The Art of Cutting Up

I have successfully been able to keep scissors away from Ella and today she finally found them. She knew what they were for and quickly taught herself how to use them. Upon seeing Mom she proudly exclaimed that she was "Tutting da papaw." We had the immediate discussion that scissors are for paper only and not for hair. She agreed and I gave her a couple quick pointers for easier handling and simply asked that she please pick up every piece of paper when she was done. She gladly agreed and off she went. This was serious work. I would periodically check on her and when she was done she picked up every minute little speck of paper shred. What a good girl and a great paper cutter.

A Weekend Visitor

My friend Sharlene came to visit us for the weekend on her way up and back from Preston Idaho to visit her grandma. It was so much fun to see her again and talk and laugh and reminisce. She is so much fun and we stayed up way to late every night. My kids loved having her here and Katelin let Shar sleep in her bed. We hope she can come visit us again soon.

Easy Bake Oven - Sara, Katelin and Ella

Today Katelin decided she wanted get those creative juices flowing and we broke out the easy bake oven. We used a regular cake mix and googled the mix to water ratio to get it just right. She invited our new neighbor Sara over for the "girls only" baking hour and they had a ton of fun. Then each girl got to frost their own cake. It was a masterpiece. Watch out Rachel Ray. It was so delicious. They made enough for half of our neighbors. Hmmmm! I wonder why all the boys were hanging around today.

Annual 4th of July - Cherry Days Parade

Candy, Candy, Candy and More Candy....... It's Fun To Be A Kid at this parade!

This Train is Movin' On

It sure was great to see Uncle Larry and Aunt Linda. We loved visiting with them and having them around for the two days they were with us. They even took us out to lunch before they left. We should have been the one's taking them out, but they insisted. It was great fun having them around and we will miss them.

The Great Salt Lake

They say that you can actually float in the Salt Lake becuase of the large quantity of salt existing in the lake. There are inlets the flow to it but not a single outlet. Katelin and Jacob decide they had to at least go walk out on the lake. It was really cool until the swarms of brine flies began flying all around their heads, legs, arms, feet... You get the idea! Needless to say they ran back.

Walking on the beach at Antelope Island

Our Visit to Antelope Island

Antelope Island is the largest and most developed island in the Great Salt Lake. With an area of 42 square miles, it is the largest island in the Great Salt Lake, the largest lake in the Western United States, and the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. Perhaps the most alluring feature of Antelope Island is its unique array of wildlife. The island is most famous for its large bison population. The herd fluctuates between 550 and 700, making it one of the largest publicly owned bison herds in the nation. The Antelope Island bison herd is also recognized as one of the oldest in the country. The Bison were introduced to the island in 1893.
Deer, bobcats, coyotes, many varieties of birds and waterfowl also call the island home. Antelope Island holds populations of pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, and millions of waterfowl. http://www.utah.com/stateparks/antelope_island.htm

By the time we drove halfway down the Island we finally came across the buffalo herd. It must have taken us an hour becuase the maximum speed is only 25 mph. But seeing the buffalo up close was really cool.

Taking a Rest. It was a hot day.

Carolyn and the kids at one of the old homesteads on Antelope Island.

Mini Mini Family Reunion

Larry and Linda got to have a quick dinner with us and my brother Ben and his wife Toni and Bekah before they had to get back Home. It was nice to be together for a little while though.

Katelin was so excited when Linda told her she could sleep outside with them.
Ella just thought it was cool laying next to her big sister for 2 minutes.


Jacob had fun exploring every nook and crany.

Uncle Larry and Aunt Linda From Michigan

Uncle Larry is my dads younger brother. Of course, my dad is the better looking of the two. He and Linda went on a road trip this year and stopped by our house for the night. Ben and Toni came up to visit too.