We've had a lot of things happening lately...

Dallin had an eye appointment to get contacts!  He thinks that playing football will be easier if he doesn't have to mess with glasses.  For the first few practices he went without glasses and had a really hard time and wasn't very confident. We decided that contacts would help a lot AND we figured out a way to squish his glasses in his helmet, so now he can actually see the quarter back!  He's loving football (so far they have him as safety) and gaining more and more confidence.  He really just likes to hit people...I guess this is a good way to channel that energy!  It's been so fun to have Dale coach him and cheer for him!  It's hard for Dale to sit and watch and not suit up and join them! :-)

 This little one started First Grade!!  She sure does love school.  Her biggest complaint has been that they are just sitting a lot and the teachers are just talk, talk, talk to them...she would rather do work! :-)  I told her it's just the first week and after everyone knows the routine she will be able to do her work.
She has quite the fashion sense...and her own style (as illustrated below).  It's impossible for me to help her get dressed.
Maura-isms:
While at the football practice Maura came running up and said "MOM! Can I have some money for the concussion stand?"
I packed her clothes for our trip to the cabin last week and as we were getting in the car she was questioning what I had packed for her; "Did you bring my sweater? and my white shirt?" When I replied negatively and that she didn't need those things because we were just going to the cabin, she said; "Mom, I must have my fashion! It's all about fashion!!"

 Love this little munchkin.  

 Rain!! Oh how we love the rain in the desert! It was a serious rain too!  Of course the neighborhood kids all came out to play in the street.

 These kids are all so much fun! We sure do love them!

We also caught a bug...not sure what to name it (her) yet.

Weekend at the ranch!

I'm torn...I sure do love looking at pictures of the adventures we have, but I hate interrupting the adventure to take pictures! *sigh*  I didn't take nearly enough pictures of the really fun weekend we spent at the ranch.  It was such a great get away, and we needed it!  We've been working really hard lately and haven't had much time to just spend together. This was exactly what we needed!  We played and played and relaxed and enjoyed our time together.  What a blessing it is to have such a terrific place to go!  

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Mullenaux for letting us stay!

We sure do love the pines!

and the local wildlife,

 and our toys!

There were plenty of toys for everyone (thanks to Shelley and Grandpa for letting us borrow theirs!)

Dallin really loved the 250

My brother Trenton and his son Jeffrey were with us and they all took turns trying out Dale and Jeffrey's the dirt bikes.

 DIRT being the key word here...

The amount of fun is always in direct proportion to the amount of dirt you get on your face. 

 Dallin had a TON of fun!

 Maura had a great time learning too! She did such a great job riding all by herself.  

We are going to have to get some quads of our own.

These two guys sure had a great time together! Love my handsome men!

Things we were enjoying too much for me to get a picture of:  The trampoline, the zip line, the horses wandering in the field, visiting Anne and Robert, many delicious treats, rain, elk, Mr. Potato Head, card games...

It was a weekend to remember!

Trinity Ranch, Jackson Hole Wyoming.

When it's hot and miserable in Mesa and I burn my hands on my steering wheel, 

this is the place I dream of...

http://www.trinityranchjacksonhole.com/

Our first 4th of July weekend at the cabin!  Evidently it is a long-standing tradition to go to the ranch for the weekend and participate in the festivities in Heber.

One of the events we were introduced to was the "Water fight parade".  They told us what a big deal it was and to make sure we brought our water guns.  We made sure to be well prepared!  Shelley and her husband Daemon  made sure there was plenty of water to use and even got up early in the morning to save us a place on the parade route.  Grandpa and Grandma worked really hard preparing everything too!  We had shade, chairs to sit on, snacks, plenty of water guns and ammo!

Hundreds of people line the streets with water guns of all sizes.  Some people make their own super guns with giant barrels of water and hoses while others get the dollar store kind.  As we were waiting for the parade, the water fight began! Each family along the street would gang up on other families and everyone got wet!

 Across the street from where we were sitting was a group of older people who really got into it.  They loved taking on all the little ones we had running around.  

It may not look like it, but the big guys got in on the action as well.  They were biding their time waiting for just the right moment to strike!

What a super fun parade! Looking forward to many more of them!

I love it when Dale and I find things we both love!  It seems silly how happy these little things make me, but they do!  Our families are both from the area and it is fun to discover the foods and traditions that both our families had.

This one is such a good memory for me! My mom would make tacos like this all the time!  I thought it was just a thing my family did, but I guess Dale's family did it too! Dale is an awesome cook. What a great guy.

They were a hit! A new tradition for us!

GO-CART!

The two grease monkeys spent some time and got this running!  It was so fun and Dallin had such a great time riding it!

  

Party!

It was fun to have a little get-together at the house for friends and family. It was exactly what I wanted! Time to visit with friends and family and enjoy the day. It was perfect! Thank you so much for everyone who helped so I didn't have to do anything except enjoy myself-and I did!

The very best part of any gathering is FAMILY!  So happy they came to share the day with us!

Blaine's family

Kelly's family

Kristy's family

 Clay's family

Shelly's family

Katie's family

Us!

 Maura was so excited to find she has SO MANY new cousins!  It was the best part of the day for her!

 It was a super fun day!