Adam's Bike

A year ago Adam bought a motorcycle. He's ridden one before, and with gasoline prices so high we decided he should get another one for the drive to and from work.

We found one on Craig's List that was reasonably priced with low miles. It looked great to me! I really liked the American Classic style, but it wasn't his favorite. He would really like a Harley....


He has ridden it for a year now and has really enjoyed it. He's followed my rules of
1-Must wear a helmet at all times
2-Must wear a leather jacket
even when the temperatures are unbearable.

He has also found that he enjoys tinkering with it. He's added, subtracted and changed almost every part he can without doing anything to the engine. It has been quite transformed...



YES, it is the same bike! I can't believe it myself. While I was in Wyoming, he painted it all black and added "monkey bars" (they are really called ape hangers, but I like to tease him).

He's changed the back end to a bobber style, put on new foot rests and a dozen other things I don't even know. Last night he got his new clutch cable and has been out working on it since 6:30 this morning. He's super excited to take it for a spin!

I am so impressed with his ingenuity in making it happen without taking it to a garage and paying to have it done. I think he's enjoyed it and he's really proud of it.

Love my motorcycle man!

Girl's camp, here we come!

Yep, I'm off to sleep in my sleeping bag again.

Poor Adam. I will miss him.

I will have to take pictures this time....

**UPDATE**

I survived girl's camp and didn't take a single picture....sheesh, I'm really falling down on the job.

Pics from Momma's camp out
(thanks, Natalia!)

We had a rain storm the first evening we were there. It cooled everything off nicely! We crowded under the shade we had, talked, sang songs, and had a great time.

We roasted marshmallows the next evening....have I mentioned this activity terrifies me??? Young children holding flaming poky sticks...seriously, I have nightmares.

We survived, and had some yummy treats.


Then we made marshmallows disappear! Remember doing this, dad?


The Mookster was a mess the entire time. But, when you are camping, the messy face is directly proportional to the happiness.


Mostly she ran around stealing goodies from other people. She was pretty sugared up most of the time.


Thanks friends for the fun memories! I can't wait until next time!

Home Sweet Home

We've had a busy summer. It feels like I've slept in my bed fewer times than I've slept in my sleeping bag this summer! We just got back from a 3 day mommy camp out. We counted 47 kids and 8 adults (no men allowed). It was really fun but I'm happy to be home in my own bed. (Silly me didn't take ANY pics....so if you went and took some, send them my way!)


Did I mention that my hubby is the greatest? I've been complaining about our mattress for a while. It started to sag to the middle and I always felt like I was climbing a mountain in my sleep trying to stay on my side of the bed. Adam didn't agree, and couldn't tell a difference, but while I was away in Wyoming he bought a new mattress! I love it. It's a little more firm, but no sag and I sleep great! It felt so good to come home and sleep in my bed.

Two more trips (girl's camp and the R.S. retreat) then I'm home for good! WHEW! This summer has flown by.

Carpinteria 2009

This is the fourth time we've made the trek to this beach....it's terrific!

We camped in the sand just a few hot steps to the water.


By this time we've all discovered our favorite things to do at the beach.

Adam likes to hide in the shade and read a book,


Maura and I enjoy some sun and a snack on a blanket,

Dallin digs boogie boarding.


I had a good time doing it too!

We took a few treks to the tide pools and saw crabs, sea stars, sea slugs, seals and urchins.



We played in the sand and after the first day and our sun burns, we tried to stay covered up.

But most of all we spent time together catching up, telling stories, playing games and generally enjoying our time together.


We've been friends since before children (mostly) and it's the kind of friendship that will last forever!


Love you guys!

Back from Wyoming

We just got back from Wyoming and had a great time. This is our trip in a nutshell.

Mookie got a sunburn. Sunscreen was a daily must.

She was good about it and not too sad.

I got a haircut from my favorite stylist, Lexie!

I'm planning another trip for when I need my next cut.


My sister, Gina, played super hostess and fed us well.




Maura learned to clean up after herself.

We did some crazy hard puzzles.

Maura and Brannen had a terrific time together when they weren't hitting or pushing or pulling hair.

It rained a lot while we were there and the wild poppies were beautiful and the mountains were so green.

Afton has a new bowling alley and it was awesome!

We went to Bear Lake with some friends for a fun day in the water and the sun.



Maura is saying a lot of words now. Her favorite one is "wimming".

Bran and Maura really had a terrific time together.

We went to Jackson and to the top of the Tetons where we found snow!

Dallin loves to pose.

It was a little breezy on top.


We couldn't leave without a night at the Bar J for dinner and a show. My Uncle Mark and my Dad got to spend some quality time together. We titled this picture "Oh, the farmer and the cow man should be friends..."

We visited Garrett and brought some decorations we found in a box my mom had saved.



I spent a lot of time going through old pictures of my mom and made a book for my family about her life and our childhood. It took a lot of time, but I'm so excited to get it. It was a great project for this summer.


We ate a lot of shaved ice and spent some fun time at the park.

Maura chased Farmer Jeff's chickens,

and took time to smell the flowers.

Cousins played some fun games directed by Katie (and she and Kevin lead some fun fireworks too).

We took family pictures....way too many pictures.

We went to the ranch rodeo in Afton. Maura really loved it. She was fascinated by the horses and cried when they roped the calves and threw them on the ground.

Then we had to come home. We spent 15 hours in the car driving.

We had to be creative in finding things to entertain mookie.

We loved it, but we are glad to be home. Thanks again, Gina and Kelly for letting us stay so long!