June jubilee

June 1. Our ministering family, Br Gordon, has season tickets to the Rockies. There was a youth activity one night so he was unable to use them and offered them to us. The 4 of us go to go. They were AMAZING 2nd row seats. We filled my backpack with treats and stuffies and had a great time!

We got chicks again. This actually happened in late May but here's a shot of them all

And while we were at it.....because the family is still divided on furry pets we settled on a free rabbit.
At the end of June our friends, the Stamps, gave us the cute lionhead mix bunny. We named her Alice. We don't know how long she'll be with us because she enjoys her freedom. If the gate is left open she takes a run for it. We usually find her and catch her (or the neighbors do) and put her back into her cage that cannot contain this free one. So, it's kind of fun to see her frolicking around the backyard because it's like having a cat or dog....until she's something elses's dinner.

I took Jocelyn up to Loveland to help Heidi with her girls after having her new baby, Braiden! Jocelyn offered to help out. And Heidi/Dustin really appreciate it. I was proud of Jocelyn for thinking of the service.

I then took Landon down to our house for a little break. On the way we stopped at Colin's favorite restaurant, Pizza Ranch, an all-you-can-eat pizza/chicken type buffet. It was pretty good. Colin still asks when we can go back, lol.

Cecily swimming at Gma's pool.

Our next door neighbors had a garage sale. She had some cute stuff! They gave us their piano (an upgrade from our previous one that now belongs to Hannah/Sean) and this cute desk and I bought this green couch for $10, which fits perfectly in our kitchen. Cecily came free!

Girls Camp! Jocelyn's first year going! It was a blast. A separate post is coming.

Jocelyn was busy this month too! She had her first ballet recital. Jennie was able to come but we didn't capture a picture. Tyler went to the dress rehearsal because he left that night with the boys, and his dad to drive straight through to Lake Powell for a quick weekend fishing trip. Tyler loved this luxiouus boat, and we were tempted to buy into a timeshare because he missed Lake P so much. Maybe one of these years we'll go back regularly again. Anyway, they had a blast and caught a bunch of fish.

Back to the recital.....here are some pics. I was so touched watching Jocelyn perform. She takes ballet very seriously and lit up on stage. She is the tallest/oldest in her current class and stood out because of it. But also because she's one of the strongest in that level. Once summer sessions starts she'll move up to level 3. She just started last August in level 1 with very little experience. She had a 6-week tumbling/dance class when she was 5 and gymnastics which I think all helped her be prepared for ballet. Her goal is to be en pointe soon.  She also opted not to perform at the Sunday performance. Which was a tough decision. WE'll see what happens in the future should she continue to advance.

With her friend Aubrey

White swan

White swan

black crow

Taking a pic of the pro photographer taking pics.

Lake Powell 2011

We went to Lake Powell in August this year with Tyler's family, as tradition. But this year Tyler opted to come only for the weekend and left me and the kids behind to go back and work for one more week. I didn't know if I could brave the waters and the children by myself but I did it! Mine were the only kids on the houseboat so they were spoiled with attention and I was able to have some quiet time while they went off swimming, fishing or tubing with their aunts/uncles and grandparents. It was a relaxing week and no injuries or drownings, on my part at least. Heidi, Tyler's sister had a little mishap with the wake board, as you'll see later. Here are a bunch of photos for your viewing pleasure.

This year we lucked out again and found a great beach in Good Hope Bay, our usual spot. It didn't drop off too quickly which was safer for the kids and the sand was nice.
And because the water was so high this year there was a ton of drift wood scattered everywhere. We attempted to make a wood/mud fort. It took forever especially when you're sweating like crazy in the heat. I don't know how pioneers or Native Americans did it!

I saw this on Pinterest. Filling a ziplock with gel, dying it blue and adding glitter if you wanted. I used some shampoo that Tyler hated. Only problem, if it is used on a table with small chips it can easily rip. So, it didn't work very well.

Jocelyn played on the beach by herself for hours. Here she is watering a dead tumbleweed? Probably pretending she's gardening, that's what I hope :)

The guys golfing. Tyler bought a hug box of golf balls at a garage sale years ago and we've been lugging them around with each move. Finally, he was able to use them up here. There was a green golf pad left on the houseboat so they took it out and used it. yay for getting rid of the dumb box of golf balls! Plus it's a little male bonding. Two of these guys are the "new" members of the family, the new brothers in-law, first time to Lake P.

It's all about location, location, location!

Cecily was a little fish this year, very brave in the water, a little brave. I think it's because we took a swim lesson/class together earlier in the summer.


Heidi, after she went into shock from splitting her head open. Luckily, they hair tied it back together really well, doused with anti-biotics, gave her a blessing and she was good to go, no stitches of doctor needed.

Bath time!

Our "pets". I caught this baby two inch long catfish swimming in the most shallow waters. Somehow it died mysteriously, it "scratched itself" so said Jocelyn. I think she was just holding it too much.

Here is the baby frog we found. He also died, from causes not so natural. Let's just say from "love."

The poor tail-less carp. Samuel loves to fish for these guys. They're so easy because they eat just about anything. And because all of the guys were out I had to pull the hook out. Yuck! They are so slimy!

Food, food and way too much food! Featured is part of the meal we cooked. A delicious pasta salad, BBQ Chicken (not pictured) and apricot cupcakes.

Jocelyn. She's growing up too fast and yet at other times I have to remember she's only 4.

Chubby legs. Cecily had to get used to the feeling of sand under her feet :)

A little Andy Griffith before the laptop battery dies.

The man of the boat, Papa, taking some well deserved rest.

Cecily and Great Grandma F

Little feet

In attendance this year: Everyone with the exception of Stephanie who is on her mission, and Troy and Jana and kids and Tyler for part of it. Included, Gma and Gpa F.
Food eaten: Fajitas, BBQ Chicken, Taco salad, Hamburgers/brats, Fish 'n Chips (striper & blue gill), Sirloin Steaks and way too much chocolate