Days of 47 Rodeo

I have always wanted to go to the Rodeo with my boys - thank you Groupon for making that possible and affordable!  It was fun to see D who loves animals and T who loves all things spectacle enjoying the same event.  I felt like we celebrated Pioneer Day in UT by having attended.

Kristi's Mission Reunion

I haven't really been to a mission reunion for the first half of my mission to Manaus, Brazil.  Don't know if it's because I really only served in 2 places and didn't know that many people or if it is because I haven't used my Portuguese in years and am afraid to open my mouth.  But this time my mission president was in town and I felt like I should go.  I have to mention that I don't like to do these things without my better more social half.  But without my Michael shield I set off.  It turned out to be a wonderful experience.  


I only knew a few people, but the spirit was wonderful.  I also learned a lot about what I had learned in the Amazon and why it was so beneficial in my life.  It really prepared me to do hard things!  Wendy (Sis. Gunnerson) shared a really neat experience about a terrible day with terrible conditions on her mission.  She talked about learning how she as a representative of Jesus Christ shouldn't have to live in such terrible conditions and then realizing where Christ was born and what circumstances he endured.  It really struck a chord with me. I felt that way many times in Manaus and Boa Vista.  I really couldn't believe the conditions which I lived in and which all of these children of God live in every day in 3rd world parts of the world.  


I also carried a lot of guilt for having to go home before my time was up - for medical reasons - somehow being with all these people who shared the same experiences I had made all that okay.


I wrote and shared it with Michael who was also dealing with hard conditions at basic training with Drill Sergeants in the heatwave of South Carolina.

Singing the Mission Song

President and Sister Francesconi

Sister Brubaker & Sister Gunnerson

Cousin Maren's Birthday Party at Silver Lake

My sister planned a super cute birthday party around silver lake.  

Duncan & Maren use their mini magnifying glasses to explore

Yep that's snow they are standing on!

Duncan & Timon on the snow

Uncle Chad & "t-DOG"

What do you do with the nuts you don't like in your trail mix?  Feed them to the pot-guts, of course!

Duncan & Caroline in the spiderweb game.

Cousin Fridays

A few summers ago my sisters and I started spending Friday afternoons together in the summer as cousin Fridays.  I'm going to guess it was my sister Kim's idea - as she is so organized.  But it has become a fun tradition.  This year it evolved to mostly swimming - probably because I love sun and water so much!

Duncan & Caroline @ Draper Pool

Timon & Maren @ Draper Pool

Cannon Ball by Timon

Wheeler Farm

Maren, Timon, Duncan & Caroline

Timon & Duncan Drive 

I might be okay with this out house

4th of July 2011

 We started off the morning with a red white and blue breakfast.  We also created a patriotic playlist that we could listen to as we drove around town.  OF COURSE it had the army song on it - both my boys have that memorized.

 Red strawberries, white -ish waffles and blue plates and notice Ty's USA shirt -oh we are so festive.






We next went and purchased our small fireworks.  I gave each boy $10 but you know that really doesn't go far at those huge firework tents, but it was all we had this year.




We spent the afternoon at my Aunt Tani/Uncle Cal's home - they have this beautiful backyard with a salt water pool that we have spent a few cousin Friday afternoons hanging out at.  Uncle Cal always makes amazing food - he sent me off with some BBQ pork that was too good for words.

Next we went to what has become our 4th of July tradition - known as Aunt Maylene's.  My boys think that the 4th cannot be done any other way - and frankly I'm with them!  Maylene is Michael's sister and the one who lined Michael and I up on a blind date over 10 years ago! 


This is a photo of Maylene and her darling daughter Eliza and my Duncan all camped out on the lawn waiting for the street firework show to start.

This year we were lucky enough to have Aunt Deanna (Michael's oldest sister) as well.  She's in the red, I'm next to her and Maylene is in front.  Deanna is known as the fun one in the family.  She's the go-to-gal on trip planning and all activities fun.  They came up from New Mexico.  We don't get to see them often enough.

 T and Deanna with Sparklers




This year they made all those illegal super cool fireworks legal (my dad says its to increase the sales tax:).  You can see T holding one of the ones that Uncle Aaron brought - and BTW they were super cool.


The other fun thing was that Deanna & Aaron's son Darren also came with them. He was able to tell T about all things military and that really helped T not miss his dad so much on this patriotic day.

 

Pictures from Kelby's Wedding

These pictures were taken by my friend Rani (in the first picture with me. They are from Kelby's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding. Do you like how we kept our boys entertained and quiet?

Duncan's Birthday "Scales & Tails"

This party started out with my little one asking to have a pet lizard or snake. I quickly answered that I was allergic to both - a concept he understands since dad is very allergic to cats. Then I found a City Deal for the Scales and Tails guy to come and do a birthday party show. It had to be done.

We had snakes on our cupcakes, animal crackers, different kinds of popcorn (oh - I mean "gecko grub") and "jungle juice."

yep I sewed 15 pillowcases - Crazy!

Brooks demos the pillow case craft!

Green grass decorations!

I think he had a pretty good time! What do you think?