Swimming Lessons

This year the kids have really progressed in their swimming skills. We have taken semi-private lessons from a wonderful teacher named Amy, in Orem. Even though it's a drive, it is totally worth it. Here are some pictures from a week ago.

Connor loves the action shots!

Last year, McKay would never have jumped into the pool by himself. Now look at him!

Connor doing the backstroke

Kenna (with her floppy legs) doing the backstroke

Mick doing the backstroke

We are so grateful for such a wonderful teacher! The kids are sad that swim is almost done!

Our "New" Kitchen Table

I have "new" in quotations because our table is not really a new table--it's old.

And it's cheap.

So cheap that I was cleaning it with Lysol disinfectant spray and it took off some of the black finish. I was pretty upset, but then it gave me an excuse to do another project. I followed the same technique I used to do this table last year.








I am very pleased with the end results! Thanks again, Kim for all your help!!!

"I See Your True Colors...."

I just had to post this funny picture of the twins. It says loads about their personalities. Makenna is usually so sweet and kind and mild mannered-- (usually is the key word here- she definitely has her crazy, spazzy, drama moments) and McKay is a bucket-load of smiles and craziness. When he is happy, he is HAPPY, as this picture can attest.

I heart him.

Summer Fun!

Here are some fun things our family has been doing this summer!

Enjoying the beautiful sunsets that Saratoga Springs provides! This was on the 4th of July.

Cook-out in the mountains with some cousins and Grandma Rush!

Enjoying a family hike up to Stewart Falls. We had a blast! Our kids are awesome hikers!

Connor trying to save the forest; one tree at a time. Just doing his part.

Beautiful Stewart Falls

My beautiful family

Brett took some family to the place we've dubbed "The Polar Bear". Each time a new person comes into the family, Brett takes them up to this fresh-from-the-snow waterfall and they submerge themselves in a little pool area, right below the waterfall. Then they officially become a 'polar bear'. This water is COLD!!! I chose not to go this year......once was enough for me......but Connor got to go for the first time this year and he loved it! He felt like a 'big' kid and was very brave! This time Brett took Tyler and Alyssa (newly returned from their missions) and Tyler's fiance, Ashley.

"Legs first......ok, this isn't so bad........"

"Now the buns.......ooohhhhhh!!!!!! THIS IS COLD!"

"BRAIN FREEZE!!!!!!!!"

Way to go, Conn! Connor says absolutely nothing was going through his mind at this point because it was soooo cold.

The gang, minus Ashley. And no, that is not Tyler's 'normal' smile......that is his best Esqueleto smile. As a side note- I think Alyssa looks really pretty in this picture!

Cute Tyler and Ashely before......

AFTER!!!!!

Jenny Oaks Baker

Saturday, Brett's mom invited us and a few of Brett's brothers and their wives to go to a concert in the Assembly Hall with the Temple Hill Orchestra (from Oakland, CA) featuring Jenny Oaks Baker. All of us sisters LOVE Jenny-- yes, we're on a first name basis. We fell in love with her music after attending a Time Out for Women in Logan a few years ago. Since then we have all bought her CD's and loved them! She is not only an incredible performer, but just such a sweet, genuine, endearing person.

This was an incredible concert. The orchestra was fabulous! The music was moving and inspiring. I love a good orchestra! They were amazing!

All of the gang here-- sorry for the bad angle, Greg. Notice Brett's dad drying his tears-- Cherry told him that he would love this so much, it would bring him to tears......

We couldn't resist the urge to meet her afterwards, and she was greeting fans, so we had to meet her and tell her how great we thought she was. She was so cute and just sweet. She asked, "OK, you guys are all dressed in-style and really cute: do you think this dress is totally out of style or is it ok?" Before hand we were all gushing about her dress. We told her so. She said her dress was from 12 years ago and she worried about the sleeves. We told her we loved the dress!

Whip Cream Fight 2010

This is a day my kids look forward to the whole school year. The last day of school means a water park in our back yard/park and a whip cream fight! This year the kids LOVED their class mates so much, we invited them too, instead of those just in our neighborhood. It was a good crowd!

Before the fight starts everyone eats their sack lunch

The anticipation is killing McKay, here. This is his cute friend Mikelle from school.

The line up for the slip-n-slide tarp

Look at all those kids!

And the fight begins!

Whip cream everywhere!

Connor with a few good friends from his class after all the action, jumping on the tramp.

Kenna and Connor after it's all over! What a fun day and fun tradition!