My parents are the best!

My parents with all their grandkids. They are very special to all of us and we were thankful to spend so much time with them recently.

Thanks for all the fun memories Mom and Dad! We love you very much!

Water slide

We borrowed this giant water slide from my aunt and uncle. The girls had a blast. Even Lacey, Ryan and I had fun on it. After getting help a few times, Emma was able to climb up the back all by herself. Mackenzie thought it was one of the "awesomeist things we did!"

More photos from our trip

Josh and I went out to dinner for our anniversary. It was nice to have a few hours to ourselves while my folks watched the kids.

The girls enjoyed watching our hometown parade and catching a lot of candy.

Grandma J fixed us a spaghetti lunch one day. It was nice visiting with her more.

One of our many trips to visit Granddad. He was happy to see the kids. He's always loved his grandkids and great grandkids.

No more cast!

J got his cast off Aug. 5. We went into the doctor's office, had it cut off and took another xray. The doctor said there was a ton of new bone growth and he was healed. And by the photos you can see he's doing great. And yes, that leg in his mouth is the one he broke!

Not an experience I would want to go through, but we are so thankful it wasn't worse and that his little body healed so well and so quickly.

Little J and his cast

As you can see, Little J did great with his cast. He got it on July 13 and by the 20th he was kicking and lifting it just as if it wasn't there.

Turtle Race

Girls in their race t-shirts. (They didn't quite get that I wanted to see their shirts, but posed for photos anyway.)

Emma holding her turtle (Pretty amazing considering this girl isn't quite sure about animals. I was just glad the turtle didn't pop out of its shell. She probably would have totally freaked out and dropped him.)

MJ-my little reptile girl. She's all about animals and all kinds of creatures. So glad she didn't inherit my squeamishness of creepy crawly things.

The girls with Aunt Lacey getting ready to race their turtles.

Heading to the race-Emma, Hailey, Tess and Mackenzie

On Saturday, July 18, our hometown celebrated its Pioneer Day. There were lots of activities going on around town, including the 4-H fair and a parade.

One of the local banks also held it's 19th annual Turtle Race. I remember racing turtles when I was a kid. Uncle Clay had found five turtles so each of the kids had one. We woke up to rain, but Lace and I headed down to register the turtles early, then we all packed up and went down to the race. And fortunately the rain stopped as the event started. Even though our turtles didn't win the kids all had a good time.

Fun with Uncle Ryan

Ry puts in some long hours at the course. He and J catch some zzzz's.

Ry and his girlfriend went shopping for the girls-they got lots of fun crafty things for the girls. Thanks Uncle Ryan!