Hodgepodge...

Taylor shot the ball down to the hole and discovered that something was clogging the hole for the other balls to come out.  She stuck her hand in and kept pulling ball after ball after ball out of this tiny hole.

Taylor and Carley had some extra fun one night and she came down the stairs with various designs on her nose drawn beautifully by Taylor.

The beautiful Mardi Gras masks.

"Now I Can't Smile..."

For the next 18 months Dr. Scott will correct his over bite.  At the moment it is strictly a soft diet as he adjusts to the additions in his mouth.  What do you mean you can't smile now?  You look very distinguished!

With the Right Hat, Nothing Else Matters...

                            That pretty much sums it up!

We really are here!

We had to take one last summer get-away before the winter months hit.  So we headed up north to the Lake Erie islands for the weekend, did you even know there were islands on Lake Erie?  Neither did we!  We left the mainland on this fairy.This is the mode of transportation on the Lake Erie Islands.  Everyone drives a golf cart or rides a bike, it is awesome!!!

There was an amazing field of sunflowers we had to capture for mom.

 We enjoyed great seafood, the chocolate factory, putt-putt golf, mining for ore, and a fabulous time as a family in a little golf cart.  Taylor even got to pose with Lucille Ball!

Maybe we will take you there when you visit us in Ohio.

What Would You Do for a Klondike Bar?

This is what our family does for summertime entertainment!

Tim posed the question to each of our children, "What would you do for a Klondike Bar?"  And of course things just progressed after that.  I think Taylor was snapping the pictures of everyone else doing their dares, don't worry, we will get her in the act too!

Tim had to do a corner hand-stand for 3 minutes.

Carley was thrown into the pool fully dressed.

We did manage to pull the solar cover back just a bit so she could get the full effect.

And Dallin opted for milk down his shorts!

Anytime you are in need of a good family evening activity, I'm sure we can be of assistance!

Some of our Favorite Things About Summer...

1.  Visiting family and having them visit us.

These 3 stayed up way too late and had a little too much fun live, in concert.  Brent, you were desperately missed during these late night appearances.  Bob Dylan seemed to be the highlight of the evening.

 

2.  Sporting our fashionable summer eyeware.

3.  Having little feet patter around the house.

4. Running around bare-foot

5.  Flip-flops

6.  Trampoline Adventures

7.  Swimming until our hearts are content.

8.  Kicking the grown-ups out for a day of fun at Cedar Point while we brainwash their posterity.
9.  Trips to Chuck-E-Cheese
10. Grilling
11.  Seeing the sunshine
Our house is lonely and too quiet today, as these 6 packed up their mini-van this morning and headed south.  Thanks so much for the memories and fun!  We dearly loved our precious time with you.

We think Hazel just might have been successful in convincing Craig they need a dog.  Good job Kodi!  Kodi seems depressed today too without Hazel coming out to check on him every few minutes.  Have a safe trip home, and come back soon.

A Trekking We Will Go...

Tim, Taylor and I had the awesome priviledge of going on a Pioneer Trek with our Stake and the Akron Stake.  Tim and I went as a Ma and Pa to 9 amazing youth.  We had four boys and five girls, three of which were from our stake and we were even lucky enough to have one from our own ward, that is not common.  Taylor was with a family of 8, with Ma and Pa Kremer.  She had a fabulous experience.  We weren't allowed to take our cameras on the trek, so we took Pre-Trek and a few Post-Trek.  The photographer that went on the trek with us took amazing footage and is working on a DVD as we speak, so more pictures will become available soon.  This was truly a life-changing experience for all involved - Wonderful!!!!  We feel so fortunate to have been asked to participate.

So mom, here is what we have so far...

This was before we left.  She helped make her skirts, bonnets, and aprons.  She is clean, that is the big difference from pre-trek, and post-trek.  Everything came home absolutely filthy and smelly!

We sprayed all our clothing with bug and tick repellent before we left, and let them air on the driveway.  Good thing we live in the country and don't have neighbors that could see this craziness!

This is the launch site in Jamestown, Pennsylvannia.  We were a company of 17 handcarts.  We either looked  amazing or crazy to on-lookers.

Empty, these hand carts weigh between 250 and 300 pounds.  Completely loaded they weigh between 800 and 1,000 pounds.  I'm sure mom and dad will get the opportunity to view a few youth conferences passing through Winter Quarters and the Mormon Trail during their stay in Nebraska.

We broke a number of these during our three-day journey!  And they went through a lot of mud and water and definitely weren't this clean by the time we finished our 20 mile excursion.

Isn't she the cutest pioneer you have ever seen?  Mom, notice the fabric we used for her apron.  She brought a little of you on the trek too!



And the only post-trek picture we dare post.  We were all disgustingly dirty, I mean dirt from head to toe!!!!  Here is one of the many blisters Taylor endured.  Notice the dirt ring where her sock had been......

More to follow of this wonderful event when we receive them.  We learned a lot about ourselves.  Things must have been bad for the pioneers to make that trek so far.  They had such faith and endurance.