Ashlee's Surprise Room Makeover

While Ashlee was at cheer camp in August I decided I would surprise her and redecorate her room. She had been collecting a lot of the decor items for the past year with her own money like the wall stickers, the pillows, and the new bedspread, but we had not got around to painting and stuff. So I spent the three days while she was away painting it purple and gray, and hanging all of it. The highlight was when she walked in from getting home, put her stuff on the floor of her room, and then did a double take. Then she turned around and gave me a big hug. Made me so happy.

1st Day of Sophmore Year

Last year she was nervous. This year she was excited, which makes for a much easier time on me. Although I am starting to feel really old when I think that in only three years she will be out and on her own. Ashlee is growing up to be so beautiful both inside and out. I am so lucky to be her Mom and get to be a part of her life.

Ashlee's Solo From YASE

Young Ambassadors Singing Entertainers Cmp

For the past two summers Ashlee has attended the YASE camp at BYU thanks to Mike and Cheryl. Ashlee has a blast while she is there and each year as I watch her performances I realize that when she is on stage, she is really in her element. She loves it there both because of the performing that she gets to do, and because of the spirit that is there. This summer she performed "Over the Rainbow" as her solo piece and she was in the production number "Footloose." She is already excited to go again next year. What a blessing it is for her to be able to go to the "Y" and perform with kids her age, who have her same standards, and share her same dream!

Family Reunion at Lake Powell

On June 17th of this year our family had one of the best vacations ever. We had our family reunion at Lake Powell on a house boat. Now I am not a huge out doors fan, but I would do the Lake Powell thing every year. We all had an absolute blast. We were especially excited that Shaun and Becca were able to come also since we don't get to see them as often. What an awesone week we had!!

Here were are on the ramp loading up the boat to head out. With 17 people you can imagine all the stuff that had to make it on that boat. I'm surprised it could float after we got done stocking it up.

This is our vessel, "The Milky Way". My Uncle Kim and Aunt Kathy have a time share in this boat so we were able to all go.

Here is the view from the top deck in the morning. We were in this beautiful cove with cliffs, a swimming area and room to ride in the boat.

Ashlee and Morgan waiting for dinner.

Becca and Ella in the kitchen.

Mom, Shaun and Carter (Cooper) on the back deck.

Nothing like a kiddie pool in the middle of the lake. Top deck and all. Here Ella is sharing "HER" pool with Maddie and Coop. Ella is hilarious and she says everything is hers. A girl after my own heart.

Maddie and Paul going for a ride.

Shaun showing off on the cliffs. Actually the cliff jumps were a constant competition all weekend. My poor Dad, "Who refuses to lose a competition even if he is to old" was forced to go to extreme heights to keep up. He did it though.

There goes Bill. And yes his back hurt after this.

Haley and I got in on the jumping action too.

This was funny. I was holding Ella while everyone was cliff jumping. After Shaun went off the cliff she told me that she needed to do it too. So we took her up and she jumped off. She is a little dare devil that girl.

Jaci and Bill getting ready for bed time.

All the kids and grandkids.

Shaun and Ella in the morning at breakfast.

Hi Quincy!!

Heidi and I watching Shaun try to ski off the back of the boat.

Lunch time!

Movie Time!

Jaci and Grandpa fishing.

Morgan and Ashlee sitting by the water.Heidi, Paul, Quincy, Jaci, and Ashlee going for a ride.

Ashlee, Morgan, Becca and Me going for an afternoon swim.

Mom loved the shade so she volunteered for baby duty.

Ashlee and The Coop.

Haley, Ashlee, and Morgan preparing to be thrown from the tube.

There goes Jaci off the diving board.

Ella and Aunnie swimming in the cove.

Paul and Quiny showing off their muscles.

Farmer Shaun getting ready for a concert. Hey Shaun we brought those $ toys for the kids.

Bill with a catfish.

Mom and Dad on the back deck.

Becca, Ella and Maddie hangin out in the boat.

Marshmallows!

Haley and Coop.

Jaci and Bill at dinner.

Here's Dad on our trip to the cove.

Mom, Haley and Heidi on our way to the cove.

Aunnie and Ella