Park City

It had been a REALLY long time since I'd been to the Homestead. So when asked by my family if I wanted to go and check out the volcano, I thought, alright, sounds good since I'd never seen it before when I'd visited the Homestead in the past. I hiked these really steep stairs and when I got to the top I was...disappointed...wah, wah, wah! It was ugly looking rock with rusted out chicken wire in the middle. At least the view from the top was nice.


We took as stroll up and down Park City's main street. I love doing that, no matter how many times I've done it before. I like the feel of main street and all the little shops and eateries. Marley got a special treat from her Aunt Linda...a ride on the carousel!! Marley absolutely loves them!!


To make the visit Park City complete, we took a ride down the Alpine Slide, and surprisingly, everyone came off uninjured. I thought for sure someone would take a header trying to go to fast!!

Family Photo

We had some family from my mom's side of the family come and visit. This photo doesn't have everyone on her side in it as there are a few people missing, but this is as close as it gets for us. Maybe some day we'll have a family photo with everyone in it!!

Pioneer Day

Our stake was supposed work together on a float but it ended up only being a few people who actually put it together. Some of the ladies of the stake made the quilts that covered the float. Considering it was the efforts of only a few people working on the float, it didn't turn out too bad. Plus, all the quilts will be donated! The guy with the bagpipes is our Bish! He can actually play them! Go Harding!




Some of the people take their roles in the parade very seriously (i.e. the leaders of the marching bands). Some of the people have the worst job possible (i.e. pooper scoopers). Some of the people in the parade surprised me (Utah actually has a good black choir?) And some of the people shame themselves by running around with socks and sandals and a BYU cape attached to the their back.

We didn't have many fireworks for the 24th because I'm not sure how much they would entertain Marley, but we had a few sparklers, which she seemed to enjoy.

Baby Bootie

Just before bath time one night, Marley grabbed her purse and modeled it for us. She absolutely adores carrying purses around and I just thought this was so cute!

Baseball & Fireworks

We spent this year's Fourth July at a Bee's Baseball game with my bro, Jono, and his lovely wifey, Tina. Marley could actually appreciate the fireworks this year but we waited FOREVER to see them. After 10 loooong innings it was a tie and we were at the point of not caring who won as long as someone did! We thought about leaving but had waited this long and we thought we could stick it out for a bit longer (during an inning toward the end of the game, a fight DID break out, which was pretty entertaining)! Finally, the opposing team, Tacoma, won! WHAHOO! Let the fireworks begin!

It was really hard to get a photo of all of us actually looking at the camera and, sadly, this is the best one!


To show some patriotism, a man sang the national anthem with a Bald Eagle in the stadium. It's hard to tell, but if you look closely, through the netting, you can see all is calm with the bird until the man singing starts to use his old man vibrato....the eagle went nuts thereafter!


As always, it's so adorable when little kids wear over-sized adult hats!

We had to wait for all the fans in the outfield area to file into the baseball diamond before we could watch the fireworks. I tried to take pictures of the fireworks, but they didn't turn out so well!

"30 Sucks"!

My friend, Necia, from all the way back to elementary school, turned the big 3-0 this year, along with her twin bro, Clint. A big surprise birthday party was thrown in their honor. They pitted Necia's friends against Clint's friends in a Pros vs Joes battle royal which involved layups, dribbling, and slam dunks. In the end, the teams were tied 71-71! Happy birthday Necia!

Each of their birthday cakes had 30 candles on them...they both about passed out trying to blow them out!

"30 Sucks"! Necia's sister-in-law made these cute little 'sucker' cookies...what a clever idea!

Picture Time

I convinced Mandi to bring her kids up so we could try and take photos again. Fortunately, for me, she's nice enough to go along with it, being as I'm still quite the amateur photographer! I don't practice nearly enough to be really good at it. But it's fun to practice when I can. I still can't decide if these pictures of the girls are worse, better, or about the same as the tutu ones...and the kids weren't really any more cooperative than the last time and it took a little bit of bribing!

I love the one on the bottom far right hand corner...Kinely's face is so sad but so adorable!

I love that Sadie gave Kinley kisses!

I tried to add Marley to the mix but she wasn't having any of it! The first few photos probably would've turned out if Marley wouldn't have been screaming her head off! After I changed her outfit and gave Marley time to cool down, it got a little better!

I love Sadie's smile in the bottom far left picture because it's so sweet and genuine! I also got Sadie to do the pageant wave!

How can you not think this little baby girl is not the cutest thing ever!! Kinley actually was the most well behave throughout the photo shoot!

I looove the face that Kinley is making in the top right hand photo...doesn't it make you want to give her a hug and kiss?

A Case of the Wiggles

I was fortunate enough to borrow lighting equipment from Meriann again! A good friend, Chantae, made the most ADORABLE little pink skirt for Marley. So, of course, I had to get her picture in it. However, it was more difficult to get any sort of picture because Marley would not sit still! She was up, down, and all over the place!! Ack!

She kept wanting to get up on this chair...it looks as though she wants to do some 'light reading'!

We got her to sit in the chair for all of two second before she was up and running again!

My sister got this dress for her in New York's China Town. I wish that she was sitting still more so I would have been able to get a better picture! Sigh!

Babywood

Our friend's adorable little twins turned one! I was so excited for their party because, of course, Amie went ALL out! I thought her idea of "babywood" and having the twins be the stars of the show was so original and so cute! Loved the red carpet, the velvet ropes, and the "babywood" sign! Happy birthday Avery & Court!