Summer Marathon Continued. . .

A few days after the Flake's left we headed to Prescott for Independence Day.

Here they are, super excited to see Grandma and Grandpa AND the Bosley's since they just moved up there as well.  Cousin time is always fun for these gals.

So it's a big fail for me when it comes to taking pictures.  We spent the whole day and I didn't take any pictures until we went outside to watch the fireworks.

Uncle Andrew's a trooper to be holding a 12 year old on his shoulders.  And look at that cute Ivy on Alexa's shoulders.  That's the fun of big cousins and little cousins.

 We had to continue the trend with McKenna so everyone could see the fireworks.  And notice Grandma has her camera out as well.  Yeah, she's as stellar as I am when it comes to the whole camera photo op deal.

 Look at all these cute cousins.  We also got to spend the day with my oldest niece, Meagan.  It was so nice to visit with her.  She is so sweet to my girls. 

I also am loving the look on Nate's face.

(Check out the fireworks in the back.)

 Hyde and Alexa hammin' it up.  And I can't go without mentioning cute Will.  He has such a nice smile.  And he's getting so tall.  These kids are growing way too fast.

 The girls and I made a contribution to the décor for the day.  Yes, we found the idea on pinterest.  But they turned out awesome, I think.  I just have to remember to get them back since we left them there.  (I have a feeling my mom WON'T be reminding me.)

 After a few days there, we came home Saturday just in time to greet our next guests.  My dear friend, Heather (Richardson) Barfield and her family came all the way from Mississippi!  Ok, they didn't come to see us but thanks to facebook I found out she was on her way and told her they had to stop through.  Which they did.  They only got to stay until the next morning.  I don't know anyone who doesn't love Heather and so she has many of her fans to see.  She has 4 darling boys and the most patient husband I have ever met.  Seriously, he didn't seem to mind one bit that Heather and I were up gabbing all night long and all Sunday morning long.  I'm sure he would have liked to hit the road but when Heather and I get together, no one else can really get a word in.  We have years of memories.  I don't even know how old we were when we met.  Younger than 8 for sure.  They definitely need to make it a tradition that when they come out this way they need to stop in. 

By the way, I'm hiding behind Olivia because we talked all morning and I hadn't even gotten out of my pj's and Heather made me get in the picture as well.

 Look at this cute Kai.  All her boys are cute!  I can guarantee her house is completely different than mine.  And yes, Maya LOVED the baby.

Come again, Barfields.

A Marathon Summer - June 2013

This summer was so fun and incredibly busy.  It was full of memories since we got to see so many old friends.  Definitely the benefit of moving around the country. 

After Utah, Girls Camp and Tim's birthday, the next weekend we got a call from our friend's the Shellenberger's.  Let's see if I can explain this.  They moved from the Phoenix area to NC where we met.  Then they moved to PA and now back to Globe, AZ.  Now that we are in Tucson, we were able to get together.  They came down for the day (we wish it was longer.)  It was such a fun visit and their kids are so darling and they are as sweet and easy going as my girls are.  They all played so well together.  After dinner I finally thought that I should take a picture.  Aren't they so cute?

 The next weekend (June 29) our friends, The Flake's were headed out from TX for family reunions.  And since Tucson is on the way, they came to stay with us for a few days.  We were in the same ward when we lived here before in Tucson.  They have moved to Oklahoma and are no in TX.  Our girls hadn't seen each other for years but didn't have a problem hanging out with each other.  I so wish they still lived near by.  Here are the girls leaving to go to a Bishop's Youth Discussion.  Notice all the stripes.  Yeah, they are girls, and yeah they planned it.

 Here are all the kids.  Notice they have 4 girls also.  No wonder they get along so well. 

 Come again Shellenberger's and Flake's.  We can hardly wait to see you again.

The Dad's Birthday and Father's Day!

The Dad at our house has to put up with a lot living with all females.  And he's a pretty good sport about it.  The girls didn't want the tradition of decorating the door to just be for them so they did ours.  And we couldn't go without a picture of the occasion.

Poor guy always has to celebrate his birthday around Father's day.  Here we are celebrating Father's day as well.

 We are kinda fond of this guy.

Staying Busy!

While the Big sisters were at Girls Camp we had to stay busy.  Maya said more than once how much she realized how important big sisters are.  She had to keep herself entertained AND play with McKenna. 

I had a coupon for a cheap car wash so we took advantage.  The girls thought it was great.  They had free popcorn and this little soap gun that they could spray on to the car when it came through.

 Then McKenna was SO EXCITED to spend her birthday money at Build a Bear.  She could hardly wait.  She picked out this darling dog.  Since Maya had one already, she brought some money to buy her Build a Bear a new outfit.  It was a win win for the both of them.  I didn't realize how much time you could spend in there.  I think they tried on every outfit possible.

 Giving her dog a bath.  I love the look on her face.

 They just make me smile.

Going Home

Since Tim was able to drive home with us we decided to take some time to go back and see some friends that Tim missed. 

Ah, the Trosper's.  Looking at this picture makes me miss them.

 The Olsen's have been telling us about Training Table for years.  It's one of their favorite places. We finally got to enjoy it with them and it didn't disappoint.  Here is the "adults" table.

Cute girls.  Riley and Alexa.  They've grown up.  I remember when they used to play together when they were just little little.

Two good PALS!  Kyle and Tim

 

After saying good bye we headed home.  We stopped at the Hoover dam for a little history.

It was a little windy.

Such a fun trip.  We were sad to see it end.  We are looking forward to the next time we go to Utah.

 

We got home Sunday afternoon and these two cuties had to leave for girls camp on Tuesday.  Luckily they were mostly all packed before we left for Utah.  They had a great time.  I don't think Olivia stopped smiling for a week after she got home.  They were pretty tired.

(Obviously this picture was taken BEFORE they left - they look so squeaky clean.)

 

Utah Trip Day's 5-7

On Wednesday we went for a hike up to Stewart Falls.  It took us a while to find where the trail started but we didn't give up.  It was 2 miles in and 2 miles out.  Not the easiest hike but the girls did great.  It was well worth to get to the falls.  Everything was beautiful. 

I can see why people love Utah.

 Stewart Falls 

 McKenna saw her sisters go across the water and she had to join them.  She didn't realize that the water was FREEZING.  She was crying the whole way back.

 Almost across

 Livie enjoying the quiet and peaceful sound of the water.

 Maya doing what she does best - exploring.

Relaxing before we head back.

 

After we got back we grabbed some dinner to take back to the hotel.  We ate, rested and headed to the hotel pool.  The girls only lasted a short while since they were so tired out from the hike.  Not to mention that we had been staying up every night playing.

 

Thursday we spent the day at the water park with the Olsen's.  They had the Pass of all Passes as well so we all took advantage.  The girls had a great time. 

 Look at all these cute kids.

During the week, I got a text from Alexa.  She sent me this picture of herself before a dance she was going to.  Made my day.  I was really missing her.  She sure is growing up.

After the water park we came home, cleaned up, ate and met the Olsen's at another Pass of All Passes place.

The girls wanted to rid on this little ride over and over. 

I think she's having fun.

Maya was the only one that wanted to try the rock climbing wall. 

 Waiting in line for the go-carts.

 Look at this cutey - Crew

 Jeannie and Reese 

 Livie and Me

 Maya and Hayden

 

 While the big kids played Laser tag, McKenna jumped back on this and couldn't get enough.

 One last ride before it was time to leave.

 Jeannie, Crew and Me.  Love this lady.  She is so much fun and I don't know anyone that wouldn't agree with me.  I always feel like not time has passed when we get together.  Thanks Jean, for taking time out of your busy schedule to play with us.  I can't wait to do it again.

Since Tim had to fly through Salt Lake for his trip, he had to fly back home through Salt Lake.  He decided to end his flight there and spend our last night with us and help drive back home.  Which I was thrilled.  So Friday we headed up to Salt Lake to do some more site seeing and pick him up from the airport. 

The girls standing at the doors of the Salt Lake Temple.

 The girls wanted a picture with these flowers behind them.

 And then with me also. 

 We toured the Beehive house and then on to the Church History Museum which was really great.  I wish we had more time.  We'll definitely have to go back. 

 Maya and McKenna were in charge of the camera.

 A replica of the ship that the LDS saints took to get to America.  We were told that the captains loved taking Mormons because they were so organized and easy to travel.

 A small bunk to show where the families slept on the ship.  Except they slept more than one person like McKenna is showing here.

 Great picture, McKenna.  Have I mentioned how much I love these girls.  I can't believe how big they are getting.

 They had a children's area that was all about the Book of Mormon.  The girls go to dress up and dance around and see themselves on the screen.  I had a hard time getting them out of this room. 

 After picking up Tim we headed over to my brother, Bart's house.  He is in the middle of adding a whole other floor to their house.  Such a huge project, I was overwhelmed just by looking at it.  He's very capable and I know it's going to turn out great.  They will love the extra space.  We left the kids home and the adults went out to eat.  It was nice to have a moment with just adults after being with the girls by myself for the week.  After dinner we took the kids over to a park by Bart and Marie's house.  It was great.  So much space to run and play with green and mountain's all around.  I loved it.  The kids had a great time.  We played a little hide and seek, catch and just sat around and talked.  I was so glad it worked out the way it did.  Marie was at girl's camp all week so I had planned on getting together with them Friday so I could see Marie and the girls that were at camp.  Then it was even better that Tim was able to come with us. 

Here's cute Grace.  Isn't she cute?  She's so much fun.

 Tim enjoying the nice cool evening weather - much different from AZ.

 Andrea, Uncle Bart and Olivia

 Porter (I think.)  Gosh, this was a few months ago and their kids grow up too fast, I was always afraid I would call the younger ones by their older siblings names because that's the age the older ones were when I saw them last.  Ugh!  Time goes by so fast. 

Anyway, isn't this a great trick?  He's in gymnastics now, are you even surprised?

One more day and our trip will be over.  But I'm going to bed now so I'll have to post it later.