July

We finally got our trampoline in a hole in the ground! It was about a 2 week process but we did it. Thanks to some friends who lent us their backhoe. It will be even nicer when we eventually get grass around it. The kids love to go out when the sprinklers are on. 

With a new baby on the way, Brian and I decided to get a new, much more practical set of wheels......

A Harley!!!! Well, ok. in our dreams anyway. We had an Elmer Family reunion and Brian's cousin has one and he lets us take it for a spin whenever we go over. It is one of the funnest things to ride and I must say, we sure look good on it. Maybe one day when our kids are all gone we can get one and don our leather pants and hit route 66. 

We began our 4th of July celebrations with an awesome ride up Payson canyon to Lizard Lake. It is rather dried up this time of year, but still very pretty. Just 6 of us went. Brian, Rian, Kenni, me, and of course Missy and Roxy. 

Stopping for a lunch break......

Rian turned 10 this month! She woke up to some breakfast in bed and we had family over later to celebrate. She got some new bedding, her birthday doll, money,  and art supplies so she can paint for us all. 

Heading to Olivia's baptism.....

This is the snake Graci about stepped on that I killed. Looking back, I probably shouldn't have killed it, just taken it to the orchard or something. It was a Sunday afternoon, Brian was gone to meetings, the girls were freaked out, and I don't necessarily want snakes slithering around my driveway plus I had no idea what kind it was or if it was poisonous or what. I didn't enjoy killing it that is for sure. Especially since it took so long and I felt bad that it was hurting and I was trying my hardest to get it out of its misery. 

The 24th of July we headed to Zion National Park for our Bi Annual Ewell family reunion. We had a ton of fun. We stayed in a way nice house in great subdivision in Mt. Carmel, just East of  the park. 

On Wednesday Brian, Dave, Zach, Seth, Ryan, and Jeff got up early and met up with Carl and his friend mike and they did a 10 mile hike through Orderville Canyon that finished off at the narrows. The rest of us were lucky enough to be there to meet them the same time they came out of the canyon. 

The kids loved the river and it was so refreshing after some long hikes. 

The next day we spent at the house doing crafts, tie dyeing, games, hot tubbing, etc. 

Friday we went back into the park and we all (with the exception of Brian's dad and mom because she got really sick) hiked the Angels Landing trail. Some of the guys went clear to the scary top while the rest of us stopped at Scouts Lookout. It was plenty high for me. 

Kenni made it to the top before us. Notice the ledge that drops off into oblivion behind her? I was nervous the whole time up there with all those little kids running around. 

They are far away but here are the guys coming down from the tippity top. 

After one more hike and a yummy ice cream cone from the lodge, we headed back to the house and left Saturday. We went straight to mom and dads, Brian took a nap while mom and the girls and I went to Tai Pan to get some of the deals since the St. George store is closing. Kim and Carl came over for dinner and we watched the Olympics. This morning we went to church then headed home with Kim's kids while they go on trek this week. 

Now on to school registration!