Finally a teenager!

Clay--he was such a cutie and always told me at this age that he was going to marry me--and I didn't ever tell him differently....somehow he figured it out and grew up....
to this handsome guy! (I forgot to take a picture of just him on his birthday--it's got to be the heat!)
Clay is a great big brother to his three younger sisters!

C...cares about absolutely everyone

L...loud laughter (very contagious!)

A...always trying to be his best at everything!

Y...{says} yes to everything--never wanting to miss out on an adventure!

The PARTY

What a great group of kids--so polite and no drama!!

The BBQ master--and you have to really love someone to stand over a hot fire when its still 108 outside at 7pm!

Plenty of food and hopefully it was good

Eating dinner--and accommodating the mom who wants to take pictures!

Ran out of chairs and who doesn't like bouncing food! How many people can fit in the jacuzzi at once!

New "summer" do!

Chloe's new look! She is a cutie (if I do say so myself!)

This happens every summer to at least one of my kids--I get so tired of seeing their long rag-muffin hair after swimming continually that when they ask if they can get it cut, I happily say YES! Of course...later on I really miss their long hair but it will always grow back (at least that's what I tell Russ!)

Bryce Canyon

We decided at the last minute to stop at Bryce Canyon on our way home. I thought we checked out of Aspen Grove on Saturday but it was really Friday so we had an extra day. Savannah's (my nephew's wife) family owns a hotel right outside of Bryce Canyon so we were able to stay there. It was perfect!

Almost at the bottom which was a pretty easy hike until...you reached the other end of the loop and had to hike back up and out of the canyon. Luckily for me--Chloe needed to stop often (that's my story and I'm stickin' with it!) It was so beautiful and cool--one last break!

Finally--week 2 Aspen Grove

The second week of our vacation we spent at Aspen Grove which is up by Sundance. It is a family camp sponspered by BYU. We have gone a couple of times and our kids love it--so since we were Utah, we decided to go again this year. The weather and scenery was beautiful (remind me--why do I live in Arizona!!).

Chelsey and Chantz getting ready to climb the rock tower and do the ropes course which has you on two cables about 30ft off the ground. I have done it before and didn't feel the need to prove to myself I could do it again! ( I must be getting older!)

Cassie in the middle of the trees--always smilin' for pictures!

They had all kinds of activities including archery--too bad their wasn't something live at the other end or he would have had something to mount on our walls--ewwww!

Snow cones are always delicious!

The youth group having fun on the train! (notice how many red-heads--not even related)

Cami--the first in her age group and one of the only ones to reach the top!

Carlee--looking great even when climbing!

They had activities that you participated in as a team and since there our nine of us we only needed one more to be our own team. Zoe was nice enough to join us (and we let her because she has red hair.) We had to try to fill the bucket with water in the least amount of time. There were holes in the bottom and the water we used was ice cold. Thankfully--Chantz volunteered (or had no choice) to get in to help fill it faster!
Most of the participants came away soaked and freezing!

Sunday after church

It's nice to know we can fit in a teeny-tiny cabin and still survive and love each other!

(okay, kinda....) We were really thankful for our home and our own bathrooms when we got home!

Vacation--Utah week 1

This is how we started our trip--STUFFED! Then on top of this, all nine of us got to pile in. The kids were great sports and it was a pretty easy drive. This is the first time we have gone to Utah without a baby or young toddler. I must say it was a little quieter--but the teenagers seem to make up for it. (try not to notice the diet mountain dew!)

We decided to go to Utah because my nephew was going to be coming home from his mission in Italy. We made the plans and put deposits down and then my nephew decided to extend. We couldn't change our plans so we decided to go anyways. We had a great time and loved loved the weather. The first week we rented a house and just visited the usual sites we love. We went and visited the Roberts and their new lovely pet! Notice I am not anywhere close to their newest addition!
Russ had to try out their scooter and give the girls rides.

We were also able to go to the open house for the Oquirrh Temple. It was a great experience for our family. We went at night and the view from the temple over-looking the city was incredible.

They had beautiful pictures in the reception area. We were so glad Bryant, Jacob and Pam were able to come with us!

Our favorite zoo is the Hogle Utah Zoo! It is so people friendly (the animals are up close and personal!) They took away the polar bears but they still had the penguins!

Notice the modesty of this gorilla!

Great weather--Great day!

We went to Temple Square and did the Conference Center tour. We have gone on it a couple times but learn new things each visit.

We pretended we were statues!

Then--the older kids were able to do baptisms for the dead in the Salt Lake Temple and the little girls and I headed to the Lion House for some great desserts! It was such a great experience for our teenagers! Russ and I were able to go back and meet our good friends and attend a live session. It was the first time for both of us and it was beautiful. I am always amazed at the things the early pioneers were able to accomplish. The temple was so detailed and exquisite--I hope I can go back soon!

Next--off to Seven Peaks Water Park. There was only one sunny day the whole week and we were so excited to go-- (it was still a little chilly!)

This is Russ going down what we like to refer to as the wedgie machine. We finally figured out--you can prevent that nice feeling by simply crossing your legs--you do lose some speed though so you have to make a choice!

Real quick--

I like Michael Jackson. I have been watching everything about him--since I use to listen to him a lot! I think he was very talented and giving (okay--and a little odd!)

We went and saw Wicked last night. It was our second time to see it but we took Chelsey and she had never seen it before. I loved it and think it is one of my all-time favorites!