Viva Las Vegas

We spent 4 days in Vegas a few weeks ago and had a great time.  Everyone was able to be there, even Walkers were able to fly in.  This was not just your average vacation/gathering, my dad was installed as the National Independent Insurance Agents  Chairman.  We are so proud of him, he will do an amazing job.  He is...  Well I could go on and on about everything amazing that my dad is, and I am glad others recognize his innumerable strengths and look to  him as their leader!  We are so proud of you dad!  You are the best!!!!   

It was so much fun to get together with all my siblings too.  Its like a big party, we all get along so well, and truly are best friends!

The kids riding on the bus back to the hotel, after we  walked almost the entire length of the strip.  Note to selves...  the strip is much longer than it appears!

Uncle Doc Paul and baby cache

All the grandkids, a handsome bunch, if I do say so myself!

Mingle, Mingle, Mingle.

The beginning of the best  year IIABA has seen!  We love you Dad!

Checking out the amazingly huge and quite disgusting Coy fish at the flamingo hotel.

Reese and E man exchanging hugs, kisses and secrets.

The ever popular stop along the  strip.

We loved the shark reef at Mandalay Bay.  It was amazing.  The kids loved being able to touch the rays, and of course my kids just love sea  animals in general.  We could have spent and entire day here.

The tired bunch  heads back to the hotel by tram and then Bus.  We got SMART!!  Little Reese was out cold the minute Uncle Randall  picked her up!  

It was so great to all be together and celebrate our dad!!! 

Workin' hard... In the yard.

The last few weeks/ends, we have been working on the yard.   Leveling dirt, hauling off rocks ( I think we built on a gravel pit), finishing sprinklers, laying flagstone etc...  But this weekend we actually progressed to planting yeah!!!  A few pix with a little color, rather than just a lot of dirt and rocks!  However this first picture is the beginning of yet another project, a water feature,  water fall, stream thing.  It sits behind the fire pit, so it will be fun to have the  sound of a stream behind us,  as we warm up by the fire.  A few more steps and then...  (drum  roll), SOD!!!!!   Hallelujah.

Bird sitting, sleeping baby, and Young Men

Our neighbors went out of town, so we were able to babysit their Conure, Buddy.  The kids loved having him around, and what better pet than a visiting one?

Who can resist snapping a shot of a sleeping baby?  I was just getting the kids out of the shower, pj's on, etc...  look over and little mister is sleeping the  night away.  

Trent is the YM Pres. right now, and along with that calling has come some devotion of space in our house to the cause...  homeless camping gear from 'adventures', flags, and most recently, over 100  cardboard boxes, taking up Trents 2 car garage.  The youth have a competition each year, they build boats out of duct tape, and cardboard, and see who's goes the fastest, lasts the longest, etc.  So they  built  their boats this past Tuesday and will be floating them next week.  I will follow up with the Priest standing in the competition.  To be continued...  and lets hope the boxes are gone by next tuesday as well.  

Pickelville Playhouse

We ventured up to Bear Lake last weekend and went to the Pickelville Playhouse to their fabulous Melodrama.  The kids enjoyed it, as much as we did.  It really was very funny, and interactive with the audience.  If you haven't been in a while, it is worth  droppin' in on if you are in town.