Better late then never....Summer 2009!?!

So, when I started blogging,

I told myself, the best part about blogging...

I never need to feel behind.

I can just pick up anywhere...

right??!!

I've had these collages made since last summer!

(along with others, yet to come)

As I was looking through these pictures from our

Whiting reunion

last summer, I couldn't resist posting.

If you don't want to look at all of them...

skip down to my mom on the swing,

this is a must see.

These pictures brought back some great memories.

We have been blessed with close relationships,

and truly enjoy being together.

These pictures are especially tender,

as they are the last ones we have with our,

Sweet Grandma Pink.

We love and miss you grandma.

Oh, this is

PRICELESS!

Some of us went waaaaay out of our comfort zone

when doing this rope course!

when I saw these pictures,

I decided maybe my kids are right...

I do have some of my mom in me?

one can only hope.

I should probably explain the following photos...

Someone came up with the idea of having a

Whiting Idol.

Not sure who is to blame for this,

but it was a night to remember!

I'm sure the video of this fun night

will be a keepsake for years to come.

Without knowing,

Lou and I chose the same Sonny and Cher song

as my parents!

The younger version and the

older,more polished version of

"I got you babe."

Who knew there was soooo much talent

in the Whiting family!!:)

Seriously, we do have

some amazing stars in this family!

And others...

fake it well!!

The young.

The polished.

Soooo much fun.

This memorable night concluded

with the Buhrley kids preforming,
"Right back where we started from."

The Whiting Family 2009.

Summer Days...

One of our very favorite

ways to spend a Summer day...

Happy Summer!!

Aspen Grove Family Camp...

Our Family recently spent a week in

absolute beauty. The Aspen Grove family camp is a week

spent in the Provo Canyon and it is

truly beautiful.

I think this was the most relaxing vacation

I have ever had.

Lots of great family time with as much

or as little to fill your days as you want.

The rock wall and rope course was a favorite...of some,

I'm not included in that 'some'.

But, I was brave!

Crafts was another favorite!

We all could have spent hours in here creating.

As you can see from the pictures,

painting wasn't just done

in the craft room!

Each day the kids spent time doing activities

with kids their own age.

At pick up each day,

we could always count on our youngest two

having freshly painted faces!

This was family dance night!

It was hilarious because most families

were there with HUGE family reunions.

We just had our own little family.

But, hey...

we rocked the house!

My kids could LIVE in the pool.

I'm sure Lou, Mac, Mandi and Mitch

played at least 100 ping pong games!

Gotta love that

friendly competition...ha,ha.

I had to calm Lou down a few times.;)

We left Aspen Grove to spend another

fun two days with our Utah family.

We hiked the Y one day and Stewart falls another.

I hear families that hike together stay together....

well, these guys are definitely keepers.

The cousins love

being together.

Being there for Grandma's birthday

was another highlight!

The pictures below show the

breakfast

Emily and Grace made for her.

They didn't want grandma to lift a finger!!

It was the sweetest thing.

They made a delicious salad

for the birthday girl.

Or, should I say they made ranch dressing

with some spinach on the side!

Grandma was thrilled!:)

Family trips are the best part of summer!

4th of July 2010!!

Happy 4th of July!!!!! The parade,

ZOO...

and being together,

made for a really good day.

To watch the fireworks,

we hiked to the top of Camel Back.

Fireworks came with a

beautiful view

of the City.

Summer is going

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

to fast!!!!

Summer goals....

Gracie likes to daydream

about when she becomes a mom....

I was a little nervous to ask how

she would spend her days as a mom,

knowing this is how she sees me spending mine.

This was her answer.

1. clean the kitchen.

2. kiss my honey.

3. play with my kids.

My summer goal is to reverse this order

by moving them all up one.

Life is short.

:)

Let summer begin!

It's official! I have a graduated Kindergartner!

The thought of this little guy

being gone ALL day for first grade...

makes my stomach feel sick.

really.

Lou says I'm not allowed to think about it for the next 3 months.:)

His graduation program was so sweet.

We were all so proud, but no one as proud as his sis.

As the above picture shows...she sat front and center,

(in the middle of the isle)

the entire time!

I also have graduates from preschool,

4rth, 7th, and 10th grade!

As much as I adore the years when they are little,

I can see how much fun it is

as they are getting older as well.

they may cause a few more grays...;)

but fun!

These are some of my favorite people

in the whole world.

We kept to tradition

and celebrated the first day of summer,

with shaved ice and a trip to the library!.

However,

I'm not sure how much longer my big kids

will let me take a picture in the library!;)

Love having a less scheduled life.

Love having my kids home more.

Love that summer is here!

(somehow my now junior in high school, missed the library...

it may also have something to do with his new drivers license??)

early morning bike ride...

6:35 a.m. to be exact!

I found Gracie waiting for me,

helmet in hand,

as I pulled in from the gym this morning.

Learn how to ride your bike...right now??....

@ 6:30 in the morning?

How about later?!!

" BUT mom, I know I can do it.

I know I can do it right now!

Pleeeeease!!!"

How could I say no to determination like that?

" Well...Ok, let's go!"

and GO she went!!!!

She wasn't going to let fear get in her way!

She knew she could do it.

She didn't care if she fell,

she didn't care if it took all day!

(luckily for me it didn't!)

Within 20 minutes,

she was starting, stopping,

and gooooooooing all by herself.

It turned out to be a beautiful morning for a ride!