End of summer fun

We took a quick trip to Utah to see Doug's family to wrap up our summer, but not before throwing a little birthday party for my mom's 60th. The party was a bit of a comedy of errors, but that's why we'll never forget it.

First, the water level at the lake was too low to put the boat in. No problem. We just played and enjoyed the lake to ourselves. Open gifts and have cake & ice cream. No problem--cake got soaked in the cooler and the ice cream melted. No problem--eat the top of the cake and sip the ice cream. Wind storm comes up and sends the tube out to sea. No problem--Brandon is a good swimmer. Funny stuff!

The birthday girl

Her very own milkshake . . . tee hee

Handstands anywhere there's a flat surface

Lake football

Although our trip to Utah was quick, we packed in a lot of fun and cousin time. I am always amazed at how all the grandkids reconnect each time we go. They might go six months or a year without seeing each other and it doesn't matter--they are instant best friends again. All of Doug's siblings were there (an unplanned reunion of sorts) and we really enjoyed our time together--back yard BBQs, sleepovers, and even a day at the pool with all 26 kids! I think Doug's mom probably slept for 24 straight hours after we left. Of course, it also allowed me to see my bestie from college, Lori, and her kids. It really was a great trip!

Coop and Spencer . . each wishing they had a BROTHER!

Doug's youngest sibling, Paul. Looks just a little like his son, eh?

Pool cuties

Emmett, the fearless swimmer

No fear of the high dive

Blast off!

Love the way these cousins always just pick up where they left off

Just a few of the Grandma Fan Club

So nice of Paige to have a birthday while we were there!

Grandpa's idea of a pool party

Claire and Coop

Almost all 42 of us!

Lori's girls and mine . . . too wired to iPods to even look up

The Brigham City Temple under construction (thanks for the tour, Uncle Tom!)

We got home in time to see Bennett for one night and one quick trip to Jump Street the next day and then he was off to Tulsa to start his junior year of college.

Sweaty bodies at Jump Street before saying goodbye

Just a few more days and we'll be sending kids to 8th, 5th and 2nd grade. I have no idea how that's possible, but it is. I hate the end of summer, but it's always good to get back into a school schedule. It's been a great one this year--probably our busiest yet, but so many good memories! Baseball and more baseball, pool days, Lake Owen, Utah, some Rockies games, good times with friends and so much more.