Davis Manor Pool

Since my sister lives in Yuba City, my mom lives in Elk Grove and I live in Vacaville, we try to find things to do together that are centrally located between the three of us. This week we went to Davis Manor Pool for a day of fun in the sun. They have three different pools and a playground that squirts water - plus a nice shady spot where the adults can sit and visit. It was a great day, and I'd recommend it to anyone who lives around here. Here's a few photos of the kids...

Let's Swim!

New Hair Like Nicole's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is Camille. Last night I got my hair cut just like my cousin Nicole's. This is the shortest my hair has ever been. I think it looks good. Do you like it?

While the Scout's away...

To the two younger children in our family, the life of a teenager seems full of excitement and never-ending fun, while theirs seems boring and dull. So while Matthew was gone at Scout Camp last week, we tried to have as much fun with them as possible. Every night we did something fabulous - the pictures are mostly for the purpose of torturing Matthew and making sure he realizes that we CAN have a good time without him.

So, Monday night we went to the park...


Tuesday night we went to the movies...


Wednesday night we walked to the ice cream parlor...

Thursday night we went out to dinner...

And Friday night Adam got to have a "three way" sleepover complete with pizza...

and hours of mindless video gaming!

I think we were fairly successful, as Adam and Camille thought it was a GREAT week! (Even though they did miss their brother.)

Speaking of their brother... Brad and I are proud to announce that this year at Scout Camp Matthew not only completed 4 merit badges, but he showered EVERY day!!!! This is in contrast to the first year in which he earned lots of badges but never took a shower, and last year, during which he earned some merit badges and took some showers. We're so proud - baby steps, you know!

Camille's Trojan Horse

Camille spent most of Saturday afternoon holed up in her room with some cardstock, markers, tape and a pair of scissors. When she came out, she had this fabulous horse! We created a mane together, and a masterpiece was unfurled. This thing was huge, and I told her it looked like a trojan horse. Of course that comment led to an internet search, a mini history lesson and another hour of play as she surprised people with what she could fit into the horse's belly! I love her creative spirit and the way she's learned to entertain herself when the boys are busy doing things she's not interested in.

Last Day of School!

It's the last day of year-round school!!! We've been on this schedule for 8 years now, and while I've enjoyed many aspects of it, I'm ready for all of my kids to be on the same schedule with each other and the rest of the world! I also ready for it to finally be summer!

Camille with "her girls"

This is typical of Camille's class - one of the mothers made matching shirts (complete with iron-on details) for all of the kids and then had them autograph them for each other. No wonder I feel like such a sloth!

Adam with "the guys"

Adam with his teacher, Mrs. Langston

Second Grade Luau

It wasn't technically the last day of school, but Camille's class had their big celebration on Wednesday becuase their teacher was having rotator cuff surgery on Thursday morning. This class has been together for 3 years, and they are an amazing group of kids. We're glad to be leaving the year-round schedule, but we will definitely miss this group!

Camille with her teacher, Mrs. Jacobson

Best friends Jaquie and Emily

Good-bye second grade!

Two Requirements

For the kids, a trip to the cabin isn't complete without doing these two things: shooting and going to the Dutch Flat Pool.




Matthew, Jared & Nathan

Marcy's little girl, Courtney, loved the water!

Natalie enjoys some time in the sun.

Playing with our "New" Cousins

On Saturday we had a mini family reunion at the cabin with some of our "new" cousins. We knew a few of them already because they are in our ward, but it was fun getting to know the rest. I love being part of a big family.

These kids spent the whole morning playing in the creek. The boys built a dam so that the creek formed pool for the little kids to float their boats and rubber ducks in.

You're so cute, Michael!

Camille and Rebekah with Zoe (Rhonda's little girl).

We're Related???

I serve in the primary presidency with a girl named Shannon that I totally admire! She is so great because she LIVES the gospel every day of her life, and when I grow up one day, I'm going to be just like her! Her brother, Matthew, is also in our ward and I'm a big fan of his as well because he teaches the big boys in Primary and he's the best ever! (Don't forget your scriptures or you'll have to drop and give him 20!) One day a couple of years back my mom came to watch the kids in the primary program, and when the program was over she walked over to Shannon & Matthew's dad and gave him a giant hug! I had to ask - what was that all about?? She told me that "Sonny" was her cousin. Your cousin??? That means Shannon and Matthew are my cousins! No wonder I liked them so much. . . they're family!

Amy & Shannon Crist

4th of July!

We had a great 4th of July this year. In the morning we went to our annual ward breakfast in the park, and then we spent the rest of the afternoon and evening at Natalie's. We had such a great time that I forgot to take a picture of the kids. Oh well, here are a bunch of other shots.

Missing Judy

Judy is Brad's only sister, and when she died suddenly a few years back, she left a giant hole in all of our lives. I think about her often, and it always brings a smile to my face (usually followed by a tear) because she was such a great lady. The funny thing is that it's always some little thing that brings her to the forefront of my thoughts. Tonight we decided to eat dinner out on the patio, and I didn't have a clean washcloth, so I grabbed a big white cotton dish towel and used that instead. Judy always wiped the counter with a big white cotton dish towel. I don't know why she did that. They aren't that absorbent, and they're a bit awkward to deal with. . . but I'll use one occasionally anyway, and I'll think of her every time I do. Here's to you, Judy.