Summer Reading

My kids haven't specifically participated in any library reading program this summer, but I did buy a bunch of books for them before summer began and they've gotten through them all. So we took advantage of the Barnes and Noble program and were able to get 2 free books for having already read 8 books. Here are the details. My friend told me about it on her blog. So I thought I'd pass on the good news. We picked up their free books today...this is what they chose...
"The City of Ember"

"The Tale of Despereaux"

Kyukido

"What is it?" you ask. Well, it's a form of martial arts which combines judo, jiu jitsu, and taekwondo. Our oldest started taking in May of this year and has already moved up a belt. He tested a couple of weeks ago and did wonderfully. They had to remember a set of forms (steps) called Kibon (a set of 12 movements) to pass up to the next belt from white. Now he's already learning the 24 movements to move up to yellow belt which he'll be able to test for in September. After 2 classes in one day, he nearly has it down. He has a great memory. I'm glad he's finally found a sport he loves.

Here is is with his favorite of the instructors actually getting the belt...the quality isn't great b/c I only had my cell phone camera with me. This is Master Cook. Yes, he's young...14 I think, but he's my favorite as well. He keeps the class in line and really helps each kid individually. We'll be sad if he ever leaves.

Family Portraits at the Bonneville Salt Flats

In May, we went out to the famous Bonneville Salt Flats with some friends and did a family portrait session. Here are our favorites from our family. Rhett did such a great job but we didn't anticipate the salt to be SOOOOO pastey and sticky. It was like scraping off bad decorators icing once it dried. But we all had a good time.









This one I am printing on a Gallery Wrap type canvas at about 30" wide by 20" high to hang in our house on the main floor. We did a huge long cool portrait print that we hang in the family room in the basement a couple of years ago. But I decided we needed a bigger one of us (besides the 8x10 on the shelf) on the main floor so everyone can see what an awesome photographer my husband is.

Family Reunion 2008

We had a huge family reunion with my mom's side of the family at a ranch in Utah last weekend. We all had a great time. These are only a few pictures from it because I haven't gotten my husband's on my computer yet. But, it covers the bases. The ranch was a hive of activity and fun. There was fishing, boating, archery, swimming, miniature golf, frisbee golf, horseback riding, hikin, a dance DJ'd by my little brother and more. There were only 113 of us at the reunion and can you believe that's not even all of us. Three of my siblings and their families were absent as were a few others who couldn't join us for various reasons. This is a generic iphoto slideshow but I did strip out our family song from a little video byte I took. It's called "Roots" and it's part of all of us now. It's always amazing to me (and to my husband) the closeness we all feel as a family at these reunions. It's amazing we all get together every other year even after our grandparents have passed on. It's amazing to see the heritage that one couple can create. And it's wonderful to have such a great family. I am so grateful and so blessed.

Fun in the Sun

We spent the day today at Seven Peaks Water Resort with my parents, my brothers kids (the oldest here in the picture my sister's son on his right), my sister and her kids, and my little brother. It was a long fun day. We got there at 11 am and left at 6:45pm. We all had a great time and our littlest didn't even want to go when it was time. She became braver and braver on the kiddie slides as the day went by but would never go on a big one even on my lap. Thanks to my mom and dad, we all were treated to some great family fun. THANK YOU MOM AND DAD!!! (you can barely see Grannie, my mom, in the back on the left in her cute hat...she was amazing...at nearly 67 going on water slides, climbing, and keeping up with all the little ones...WOW)