More boating fun....

Last week we took the boat out three times. Here are just a few photos we took.

Lester-McCall-Taylor-Izzy
Cooling off with dad.

Callie-Erin-Carrisa

Erin-Jay-Carissa

Hold on Jay.

Callie and Chloe

Bindi's second favorite spot.

Callie and Chloe

“Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.”

This weekend is always extra special time for our family. We have been involved with so many great families that have also adopted from RMI (Republic of the Marshall Islands). This year was The 8th Annual RMI Adoption Reunion. I have headed to committee for the last 4 years and was asked to do it again next year. We have the reunion the same weekend every year and really look forward to it. Families from all over the city as well as out of state also join and celebrate too. Here are just a few photos I took.

Friday night is our “free night”. We bring our own dinner, enjoy the kids talent show, play on the grass (soccer, Frisbee, baseball, volleyball) and the parents visit and catch up. It is awesome to see how the kids have grown and the new children/families that have also joined our group. At dark Jeff brings out the glow-sticks and the kids go crazy.

Saturday is so much fun. We design our yearly t-shirts, tote-bags, pillowcases and let the kids decorate them. It is a great souvenir for them to share. There are water bounce houses, a huge slip n’ slide and a 4 ft. dunking machine. Lunch is always good with such yummy food and lots of ice cream to keep us cool. Watching all our “island babies” bond with each other is extra special.

I feel so fortunate for having these awesome families in our lives. Adoption has opened my heart even more and allowed me to enjoy something that otherwise I would have not.


Thank you Callie for being in my life!!

I am thankful every day for being your mom!!

Gracie and Callie
"Our island princess"

Gracie, Taya, Callie

Maddie and Callie

Taya was AWESOME on her violin

Sara played great on her clarinet

Gracie on the piano

Just some of the RMI kids. WOW!

One lucky mom and her girl. :)

St. George get-a-way

Our good friends the Nickel’s invited us to their St. George home last week. We took them up on their offer and enjoyed the week with them. Here are just a few photos that I took. (Greg and his new super cool camera got some better shot that I will post later.)

Thursday we got up early and headed out for a small hike to look for hieroglyphics. It was really cool to see them. The girls got a little scared that Jeff would get too close to the edge...but he was careful. The following Saturday Greg and Jeff went without the group to Snow Canyon and saw even more (more photos later).

Callie and Emma
Callie and mom
Jeff (getting too close to the edge) :)

We passed this coming home and I couldn't resist not stopping for a photo. I've only watched the show a few times but it is very inspirational and makes me cry.

I didn't know it was even near St. George.

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Luckily the Nickel's had a pool. One day when we were there it was 107. HOT!! We spent as much time as we could in the pool stay cool and have fun.

McCall and Riley

Emma, Callie and Alex

Jeff and Ian playing their 2 day Monopoly game.

It's hot.

Look how tall McCall is getting.

Callie and dad playing ping-pong.

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Thanks again Nickel's for the great time at your home. We really appreciated it. I will post more 'action" photos when Greg gets his pictures to me. Stay tuned!

Summer has begun...

Last week we took the boat up twice to Jordanelle with our friends the Barbosa’s (Friday) and the Hopkinson’s (Sunday). The Barbosa's had never been on a boat and this was super exciting for them. They loved every second of it and now are begging their dad to get them a boat. (ha)

The water was still to cold for me (60 degrees), but the kids put on their wetsuits and out they went. Hope everyone had fun and we can go again real soon!

Bailey-McCall-Lexi
Dillon-Callie
Fabio-Bailey-Chrissy

aughhhhhh...this is so fun!

Bailey-McCall-Lexi-Dillon

Sunday we took out the Hopkinson's with us on Father's Day since their dad is out of town. Maya had never been either and she was really excited. Thanks for helping our dad have a special day!

Maya-Callie (best friends)

McCall and Leslie (ready to hit the cold water)

arms up....don't let go.

A Lagoon day!

It was a perfect day to go. It was not hot, no long lines and discount tickets from Costco made for a lot of fun. The girls are old enough (tall enough) to ride all the rides so no kiddie land anymore. (yeah!!) Callie loved the Colossus and Jet Star 2. McCall loves Wicked. Jeff and I went on the Rocket and loved it. We couldn't get the kids to go with us.

A great way to spend a summer day.

The girls.

The sky-ride.

Callie

Callie and dad on the "Tilt a Whirl"

Jet Star 2 (which has always been mom's favorite)

McCall and Callie driving the cars.

BUMPER CARS!!!

Callie and dad on the "Musik Express"

Carla and Callie on Colossus (can you see us?)

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Wasatch Tournament

Over the Memorial Day Weekend we spent all of our time in Kaysville for the WASATCH SOCCER TOURNAMENT. The Red Devils played awesome and won the semi-finals. Monday afternoon we played in the finals against Park City. The girls lost by one goal and came in second place in the whole tournament. We were so proud of them and their dedication.

We'll see you again this August at the Park City Tournament!

Red Devils...waiting for the final game!

Taylor and Liza goofing off
Getting their metals. Good job girls!!