Duel in the Desert Wakeboard Competition

Mallory has found her new LOVE -- Wakeboarding.

She competed in her first competition over the weekend at Last Chance.  She has been practicing for the last couple of weeks all her tricks.  She has learned how to bunny hop (bounce), touch the water (she will take the water from her hand and run it through her hair), and she can even do a 180 slide (switch foot).  At the end of her routine she lets go of the rope and as she is sinking into the water she makes a "heart" sign with her hands.  It is sooooo funny.  She is such a natural -- she is so stable out there and absolutely loves it.  She was so excited to compete and said, "I don't care what happens, I just want to get on the podium."  

Troy is a pro at this competition stuff now -- this is the third year he has competed.  This year, he is in a new division -- competing with all ages in the beginner category.  He got some huge air!!!

 Mallory took 4th place in the Grom Division (ages 9 and under)

 Troy took 2nd place in the Beginner Division

School Starts

BACK TO SCHOOL

In just one blink of an eye, Summer is gone and we are back to school.  I tried to deny it as long as I could, hoping it would go away, but here we are.... the first day of school

Troy and Brielle = 5th graders

Mallory and Emery = 2nd graders

 Lindsie and her friends are in 8th grade!!!

A couple of weeks before school started, Tanya and I took all the girls up to Park City to spend the night and school shop.  We stayed at the Canyons Resort and had a total blast.  I love these girls so much and they all have such a great time together

Ready for school....

Even though I feel summer has been taken away from me way too soon, I love looking back on all the fun memories we created this summer.  I believe that is what life is about = creating memories together with friends and family.  Life is too short not to enjoy EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  

Waterskiing is pure happiness -- it gives me the absolute rush of satisfaction every time I ski

 Even better is watching my kids and their friends ski -- They have turned into amazing skiers

 Addie's first time slalom skiing -- she was hilarious -- having so much fun

 Here is our new baby!  I never said we were done with our family....

 Mallory can't get enough wake boarding.  She is already working hard on her tricks

For now, I'm going to miss the days in the middle of the week,  loading up all the neighborhood kids in the car and heading out to Last Chance.  We really need to buy a bus so I can transport everyone who wants to come with us.  

Good - Bye Summer,  Please come back soon!

LYBBERTY DAYS

  A whole bunch of cousins, beautiful mountain scenery, lots of yummy food, and non-stop activities equals another FUN Lybberty Days!

The kids stayed up late laughing and telling ghost stories every night. Morning came fast and they were out the door in the swimming pool, riding the gondola, or just playing on the elevator and running through the hotel. 

Uncle Doug warmed up the kids before Lybberty Olympics began.  This was definitely the high-light of the day....We split into teams and had all kinds of fun competitions...

LAST CHANCE

My favorite place on earth!!!  We try to spend as much time as possible at the lake.  My kids love being there and I love spending time with my family.  We are all together in one spot, making memories and having a blast.  I love that there is no internet, cell phones, or laundry.  The biggest decision of the day is whether or not to take another ski run.  By the end of the day we are ready for campfire stories and s'mores!!!
Lindsie has really turned into a beautiful skier...

We took a rhino ride up into the mountains ... we climbed up to the top and could see Last Chance from there.  

FOURTH OF JULY

 This 4th of July was a little bit different.  Rick and his business partners went on a fishing trip to Alaska for a week.  We really missed having Rick around, but we drowned our sorrows at Last Chance.  I took the kids and went out for the week with the Erskines and Mackays.  My family joined us on the 4th. 

Lehi Round-up Rodeo....

PARK CITY

The Perry's came for a visit!!! Clay and Rick have been best friends since childhood.  It was so much fun having them come visit.  We spent a couple of days at Last Chance and then headed up to Park City to enjoy the Alpine Slides!!

SARATOGA FIRE

 This was too close to home!!! We have had a very dry and hot summer this year.  This fire was just west of our neighborhood in the mountains.  The West side of Redwood Road homes were all evacuated.  This picture of the smoke was taken from my backyard neighbor's house.  The helicopter would fly right over our house to dip into the lake for more water.  It was surreal!  Everyone in the neighborhood was leaving with their families and of course their boats.  There was a line of cars and boats leaving the neighborhood.   I was optimistic (or in denial) that our house would be fine, so Lisa and I took the kids and went to a movie.  That's how I cope with disaster -- just pretend like it's not happening.   Fortunately the firefighters worked hard and contained the fire... within a couple of days all was back to normal in Saratoga!