IN A NUTSHELL..

Warning. This post is totally messed up. Sometimes the Mac is hard to figure out for me. I got sick of it, and just published "as is". sorry.
Was the buggy parade getting buggy? It was for me! I'm glad to move on.

O.K., a very big nutshell. But, I do need to sum up our summer in Park City. On our way to Utah, traveling through Vegas, I got a call from my mom letting me know that my BFF's house was in the process of burning down. They have a very successful photography business that they had moved into the basement of their home; a perfect place for it with the beautiful scenery and surroundings. Everything was gone. The neighbors saved their hard drives, so the customers pictures were saved, but everything else-gone. Not only that, but Tiff was driving home from St. George and hearing about it on the phone.












Just a month or so prior to their house and business burning down, the little girl they were trying to adopt, and they raised for 9 months since birth, was given back to the birth mother due to a sperm donor father demanding parental rights. It was heartbreaking.


In their studio, a huge picture of my family was hanging in the entry. I imagined a vivid image of my family, wearing white, burning. starting at the corners, and moving in. I thought about how Satan is so determined to destroy families. Even my beautiful family. It really opened my eyes.

Tiff is amazing. I have been so impressed by her and Clark's reactions to all of this. Positive. Humbled (not that they needed it), and awesome. The weekend after their home burned down, Clark was called to be in the bishopbric. Ouch! Of course, he accepted and works on all of these things diligently. I know they will be so blessed. I love you Tiff!













Bulldogs, bulldogs, bulldogs. This was quite an experience having them with us. It was a bit chaotic. Keeping the condo smelling sweet was my main goal. With them having to have their bathroom in a sod-filled tub on the patio, and keep their hair cleaned up, was hard! And, to keep them from barking was a bit of a trial. Who knows if we'll get away with it next year.

The kids took most of these dog pictures. We have way, way, way too many dog pictures. It's all the kids photograph.

I had to bring this up, 'cause it was a bit shocking for us all. Z went through puberty, and man was it wacky. Gross, smelly, bladder infection included, -wacky. And, no, I did not know Z's vajay jay would look like this!










A real girly girl.



















Lauren was so fun this summer. She took a gymnastics class and did sooo well. I never realized I have a gymnast on my hands. She can go all the way down in the splits, and do a back bend. This little girl does non-stop cartwheels. She's awesome!










Austin turned twelve on August 14th. He's growing up too fast! It really hit me when he passed the sacrament for the 1st time. I'm so proud of him. He went to a "big air" class in park City, and learned aireil skills and trampoline tricks. He loved it, and was determined to land his flips. He did great.


Boondocks! We have to go there at least once. It's fun to see the kids cut loose.




















Crazy Ty. My mom had a luau and Ty took it to the next level. He is so much fun. And Funny! He turned 4 this summer, and all of a sudden He and Austin are fighting like cat and dog. I'm glad to be out of the condo and back to AZ for that reason. It's all better now. He also took gymnastics, and did great.
















Concerts, concerts concerts! I've decided it's my thing. I love the feeling I get when I go. We went to Dave Matthews twice, Jason Mraz, The Fray, and American Idol. We are going to Rob Thomas and Jason Mraz in a couple weeks. I love these more than any other date!






Hangin' at the park. Of course is a big part of our summer. It's so beautiful there! We have so much fun in the 75 degree weather.















Greg's fireworks show!!! Oh what a show he had on the 4th of July. Another one was attempted on the 24th. Friends and family were gathered to witness the "GREG SHOW". It was cut short (thank goodness) by the fire marshal. Of course we didn't have a single legal firework on hand. The wind was also blowing, so I actually was glad. I don't want to be blamed for a house fire! The kids made the best of it and played a little red rover. Greg talked himself out of the $500 mandatory fine.







































Of course, hiking in Park City is always fun. The scenery this summer was insane. So green, and so many flowers. Thanks, Flints, for showing us the trails.
Cousins, cousins, cousins. My kids love their cousins and love playing with them all day- then doing sleepovers.

































Maddi had a fun summer too. She also did tumbling and had a great time. She has also just grown up way too much this year. I think what Maddi enjoys most is the one-on ones she was able to have with her grandmas. I have the best mom, and the best mother in law ever. My kids love them. They all got to spend quality personal time with their grandparents. I know it meant a lot to all of them.
































The Dinosaur museum is always fun. We went with my cute friend Michelle and her 3 girls. My sister Mindy and Campbell went too. The best part was spending time with all of them.

Of course Lagoon. The highlight was when Greg won this red dog for Collin, after Collin kissed his coin and told Greg to win him something. 1st try, he won the big one.


Last, but not least, I visited my Grandma Campbell, who had just recently broke her hip. She had been heavily medicated, but I got to see the woman I knew and loved for a short time. I feel for her. She is almost completely blind now, and is unable to be the independent woman she is used to being. I love her and was grateful to spend this time with her.


Safe to say, another summer for the record books. We are so grateful to be able to live here every summer and enjoy family. I have grown closer to friends that I probably wouldn't have otherwise. I am so thankful for the friendships that I have there.

Now I can finally move on with my blog!