Lake Grapevine

This is our favorite lake. Lake Grapevine.  It is 4 miles from our house and never crowded.  This trip was fun because Piper, who is 7, went wake boarding for the first time.  She didn't stand up, but she squatted on her feet and shot out sideways on the wake board.  The thing that I loved is that she held on way longer then I thought she would.  We all were so proud of her.  It's fun to see how the kids get better every time we go.  Family times are the absolute best times.

Birthday Boy

We celebrated Daddy's birthday last Sunday and it was so much fun!  I got him a new wake board, a shower caddy for his new shower, a new tent for our family campout coming up and tickets for the family to the BYU/TCU football game.  He loved his gifts and we had fun spoiling him.  The family treated him to a spa moment again because it was such a hit for Father's day.  We each took 5 minutes and gave him a back rub.  He loved it.  He is a great man and works so hard for our family.  We are proud of him.

My Boys First Tackle Game

The Buckeyes!

Boston had his first game, it was a scrimmage.  They still don't have their jerseys yet.  He played wide receiver, punter/kicker and something on defense-lineman maybe.  He is the one in red socks and red jersey.  I have to admit that it was so much fun to watch him.  He did a great job!  I think he is so great!  This season will be fun.  (Assuming that he does not get hurt at all. Thank you.)

Here We Go.........

Am I ready for this?  No.  But Boston wants to play tackle football.  I guess he does need a little experience because it starts in schools in middle school and he has big plans for that.  He is SO excited to have pads and a helmet, the whole thing.  So far he loves it.  I hope I adjust to the whole thing. =) Go Boss GO!  (They are the "Buckeyes" that is a poisonous nut. =)  )

She's a "LADY JAG"!

Quincey tried out for Flower Mound High School's freshman volleyball team.  She made the "A" team and she is first string middle blocker!  She has improved so much.  It's really fun to watch her.  Good job Babe!

Bear Lake and Preston Rodeo with the Barron Family!

After Lake Powell, we spent a week at the Barron Family Reunion in Utah and Idaho.  We camped with all of the cousins at Bear Lake.  Wake boarding, tubing, playing football, riding quads and listening to Grandpa tell camp fire stories.  It was a great time.  Then after camping for five days, we all went to Beka and Doug's house to ride horses and later go to the Preston Carnival and RODEO!  The kids just loved being with cousins.  Thanks to everyone who hosted us and showed us such a great time!  It will always be a special memory for us.

Thank you Lake Powell, may we meet again.

Hole in the Rock

I've always wanted to go to "Hole in the Rock".  The pioneers took their wagons down this steep ravine and risked their lives to follow the prophet.  We parked the boat at the bottom and hiked to the top and let me tell you, it was HARD!  Very hot and steep and long.  I loved doing it though,  Everyone made it to the top, even the 4 year olds and at the top Rob told us all the story about the pioneers.  It was great!

Quincey is growing up

I didn't know how neat it would be to hear my child receive her patriarchal blessing.  Quincey expressed her interest in wanting to get it when we were with Papa at Lake Powell.  My first thought, was no, she is too young.  I was 17 and she is only 14.  Then the thought came to me that just because I wasn't ready, doesn't mean that she isn't.  Then I was excited and happy for her.  I knew she was ready.  Papa and Quincey fasted on Sunday.  Rob and Bethany took all of the kids for a sunset cruise while Papa gave her her Patriarchal Blessing. Grammy, Daddy and I were there to listen.   It was the most wonderful blessing I could imagine.  It is up there with one of the neatest experiences of my life.  I love you Quincey.  You are such a great person.  I'm so lucky to be your Mom.

Holy Cow! Our Lake Powell Vacation was so dang fun!

The Barron's and the Matthew's and Grammy and Papa enjoyed a week together at Lake Powell and had the time of our lives.  My dream is to someday relive that experience if the stars all aline.  It was so great!

Home Grown Watermelons!

We grew watermelons this year in our garden!  It has been delicious!!!

We've moved!

We're giving it another shot! Quincey's Rose Garden has been a pitiful little thing with few roses to show for it! I finally worked up enough gumtion to move the entire rose garden to another part of the yard to try again. Already, the plants are showing the joy! We have 3 roses right now and lots of growth. My faith is restored in the rose garden and I am NOT giving up! This will be a wonderland someday! It will! It will! =D

The Barron Crown Award!

Our family is made up of a committee that likes to honor special, and I mean EXTRAORDINARY people. We are the "Barron Crown Award" committee. At family home evening we nominate people that we feel deserve to receive this honor and award. We vote and then surprise the person with the ceremony at their front door. Our very first recipient is a woman by the name of ANITA ROBBINS. We gave her the red carpet treatment, a special speech on why she is SPECIAL and a bag of Star Bursts (because she is a STAR!) and of course the blue ribbon as a memento to remember that she is a "GRAND CHAMPION AMAZING INDIVIDUAL"! We honored Anita for many reasons, but the one thing that stood out to us was the way she took in her special needs sister in law after the death of her mother in law. Her entire life was changed with the care of her sister in law Shelly. She needs a lot of care 24/7. The thing that stood out as really special was the spirit in which that she did it. She was happy to do it. She gave so much love to Shelly, made her feel comfortable in their home. Taught her how to do new things and dedicated herself to helping her. Anita has shown me such a great example. We are so happy to know you !