4th of July 2009 - Great Day

My mom, the great took us to Cowabunga Bay on the 4th of July. My dad told her he wanted her to take the grandkids there this summer because every time they are with him in the car they freak out about how much they want to go there and how awesome it looks etc. So grandma was kind enough to fulfill grandpa's wishes. It worked out great because Colby was here from Idaho so he was also able to enjoy the sun with us.

Kenny and Hilerie, Emily and Ty met us over there a few hours later. Hilerie ran in the Riverton race with Andrea and Adrienne that morning. They were so cool and did great.

HAPPY KIDS!!!

AFTER A WHOLE DAY IN THE SUN WE WENT TO THE RIVERTON PARK TO WATCH THE FIREWORKS. WE HAD SUCH A GREAT DAY TOGETHER. OH THE MEMORIES. ;)

4th of July - Parade

Zach was in the Riverton Parade with his Karate Group. He was so excited to be in the parade. I put a 32 ounce Gatorade in a water bottle for him since I wouldn't be there to make sure he was alright.

My sister Hilerie and Spencer were in the parade also, ahead of Zach with Spencer's karate group. She was a life saver and at the end of the parade route waited for Zach so I wouldn't have to race down there to find him.

When his group came through she couldn't find him anywhere and started to panic. Come to find out one of the leaders let him hop out and helped him go potty on a ditch bank at the end of the route, since he drank the whole bottle of Gatorade. He couldn't wait any longer. We had a fun day! We sat with my friend Amy from high school. My friend Joanie and Christy were there also. It was great!!

At the end of the parade, Adrienne and Brett brought Colby down to the park and we had a hamburger and played for awhile.

Meet Ricki

Then a week and a half later, mom decided one puppy wasn't enough. So she got Ricki so Lucy could have a playmate. Another Huge Hit with the kids.

Meet Lucy

My mom adopted a new family member and named her Lucy. Lucy, because my sister wanted to name our dog Che that back when I got home from my mission. But the spanish name Che won out becuase of what it means (in Argentina, anyway). Lucy is a big hit with the grandkids.

Suzuki Violin Institute

We had violin institute for a week in June. I love institute and how it energizes the kids...mostly my daughter. This year she improved immensely, but then lost it about 2 weeks later by refusing to practice, and I was just tired of fighting her. She is doing better again, but not like she was in June at Institute.

She had amazing teachers.

We had a full schedule this year. She took an art class for fun, and Zach was able to go on her last day and participate with her there. They both had lots of fun with that.

The day Zach came they designed frisbies and got to toss them around outside. The big project was a rain stick (see below).

I am happy that she is learning a musical instrument. I think it is so important. I wish I would have stuck with the instruments I started out with so many years ago. Piano, Violin and Guitar... Yip can't play any of them.

Ali with her friend Tyler who she met last year at institute (2008) -

They had almost identical schedules in the same classes together.

One of the highlights of her week was to meet Jenny Oaks Baker in person. Alicyn had to buy one of her cd's and have her autograph it. She is so talented and nice. Ali told me "Mom, if I can get a picture with her, I will just die, I am such a fan!" I laughed to myself.