The 4th

We spent the 4th of July in Beatty, Nevada. It's a tiny town where our friend Jordan grew up, and they have great festivities for the 4th.
We saw some strange sculptures,

visited the ghost town of Rhyolite,

saw some wildlife,

explored the "cheese holes",

saw the parade (they threw candy),

saw some interesting small town folk,

relaxed,

raced,

and watched a fabulous fire works show without having to fight any crowds! It was a fun weekend!

Kambria's Wedding

Kami and James were married back in April, so I thought it was about time to post some pictures! I can't believe my little sisters are old enough to get married! They were just little girls when we got married. I'm grateful that my siblings have found good spouses and that they have all been married in the temple.


Sisters (what is Bethany doing?)

All 7 sibs

James actually had some pretty good moves that night!

Cake Wrecks

Check out this blog: http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

It showcases professional cakes with errors like these . . .

Maybe I'm easily amused, but I found the blog quite entertaining.

Two Birthdays and a Baptism

Blake turned 8!

He was baptized on June 13th and we are proud of him!

New Scriptures

Blake and Dad

Both sets of grandparents were there to celebrate with us.

DOUBLE DIGITS!

My first born child ("futh bone chaul" for all you Smiths) turned 10! Double digits from here on out!!! I'm certainly not old enough to have a 10 year old!

CAUGHT!




Manicures for the birthday girl and her friends!

Birthday Lunch

Summer Snippets

Here's what we've been up to lately... eating ice cream (real and fake)
going to The Children's Museum...


which had a NOODLE FOREST,


interesting modes of transportation,

and a cool handkerchief vacuum!

We went to breakfast with cousins and got Mickey Mouse pancakes

(I got a nice big cinnamon roll and an omelett).

We wouldn't survive the summer without a dip in the pool now and again!!!

Don't you love baby chub?

Now if I can just think of more activities when we are home. We can't go out and do something fun everyday, and the kids get bored and cranky (oh, maybe that's me) when cooped up in the house for too long. "Oh What Do You Do in the Summertime?"

Brian Regan

We went with some friends to see Brian Regan last weekend! We've been fans for a while and saw him when Ray and I went to "The Late Show" a few years ago. He is hilarious without being disgusting. I highly recommend seeing him live or getting his dvds if you haven't already! I don't generally like stand up comedy, because the fact that I know they are trying to be funny makes them less funny to me, if that makes any sense. For some reason his style of humor just cracks me up, and we had a great time! In other news, James had his pre-school graduation.

We are grateful Aunt Libby let him come to her school!

Marinne had her orchestra concert, and aside from sitting in the hot sun, it was great!!

Happy Mother's Day!

I am grateful for my wonderful mother and for the opportunity to be a mom! Ray made a lovely breakfast this morning, gave me flowers and a gift card to Old Navy, and cleaned the kitchen! I love all the cards and hand made gifts from the kids too. I truly am blessed and thankful for the beautiful kids that call me mom!