Summertime Fun and Not so Fun......

"Let's just do dessert today--not real food" ... Tonya

No better place to kick back with a bad wing than pool side!

Mmmm..... Peach City ice cream!

My gorgeous girls. So great being together.

Uncle Boyd having a chat with Whit and Zadoc.

Nice group shot. Terry found a great place to rest his arm.

So nice to be loved.....

Happy 4th of July!

June is the birthday month around this family (11 of them) so life's been a party for sure. Mid-month we went to Salt Lake for a softball tournament and instead Terry ended up having rotator cuff surgery. We're working through the pain and trying to have patience with the long healing process. The poor guy is looking forward to having the other shoulder done once this one has reached a stable point in the healing process....smile.....

The Packer family had a wonderful reunion on July 3rd. It was a special day listening to Uncle Boyd and catching up with cousins. We enjoyed our traditional Maddox cuisine on the way home. Great memories of boating and then Maddox..... Shane ordering root beer "in a frosty mug!" Whitney loving the after dinner candy sticks, etc.

My good friend Jennifer was in town from California and we were able to catch up one afternoon with our other long lost pal from PBL days, Michelle. I miss these gals they are the best. It is funny, we can go for a long period of time not seeing each other and then when we're together it's like we've never been apart.

The 4th of July is my favorite holiday and it didn't disappoint this year. Party at the pool with loving family, yummy food and fireworks. Thanks for everything Mom and Dad! Doesn't get any better.

"Where's Waldo"

We hung a bird feeder and it has been fun to watch our colorful, feathered friends outside the bedroom door, but "Where's Waldo?" This sneaky, little intruder enjoys his share of the bird seed every day. Don't worry buddy.... your secret is safe with me.

Memorial Day

Always a thoughtful day for me.... Missing you Shaner bud. So thankful for the gospel and eternal families. So thankful for the wonderful country we live in and all who have sacrificed for this land and our freedom.

Vegas Baby!

Terry's softball tournament in May was in Vegas. We decided to drive rather than fly so we could take our bikes. Alas, that meant I could stuff the truck full of things I just knew I'd need ... smile.... We had a great time biking in St. George and, of course, I took no pictures. Softball tourney was fun, but not as great as walking the strip, eating too much and see the Lion King at Mandalay Bay. We also managed a visit to the temples in both St. George and Las Vegas. Beautiful. The trip home was topped off with a lovely overnight visit in Provo with the Trumans who were so gracious to put us up and feed us. We even stopped at the BYU Kennedy Center to visit with the China Teacher Program Facilitators, the Evans. Awesome. Missing China.....

Did this really happen??

Was it a figment of my imagination or just a dream I keep wanting to return to...... I have been so behind with my blog that it is embarrassing. Oh well. Just wanted to put some cruise photos on display before I move to the next event. I have not been a good picture taker as of late. Always room for improvement!

Together Forever!

Mom and Dad, you're the best! Thanks for the wonderful cruise, but even more for a lifetime of memories, teaching and example. We had so much fun being with the gang. Terry still wants the DNA checked after the Karaoke performance?! I'm having extreme withdrawals and I'm not talking about the food or the sunshine!

Softball Star

Well..... he's still got it. Watching the star play ball is a true vacation. He dives for balls like a 20 year old and looks good doing it. I'm not too good at action photography so here's a picture of some down time.

Hawaii

Alcatraz

BYU Hawaii -- "We are the champions"

View from our bed......little friends.......

Grand Canyon of Hawaii

Hola Hola

Most of March was spent in lovely Hawaii.....doesn't get much better than that! The weather wasn't great, but a bad day in Hawaii isn't really bad at all. Especially when you have the Simmons family to entertain you. First day we spent up at the church which is on "higher ground" because of the Tsunami evacuation. During our time on Oahu Brandon and Terry headed to San Francisco for a little basketball action and Michelle and I shopped, spa'd (is that a word) and watched the young basketball stars do their thing. It was great fun. We had one day at the beach....smile......

We then hopped over to Kauai for a little fun in the sun with our good friends, the Coats. We still had on and off weather, but had a blast playing tennis, riding bikes, eating and frequenting the most beautiful beaches. We had a beautiful day out on the Hola Hola--snorkeled with 3 seals, sea turtles, watched amazing whales and were surrounded by hundreds (no exaggeration) of spinner dolphins. The Nepali Coast is a glorious sight. The only bad part of the trip was getting on a plane and leaving paradise!