The Final Throwdown (August 2009)

Every Saturday this summer, Steve could be found out mowing the lawn bright and early.
He makes yard work look fun! He (and Grandma & Grandpa Dimond) were so great to also provide the opportunity for the boys to learn to mow as they traveled to mow G & G's lawn as well. They were always overly rewarded for their "services."

Looks like Aunt Kimi's moves have even trickled down to Pop!

I know it looks like we are obsessed with the Orem Owlz, but we HAD to attend the game where mascots "HOOTZ" and "HOLLY" were going to get married after the game (followed by fireworks! The ceremony was so cute with other mascots as the best men etc.

Kenz loves to go visit the mascots the whole game! Just a few more years until all 4 kids will sit and watch the game!

...oops! I just deleted the picture but we had to bring a small wedding present for them...just 2 bottles of gatorade in a Bed, Bath, & Beyond bag. I am sure they were thinking...don't put yourselves out on that generous gift--but hey the economy stinks!

Kenz looked so cute as she attended a B-day party. They went to Build-a-Bear. She had a great time!

She has a lot of the "Gus" side in her where she immediately changes into comfy jammies when she gets home and relaxes with the family collection of build-a-bears! Did I mention she also takes several baths a day sometimes? I have no idea where she gets the "clean and comfy" genes from:)

The boys keep each other entertained 24/7. Here they worked on their golf up at the cousins!

...more back handspring practice...

...straddle splits...

and more back-handsprings!

The cousins are so cute! The "triplets" are growing up so fast!

Uncle Ryan always entertains!

More cute cousins!

Took the YW to the Oquirrih Mountain Temple open house.

Steve met us there after work. The boys insisted that the Draper Temple open house a few months earlier was "good enough for them:)"

The girls wait patiently for the boys to fish in the rain!

The boys and their friends keep hopping with many adventures! We waited while they fished at a near by small park lake in Highland. It started to rain and they could have cared less. I have enjoyed seeing the differences in boys and girls as we raise both:)

Lex is so cute to bring Mikelle a matching shirt for a cousins photo shoot at the family gathering!

I think they will always treasure their friendship as cousins through the years!

Kennedy did consent to one more dance recital since it was only a week long practice with the performance that same Friday.

She attended with her BFF neighbor girls and had a ball!

They were so cute to perform and the neighbor's teenage neice who ran the week-long dance camp was darling as well!

I bet she'll do it next year too if it is only a week long commitment!

Sundance Summer Theater sent out advertisements for a special price to see the play "The Fantasticks." I could not resist since Steve starred in that exact play up at Sundance indoor theater 17 years ago when we were engaged. It was a little trip down memory lane that night hearing all of the music and lines again after all of those years.

We went with our date night BFF's (The Gordons) and stopped in the canyon for a picnic dinner prior to the show.

Such a gorgeous night in the canyon!

Wish we had our youth of nearly 20 years ago but are glad we are where we are in life!

Steve "pulling focus" (is that the right acting term when you steal the attention away from the couple I was photographing:)? We were all too old to sit that long on the lawn seats but we still had a great time! I won't even get into our attempt to cut through to the upper parking lot after the show to avoid the shuttle lines:) Let's just say we could have passed off some
hiking/repelling/or rock climbing merit badges! We learned our lesson not to be too adventurous!

Mikelle is officially a "sev-ee" (I guess they call 7th graders that now). We were at the school a few days to locate classrooms, try out the locker combination etc etc.

We also had a few trips to Walmart to get "just the right" locker contents etc. They are prepared with any supply of gum, markers, pencils, great-smelling lotion etc. that anyone might need! Mikelle was hilarious as she had her class schedule in hand the second they posted it on-line and had all friends names written by it with which classes she had with them. She is super organized and loves attention to detail! She is SO sweet! I can't believe my little baby is in Jr. High! We have to laugh as I often remind her what Dr. Richards said as he delivered her... "What a Chunk"..he said.. (She was only 8lbs 1oz, 20 inches--but solid!)I have to laugh as she is now this gorgeous skinny young woman! The time is just flying by!

First day of Jr. High!

I made her & Hannah pose for the ritual "first day" picture!

"Go get-em" Dell! (To borrow a line from Grandma Gus!)

The boys met their teacher the day before they started school! They are excited to have "Mrs. McKell!" Finally I have them back together in the same class!

Posing with the school mascot!

First day of 3rd Grade! So exciting!

The boys just earned their WOLF in scouting at the pack meeting this last week! They love scouts and are both learning a lot! They are very responsible and helpful and often get called upon to lead skits, flag ceremonies etc.

Let's just say none of the pictures from pack meeting at the park (where they have to pin the wolf pin on their mom) was too flattering:)-so we just snapped this pic when we got home! Whatever works right?

We are so proud of you boys! We are going to miss Bro. Parker as the Cubmaster as he has done a great job!

and as this crazy summer comes to a close...some of the best news is that I am going to just be working once a week (at least until Kennedy is in school all day)!

I love being a nurse and the opportunities it provides as well as the chance I have to serve others (I have even learned to love teaching CPR and first-aid for camp certification:). I just need to spend these last 2 years really enjoying the moment and taking in all I can before everyone is in school! I can work the rest of my life-but these last moments seem so precious--I don't want to miss (or be exhausted from my crazy graveyard shifts) and always regret not being "more present" for my family and my calling!

My managers have always been so awesome to work with my changing needs through the years. There is "a time and a season" for everything and right now I need both (every minute I can at home)! I am excited about my weekend "on" however as I have great friends as co-workers! Rock-on girls! Until Septmeber... out!:)

Throwndown Part II (July)

Taking Kennedy for a spin on the driveway is one way we spend our summer nights!
Cute!

The neighbors got the cutest dog and all the kids are so jealous! They love to chase her on the lawn! Too bad Steve is "allergic" to dogs and I am "allergic" to getting up in the night with anyone else other than direct descendants!

The Porters actually came down for a few days in June-but for some reason I had July on the brain! It was so fun to have them play in our neck of the woods and get to know everyone even better!

The slip-n-slide and water fights are now an annual activity when they come!

Steve & Annalee plus eight:)

Fun with the cousins!

Annual Cedar Hills day at the Orem Owlz game.

Cameron's karate school was in the Cedar Hills Parade.

He had fun being a part of it!

It pays to know people in high places:) Lots-o-candy!

Steve took a turn staking out our shady spot!

Dividing up the loot once we returned home!

Heading down to the church for the annual 4th of July breakfast and kid's parade.

The kids weren't too excited to hear that they would be throwing candy to the parents this year as they paraded by!

Pool party at the neighbors on the 4th!

The swimming was so nice! They keep their pool at a perfect temp!

They picked the perfect lot for a beautiful view that also backs up to the city park!

Hubbies all on BBQ duty...

After the pool, it was time for..."Cul-de-sac of FIRE!"

The July holidays were pretty fun this year except I had to work on the 24th and Steve got rear-ended that day as well. Not happy Bob!

Steve also helped with the ward party at the park on the 24th, manning the slip-n-slide!

All the kids loved it!

We also had tons of fun at Kimi's parents' pool!

She is so great to help the kids learn more techniques and tricks!

Everyone was getting hungry...

Thanks for letting us come Kimi & Matt!

Our ward surprised fellow ward members with a service project one weekend. We went after hours to clean, paint and fix things! My "gals" wouldn't look for the picture, but it was fun to wash walls, lights, and benches with them until the wee hours of the morning. We cranked up the jukebox and went to town scrubbing away!

Of course leave it to Steve to find (and sew edges down) of vinyl strips (that matched the restaurant color scheme). He then was able to tack/staple and glue them down on the benches that had holes. He is amazing! The family was so surprised when they saw everything Monday morning! So many people had such a good experience helping out!

Dimond get-together at Joe/Wendy's!

Although the Beehives weren't old enough to participate, a lot of us traveled to Cascade Springs to welcome back the "trek-goers."

Two members of our YW Presidency served as "Ma's & Pa's." Here is our 1st Counselor rolling in very first out of all the companies! They are so hard-core! The husband is the only one I have talked to that said he didn't think the course was hard enough:) (Everyone else had blisters and thought is was an extremely hard experience)!

The Stake YW Presidency (minus one).

Here is our YW Secretary with their "family." They all did great and had such a wonderful and growing experience despite flooded tents, rocky trails and other challenges!

Even though we didn't experience first hand what the trek-people (and pioneers for that matter) went through, it was emotional for everyone as we watched these families roll in knowing what they must have gone through for 2-3 days. (The weather had been so hot and then rain had poured down one of the days at least). This particular family had an extra experience of pushing the extra cart with a young man who normally drives his wheelchair. It was so touching to see them finishing their journey!

Time to head home!

There was one full week between trek and when we headed off to girl's camp! It was busy for those who were old enough to do both.

I originally thought we might be in for a long week when we found out girls camp was Monday-Friday, but it actually "zipped" by pretty quickly:)

The girl's had a great time working together on the confidence courses. Our theme was "Hold Your Torch High/Finish the Race." There was so much to prepare for that Steve helped me by sewing a casing in the material to hang the YW flags!

Mikelle and Lacey trying to complete one of the confidence course challenges...

There was no arguing, contention or drama! It was a wonderful camp!

The Hunters let us borrow cots for the week! Between the cots and the access to the shower every morning...I could survive for weeks if necessary!

Along with the RS President who volunteered to be a camp cook, The Hunters were amazing with the food. They had a full "Cabella's kitchen" set up! It was so nice!

One of the highlights of camp was our "virtue hike" where we hiked up to Silver Lake (above the reservoir) and did as the General YW Presidency did...waving their gold banner to the world, declaring a return to virtue!

Each group took their turn on the highest rock declaring to live a life of virtue!

After eating our sack luches at the top and a few people jumping in the lake (as it was so hot that day), we headed back down the trail! It was very beautiful! You would not even know there was a lake up there as there is no way to drive to it etc. Everyone was glad they gathered their strength to finish the hike and make it to the beautiful lake! Well worth the effort!

I was in charge of the 6:30 exercise each morning to get everyone moving. Some days were easier than others to get the girls awake and pumped up! I made up a little army call to chant on the way over to the field which was fun for a day or two..."I don't know but I've been told..."

I was also the camp nurse for the week. There were more injuries than I anticipated. It was tough to try and be in charge of activities and be ready to drive places etc when I was also needed as the nurse. We are having a separate camp nurse next year!

At least I knew all of my patients!:)

One of my fellow Beehive advisers and I were so nervous for our night to present the fireside! It actually turned out perfect with the Beehives going first with their skits and finishing after we spoke with the Jenny Phillips song "Firm in the Faith."

Every leader (and YCL-Youth Camp Leader) did so much to make this the best girl's camp ever!

The spiritual activities were mixed in with fun activites like the zip line!

Every class did such a great job on their night to present skits!

It was so fun to be with Mikelle for her first year at camp!

One of the small hikes leading into the nature observation activity.

Then off to the lake for canoeing etc!

It was so beautiful up there! Brandy threatened to tip our canoe over for fun. It would have felt good in a way since it was such a hot day but the water was freezing and I am not the best swimmer--so we talked her out of it this year!

In spite of the cold water, the girls still had a ball going under to cool off!

Every day at 4:00 p.m. was personal scripture study. We brought the newly added inserts for the virtue requirements. Everyone was able to work on and mostly finish which was great!

Our bishop is so supportive of the youth! The bishopric brought pizza Thursday night so none of us had to cook!

Games with the bishopric...

The bishopric and priesthood pulled off an impromptu skit with only costumes provided! They were hilarious!

Some of the priesthood even busted out their secret talent moves! It was great!

Savannah (our resident actress) kept us all laughing so hard with her Nacho Libre impressions!

After more fun, the night ended with the much anticipated "FAITH WALK!"

You would probably have to personally experience the faith walk to understand the spirit that was there but every YCL was dressed in white and put in groups of 3-4. We would go to their different "stations" and hear each of them individually and powerfully testify of a principle they knew to be true. Most of them focused their thoughts on the Savior. It was very spiritual and powerful for everyone listening.

Girls' Camp 2009 was the best thanks to EVERYONE!