OK, I Know It's About Time I Update! . . .

We have a had a great month of July, so far. The following pictures were taken during July. Curt will have his final treatment (39 of them!) on July 30--our 30th anniversary. On July 3 Chris, Amanda, and Cody were here so we went up the mountain for a BBQ. Chris, Amanda, and Lucky rode on the 4-wheeler. Curt, Cody, and I rode in the red truck. We had Curt's "fabulous" (Audrey's favorite word) mutton. It was great. Cody loves to "cheese" it for the camera. One of the few moments Curt will actually relax. Notice, you don't see me in very many of my posts? I'm the designated camera woman so I don't get in many of the pictures.
Waiting for the mutton to be done. Cody had a fun time in the mountains.
Cody and the rest of his family (+ Lucky) on one of Cody's favorite things in the whole world--the 4-wheeler. All he has to do is hear one and he whips around and tries to see it. On this day, Chris said, "I think we'll take the red one" meaning the Honda 4-wheeler. He didn't even say the word "4-wheeler" and Cody was already making the "pbbbbb" sound. He knows.
On the 4th, Cody and Jayleigh took part in the fashion show. Here's Jayleigh . . . .

. . . . and here's Cody. Aren't they cute?

Cody ran in the 1-year-old race at the park and won. He didn't even give the other 1-year-olds a chance. He really ran. I think it's because Grandpa was at the finish line whistling at him. He knew just where to go!

Cody holding his 1st place prize. It was some toddler puffs.

Jayleigh with her cute little 4th of July outfit that her Grandma Twitchell got for her.

On Saturday, July 11th, we traveled to visit Cashelle and A.J. They took us up the canyon where we could look over the Tooele Valley and the SL valley. This is the Tooele side.

Looking over into the Kennecott Copper Mine. What a view from the top! It kind of took my breath away--but you probably all remember I am petrified of heights. On the drive up (I was driving, too!) we saw some pretty steep inclines. I had a scary feeling in my stomach all the way up--and down.

The kids walking on a hill by the overlook. On the way up, Madalynn and Audrey rode with us. Madalynn asked us "What does trespassing mean?" She had been reading signs when we were almost at the summit that said "No Trespassing." Mind you, she just finished 1st grade. She is quite the little reader.

Curt with his binoculars--his favorite pastime. It looks like it drops right off here. It is quite steep. I was still scared to walk over to the edge. It didn't bother Audrey.

Happy Father's Day!

I wanted to take this opportunity to say Happy Father's Day to my dad. He has been gone several years now, but I still miss him and think about him about every day. He was a great father and grandfather. We want you to know you are missed. We love you, Dad! Next on my list is my dad-in-law--but he was like a second dad to me. We miss you, too, Grandpa Ben. I couldn't let the day go by without telling you how much you are loved and missed.

Last, but not least, I want to wish my hubby the bestest Father's Day ever! This was taken on our trip to Alaska last year. We were so blessed to have good friends (Lacey's in-laws) invite us to go with them. It was a trip of a lifetime for us! Curt, I love you so much. I know you are having a difficult time at the moment with your radiation, back problems, rain that won't stop so you can get the hay baled, but just hang in there. I love you. Happy Father's Day!

Work Day/Family Reunion at Grandma's

This past weekend was our annual work day/BBQ/reunion day at Grandma's. We spend the morning cleaning her yard and then gather for a family BBQ when we're done. After the BBQ we had the Manti Aquatic Center rented. I didn't take my camera since I was swimming (and so was Curt). So I hope other blogs will have swimming pictures. Mother Nature tried to ruin the swimming party--but she didn't succeed! We just swam in the rain. The water was nice and warm even though out of the water it was a little chilly. Before the yard cleaning this year, A.J. had bought us all matching shirts from Old Navy for family pictures. Thanks, A.J.! This first picture is Curt and I with our six grandchildren. Spencer and Jayleigh are crying, Curt's looking at the kids, Madalynn's looking at the crying babies along with Thomas and Audrey, Cody is looking I don't know where, and I am looking at the camera. Go figure. The second picture of grandma/grandpa with the six grandkids. Jayleigh is still crying, Spencer is looking at Jayleigh and wondering why she's crying, Cody is thinking the same thing, and the rest are kind of looking at the camera.

Our whole family with Grandma. I think the shirts was a terrific idea.

Our kids and us with Grandma.

We tried to get some quick family groups--we hadn't started the yard yet so we had to hurry. Here is Chris, Amanda, and Cody.

A.J., Cashelle, Madalynn, Audrey, Thomas, and Spencer. Lacey and Landon didn't stick around long enough to get their cute little family picture. The mosquitoes were trying to carry Jayleigh off.

This is after the hard work and we are enjoying each other's company in the back yard.

Another group . . .

And another group--Kaylee broke her foot so she couldn't do much. Besides that, she is about 8 months pregnant. Poor girl.

Quite a pile of shoes. The kids were all playing on the trampoline, swinging, and playing volleyball while the adults visited.

This is the whole group that came--minus me (taking this particular picture) and Ross was taking a picture, too. This is what happens when two people fell in love (Grandma and Grandpa).

Playing on the trampoline.

Volleyball buffs.

Another group eating.

Wow, What a week I don't want to repeat!

You know how things all seem to happen at once? Well, let me first fill you in on Curt's progress, then I'll tell you about a week from the "hot place." Curt has now completed 6 of his 39 radiation treatments (for prostate cancer. Yes, he had it removed last year because it was cancerous, but some cells must have escaped). We are having to drive up north five days a week. The treatment takes about 10 minutes--isn't that sad to drive 1 1/2 hours for a 10-minute session? I'm not complaining, really. I thank Heaven above that he can be helped--it will all be worth it when it's over. We'll count that as number 1. Anyway for the week from Hades (besides the 46 total trips we need to make for Curt's radiation treatments): 2) We have been using Grandpa Kjar's white Chevy because Curt's rear end (on the truck, tee hee) has a problem that we need to fix. Anyway, Chris took Grandpa's truck to work one day on his job at Spring City and the fuel filter went out--$525 (gasp!) to fix it. 3) Curt's rear end problem with his truck. 4) Our upstairs toilet flapper thingy disintegrated. While Curt was removing it, the post it was attached to came off. We now have a leaky toilet that still needs to be fixed. 5) Our furnace/air conditioner quit. We have had to order a new furnace. Thank heaven's the past week or so has been cool so we haven't needed either the air conditioner or furnace (let's hope it stays that way for a bit). 6) Our microwave quit as I was fixing dinner for Chris and Landon--we just bought a new one from Costco yesterday. 7) Curt pulled a muscle in his back which he is struggling with. That's all I can think of at the moment, but I'm SURE there were other things to add to the list. I'm just having a hard time remembering them all. They say things happen in threes--ours have been happening in sixes!

Camping---In the Mud!

Two years in a row now, Mother Nature has played with our sanity. It was so rainy on this camping trip, that I didn't even get pictures taken until the 3rd day when it was actually sunny most of the day. So, these pictures are a little deceiving. We did have a good time though. Ross and Stephanie and their family decided to join us this year--we had a blast. Kyler and Mason had a hard time not using their technology on the camping trip. Check out Audrey's left foot. She still has her cast on inside of that boot. Jayleigh even got to have some fun. She spent most of the time eating and sleeping--all bundled up.

Our life savers this year were the two awnings we brought up with us. Chris and Amanda bought us the blue one--we bought the other one at CAL Ranch. We could NOT have survived without them this year.

Audrey holding Spencer. Note Audrey's mud painting on her forehead.

Landon and Lacey had to park their trailer just where they pulled in. We could almost do morse code through the walls at night. Luckily it dried up enough to get them both out.

Lucky enjoyed the camping trip most of the time. She spent the first night in our trailer with us since it was so cold and wet outside. The next two nights she rode down the canyon with Chris and Amanda, who stayed at our house. It had rained so much, the inside of their tent was soaked. Next year, hopefully, we will have another small trailer.

Cody enjoying himself.

Chris and Wes trying to dig out so Landon could move his trailer. Look closely at Wes. He had been splashing through the big mudhole to the north of our trailers in his Suzuki.

Chris and Amanda brought up carpet remnants that were a lifesaver. This one had to be used for traction to get Landon's trailer out.

Cody helping Chris get tarps put away.

Look at these cute boys enjoying cheese and crackers (in their pink chairs).

The little 4-wheeler was definitely a hit of the party.

Mention a 4-wheeler and Cody is the first one there.

Blessing Day, Birthday, Family Day

Whew! What a weekend: birthday, blessing, BBQ, (wow, those are all "B" words). Look at the cute cake Madalynn decorated--for herself! I can't believe she is 7 years old! Thomas getting brave enough to go down the new "scary" slide.

A broken foot doesn't stop Audrey . . . .

Spencer trying to figure out what I'm doing with a camera in his face.

Cody just being Cody.

The happy parents with the newly blessed baby.

Isn't she just precious? Kathy, the dress and everything was just beautiful.

A much better view of the whole outfit. What a darling little girl.

Daddy and Cody.

Pictures are out of order--Madalynn blowing out her candles. Cashelle made the cake. Madalynn put on the finishing touches.

Sitting in the beautiful spring sunshine sharing stories.

The boys (all of them) having a grand time on (and under) the trampoline.

The new swing set was a hit.

Grandma and Grandpa Kjar with Jayleigh.

Grandma and Grandpa Twitchell and Jayleigh standing in front of her newly planted tree.

Look at these two boys talking to each other. Wonder what they are planning?

Visiting and more visiting . . . .

Cody enjoyed the carrot cake A LOT! The frosting is oozing through his fingers; frosting makes a perfect gel for the hair.

Lyndsay wouldn't look at the camera. Shelly and Dusten in the shade.