Upper Lake Mary

This is Upper Lake Mary -- about 15 minutes from our house.

Elk Watch!

This is the latest and greatest thing we do together as a family and quite often load up with Kristen, Jamon and all the kids to go look for elk. We always have a great time and the kids love it. They all know how to do their own elk calls -- even Hollis. Often times though, Makenna will say "Here Elk, Here Elk"! Makes me laugh every time. When Dustin went on his hunt this year, Makenna would often include the elk in her prayers -- I guess she hears us talk about them a lot. There hasn't been one time that we have went to look for elk and haven't seen some. We have probably been elk watching about 10 times now. In fact we did that for Dustin's birthday. Some times we will even get to hear them make calls -- so cool! The cool thing is they are only about 15 minutes from the house so we don't have to drive that far. These pictures were taken in August, but the last couple times that we have went they seem to be a lot bigger with bigger racks. We just went out this last week and on our way home it was dark, but no fear, Jamon has this huge spotlight and shines it outside as Dustin drives down the road. We came to this big open field and Jamon spotted like 30 elk -- it was great! There were probably about 5 bulls or so in the group and you could definitely tell which one was the leader because he started to try and push the cow's in the direction they should go. He then started to almost draw a line on the ground with his antlers -- he probably didn't like the spotlight on him. He looked like the biggest one as well. We love to go elk watching!

Flagstaff Fishing

This was our first Flagstaff fishing trip as a family and it wasn't that great -- we ended up leaving after about 10 minutes and my shoes had about 2 inches of thick mud all the way around them.
We were there just long enough to get these pictures.

Green Chile -- YUMM!

The first week we moved to Flagstaff I found a place outside of our Farmer's Market that was roasting New Mexico Hatch Green Chile's. Being that we didn't have any left from the year before we loaded up -- 3 boxes! I think last year I only got 2 and it didn't last us the whole year. The only problem with getting 3 boxes is the work it entails to get it in the freezer when you get home -- we got all the roasted part off, deseeded them, and put them in zip lock baggies. Each box takes about an hour or so. I started out doing it with Dustin but then I ended up just bagging them in the end because one of us had to watch the kids. Dustin found some that he left whole so that he can make chile rellanos later. One of the best parts about getting green chile's is the wonderful smell they put off after they are roasted -- our car smelt like green chile for a week. We are so glad that they had a place here to buy roasted green chile because we use them pretty much every week.

Fun on the Boat!

Josh and Becca took us out on their boat a couple times while we were in New Mexico this summer. The water was perfect and we always have a great time with them. Thanks Josh and Becca!

Toy Story 3!

Janie, Becca, Gabe, Makenna and I all went to watch Toy Story 3 in 3D -- it was so cool! It was my first time watching a 3D movie. I don't really like the idea of having to wear glasses during the whole movie but it was a cool experience. I guess if you are Makenna though, you just put the glasses on and off as you please. I kept telling her to put on her glasses because when you have them off the screen is a little blurry -- she didn't seem to mind. The movie was great and Gabe paid our way -- thanks Gabe!

Farmington Lake

This summer while we were in New Mexico we took a night to go up to Farmington Lake to go fishing. Makenna was the only one who got her picture taken because my camera battery died right after I took her picture. This kids had a great time and we had to strip Hollis completely down before we left and dip him in the water to get all the sand off of him.

4th of July Parade!

Thanks to Julie and Kyle for getting up so early to stake us out a good spot to watch the parade. We all loved the parade and Makenna's favorite parts were the big "Curious George" balloon and all the pretty girls on their pretty floats -- she thought they were real princess's. Makenna blew one girl a kiss and the girl thought that was so cute and waved to Makenna -- she was thrilled!

Happy 4th of July!

I was also up in Utah this summer for the 4th of July and we went to watch fireworks right outside the Provo temple grounds. Stadium of Fire puts off the best fireworks! We went a little early and sat on the grass as we played cards and ate our homemade caramel corn. Makenna loved the fireworks and was calling them flowers in the sky -- so cute!

Caught in the Act!

Hollis got caught eating dirt and mom and dad's house and he loved every minute of it!

Festival Days!

My family showed the kids and I a good time while we visited them up in Utah this summer. Going to festival days was just one of the many fun things we did. There were a whole bunch of little shops that we could look at and Makenna got to have her picture taken with "Bell". The best part was this huge tent that had all sorts of stuff for kids to do for free. Makenna and I made a cool art picture there, painted our finger nails, and made a beaded necklace. Thanks for the fun time!

Mess Maker!

After a mess like this, I think I am the one that is entitled to get mad -- not the mess maker! I guess after he was done having his fun, he decided he didn't want to sit in his mess anymore. It was everywhere!

Happy 62!

While I was up in Utah this summer I was able to be there for my dad's 62nd birthday. Mom made him his favorite carrot cake. Happy Birthday!

There's a First Time for Everything!

Yes, believe it or not, this was my very first time ever mowing a lawn! Is it crazy I had not mown a lawn until I was 25? While I was visiting mom and dad this summer, dad needed help mowing the lawn because his arm was hurt. Dad guided me through it every step of the way and showed me how to do straight lines.

Kiddy Pool!

This is one of Makenna and Hollis's favorite things to do when they go to Grandma and Grandpa Savik's house. Grandpa gave them a special treat this last time -- he hooked the hose up to the kitchen sink and filled the pool with warm water for the kids. What a good grandpa!

Park Fun!

Dad found this fun park that we went to a few times while I was up in Utah this summer with the kids. It was a great park because it had a fun playground, a big field, a campfire pit, and a creek that ran right by it -- we utilized all of it! Makenna and Hollis had fun putting their feet in down at the creek and dad insisted that we take a lot of pictures. For family home evening we decided to roast hot dogs over the campfire. We had a great time at the park -- good job dad!

Swimming at Julie's Pool!

I went up to Utah with the kids this summer to visit the family and while we were there, Julie's invited us to go swimming at her pool a couple of times. The kids really loved it! Makenna liked floating on a noodle all by herself and Hollis really liked splashing. Dad was watching on the side as his arm was still wrapped up and not able to go in the water. Thanks Julie!