A peek into the past, present and future

    So I posted earlier about our new front lawn and all the Chinese Elm that had sprouted up in the midst of all the new grass and how several friends and neighbors helped pull them out one Sunday evening. Well this photo, below, is the start to that project. My friends, Kiki and Gina, volunteered to start pulling the Chinese Elm the day before and here's the photo proof. We made a pretty good dent in the project.

 

    Greg got to snuggle with cute baby Elliot.

 

    This is a photo of what Greg deals with at 'the office' most summer days. Pretty rough!

 

    Cute baby Elliot is wearing her hand-me-down biker shirt. She's #3 and is just as cute as #1 & #2.

 

    And today we made our way to Oregon with Charlie and one of her closest friends, Mackenzie for a little visit with family. 

Quick stop at the Salt Flats for a photo.

Cute girls.

And these disgusting things were splattered all along the highway in Nevada. So gross!

Great travel buddies.

    So we started with a photo from the past with the grass, then we had a photo of baby Elliot wearing a shirt from the past but also a photo in the recent past/present with Greg as well as Greg's current work environment and then our photos from our travels that are the beginning of our trip that you'll have to wait for the rest of the adventure in the future. (If that doesn't make sense I don't know what to tell you.)
    Can't wait!

Anniversary getaway in Ogden

    Last weekend Greg and I went on a little overnight getaway and had the best time, in Ogden of all places. The Best Western we stayed at over 28 years ago has been vastly improved and we got upgraded to a room with a view of their back property oasis. Koi poinds, waterfalls, water features and a beautiful view of the mountains. It was really awesome and who would guess the train tracks are right behind it and the freeway. Anyway, we had a blast and we treated ourselves to a little ring and clothes shopping as well.

 

So pretty!

 

 

 

 

 

My recent ring purchases. Only $2.50 for all but two of them.

And Greg got some much needed new clothes.

    On our way home we took the back/long way and saw views of the mountains we've never seen before and it was awesome. We passed 5 different reservoirs along the way: Pineview, Echo, Rockport, Jordanelle, and Deer Creek. We also stopped and had yummy pizza in Kamas.

A view of the mountains we've never seen.

 

    And, of course, we've had lots of fun visits with neighbors on the porch and now we've added hammocking to the mix.

Cute Ada and Greg

    For our youth activity we got to go to a local driving range and get some fun tips on hitting golf balls. Greg got the hang of it pretty quick, plus, it wasn't his first time, but I struggled!

 

The putting was more my speed.

    And Charlie, along with her primary activity group, had a fun visit with a local beekeeper.

 

    It's finally feeling like summer around here and we're trying not to think about how quickly the days are passing.

Hiking & no more braces

    We've had a great week. Greg and I got to go on a couple different hikes/adventures. McClane got his braces off and set a record beating his brothers by years on how short a time he had his braces on. And we're finally experiencing some really great summer weather.

A little air guitar while cleaning out the garage.

    Our friends took us to a nearby 'cool' spot that they've known about for years and wanted to share with us. It was definitely a hike and an adventure and super fun.

The treehouse.

The patio & treehouse and some of the best people we know.

Random tiny ducks were glued all over the patio and the views of the valley were amazing.

 There were a few snake sightings, thankfully nothing large but one was a baby rattler.

Some of the favorite finds on our adventure.

Pretty views.

    Monday McClane got his braces off. None of his older brothers ever got through their orthodontic experience before getting to Junior High so McClane definitely made it through his braces super fast. He was the most diligent rubber band wearer and is definitely being rewarded for his obedience to all the rules of wearing braces.

Before and after

At the orthodontist office McClane even got to be the very first person to sign their latest signature wall.

    Then Greg and I did a repeat of our hike from the 4th of July so we could take our other friend, Gina. It was just as pretty as last week and we even saw a long horned sheep on our way out of the canyon.

 

 

    And I also got photos from the 4th that I didn't have last week. 

This was with our neighbors Perry and Wendell.

    So many fun things. I sure love summer! This weekend Greg and I are headed to Ogden for an overnight getaway in honor of our 28 years of marriage, which should be fun.

    And in case your wondering, only 164 sleeps until Christmas.😀

Weeds, family, July 4th and cars

    Our new grass was looking good, minus all the chinese elm that had taken residence so over the weekend we began the overwhelming process of pulling it out by hand and after our ice cream gathering and all the helping hands, we got it all done and it looks so much better! 

 

 

    Kayli, Tanner and the girls took some great family photos.

Cute Wendel family.

And now they're 5!

    

    Greg and I went with a couple neighbors on a beautiful hike the morning of July 4th.

So green and gorgeous.

The view is always spectacular and worth the effort.

That's one way to keep track of the binkie.

    Isaac and his buddies out on a Spyder tour.

MR2 enthusiast for sure!

Epic photo shoot.

    So I failed to take even one photo of fireworks or our neighborhood "Sidewalk of Fire" on the 4th but it was a great evening and a few of the neighbors went all out on the fireworks show. 

    Greg and I celebrated, informally,  28 years of marriage yesterday. Next weekend we're hoping to have a more formal celebration but obviously nothing too crazy. $$$ is tight!