Summer Trip Home!

We flew home this summer to see my family! It was an awesome visit! We saw so many friends and family, had great food, played lots of games, and made many incredible memories . . . . .

We all love the incredible mountains!

We walked the dogs with O'pa




We walked so far even this little dog tried to pull us home.


We spent the 4th with my sister's friends. We played games, ate lots of food and had a great time!
The kids loved jumping on the trampoline. They would jump from the trampoline into the pool.




We learned a new game. Mike is going to make us a set =) We played it a lot and it was fun!


We set off some fireworks at my sisters, then went down to watch the city fireworks.



We got to go out on my sister's boat! We all had fun!






Amber liked going on the jet ski with her cousin.

Ryan in a wet suit!
Ryan got to go on the tube.


Mike got to go out on the jet ski with Ryan and Amber.


The kids loved picking blueberries in my sister's back yard.

We walked with Opa along the Riverfront park.



Mike, O'pa and the kids took a day trip to the fish hatchery.



O'ma taught Mike how to make popcorn balls . . . .


And carmels . . . .

My sister was babysitting this cute little puppy and we all enjoyed her =)

Band Camp

We went to the U of A and got to watch Ryan perform for the band camp finale. There were 10 bands and several hundred 6th-8th graders (anywhere from 50-100 in each band). He had a good time this past week and we enjoyed going up and watching him. He did great!

Ryan and his buddy in front of the dorm

Ryan and his roomie in the dorm heading out for the performance

Serving in Joplin

At church a friend said that they were taking their family to Joplin to help serve at a shelter. Ryan and I decided to join them. Joplin is only 1 1/2 hours away so we followed them out.

This was the main area where we worked. We were sorting and putting together hygiene kits for men/women which included; toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, razor, soap, shampoo, hand lotion, and a few other extras for each bag.

Some friends we went with.

This was the baby supply room with diapers stacked to the ceiling.


I had Ryan take pictures as we drove in/out of town to get to the church facility where we helped. We drove in to town and everything looked normal . . . then suddenly there was nothing but devastation. Everything on both sides was just wiped out. After quite awhile it was just your typical city street again. So weird and hard to explain. Ryan did a good job taking pictures. I just kept saying "take pictures, take pictures" while trying to concentrate on the road and traffic. It was overwhelming! There are no words . . . the pictures speak for themselves.










They had us all stop work and gathered everyone outside under one of the tents for a moment of silence and then prayer, at the exact time that the tornado had hit the city.

I showed this to Ryan before posting it and his comment is too true. He said "it's like the kind of thing you only see in pictures, but we were there". It truly is hard to imagine, even when you see it with your own eyes. At least 139 people were killed and over 2,000 buildings destroyed. Our prayers are with them! I wish we could do more.

Oklahoma Hail

Ryan's First Band Concert

The Owasso 6th Grade Band

Amber's cute summer hair cut

Ryan's Birthday . . . . sort of

Ryan had a campout with the Scouts on his birthday, so we celebrated early and went out to dinner, then gave Ryan his gifts a week early, and our plan was to have a sleepover party a little later. This weekend will probably be the weekend . . . almost a month late. But Ryan had fun getting his new 21 speed bike and a big model airplane!




Ryan on his new bike

Mike and Ryan checking out the new bike


Mike trying out Ryans new bike.

Ryan picked out this model for his next project, so we got it for him for his birthday =)
Ryan's model airplane! He took it out of the box because he wanted to show how big it is! Should be fun =)

Amber being goofy with Ryan's old bike =)