Snow Cone Summer!

When questioning what we should do today...it seems the answer is always..."let's go get a snow cone!"

Paul...knows how to make a serious snow cone!

Bear Lake - Fun, Fun, Fun!

Our annual trip to Bear Lake was lots of fun! Kim and Sueann bought a boat the week before. I don't think I've ever seen Kim and Chris so giddy! Chris and his dad bonded through text messages, KSL ads, and lunch breaks to find a boat before Bear Lake.
Chris and the kids went up on Thursday morning (I had to stay home and teach at Invention Camp...and joined the rest of the family on Friday evening). They boated, and played on the beach, ate good food, and exhausted themselves. Chris had the camera, but didn't take any pictures, so these are from the day I was with them.
Richard and Josh were fearless on the tubes and hot dog. Actually Richard was probably the fearless one, and Josh just easily encouraged.
The kids LOVED, LOVED playing on the beach. I love how hours can be spent on the beach. I hope I never forget how adorable the kids played with their cousins. Emma and Kathryn just love each other and play so nicely. My favorite memory snapshot was Kathryn and Emma dancing in their pink swimsuits on the beach.

Kimball Owen and Daxton Owen are 3 months apart and quite cute little buddies. They played in the sand together and could often be heard giggling. My favorite memory snapshot was them playing some sort of "follow the leader." They were chasing each other, digging, and then throwing the dirt.

We all loved riding in the boat. Chris water skied, the kids all took turns riding the tube and hot dog. On the last boat ride of the weekend, I finally braved the freezing cold water, and attempted the hot dog! It was fun, but boy oh boy it was COLD!

Little Sister was so sick on the vacation. She couldn't make it to the bathroom several times. Chris and I both got some poop on our legs, while holding our sick little girl. We both vowed to be better at monitoring her allergies. She puked right after this picture. Good memories! :) Good times are always had around the campfire. Unfortunately, I was the party pooper of the group and went to bed early. The entire weekend, my eyes were killing me and I was so miserable! The kids loved roasting marshmallows!

And by the end of the weekend...we were all pooped! Exhausted from too much sun and fun!

I heard giggling...

These two little monkeys were eating a banana in the "bath." Oh, how I love them!

So much fun in St. George!

Over memorial day, the Barbers invited us down to St. George to stay in Justin's parents house. It was such a fun weekend. We really love the Barbers and consider them our very dear friends; We all get along so well. It was spent relaxing, playing games, eating really good food (supposedly the last weekend of unhealthy food), playing, swimming, and such. Chris, Justin, and Joann stayed up every night playing games until the wee hours of morning. (I was engrossed with a book two nights (Fablehaven 4) and fell asleep the others. I did lose miserably on Mexican train and Oh! Heck on night. If you know me, I hate playing games I can't win). Justin's adopted sister was there...Tia...and she was so fun to play with. Check out the following post for a story about her and my children! We had a great time and are so glad that we have such good friends! Thanks Barbers!

Shooting clay pigeons. Justin is a pro at it, Chris hit a couple, I missed several times, Joann - did you even get to shoot the gun?

SEVEN kids under the age of 6! Pretty crazy!

Four wheeling. It was pretty fun to take the kids.

On Monday morning, Justin, Marianne, Allison, Chris, Carter and I Hiked to Lizard Head. It was a pretty challenging hike. Especially with the kids. Good thing we were hiking with the Scout Master and he was prepared with a rope to hike up this narrow opening. Once we got to the top we relished in the accomplishment. The kids were ready to go as soon as we got up there. Walking out on the Head was kinda scary and Chris hesitated until the very end. (Maybe a little scared of heights). Carter was fearless which made me fearful. We all made it back down, hosed off our red shoes, got in our swimming suits, and jumped in the pool. It felt so good after being hot and sweaty!

The view of Bloomington!

Pretty proud of these kiddos!

The kids had so much fun together! Movie nights, playing, exploring, climbing rocks, making messes, playing pretend with all the stuffed animals, singing to the organ, swimming, and being free! They did really good together (for the most part) and the Coombs kids love the Barber kids!

Kimball wanted to get up the rock...just like the other kids. This is as far as he made it!

Throwing rocks into the sunset! Ah! Childhood!

Allison leading the singing group.

On Tuesday, after cleaning up the house, we went to Fiesta Fun. As Marianne said, "It's not just gonna be fun, it's going to be FIESTA fun!" It's a little play area (like Boondocks) and we went on the go-carts and the bumper boats. Carter was tall enough to drive a bumper boat, so he took Kathryn. He drove them right into the waterfall, where Kathryn got drenched! She was a good sport and didn't mind getting wet. (It was 90+ degrees that day!)

After the fun we hopped in the car and headed home. Kimball and Kathryn fell asleep before we were even out of town.

The wet group. I chose not to participate and so willingly stayed on dry land with Rachel who wasn't tall enough! I really didn't want to get wet, I had just done my hair!

Driving the go-carts. Everyone said I was slow, but I was pressing the pedal as far as it would go. Carter did not like being in last place!

Good Memories being with friends and family!

Tina Maria Veronica Pennerman Jones

This is Tia! She met Justin's parents while they were serving an LDS mission in Barbados. She joined the church and has since come to live with the Barbers while going to Dixie College. She is amazing and really one of the neatest people I have ever met. Her name is so cute, and it's even cuter to hear Kathryn say the whole thing.
Well the first time Kathryn saw her...she stared for about a minute. Then she backed away and said, "You need to get this (while pointing to her arms and face)" and quickly left the room. Thankfully Tia laughed about it and wasn't offended. Kimball hid behind me and stared at her intently. It was the first time I believe that my 3-year old and 2 -year old had seen someone with a different color skin.
The next day, Kathryn just came right out and said, "Why are you so black?" Tia wanted to make a joke like she stayed out in the sun too much, but she said that was how she was born. I tried to explain that we are all different.
Well over the course of days, Kathryn and Kimball fell in LOVE with Tia. We went to the Pizza Factory one day, and Tia rode with us. She entertained them and the giggled and sang with her. Tia bought all the kids a sucker,amd as they were walking out to the car, Kathryn was holding Tia's hand and said, "We're best friends, huh!"
I'm so glad that my child learned about diversity from Tia Maria Veronica Pennerman Jones.

Another fun memory of Tia is when she found a snake on the porch and "crushed it's head." Kimball saw the dead snake and was so intrigued. That night he had an unusually hard time falling asleep. He kept saying "Tia, Snake" "Tia, Snake." Finally Tia came in and explained it that it was dead. I don't know if he was scared, but Tia was the only one who could calm him down. Kimball became Tia's little sidekick after this experience. Kimball helped dispose of the snake the next day, and because he helped, Tia threw a party for all the kids. She played musical chairs, had races on the deck and threw the bean bags. What a good sport!

Love you Tia!