Tree - Hater

I guess I will admit it - I am pretty much a tree-hater. I wish that my yard was just full of grass and flowers, and had no trees. I think I feel this way because we have tons of trees that are all way too big and overgrown. In fact, we have had the biggest tree in the neighborhood in our backyard. It finally came down about 2 weeks ago - and I am so glad it did. It completely ruined our yard. It ended up being a much bigger project than anyone expected.

Here is the tree towering over our house.

First, Vini (the tree arborist), went up in this bucket and cut a bunch of branches.

For the branches over our house and our neighbors houses they had to use a crane and lower all the branches down. It was a pretty scary thing to watch.

Lots of branches and leaves to clean up.

After they got all the leaves and branches and everything off, they finally cut the tree down.

It seemed like it took forever for it to fall over. McKell said she felt like we were in an earthquake because it shook the ground when it fell. The trunk was about 5 feet wide and about 15 feet around. Absolutely huge. This is Vini, I think he was just as happy as I was that the tree was down.

Another Goodbye

We spent Wednesday in Salt Lake. My sister, Hollie, and her family were spending a couple of hours there on their way to Arizona, where they are relocating. It was great to spend some time with them. McKell went with Hollie and her girls to the Discovery Gateway while Braxton and I did some school shopping. McKell had a blast!

McKell pretending to be a shopkeeper. She thought the cash register was great.

Lauren, McKell, and Hollie anchoring the news. Allison said Hollie was wonderful at reading the teleprompter and broadcasting the breaking news of an old woman swallowing a horse. Maybe a night job for her when her day job as mom is over. (ha, ha)
McKell, Lauren, and Savanna doing the weather forecast.
Preslie

Lauren and McKell - these two are 3 weeks apart in age and have always been close. They have a lot of the same interests and always have fun together. Although we have never lived super close to them, these two have been best of friends. When we go to grandma's house they always have to have a sleepover and will stay up all night talking.

Me, Allison, and Hollie

It was hard to say goodbye and will be different when we go for a visit to Idaho and have them not be there, but with free long distance, I'm sure we will be talking just as much. Just ask Braxton - he says all I do is talk on the phone with my sisters and according to him one time with Hollie I was on for 181 minutes. I don't know?? I wish them the best and can't wait to go and visit them.

Time to Say Goodbye

It is finally time to say farewell to my Honda. I've driven this car for 13 years. With 198,000 miles, it has been with me for a good part of my adult life. We drove it all the way through college and beyond. Derek drove me to the hospital in it when I was having McKell and I seriously almost had to lay on the horn outside of our apartment building to get him to come out because he couldn't find a hat and he didn't have time to comb his hair. What?? I have driven it to hundreds of games, practices, dance and music lessons. I can't even count the times it has been driven to Idaho and back to visit family. We've now moved on to bigger and better.

I have liked this Ford Explorer more than I thought and it seats 7. So, call me if you need a ride.

P.S. I couldn't really part with the Honda. Right now it is safely parked in my parents garage waiting to come home for when we have 3 drivers - in 53 days - YIKES!

Reunion Time

We ended our week-long trip to Yellowstone and Jackson with a fun family reunion in Pocatello. Everyone had lots of fun swimming and sliding.

McKell

Derek

Grandpa Pinnock - who didn't really have a slide pass, but luckily the workers let him go down once because all his grandkids were waiting at the bottom.

It was great to visit and catch up with everyone.

Elk, and Bison and a Bear, Oh My!

Although it wasn't Disneyland (last year's summer vacation), we had a great time in Yellowstone Park and Jackson Hole. I don't think our kids were excited about this family vacation, but they ended up having a great time. We saw a lot of beautiful and exciting things.

We saw quite a few elk.

This bison was right off the side of the road.

We were really hoping to see some bears and we saw one.

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone was amazing.

We shopped and took pictures in West Yellowstone and went to Footloose at the Playmill. It was fabulous. A huge highlight of the trip. We loved it.

We headed to Jackson Hole and got attacked by a bison (luckily it was fake). Aren't these guys great posers!

We rode the Alpine Slide and jumped on a Bungee Trampoline.

On the last day of our trip, Mom, Hollie and family, and Natalie and family, met us at this great indoor pool. We had a picnic and tons of fun in the pool. This was a great place for little kids. I think almost every person went on the slides. I was the only one with my camera so I added a couple of extra shots.McKell loved the slides, she is usually hesitant, but she had fun!

Justin and Rylee - I love Rylee's face in this picture. She loves the water.

Jayson and Ava

Braxton and Jace

We had a great time. I love spending time with Der and the kids and it was great to end our trip with some extended family.

Celebrating Forty

My parents were born the same day, the same year, in the same hospital. They grew up a few miles apart and dated through high school. My mom waited for my dad on his mission and today, they are celebrating FORTY years of marriage.

They raised 7 children. I don't know how we were so lucky to get them as parents. They have done so much for each one of us. In forty years this family of 9 has grown into 35!

You have both set such a great example of hard-work, compassion, and love. We love you. Happy Anniversary.

July Fourth

The Fourth of July weekend was full of fun. We went to the drive-in, a city parade, had a barbecue at my parents, played all afternoon in the water, watched a parade put on by some very creative kids, went to the Idaho Falls fireworks, made smores, and then did our own fireworks. So fun!!

McKell and Derek - This was McKell's first drive-in experience.

Raegan, Lauren, McKell, and Olivia at the parade.

My entire family (all 35) got together for a picnic.

The kids had a blast on this blow-up water toy.

Braxton and Haylie (my niece) even got in on the water fun. I can't believe how grown up these two are. They have always been close and still like being around each other. We watched Haylie in the parade with the drill team. Crazy! I still remember my drill team days.

Raegan, Lauren, Payton, Savanna, McKell, Olivia, Jace, and Justin (who got to be the driver), put on their own parade for us that evening. They even made up a cheer/dance to show us.

Everyone loves to make smores.