naked fish birthday

Happy Birthday to Melissa. And thanks to Naked Fish for a great celebratory meal!

activity

Gotta love these summer nights! Dinners on patios, barbecuing on the grill, visiting different venues around our area, and attending a baseball game here and there... it can't get much better. How can it almost be August already? I live for these days all year long!

Oh, and we decided since we were already downtown on Friday morning... why not go check out our local parade? It IS the second largest parade in the nation next to Macy's, so we wandered on down the street to see what the fuss is all about. Not impressed. We only lasted 10 minutes, well maybe 15. That is it. Enough of that. We won't be needing to go ever again!

(no offense to you pioneer parade lovers out there! it just wasn't that fun!)

we did snap a photo of the draper city float. why not?

summer fun

We had a family party at Carmen's tonight. It was an early celebration (by two days) for Dad's birthday, a reunion with Raenie since she decided to suprise us with another short visit, a reason to get Mijken out since her foot surgery, and an urge to seize the moments of hot weather when the pool is really enjoyable. Dad with the grandkids.

Zach and Hyrum

"awesome" CalebMijken being the trooper that she is me with my little sis "rocko-peeko-traino"

Isn't Will like one of the cutest things you have ever seen? Old Pops blowing out those candles.

simple art

This one is for you Gayle. Although Ryan does not think this is very cool, I think he is so cute. This is Ryan back in 1971. The middle one is the original. I mimicked it and added the other two. Someday I will hang them in a special place, but for now, they are on the wall in the hallway.

baby alex

20 days ago Ryan and I were watching the news and saw the report about a tragic accident that happened earlier that day in Bountiful. A one-year-old little boy's head was crushed under the tires of a big truck and he was in critical condition and rushed to Primary's. Upon hearing the news story my heart sunk. How tragic. I felt sick for the family. They lived in our community.

The next day I called my friend Jason. The reception was horrible. I asked what was up with his phone and he told me that he didn't have great coverage in the hospital. "The hospital?" I asked. "Are you sick? What is going on?" It was then that he told me about his little 18 month old nephew Alex who had been seriously injured the day before when run over by a truck in his driveway. Then the news story hit me even closer to home. Not just some random family in my community, but because of my friendship with Jason, I was connected. My heart sunk even more. It ached. I prayed.

Over the next couple weeks I continued to keep tabs on the little guys condition through his uncle. Every time I talked to Jason, the news was progressively positive. It was a miracle every day. Little feats that baby Alex had overcome, which for some may seem little, but for those involved, were huge.

This past Friday afternoon baby Alex came home. He is going to be fine. His head that was crushed is healing. He is eating. talking. interacting. all those things that just 20 short days ago most would have thought as an impossibility.

This morning in Centerville they honored him. This morning there was a public display of love for baby Alex. Ryan and I went. It was amazing to see community at it's best. They rode for a couple hours in honor of him. In honor of his family. In respect of miracles.

Thank you baby Alex. Although I do not know you, I know someone who loves you dearly. I have felt that love. I have loved you. Thank you for reminding me that we all have armies of angels watching over us, and for letting me see yours in action. .

lazy saturday

We decided we wanted to venture up to Pineview on Saturday afternoon for the following reasons:

1) a beautiful drive up the canyon on the way there

2) a gorgeous setting upon arrival

3) we were dying to soak up some sun rays and tan our bodies

4) lots of people to sit and stare at

5) QT with each other

We were happy we went because:

1) mission accomplished on all above listed reasons

2) the water was so high and so warm that it was refreshing and just plain fun

draper days tradition

It was time for Draper Days again this weekend! It seemed to me like this past year just flew. Like it couldn't possibly have been a year ago that we were were there last! We had such a good time with Jimmy and Sharon again, between garlic burgers, beer, listening to live music outdoors, taking in the ambiance, and relaxing in the summer night, it was perfect. This is then (England Dan and John Ford Coley)And this is now!

Only John Ford Coley. I guess England Dan is dead. Sad.

I wish I could have known him.

Sharon and I had to get in our photo opt with him.Thanks for a great evening! We love you guys!

29 again

It was Jess's birthday on Monday so we got together with a few friends on a patio and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful summer evening with some good friends. I told her to strike a birthday pose, so these are the two that she chose. She is so talented!

Ryan was a good sport in this one; she really wanted to share her birthday bling with him for the pose!

Good times. Happy Birthday friend!

had never...

Until yesterday I had never: eaten at a restuarant in Heber City (which was really good!)

seen Ryan fly fish the Provo River

been to Nebo Canyon or driven that whole road from Nephi to Payson

OR...

ever attended the Ute Stampede in Nephi Utah.

...now I have... and Ryan got to do all those things AGAIN!

(thanks for taking one for the team babe! I had a ball... COWBOY UP!)

a little demo

Ryan and I were trying to decide what to do to celebrate the 4th and were a bit stumped... until I read in the City Weekly that there is something in Ogden called "The Hot Rockin' 4th" at the local Ogden Stadium. We headed up the road about 21 miles and found ourselves mingling amongst some of the finest of fine residents of our great state of Utah! What a treat it was! We had such a good time, between our walk along the river parkway, dinner at Roosters on the patio, meeting new friends at Brewski's who hooked us up with tickets to the event, and last but not least... THE DEMOLITION DERBY! We have decided it will now be our 4th of July tradition. Those Ogdenites really know how to have some fun! It was a good day!