Massive Toquerville Post

We just got back from Toquerville this evening.  What a fun time we always have when we go down South.  This is a huge post with picture overload, but I took over 200 so I did really good narrowing it down to just over 30. 

 We had a couple ladder golf "tournaments" while we were down.  Like with any sport the boys were so dang competitive, good thing they had me in the mix to lighten the mood.  I am not competitive, nor am I a good athlete so I can usually get them to relax at my expense.  It's okay, I am tough and can handle them laughing at me and my skill level in any sport.   

We followed Dad and Dianne into St. George Wednesday.  They spend the day in the temple all day, and we haven't ever walked around the St. George Temple.  It was absolutely gorgeous.  I couldn't believe how white it was next to the blue sky and beautiful green gardens. 

 With dad and Dianne in the temple all day, I had to be tour guide.  I think I did pretty good, because we had the whole lake to ourselves.  It was another 100 degree day in Toquerville, but that is okay when there is a beautiful place like Quail Lake to go cool down in.  The water was amazingly clear, and we could see all the way to the bottom.  As far as we went out, the bottom was still visible.  I enjoyed a nice nap on my float, the kids were playing close by and I was laying there and the waves and peacefulness just got the best of me and I was gone.  I got a little burned, but I think I could've just laid there all day, it was fabulous!  I love the picture of Davis on the float with his scuba mask on.  It is getting used well, laying on the float.  Although he did find a fishing pole at the bottom of the lake with that scuba mask, too bad it didn't have a reel on it though. Silly kid. 

 This is basically my dads backyard.  What a backyard!!  He has spent so many mornings out exploring the desert, he is a pro and can lead us anywhere to a beautiful spot to play.  We got a bit of a late start on this hike and the sun was out beating right down on us, but I am so proud of the kids they were in front of me setting a quick pace for me to keep up with.  Davis had a pretty close encounter with a rattle snake....SCAREY, but it is one of those stories that will grow each time he tells it.  That is okay though Davis, tell that story, it is all yours to tell!!  When we got back to the garage, we dumped the sand out of our socks and got changed to go cool off in some water. 

 We've been visiting Three Falls for the last 3 years.  My kids love to go play in the river and catch baby frogs.  They always go right to their favorite spot and spend the afternoon swimming and playing and laughing.  I love the memories we are making on days like this.  Toquerville is such a great place to visit, and there is so much to do.  I love that they have such active grandparents that take them on such adventures.  Both in Toquerville and up north, my kids are definitely blessed in the grandparent department. 

 Last year when we were down, Dianne made popcorn balls.  Ally has talked about her yummy popcorn balls all year, and she was so excited that grandma let her help make them this time. 

 We made a few stops on the way home.  Braylen is buried in Cedar City, and the kids haven't ever been to see his headstone.  They have great memories of Braylen, he was such a good friend to them and always such a sweet kid.  We also stopped for lunch at the Pizza Factory.  Before the restaurant came up north, we fell in love with it first down in Cedar City years ago.  And no trip is complete without stopping in Beaver for ice cream and squeaky cheese.  We stopped so much, it took us forever to get home, and we were right in rush hour traffic.  But with my kids, even traffic is fun.  Love you guys, on to our next summer adventure.  I love summer vacation!!

Memorial Weekend

Our weekend was packed full of family and fun, it was a great way to start the summer.  On Saturday, we went to the park where Grace was signing her LOI to play college volleyball.  We got to meet her coaches and share in the excitement that she has worked so hard for.  I actually didn't take many pictures of the night, because sometimes I just think I take too many, but then I regret not getting my camera out.  Livia did ask me to take one of her and Gator with her phone playing with the balloons.  So these two are all of I have of the evening.  After the park, the kids and I went to visit mom and Colin and watch a movie with them, and then up to Carrie's and Wayne's for more visiting and more food.   

Sunday evening, we had dinner outside and pulled the TV out of the garage for a movie night.  We were so comfortable on the air mattresses that we fell asleep and spent most the night outside.  From about 1-3 am it got a little crazy with a couple accidents and a head ache, but it felt nice to be back inside in my bed.  That dang TV that Owen and his friends pushed home a few years ago, has been so fun to have outside.  I was bugged that they felt the need to take up the offer on a free TV they found just sitting on a sidewalk, but we use it and the story behind it is a fun memory as well. 

This morning we went to the cemetery and spent some time remembering grandma Johns and Aunt Bev.  I couldn't believe it when I looked at Aunt Bev's headstone and realized it has almost been 6 years since she passed away.  But then Gator was just a baby, so that makes sense, it is just crazy.   I've always really liked Memorial Day and I have fun memories from being a kid and spending the day in Brigham City with my cousins.  I hope my kids remember our loved ones and the fun times we've had around them even after they have passed. 

 The girls had fun blowing the pinwheels that had been placed on graves. 

Krissy and PJ, mom and Colin and Sheila took my kids along with them to a movie while I stayed back and did some laundry at Sheila's after a washing machine explosion at our house this morning.  We are so blessed with such great family who helps and loves my kids.  After the movie, we went to Krissy and PJ's for a BBQ.  The evening was coming to an end when PJ brought out some water balloons and a water fight broke out among the kids.  They had a great time cooling off, cause the summer sun was warm today!  Now that was a fun packed Memorial Weekend. 

 

 

Random

 Ally thought it would be warm enough to play in the water the other day, she was pretty shocked when she first felt the water. 

Owen found a new way to make smores. 

Davis and Ally had field day at the school.  That is the one thing I don't like about my job, I feel like I am never at the Elementary school anymore.  Luckily I have good friends that send me pictures of the fun. 

The pile up in Tball.  Everyone wants to get that ball!

 Our kick off summer treat.  Yummy!

 Gator has found a new fun way to pass time and freak me out. 

 The baby ducks were finally out swimming a couple of weeks ago.  I like riding our bikes to the duck pond and feeding the ducks.  It isn't quite entertaining enough to last longer than 5 minutes for the boys, but Gator and I could hang out for a while by the pond. 

The boys were off hanging out with friends, and Gator had a play date of her own. 

 Owen became very attached to some of my students.  And they in turn loved Owen.  He was great to come in and play with them and spend time with them and he really is good friends with a lot of my students.