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!

The Three Musketeers

These 3 have a lot of fun together. 

Here they are going through the "obstacle course":

Here is Kenni peeling off the self applied glue from her hands:

Brian took Monday off to work on our rock walls. We got up, had Rian tend and we went for a ride.

Overlooking White Lake:

Later on in the day he crushed his finger with a boulder. Just the tip, but I think its broken.  He almost passed out but he quickly ate candy and yogurt and grapes and laid down and felt better, except for his finger. 

Last weekend was our Town Celebration and Graci's last chance to do some Mutton Bustin since she will be 7 next summer. 

She did great and held on tight! This is the only picture I have since I was recording it. 

Candice and Gary and Karen and Kelly came to the rodeo with us. Since Brian is on the committee, we hardly saw him the whole night, and he didn't get home till 2:30am. The kids participated in the annual chicken chase and guess what, Cael got one! He held Fluffy the whole rest of the night, even during the fireworks. They took home some chicken feed and straw and I think Fluffy is doing great. 

End of School

On May 18, Graci graduated from Kindergarten! 

She worked hard to memorize her part for the program. The day started off really windy and by the time it was all over, it was pouring rain! And cold. We braved the weather and went to the Red Barn with Grandma and Grandpa Ewell to celebrate with ice cream. 

Graci and Mrs. Staheli

A while back, maybe April or early May, Brian went with the girls and his dad to a BYU track meet. They had lots of fun but Shelby kept her ears covered the whole time because she didn't like when the gun went off. 

Kenni was really excited to get their picture taken with a "really fast girl"

A few days ago I walked past the front room and Kenni had a photo shoot set up with Shelby as her model. 

She did exactly what her photographer was telling her to do. Even in her pajamas.

I like how she was told told to smell the potpourri

The last weekend of May Kim and Carl's kids had soccer tournaments in Layton. They dropped Camille off wtih us and headed up north. That Saturday night we met them for a Real SL game. It was our first pro soccer game and we had a blast. 

They were eating cotton candy. Hence the blue teeth. 

Brian took an awesome picture of Kim, but since she threatened to dis-own us if we shared it with anyone, I better not post it.

Marcus even got to be a ball boy that evening.

Shelby sure LOVES her kitty cats. Our two mama cats each had a litter within a week of each other. One had 4, the other had 5. We have given 5 away so far. 

Last but surely not least, 

 Last Thursday Brian took the day off so we could all go to my ultrasound together. The doctor was checking out the baby then we saw something and he said "Oh, well there is something you guys have never seen before". Sure enough, its a boy!

Shelby wants a girl and doesn't really accept the fact that it won't be one. Rian wants to name him Rian Jr. Kenni wants him named Nugget, and Graci Chocolate Man. We have yet to make a decision. 

I wanted to announce it in a cute way and while we were at our friends house here in town, I noticed they have a clothes line in their beautiful yard. It was the perfect setting.

After the ultrasound we went to lunch then took the kids to see the Avengers. It was a fun day. 

The rest of the weekend we have been busy with rock walls and digging a trampoline hole. In lots of wind. The same neighbors with the pretty yard, lent us their backhoe and they also spent the day with us helping out on the walls. It was much appreciated.

The last week of May Brian spent a few days in Texas for work. He only took a few pictures but I will have to put them on.