Summer Highlights - Part 1

This summer we were able to do so many fun things. I didn't get all the events blogged that I would have liked to so I'm going to try and do a little catch up and post some of my favorite memories of the past three months.

At the end of June, Dennis and I got back from Europe, Mindy and Jeran flew in from North Carolina and Jessica flew in from Virginia. We loaded up all our gear (thanks to Andrew and Alyna who did most of the gathering and preparing) and the whole family headed down to Lake Powell. The Pace family joined us which was wonderful since they are very experienced at boating and camping at the lake.

We had lots of toys and ways to enjoy the water. Here, the girls hang out on tubes

while we wait for everyone else to arrive and choose a camping spot.

Lisa and baby grill us up some burgers.

The guys work together to get the island anchored.

Dinner time and time to sit back and relax.

We had our very own island which provided a nice spot to cool off, visit, and sunbathe.

Jeran taking an early morning run. The lake was perfect.

Mindy trying to stay cool.

Jeran had to forgo some fun after a trip to the emergency room with a broken finger

and many stitches. He keeps an eye on the hikers. Jamison and Rhett are out on the jet skis.

Cameron, Tina, Jessica, Lindsay and Andrew hike up to some Indian ruins.

Climbing up the crevice

Jessica doing a little cliff jumping. (Dennis and Cameron were also brave enough to jump.)

While all the men and teens were out water skiing and hiking, a storm blew up and we were lucky to keep our gear on shore. Our little island was blown over to the other side of the

bay but some nice neighbors were kind enough to bring it back to us.

The rainbows at the end of the storm.

In July we hosted the Briscoe family reunion. Everyone had a great time just being together.

We started off Friday night with dinner and games.

We played a crazy game of reverse charades designed especially for our family by Andrew and Lindsay. Here they are trying to get the audience to guess "Katie's first date."
Andrew rigged up a large outdoor screen (two king size sheets) and we had a movie night.
We worked on our quilt blocks for Kimberly and Anya.
We played our own version of "Win it in a Minute." This was one of the most hilarious games.


After the game, we moved to a park for a picnic lunch and a huge food fight.

Katie and Alyna showing off the latest look in spaghetti and mashed potatoes.
Luckily for us, the splash pool had just been completed and everyone was able to clean up a bit.
Sunday, we had dinner and then each person got a chance to share

"One Shining Moment" that had happened to them that year. Here, Anya tells about earning a school award. It was her mom's shining moment also since it took a lot of family support.
The family quilts were given to Todd (space themed),
and Seth (birds).
It was a fun reunion and it was wonderful to be able to spend time

creating memories and renewing friendships.

Summer Highlights - Part 2

In mid-July, our friends Marga and Suzanne came to visit. We became friends with them in Holland and they were our hosts to many great sights and events while we were there.

We were really excited to have them come visit us and to be able to share

what our life here in America is like.

The first thing we did with them is take them to the Pioneer Day Parade.

We saw some of the sights of downtown SLC and then spent the afternoon and evening

saving our spots along the parade route. We met and talked to many nice and

interesting people. The kids slept out on the street while us old folks enjoyed the beds

in the Carlton Hotel. It was the most perfect weather I ever remember for the parade.

Suzanne especially loved all the horses.

After that, we went on a long road trip.

First, we went to see Bryce Canyon. It was spectacular.

On our way out of the area we got caught in a flash flood. Well not exactly in it but we got stopped and couldn't get out of the park for several hours till they got the road cleared. The girls thought it was wonderfully exciting.

We were just a few vehicles behind this big rig that stopped part way into the flooded road.

Then it was on to Las Vegas. The dancing waters at the Bellagio is always fantastic

and one of our favorite sights to see in Vegas.

The next morning, we headed to Long Beach. We ate at George's Greek Cafe. It was so yummy!

Dennis had meetings there and so we had lots of time to explore and enjoy on our own.

We visited the Queen Mary.

We explored the marina and beaches.

Before leaving Southern California we stopped in and visited Johnny

and some of his friends in Hollywood.

We drove up the coast. We stopped in Carmel and Pebble Beach were it was cool and foggy.

A beautiful flower near the beach in Carmel.

By the time we got to Santa Cruz, it was beautiful and warm. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and watching the surfers.

At Natural Bridges.

When we got to San Francisco it was very foggy again and very cold.

The next morning was a little warmer and we enjoyed some of the sights that make

San Francisco such a unique and loved city.

After San Francisco, it was just a long ride home.

The next weekend, we went to Yellowstone and Jackson. It was beautiful.

On August 21st, Benjamin Ralph Pace was born and finally made me a grandma.

I'm a Grandma

It finally happened. I'm a Grandma!

My kids will tell you that I have been excited to have grandbabies long before any of them were even considering getting married and starting families so this is a big milestone in my life. It happened at 12:01 AM on August 21st, 2010.

Benjamin Ralph Pace entered the world at a whopping 9 lbs 5 oz and is 21 inches long. He has lots of gold blonde hair, long fingers and huge feet. He has Lisa's cowlick and chin, and Cameron's hair and eyes. So far he has been a great sleeper and eater and pooper and all the stuff you want a new baby to be able to do.

Isn't he so sweet?!!!

It is fun to watch Lisa and Cameron learn how to take care of him. Here, he is getting his hair washed.


He has been sucking on his fist for quite some time. He had blisters on his left hand when he was born.

After his first bath.

Paul and Liz were in the waiting room with me through the labor. It was really sweet to watch them with their new grandson. My parents also came down and visited for a little bit and that was special.
I can't wait till Dennis gets home from Colombia and can meet this little guy. We are going to enjoy every moment with him while we can before the Pace family become residents of Bloomington Indiana.

Lake Powell

For quite a few years now, I've been wanting to take the family to Lake Powell but since we aren't really a boating family it just never made it to the top of the vacation destination list. Last year, Lisa went with the Pace's and had such a great time and suggested we should do it. We figured if we had the Pace family expertise, we could do it.

Dennis and I spent two weeks in Europe and flew in on Sunday night. Jessica flew in from Virginia. Mindy and Jeran came in from North Carolina. We had a couple of days to get all the shopping done and loaded up. Most of us made it down to the lake on a Wednesday afternoon and we set up camp at Stanton Creek.

The water was great.

We had tubes,

an inflatable island

a boat and canoe, (Pace's)

a rubber raft, and two jet skis (rented for 24 hours)

Everyone got a chance to ride in the boat, wakeboard, and play on the PWC's.

One morning, almost everyone took a trip up to a slot canyon and did a little hiking, exploring, and cliff jumping.

Lisa had to work a little harder than the rest of us to stay cool but she never complained.
A little storm blew in while all the kids and dad's were out exploring. This is what camp looked like when they got back. Lisa and Cameron's tent and the shower tent rolled a bit. Most of the other tents had to be flattened so that they wouldn't blow away. Our pop-up shade got all bent out of shape on it's first tumble but the guys did some pretty sturdy tie downs and the two shades did fairly well except for during this little gust.

Our other mishap we won't show any pictures of (partly because I don't have one and partly because it would be to gross.) Jeran smashed his finger under a rock while building a hot tub.

It tore the fingernail mostly off, cut it up pretty bad and later we found out it was also broken. Cameron's mom,Liz, has been an EMT for 20 years so she was on top of things really quickly. Mindy and Jeran, Liz and Cameron spent several hours at the emergency clinic. It was wonderful to have their experience and skills during the trip.

We had a wonderful time and it was nice to be able to all have some fun and relax together. With all the directions that the kids are going, who knows when we will have a chance to all get together again.