Last camp-out of 2010?

Jaz & Grandpa just got back from a 4-wheeling trip. I love the look of delight. Different ride, better snacks.
The bug on Larry's sweatshirt was huge!

Whaaat??

Jacob, our little camera poser. You have to snap quick before his "camera smile" comes out in full force.

Extended Ricks Family Reunion

The Ricks Reunion was held at Green Canyon Saturday. I knew 3 people (other than immediate family) there. But they were nice and the food & weather was good. Everywhere we turned someone was taking our picture, so Larry decided to take a picture we would actually see. Brigham & Jaz loved the little stream behind our trailer. Jake kept trying to get back there too.
This was taken just seconds before Brigham stepped from one rock to another (slippery) rock & he ended up on his backside. He was a good sport about it though & soon dried off.

This is the sunset from partway up the trail.

Good night. Yeah, right. They were not tired because they both fell asleep on the four wheeler. We were tempted to take them for another short four-wheeler ride. They fell asleep listening to John Bytheway singing & talking which they loved. They asked to listen to it 3 times.

Hours of swimming

Uh, Dad? Know how you've been asking if I gotta go pee? Brigham
Jakey being weird

Jazzy

The Blue Angels Airshow was incredibly amazing. I would either be a nervous wreck or passed out if I were in any of these jets. Jake & Troy play outside...outside being Jake's favorite place to be.
Desert fires make for awesome skies.

Doug & Mallena's new home

Moving in Day

Larry & I showed up on Doug & Mallena's doorstep at 6:30 Saturday morning with a trailer full of their things. We had everything unloaded by 8:30 am. Their Elder's Quorum was told to be there by 11:00 to help, but due to us arriving so soon there was nothing for them to do. Their bishop helped Doug haul in the piano. They have a very nice, friendly ward. Larry is playing the piano to make sure it was "still in tune". We unpacked a lot of boxes & arranged the living room. They have a very nice home in a nice neighborhood. Miriam blows bubbles as Shay rides her bike in the 100+ degree weather.

Shay is running with a handful of water to throw on me. It was so hot I even let her get me with the garden hose!
CANNONBALL!!!

5th of July fun

Jaz, Shay, Courtney & Miriam are ready to go! I took them all plus Brigham for mini rides on the 4-wheeler. They all loved going through the sprinklers! Our pretty butterfly
Miriam

Shay wanted this pony ride more than anything else.

Menan footraces

Miriam & Cece are in identical poses!Brigham gives it his all
Shaylynn & Jazlyn are just behind the girl in red

Jake wanted to go before the horn sounded.

It was fun to watch the next generation of racers!

Happy 2nd Birthday Jake!

Jake had a great birthday party with all his little cousins there. Everyone took turns smacking the pinata. Shane & Doug held it up, so some kids had a trickier time at actually hitting it.
The kids played & played. Then the "big kids" played too. Wish I had some pictures of Doug & Devin playing ball. We had yummy food and cake & ice-cream. It was fun to just hang out together at Devin & Katy's place.

Doug's Graduation Day!

We got there early to wait with Doug & Mallena after his practice. The wait got a little long for some people.
But it was worth it to see Doug march down that aisle.

And back up that aisle after receiving his diploma & being pronounced "Dr. Douglas Ricks".

Could there be any prouder parents?

I would have posted Doug & Mallena's picture, but Melina already did.

The Sacred Grove was so pretty & peaceful. Larry had to save these little guys from becoming roadkill. They were just up the road from the Palmyra Temple.

Palmyra Temple It was amazing to see the actual places & buildings that are so important in our Church history.

Catch me!

Mall of America

LegoLand--Who's scarier? Big red dinosaur or little red Melina?Kiss me
Larry & Shane snooze while Melina & I shop.

All finished!

I must say Larry did a fantastic job with the kitchen counter & tiling.

Yellowstone

I was really excited to see a bison ambling down the road towards us shortly after entering the park. The further we went the more we saw. Pretty soon we were practically surrounded. This guy didn't care that he was crowding us on the road.Everyone knows how much Larry likes to play checkers. He's so good he can take on two players at the same time.
Finally! A creature that is NOT a bison. There were actually two elk here.

Old Faithful

It was a terrific day to be at the Park!