1st Day of School

Dustin, Steven and Kourtney

Alec, Henrique, Kellan and Parker

The kids went back to school today. We had a fun and busy summer, but now it's back to business. Steven and Dustin spent the summer Lifeguarding at the pool(where they will continue to do so), Kourtney and Kellan (and me) attended Girls Camp, and Kourtney attended Cheer Camp, Alec, Steven and Dustin had both Scout camps and Aaronic Priesthood Encampments, we had a couple of trips to California, and a whole lot of swimming. This year Steven is a Senior, Dustin a Junior, and Kourtney a Freshman, all at Perry High School. Alec is in 8th grade and Kellan in 7th, both at San Tan Jr. High, and Parker is starting 1st grade. Karsyn (4yrs old) and I will get a lot of time together, and that's ok. We also have an exchange student with us again this year. We picked him up 3 days ago, and he also began school today as a Junior at the high school. His name is Henrique and he is from Brazil. I think we'll have a great year.

Canyon Lake

We went to Canyon Lake on Saturday with my brother, Jared, and our nephew, Nick. We had a blast. The younger kids wanted to jump in the water every time the boat stopped. Steven and Dustin did a great job wakeboarding (they've done it before), and then Alec, Kellan, Kourtney and I gave it a try for the first time. Alec and Kellan only tried a few times before they wanted back in the boat, but Kourtney did a great job and got up several times. I didn't do too bad myself, and managed to get up a few times, but I certainly need more practice. Kregg skiied, and did great, of course, despite a sore shoulder from work. It was a lot of fun, though, and I can't wait to go again (I hadn't been to the lake in probably 15 years before this). It was a great afternoon, and we appreciate Jared taking us up in his boat. It's all the kids have talked about since.

WICKED!!

Wednesday night, July 22nd, Kregg and I went to see Wicked . Oh, my...what can I say? It was amazing and I loved it all!! We went with some friends, Mike and Michelle Bloom, and we had a great time. We had the best seats--7th row, seats 1 & 3,dead center--they were crazy good seats and have now spoiled me from sitting any where else for a show. The following photos aren't the best-I forgot my camera (I know, for anyone that knows me that's hard to believe), so these were taken with my cell phone. I just had to make due with what I had.

Independence Day

Homemade Icecream
Barbecue
Fun with Cousins
Uncle Matt, Dustin, Steven
Swimming

For the 4th of July we went to Grandma and Granpa Larson's for a barbecue and homemade ice cream. Before we ate, we went next door to Uncle Jared's and Aunt Randa's to swim. All the kids were doing some crazy tricks off the rocks and diving board. Grandpa then barbecued Hot Dogs, and we made homemade ice cream. So Yummy!!
Uncle Jared had his 'stash' of Fireworks, so we then got to watch him set them off(and pray that no kids got in the way!). They were great! Who needs to go watch the professionals--Uncle Jared's were just as good. We had a great time--Food, Family, Fireworks, and FUN!! What more could you ask for. We missed those that weren't with us.

San Diego, California

While I was at Girls Camp, Kassidi watched Parker and Karsyn for me in San Diego. The day after I got home from camp, Kourtney, Kellan, Grandma Larson and I left to go to San Diego to pick them up. We stayed 4 days with Kassidi and Nathan and this slide show represents some of the things we did. If you put your curser on the photo a label will pop up describing the photo(somewhat). We had a fun time and look forward to spending more time in San Diego while Nathan and Kassidi and their family are living there for the next two years.

Girls Camp

Kellan and Jodi(I'm for sure looking scary)
Tearza, Makaela, Kourtney, and Gabby
Kellan(far right)with two friend, Amalie and Brittany

Girls Camp was June 15-20th. Both Kourtney and Kellan went, and I also had the opportunity with the Stake as one of the three cooks. The girls had a blast and the whole week was great. My only complaint was how cold I was every night. After my first night there, I called Kregg early in the morning and told him to send another sleeping bag, coat, gloves, etc. for me with Kourt and Kell when they came up that day because I was freezing at night. Other than that, I had a great time(despite the fact that I was trying to prepare a Father's Day talk for Sacrament Meeting which was the day after we got home). Camp always was a fun time with lasting memories for me when I was a Young Women, and I hope my girls remember all that they did and learned at this years camp. Fun times for sure!!

Ventura, California

I took Parker and Karsyn and went to California with my mom and dad the first week of June. We had a great time. School wasn't quite out yet, so Parker missed the last three days of Kindergarten. I expected some of my other kids to come with us, but none of them wanted to miss the last few days of school. I was kind of surprised by that, but, oh well... Parker, Karsyn and I had a fun time with my mom and dad. We spent time at the beach, the pool, the park. We saw some dolphins out in the water off of one of the beaches. That was cool.