The first time that we thought that Skylor was leaving to go home the boys had a sleep over night. They stayed up watching movies and sleeping on the floor all together. The boys loved it, not sure if Skylor did.

He thought that we were celebrating him leaving, but I was sure to let him know that it was celebrating that he was here and got to stay and visit with us. The next afternoon him Mom called and let him stay an extra week, I don't think that he could have been any happier!! :)

It was so nice to have him here and spend time with him that we have never had the opportunity to do. We miss him terrible, but him Mom will be so happy to have him home (he went back to California on Saturday, but just not home yet, he's with his Great Grandparents, Aunt Kim and Uncle Steve).

What a summer vacation for an 11 year old (almost 12)!! It was great for the boys too. They loved having him here, it helped them not think about Dad not being here too.
Looks like they had fun!!!
zonked!!
crashed!!

We had a great day with our Ward on Saturday June 28th
(remember I'm finishing up the catch up)
I don't think that there was a person there that didn't enjoy themselves.
I know that my family had a blast and are still talking about it...
They really captured the real feeling of a carnival, the
DUNKING TANK
was defiantly the hit of the day,
with the adult sized trikes (3 wheelers) a VERY close second. Here are some of the pictures of the day.

Thank you guys!! it was a real HIT for everyone!!

On Tuesday June 24th the boys (including Skylor) spent the day with Uncle Chad, and boy did they have a blast!! First they meet Grandma Nielson, Uncle Chris, & Cousin Tylor (Chad's mom, brother & nephew) in Green River had lunch and spent time together at the park playing (I had to work, bummer). Grandma had presents for the kids. They got new P.J.'s, and new shirts and shorts... They love them.

THANK YOU GRANDMA!!

Then on the way home I got a phone call from Skylor and all he had to say was "side road" and I knew what that meant. First of all Chad found something to explore and second that they were going to be late. I was correct on both. They stoped on the way home at one of his favorite Ghost towns, and they also went "exploring" (those of you that know Chad, know what that means) lol. They ran into a "ghost" named Henry that Uncle Chad made mad when he told him "to go away and leave them alone". When uncle chad told him to do this he started throwing rocks at them all, especially the boys. I guess I should say at a more accelerated rate than he was already doing. They boys talked about "Henry" for days!!

They also found a snake...talk about brave boys with no fear! they all touched and played with him. They got home really late that night and talked about there adventures for days!!... The boys REALLY love and look up to their uncle. I'm glad that they could go and do things together. It is good for all of them!! I just hope that they can do more of it and that Chad can actually get some time off of work in order for us to all enjoy the summer together! We are just grateful that he is employed and it's even better that he really enjoys his job.

After all isn't that what it's all about! Spending quality time with family and friends. We have had some great days with both. It's nice to have the time and ability to do that. Skylor has stayed with us for an additional length of time. It was suppose to be 2 weeks and his Mom kindly, reluctantly let him stay another week. The following are a few pictures of some of our summer days.

The five boys jumping on the Trampoline

(their favorite past time lately)

Lisa and the new kittens! The hit of the Day!!

Skylor lands it!!

Well after two days of traveling around we decided that we needed to rest up a little on Thursday. So we just hung around and then Steve and Kristel went out, and Kim and Tammy went to Bunko. We all had fun at our various "activities", and Kristel meet a new friend Dan. On Friday we took care of some very important details that needed to be handled before they all left for Cali in the morning. Around noon my Sister in-law (Kristi) and family came by (also from Fresno, Ca passing through on their family vacation). They were only here for a few hours, but it was great to see them and catch-up with the kids. Unfortunately we had a bad miss-hap and they had to leave shortly afterwards. I felt so badly and sad that my little 3 yr old Niece had gotten hurt. She's ok now, I'm so glad!!

Friday after we finished our business Steve took off and stayed with friends, Kristel meet up with Dan, and (Kim & I played beauty shop)I gave Kim a perm, hair cut, and eye wax. We were all up too late and enjoyed our last few hours of our vacation. Here are a few of the pictures.

I feel so badly that it has taken me two weeks to finish our vacation posts, but they are done. Not that I had too many... just have had so much going on!! I have a few more to catch up on now (things since the Family Fun Week) and will be doing so as soon as I can. Hope that you have enjoyed our trip with us, it was nice to be able to share it with those closest to us. We are excited about next year already. We are going to get together in California in May again, but then the girls are going to come out here in July so we can all go with Uncle Dave camping and down a River trip together. We can't wait!!

Till then:

Love you guys!! Take care and let's get ready for next year!!

Day Four is our trip to Manti for the

"Mormon Miracle Pagent"

This is the main event for our Family Trip this year. For those that don't know, our Mother passed 5 years ago in May. We have gotten together every year since then in May on the week that mom passed. We promised her and our selves that we would not allow us to grow apart. Mom taught us that Family is all that you have and that matters. We decided when she passed that one of our most favorite memories were our trips that mom made sure that we had every year, therefor we would have a vacation together every year. We have done different things each year, but even in the toughest times we have made sure that we have been together. This year was an exception to our normal time frame.

Our last vacation with all of us together including mom was 20 years ago, and we had came to Utah and ended the trip by going to the Pagent. So last year we decided to change our normal plans and have our vacation in June so that we could all go to the Pagent together again. It was the first time that my sisters have been since that trip 20 years ago. It was a great day and trip for us. It was nice to all be together again, Mom was right Family is all you've got that matters. She would say friends come and go, but your family doesn't. I would like to add that you also have those times when you have a few good friends that stand by you always, and can be considered as close to you as family. I am very grateful for both!!

THANKS MOM FOR GIVING US EVERYTHING YOU GAVE US, TAUGHT US, AND INSTILLED IN US.

YOU DID A GREAT JOB!!

AND WE'RE MAKING IT!!

The Second day was a real lazy day... We just hung out talked and played board games... sad when the "Adults" kicked the kids off of playing "Whack a Mole" so that we could play. They went downstairs and outside and we all competed at it. We had a blast!!...Then we let the kids play...LOL....good to be kids again!!

The Third day Tuesday (June 17th) we headed out for Vernal, UT. He have an Uncle & Aunt that live out there. We decided to go and see them since Kristel and the boys hadn't seen them in about 4 years. So we went to the new Dinosaur Museum first then to Uncle Dave's for a BBQ. It was a fun, and very long day!! 9 of us in the Suburban for 4hrs straight and then till 1am (on the way home).

The following are some of the pictures of the day.... just a note... I have a tradition that before a "road trip" we take pictures of everyone in the vehicle (that might explain some of them).