Well it really has been too long!!

It's only been two weeks since I posted, but the last post was for July 4th.

So I feel like it's been a whole month.

We have been busy with life, just like everyone else.

Chad is working hard at his job. He really likes it and having a regular schedule, even with the doubles. He has great potential of advancement with the company and his position. I have three jobs now. I'm able to still work from home, for now, and working really hard. My day starts by 7 each morning and ends around 2-3am. Hopefully it is only for August at this phase and then we will finally be on our feet again. Chad and I both decided we would work as hard as we could this month and that the sacrifice will be worth it when the month is done. Then we can go to some sort of "normal" life, finally. So I'm trying hard to not take on too much this month and stay as focused on the tasks at hand.

The boys are trying to get everything out of the rest of summer that they can. Jimmy worked very hard this summer at chores not only here but at our friends house to earn money so that he could get a scooter. When Chris figured out what he was doing he too was helping and working on not whining (one of our BIG stages right now). Well they both earned there scooters and got them on Friday. They are so excited, but it's been so hot that they haven't wanted to play outside the past few days. So tomorrow night we will get them out again and I'll have some pictures.

Here are a few pictures of the past few weeks. I decided it would be easier to just post one big or longer post than try to do several shorter ones. Then I'll try and keep up again, including getting and keeping up with your posts. :) :) :)

Ok so I was going to just post a few pictures, but there are more than I thought and the boys really wanted me to post them. Please bare with me and another of my slide shows... :) :) :)...MUCH LOVE....US

Finally I'm getting this post in...lol... I've been excited to get this one done and posted. Just been so much going on. We had so much fun, we have to do it again next year and if you missed it you've got to come!!...

We had a block party that everyone was invited to. It was a BBQ potluck for all. The party started at 3 with water games for all!! We had sprinklers going and a water slide. There was also a volleyball net up and going. Then the BBQ cooking started with homemade Root beer and Ice Cream. Then a fun Fireworks show followed by an outdoor movie, "Herbie Rides Again". We wrapped up around 10:30pm.... What a fun filled day!!! There was something for everyone and everyone had fun, even if it was just visiting. Thank you to everyone that came, helped and enjoyed!!

LET'S DO IT AGAIN!!

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!!