lys and Jake started this week on August 19, 2010.  They were both anxious and excited to see their friends and I think even start a routine.  We even caught a picture in the grain the DAY before they cut it.  Allysa is in 6th grade...Jake is in 4th.  They are both such great students.  I am spoiled.  Rarely do I have to help with homework let alone pester them to get it done.  They both love to read.  We are lucky!

Jake...being silly.  It was windy.  He hates pictures.  

I finally got him to act a little serious...but he was mad at me.  So cute, isn't he?  

He picked out his own outfit...already has his own little style.

Princess....all grown up!

Trevor stepped in to cheer things up....or keep things silly, which was it?

We are lucky.  We love our family!

Gene & Kathy 50th Anniversary

What a momentous occasion...my mom and dad's 50th anniversary.  My  mom is a very private, sentimental person.  She did not want a big party or announcement for this monumental achievement of her and my dad's...just a quiet, memory-filled, quaint weekend with her family.  This was the first of "our" family to actually put together a weekend with just us.  We actually succeeded.  We had a wonderful time.  Our goal was to please mom and dad...and I am pretty sure we ALL left fulfilled and happy.  What a great and honorable experience for us kids, our spouses, and especially the grandchildren to be a part of such a celebration.  We are all so proud of our parents and the kind, wonderful, caring example they are to us.  Congratulations to them on their 50th Wedding Anniversary!

Mariah surprised grandma from Washington...made her cry!

Chelese mastering the hula-hoop...or trying anyway.

Trevor, Grandpa, and Mclaine on the tube....WHOA!
Fred....knows better now than to let Gavin pull him behind the jet ski.
I think after four roll-overs, he had to quit!

~~Rockin "R" Ranch~~

Trevor's mom's family had a reunion this summer..."The Adam's Family!"  It was at the Rockin R Dude Ranch in Antimony, Utah...somewhere down by Cedar City.  We almost did not make it...but fortunately for us, we did.  It was a blast.  Trevor and I were ready for some rest and relaxation and sure enough that is what it provided.  I didn't even have to plan ONE meal (lucky for everyone at that moment.)  The kids had a blast riding horses on trail rides, jumping from the swing into the pond, drowning the canoes, and visiting/meeting with all of their cousins.  Trevor had not seen a lot of his aunts, uncles, and cousins in a long time.  He and his family had a great time visiting with those they had not seen in years...and I had a great time meeting them all for the first time.  What a wonderful experience it was and what fun memories that we all will have.  Thank you Marsha and Lowell for the wonderful experience!

Grami...an experienced barrel racer, WHO KNEW?!!!  What a natural!

Two little boys...their first sheep ride.  What a thrill!  And they wanted right back on!

Ooops....Jake was in playing pool.  He really was there.  

We took off on a wagon ride through the little quaint town of Antimony.  

~Balmforth Reunion~

Each year (for the past few) my mom's side of the family have tried to get together for a fun summer reunion.  We all grew up together...and all have remained quite close.  It doesn't matter if most of us live within a 30-mile radius...getting together for food, fun, and memories is PRICELESS to us all.

MOB!  Sadly, he had to leave back to Thailand two days later.  We miss MOB!

Fred made his famous banana flambé!