Some Things Never Change

My freshman year at BYU I was terrified that my roommate selection was left to "chance," but I was blessed to be given the best roommates possible. Flori, Marci, Chris and I roomed together for two and a half years until Craig whisked me away. They are amazing ladies whom I've learned so much from, and I truly treasure our friendship. Friday night our family was able to meet with Flori and Marci and their families in Provo Canyon. It had been four and a half years since the three of us had been together (as they live in North Carolina and Colorado) and it was a wonderful reunion. Though the pictures show changes through the years, some things never change!


It was great to see Rob and Ben (their husbands whom they met during our freshman and sophomore years and waited for on missions) and remember fun times we had together. It was cute to see our kids pal around together as they explored the canyon. It was neat to be at the LeBaron's cabin again with good food, great friends, and lots of laughter - THANK YOU Mom and Dad LeBaron!

We had a wonderful time, but there were two problems: (1) Chris wasn't there and (2) it wasn't long enough! We MISSED you, Chris!


I came home in such a great mood that despite the late hour I agreed to prolong the event by doing sparklers with the kids. It was a night I will always remember, and I look forward to seeing them again soon . . . hopefully sooner than four and a half more years!

Pioneer Day

Pioneer Day is one of our favorite holidays. We are so blessed to live in the wonderful state of Utah and are so grateful for the pioneers who crossed the plains to establish it. As members of the Church we're so blessed to have the heritage of pioneers who sacrificed so that we could worship the Lord without inhibition and persecution. Every year we have a big family BBQ to celebrate the day. Throw in some kiddie pools and a hose and you've got a serious party going on!

Are you all just so astounded at my grace? I suppose that's why they're called "kiddie" pools! After drying off it's time for parachutes, poppers, and brownies (fast becoming a tradition itself).

Did I mention brownies were just dessert appetizers? Grandpa Besaw lit a fire so we could make s'mores. I only had two brownies and a s'more, so why is it that my pregnant sister is still thinner than me?!

During s'mores guests came out of the woodwork—I mean rockwork—as a gopher snake slithered from the rocks into the firepit to curl up next to the warm coals. The kids enjoyed that! Too bad I was so full of brownies and s'mores: I hear roast snake tastes like chicken!

No family fireworks celebration is complete without our version of "Flashdance," so we took the party up to the street to get down.

We really enjoyed celbrating the 24th of July at Grandma and Grandpa Besaw's house, and we already look forward to Pioneer Day next year. After all, "no toil nor labor" here; "Happy day! All is well!"

Work Party

Now there's an oxymoron for ya! For my summer work party, we first met at Memorial Park for a BBQ, and then we went to Payson Pool. After Clayton and I tossed his football back and forth, a little cluster of coworkers gathered to join in on the fun. Who knew it would be such a hit? I guess it beats sitting around wondering what smalltalk to make with coworkers' spouses!


Morgan clung to my or Melissa's back most of the time we swam, which mostly consisted of treks around the lazy river. The rest of the kids (and Melissa and I) had a blast going down the slides. About the party, Morgan said with an exaggerated nod that it was "one of the most funnerest things I ever did in my whole life . . . except maybe for going to Dizzily-land."

Backyard Beach Party

The kids love it when we blow up the pool in the backyard - not just because it allows them to cool off, but also because inevitably it turns into a party with all their friends. This was the case Saturday. It started with the innocent request, "Can we go out in the pool" and ended in a neighborhood water fight, adults included.

We're so glad we have so many fun friends who are entertained as easily as we are. Halfway through our fifth summer with the same pool, it was thirty dollars very well spent!

Super Smash Kids

After months of waiting for the big day and finally receiving the much anticipated gift of Super Smash Brothers, we are pleased to announce that Clayton and all his buddies are very content with the birthday loot. On any given day, during those hot afternoon hours, the game room has become the air-conditioned sanctuary of six- to nine-year-old boys and girls. Occasionally, after the kids are in bed, this same room doubles as the adult sanctuary while we attempt to sharpen our abilities so we can try womping Clayton. Unfortunately, we don't often succeed.

Saturday Morning Cartoons

For posterity's sake we just had to document the ritual at our house every Saturday morning. We don't have cable at our house and don't let the kids watch an abundance of tv, so everyone looks forward to Saturday morning when they are allowed two hours of viewing. Clayton and Morgan prefer cartoons and Madison and Mackenzie watch "tween" shows like Hannah Montana.

Since the cartoons and "tween" shows come on at the same time (of course), they alternate weeks between who gets the bean bag and who has to watch on another tv, but this is typically what our Saturday mornings look like.

Just Keep Swimming

What would summer be without swimming lessons? Last week I spent every morning pulling hair into ponytails, slathering on sunscreen, driving my kids to the pool, and then coming home and washing four soggy towels and suits for our second session of swimming lessons this summer. It's a lot of work, but the kids love it. Sadly, this is the last year Mackenzie and Madison will participate in this summer ritual. However, I'm happy to say that our efforts have paid off as our three older kids are all pretty good swimmers, and Clayton is a natural diver. Now if we can just get Morgan to stop crying every time she has to go underwater, we will have succeeded!