July (so far)

July brings the last of the summer birthdays. Adam turned 9 and is no longer in Dad's wolf pack for Cub Scouts. We had to celebrate his birthday the night before because we spent most of the day driving to Rich's family reunion.

Driving to Utah, Jeffrey and Anna were absorped in the travel booklets Grandma Jeri made. It was our easiest long distance drive ever. Life with a nearly three-year old girl is pretty nice!We attended the Pettingill Family Reunion in Heber City, Utah. Rich's dad and Jeri have 11 children between the two of them. 7 of the 11 were able to attend, with their children, which made 49 people including over 30 cousins ages 17 and under! Here is Beth playing with Mallory and Lydia, with their newspaper bag 'water babies.' Jeffrey loved his water baby. This was the big hit of the reunion. Jeri and her girls, before she married Lewis, spent years doing an early morning paper route. The girls play with the plastic bags the papers went in. They would fill them with water, tie them at the top, and call them 'water babies.' I have never seen so many children entertained for so long by something so simple!
Anna loved the baby pool, playing here with her cousins Cohen, Evan and Thomas. Guess what? They all have water babies in the pool!
Grandpa, Calvin, Jacob, Rich Daniel, and Troy playing cards
We had a family talent show. Katie and Beth made up a song to sing together.Rich, Anna and Adam stayed in the audience
The teenagers did a special dance number. There's Jacob, but can you find Katie and Daniel?
Even the moms worked up a little number. We called it 'Fire Burnin' on the dance floor'Little fire burnin' The reunion took place near Deer Creek Reservoir, where Rich asked me to marry him 17 years ago. On our way to stay with family before we left for home, we stopped in to get a picture. We had never been back until now.The reunion ended Sunday, so after attending church in a little ward in Heber City, we stayed one more night with family and went to Temple Square. The big kids went to see the Joseph Smith movie while Jeri and I took the little kids to the Church History Museum across the street. Beth made her own version of a temple.Super Daniel in front of the Conference Center

Cousins at the reflecting pond

End of May/June

I haven't posted since Easter?! We've been too busy have fun (and celebrating the mass number of birthdays we have in May, June and July). Here is some proof:Jacob and Katie turned 16, had a big party, and each got their driver's license. We now have two drivers--Yes! They are fun and helpful and they are both really growing up, Jacob literally.Daniel graduated from Middle School, turned 14 in June, and is on to Folsom High with Jacob and Katie next year. I would have never thought I would have attended Middle School gradution for one of my children. We're homeschoolers, you know, and if there is ever an age to home school, it's the middle school years. But here we are. Daniel has thrived from the challenge in school and from the chance to play sports. He will play football for FHS next year, and he will try out for basketball. In the spring, he will have to choose between track and volleyball. ; )
We finally got some warm weather, finally, which meant finally wearing swim suits! Anna, Jeffrey and Beth pose for the camera.We discovered 99 cent 32 oz. Icees at our local Chevron gas stations all summer long. Now that's a deal!Katie and I went to Girls' Camp together. This is the first time I have gone since I was 14. We had a great time! I was the counselor and she was one of the YCLs to a great group of 2nd years.
Finally, Jacob spent June, like he spends every month, being a goof. What's he wearing, you wonder? Anna's ski coat! He always makes us laugh.