Relay for Life!

Last weekend we were celebrating those have won the fight against cancer, remembering those we have lost to cancer, and fighting back!! This was our family's 8th Relay for Life. And through AMAZING AMAZING friends and family and AWESOME businesses we were able to raise $7070!! THANK YOU so much!! The Herald Journal actually came and did an article of our team. There was a way cute picture of Gracie and my dad in it. You can click on this link to read the article https://secure.filesanywhere.com/fs/v.aspx?v=8972648e586070b96e97.

(Thanks Nat and Kami- I took pictures off of your blogs.)

Here is the crew- I can't help but think that my Grandma Vone and Grandpa Butch would be so proud of what we are doing. My grandma passed away from colon cancer and my grandpa from pancreatic cancer. We did our first relay a few short months after my grandma passed away and it was a form of healing for us.

The Relay begins

Our survivors (in purple) my cousin Janalee and our good friend Karen

Our 3rd survivor- my Uncle Bruce

My kids had the time of their lives- I couldn't keep track of Brooklyn through pretty much the whole thing. Thanks to my cute cousins for going with her wherever she wanted to. Nat had her wagon up there and the kids hitched rides any chance they could.

Uncle Brett giving them a ride

This year we tried something new and did a bucket auction at our campsite. I am still not over the generosity of the many businesses that provided items to be included in this. We were able to raise over $1000 just through this.

The campsite next to us had a "petting zoo" of stuffed animals that you could buy. And before I knew it the gals had talked Pops into giving them some money and had bought 4 stuffed animals. So in this picture, Brooklyn had put Paula in charge of them.

The gals and my cute cousin Elisha- Brooklyn pretty much attached herself to Elisha's hip.

There was a DJ there and a stage and the gals danced on it for probably close to an hour. I couldn't believe that Gracie was loving it as much as she was. We couldn't get them down. They were sad when we left for the night. And first thing when Gracie got back- she wanted to go to the stage and dance.

Brooklyn taking a breather

My uncle Bruce even got in on the action (as did Pops but I had the camcorder going and didn't get a picture)

4th of July and Bear Lake

I am so far behind on this blog- so get yourself a yummy snack, a good drink, get comfortable, and enjoy this long post! I LOVE summer- I love BBQ's, fireworks, playing in water, running from one activity to the next, being with family, I love it all. I especially love the 4th of July- it is my favorite holiday! We always go to Bear Lake over the 4th of July. This year, before we headed up, we attended the 4th of July festivities in Stone, Idaho. There was a HUGE parade- consisting of maybe 10 "floats." Sean's grandpa has restored an old truck and he drove it with the kiddos in it. Brooklyn was ecstatic all week just thinking of her parade debut. I didn't think Gracie would ride in it, but one look at the candy bag and she was sold. They had a BLAST!! We hung out at Sean's grandparents house all day with family and then went to the BIG firework show. Like the parade, it was small, but for a small town it was nice.

The gals in their 4th apparel

Our little family

Sean's cute grandparents and the gals. The gals adore these two- so do I.

Sean's grandpa posing with his classic truck

The gals in their parade debut

Brooklyn enjoying the fireworks

The gals and Sean having fun with the sparklers. Quite surprisingly, Gracie was enjoying them. I think that 2.2 seconds after this picture was taken, she touched the flame and burned her finger- ending her fun with sparklers. Sean's grandma spoiled us with a fun firework display at their house.

On sunday, we headed up to Bear Lake. My dad and uncle Ric put on their usual 4th feast. We had a blast up there. I have had a part-time job this summer so I was driving back and forth- I would hate to think I would have to do that every day. But, luckily the gals have grandma and Nat that watched them while I was gone. We enjoyed the beach, swimming at the pool, playing in the sprinklers, visiting, and looking for deer. The kids loved the night that we saw one right off the side of the road and they were able to sit and watch it. I LOVE Bear Lake. I have so many fun memories of up there and can't wait for my gals to start creating their own memories of up there. I am glad my grandparents had the vision of it being a gathering place- and for my parents keeping it so I can create those precious memories with my own little family.

Enjoying the beach

Hey good-lookin'

This gal cracks me up- good thing she has her goggles and snorkle to play in the sprinkler

Again she cracks me up- at one point she also had on a life jacket to complete the ensemble. She loved swimming.

Gracie being ever so cautious- I was shocked that she enjoyed swimming as much as she did. She couldn't get enough. She even got brave and rode down the slide with my cute cousins.

Willard Bay

A few weeks ago, me and the gals met the Andie's and my parents at Willard Bay for a day of fun! My uncle Ric was camping down there and invited us down. My cousin Kami's father-in-law brought their boat up. I had never been to Willard Bay- it is way nice and has a fun beach area. Brooklyn and I had a BLAST out on the tube! Gracie stayed at the beach with grandma and Pops and Paula and Kami. Gracie does not like to get dirty and I guess she was quite funny. She would not walk on the sand without her shoes on and if any sand got on her foot she would freeze and whine until someone picked her up. So they laid a towel down for her and she would play and then sand would get on the towel and they would pick it up and clear it off. She is so funny not wanting to get dirty. Brooklyn was in Heaven out on the boat- she has never done anything like like so it was way fun hearing her laugh and giggle the whole time!

(Tomorrow is the Relay for Life- if you want something fun to do come up to the USU track come visit us at campsite #2 and enter our Bucket Auction for some awesome prizes!)

Catching Up...

I can't believe it is already the middle of June!! I have kinda been doing some blog slacking so I need to get caught up. When I was growing, Memorial Day was a big day for our family. We would meet at my Grandma Ila's house and go to the Wellsville Cemetary on sunday. We would put flowers on my grandpa's grave, her parents grave, her brother's grave, and whoever else she felt like. My grandma was very peticular about this process. The flowers couldn't just be set to the side of the grave- they needed to be spread out in front in just the right way. After Wellsville, we would then go to the Hyrum Cemetary and put flowers on my grandpa's parents grave. Well this tradition has been handed down to my mom and my aunt Paula. (My dad and uncle Ric are good sports and stake down the flowers just where they are told.) This year we had a family BBQ with my dad's side of the family on sunday and then we all went to the cemetary. We missed putting the flowers on my grandma Ila's grave, but still went by. Then on Memorial day we went to Sean's grandparents house. We had a great time- and as usual his grandparents spoiled us with a yummy lunch and entertaining the kids. Sean spent most of his time driving the kids around on the Ranger- they cannot get enough of that thing. And then grandpa fired up and old antique tractor- that I know was his dads and might have even been his grandpa's. But the thing still runs- Brooklyn had a blast riding with great-grandpa.

For Christmas, we told my parents we would provide the labor for them to get a spinkling system if they would get the parts. So last saturday we met at their house and the boys and Chelsea (way to represent the women) got to work. Nat and I utilized ourselves by preparing lunch and entertaining the kiddos. It turned into a much bigger project than I think we planned on and my dad managed to hurt his back again. But, it is up and running.

The most exciting thing to happen to our family in the past month, happened on thursday night. Brooklyn has had a wiggly tooth and has been SOOOO excited for it to come out. So thursday we were in the bathroom brushing her teeth and she was messing with it and I asked her if we should pull it out. She was a little unsure but decided that she wanted to try. I couldn't get my fingers in good enough to get it. So I told her to grab it and pull. She did and it came out. She didn't cry or even say "ow" like I thought she would. She was beyond excited and had to call everyone to let them know.

Brooklyn and Rylee at the Newton Cemetary

Wellsville Cemetary

Brooklyn and great-grandpa on the tractor

We were following behind and Sean took this picture that we love

Gracie could've stayed on the Ranger all day

My brother Brett, my dad, and my brother Brian

(We had a lot of helpers- I think when we were taking pictures, Derk was on the 10th run for parts, the rest of the dream team included Sean, Ruben, Willy, and Ric.)

I love this gal. She can't stand to be dirty- so she opted for the "Derkville" boots as we call them and had the time of her life.

Brett and Chels- trying to get Brett to act descent for a picture is next to impossible!

Brooklyn's first lost tooth

Sean and his gals

Support a Good Cause and Help Find a Cure

I think that most of us know someone who has been affected by cancer. I saw my grandma Vone and grandpa Claude both lose their battle to cancer. Cancer is no respector of persons!! I also know of some brave people who have fought and won their battle against cancer. A dear friend Karen, my cousin Janalee, and this year my uncle Bruce. Most recently, a guy that Sean and I go Hometeaching to was diagnosed with Colon Cancer and currentlyis fighting it. Our family is participating in our 8th Relay for Life. We are raising money to go towards the American Cancer Society to find a cure for cancer. If you have any extra $$ sitting around and would like to support a great cause, click on the picture and it will take you to my page, from there, click on the tab that says donate. (Spread the word- if you know of a person or business that makes donations, please let them know of this great cause! It is tax deductible. A form can be printed from the website- or I can get a form.) THANKS!!!

A Good Day...

Have you ever had one of those days that when it is over you think to yourself, "that was a good day"? Sunday was one of those days for me. On Wednesday, my mom let us know that she had talked to my brother Brian and he had just left the Stake Presidents office and would be going into the Bishopric on Sunday. We all went down to the meeting, it was a very spiritual meeting and the spirit testified to me that the calling Brian received was from our Heavenly Father. We had a lovely dinner after and celebrated Sher's birthday. My cousin Jan was nice enough to stay at B and Sher's with the kids while we went to the stake center. My dad ordained B into the office of High Priest and again it was a very spiritual blessing. Then B got the blessing to put him into the Bishopric- also a great blessing. The next day as I was talking to my mom and then my sister we all commented on what a great day it had been.

B and Sher- aren't they a stunning couple?

I love this picture of all the kids "helping" Sher blow out her candles

Wednesday was Brooklyn's last day of school. I can't believe that her Kindergarten year is over. Seriously, where did this past year go. She has LOVED her teacher, Mrs. Allen. Mrs. Allen was so good to Brooklyn and we appreciate it so much.

Brooklyn and Grandma

Gracie wanted in on the picture taking action

Most days after school, Brooklyn would hang out with Grandma and help Mrs. Allen. She loved playing teacher and was quite entertaining to watch.

This picture was taken a couple weeks ago when we actually had some good weather. I thought it was so cute and Garrett and Dracie (as he calls her)

The gals were able to get a horsey ride from uncle B