July 4th

All ready for the 4th we were so excited to see this little girl. Scott, Ken's Dad, had an extremely long day the day before as well.

Sharla still has that baby bounce down very well.

After a few short hours of sleep we all got up and got ready and went over to see Cyd, Ken and Nora. We took turns with Nora and then the others took turns playing Guitar Hero. They had a lot of fun playing together.

Of course there were also times when all of us felt the effects of the day before
The star of the weekend was definitely Nora we couldn't resist her! It's amazing how quickly she's growing..
Rosemarie was so excited to finally meet her.
Nora still loved to snuggle with her "Aunt" Rebecca.
And "Aunt" Rachel as well.
Getting ready to see her first fireworks display.

Do you think he is totally wrapped around her little finger yet? Oh yeah.

After Ken's dad and Sharla got there we had a late lunch. I couldn't help but notice that the girls
had slipped away to spend time with each other to talk. They know how to make their mom smile. I tried to take a picture without them being aware but it didn't work out so well so I went out and got a good one.

Later we were all watching them put together the Barbecue Grill that Kerry picked up to be able to grill the Manti Turkey the next day. It was almost dark before they finished.

And then more guitar hero.

Afterwards we loaded up the cars and went over by Ken's school and watched the fireworks. We could actually see several different city displays from the hillside that we were sitting on. I love the 4th of July!

Whose Lame Idea Was This Anyway

Mine of course!

Before we left for Kansas we had a 4th of July/birthday celebration on the 2nd. Kerry flew home that morning and we played all day, getting ready for the trip ahead etc. One of Kerry's co-workers owns this truck she has had it for two years and put just over 3,000 miles on it. She asked us to drive it to put miles on it and to take it on the highway. I had been trying to find a way to get a freezer for Cyd and Ken and I found a great buy, the truck enabled us to take it to them. What I didn't plan on was the real size of the truck, it was a beast.

However, Rebecca fell in love with it and wanted to drive it all of the time! Here they are all loaded up and off to buy some fireworks to celebrate with. Caleb was very cute about asking Grandpa if he would go and buy some.
Can you see the excitement? For the truck or fireworks I am not sure which.


I am not sure we would have been able to take the freezer to them if we hadn't taken her truck but it was also kind of expensive to drive across the country. We forgot to take some of the things we were going to take like a case of Nalley's Chile for Cydney, they don't sell it in Kansas, or Colorado apparently.

After they got back we had a little family BBQ and then lined up out front for our firework display. Caleb loved it this year but Spencer was a little more timid than last year.

Early the next morning we loaded up the Trailblazer, and the truck and headed for Kansas. Having made this trip a little over a month ago I knew that this day was going to be a killer. I thought with so many drivers that it would go faster and easier, wrong!

The six of us were finally on our way, Kerry, Rebecca, Rosemarie, Rachel, Cameron, and I.

The day started out beautiful as we went through Spanish Fork Canyon the morning fog was just lifting and it was so pretty. It had been raining through the night and it made me nervous with all of the boxes in the bed of the truck that were uncovered.

It was much prettier than the pictures actually turned out but I tried and we were moving pretty fast.

These two were really having fun in the cab of the truck checking out all of the features...
I was able to lay down or at least stretch out to give my hip a little relief. I had to stop in Glenwood to buy an ice bag to help get a little additional relief...

Cleaning the windshield proved to be a bit of a challenge because she has such big wheels on this thing. It also messed up the accuracy of the speedometer which we won't go into much further!

After a couple of stops in Colorado we got on the road again and it became obvious that we were not going to make it there as fast as I had thought we might, remember I just made this trip a few weeks before, what was I thinking?
As the evening came closer the clouds also came closer and darker. I had been telling everyone how fun it was to drive through Kansas and watch the lightening spread across the sky.... that is as long as it is in front of you. We finally caught up with the storm. By Russel Kansas the parking lot at McDonalds was flooding when we stopped for a break and to get something to eat. Rachel had something behind her back when we went in but I didn't discover what it was until I came out of the restroom. They had made a birthday cake out of Ho Ho's just like they had done for Kerry in his office a month earlier. It was funny and nice of them to think of me on the long and winding road. They even sang Happy birthday to me there.

Do I look tired or what?

We all hoped that the worst of the rain was over at this point but it wasn't so the video will show some of the experience. At one point we pulled over because it was raining so hard we could not see anything and the big rigs were passing us like we were standing still and it was pretty frightening. Stopping only made us a little more nervous and anxious to get there so we plugged along. We finally arrived in Overland Park Kansas at 2:00 a.m. and we still had to go to Cyd's and drop the freezer off before we checked into our hotel rooms. The box was completely worthless as we took it in and the boxes of food also fell apart as we moved them. We kissed Cydney and told her we'd see her in a few hours. I think we all crashed as soon as our heads hit the pillows and I know we weren't ready to get up when alarms went off.

But we were all so anxious to see them and especially to see and hold Nora!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mind you I was so glad we were able to be there but next time it will be a two day trip each way unless it is an emergency
We made a video of the lightening to show everyone how wild it was but it was to long to put on this blog so we put on a shorter one that wasn't as long or dramatic, it does give a little glimpse enjoy!

Lehi Roundup Parade

This event has quickly become a tradition for our family. We began it when Dr. Dave started his own practice and it was a way of becoming a part of the community we all pitched in to pass out toothbrushes and other goodies. While he has a bigger staff we still like to walk the parade route and pass out goodies with them.

Caleb is big enough to remember this from last year so he was excited to get going!
Spencer was just having fun period.

Getting the sign up on the truck always presents an interesting challenge.

He is like the energizer bunny he keeps on going and going, this was too cute to pass up.

These little cowboys thought that the parade would never begin.

Spencer discovered that the Disney characters had climbed aboard the float in front of us.

So of course he wanted to go and meet them.

Finally we are set to go. Natalie was in charge of dispersing toothbrushes to last along the route.

I am constantly amazed at the response that they get from people and how excited they are to get new toothbrushes. Some chase us clear down the street until they get one.

It was also fun to see how many knew Dr. Dave this year. Plus we all saw some friends that we hadn't seen for awhile.

Because of Jessica's surgery she had to ride inside this year, then of course the clean up to get ready to take the truck back. We also carried on the tradition of going to JCW's for lunch afterwards.

We all had fun again, even though it was pretty hot this time.

I never pass up a chance for a picture of any of the sisters together or

of cute little grandsons! Another parade done.

Later that night I was experiencing pain in my back and hip that was worse than I had for quite sometime. To the point that I could hardly walk. I called neighbors to see if I could get a blessing but literally no one was home. All of the sons-in-law were out in Eagle Mountain and so I just gave up on the idea because I didn't want any of them to have to drive in after a busy day. Little did I know that Rebecca had called Dave S. and asked him to come in, I felt bad because he had just got home from work and was driving all the way back. I did appreciate the really nice blessing that he gave me. It's nice to know that when Kerry is gone that there is still those in our family who hold the Priesthood that can help, it is a comfort.

Rebecca's birthday and Melissa's flowers

On Rebecca's birthday we had agreed to do flowers for a friend of hers from Los Hermanos. It turned out nice despite the weather that forced them indoors. I don't know why I still get so nervous when it comes to doing weddings. I just want it to be perfect for the big day I guess.

These centerpieces turned out really cute, and bright.
Her cake was simple but elegant.
A beautiful bride.
After we delivered the flowers and got things set up we headed to PF Changs for her birthday dinner. Jessica was still feeling kind of punk so they weren't able to come, and of course Cyd and Ken were in Kansas...it was a little more quiet than normal without all of them. We planned a mini surprise party for her back at the house and she wasn't supposed to know but did...a few old friends and some new friends from Los came to help her celebrate.
Her favorite a "Costco Chocolate cake" at least there were a lot there to help eat it.

Familiar faces!!

After church on Sunday we opened gifts since it really was her birthday, wait I think I recognize that card from somewhere.

I do remember subtle suggestions!!!!!!

Our neighbors thought that we were crazy sitting out on the sidewalk with her 3D chalk stuff. We were having fun but got some pretty strange looks. Yes, I know we are the "Heathen Stevenson's" who plays with chalk on Sunday?

WE DO!!!!