As I have repeatedly stated, life is going by way too fast. I go into a store now and am bombarded with Christmas decorations right along with the Halloween and fall decor... and here I am still wondering where our summer went. Our garden (though it still hasn't frozen yet--knock on wood) came and went too fast--loved those wonderful vegetables.
We made a fast trip to San Luis Obispo for the Hall family reunion. It was good to see everyone, although so many didn't make it this time. We got in on Friday night and left after our meal with Gary and Millie and the talent show on Saturday night. I am kicking myself because I didn't remember to take any pictures. However, when we stopped to gas up on the way home, I just laughed and took this picture.
Max gave dad his old 4 wheeler and a utility cart (that has a dump bed on it--dad is in heaven with that new toy) and they loaded it up on the back of the truck. We were quite a sight going down the highway!...and we definitely have guardian angels.
Besides the reunion and birthday celebration we did some other fun things. Christie has her i pod loaded with musicals and the girls have learned all the songs. One of the sound tracks is to Hairspray and they love to sing those songs--even JD will belt out "Good Morning Baltimore", so when a local theater put it on, Christie, Allyson and I took the 4 girls for a little outing.
We stopped at Cafe Rio before for some lunch and then enjoyed the matinee performance. I had forgotten some of the stuff that is in that play though. We think most of that stuff went over the girls heads--hopefully. They seemed to have a good time. It was fun to share my love of the theater with them
Tom & Kristy invited us to go to Lake Powell with them the end of the summer and we decided to get out of our rut and go. Unfortunately, their week was the first week of school and Isaac's 1st football game, so he opted to stay here. He stayed with us till we went down on Thursday and he and grandpa hung out together. Grandpa took him to school and football practice and even took him shopping for some school supplies.
At night they would entertain themselves with a rousing version of Sorry--but you know grandpa. He would have to make up new rules from time to time.
We had a lot of fun at Lake Powell. It was just good to be with family.
The girls are so comfortable in the water now and had lots of fun swimming and riding the tube.
Kristy, Sydney and I went for a ride on the tube. Tom told me he would go easy and wouldn't flip us (Sydney was my insurance) but I decided to throw my sunglasses back into the boat anyway. Dad and Kristy were holding their hands out to catch them for me and Tom was yelling don't throw them, and unfortunately, my hands didn't obey my brain and they are now in the bottom of the lake along with a treasure of keys and i pods, wallets and who knows what else is down there. We had a great time until the rope got caught under the tube or something and the tube did indeed flip, scarring grandma and Sydney big time since we went under the tube, but we quickly got out and we all survived. And, Gracie loved grandma's hat grandpa bought for her.
Joshy is a regular wake boarder now. He did awesome.
And they got dad up surfing behind the boat. He thought that was fun and not quite so hard on his body as skiing. Thanks Tom and Kristy and family for taking us on vacation with you and creating some great memories
We have lots of fun watching little Olive grow and all of her "firsts". She wasn't sure she liked it when they introduced solid food in her diet and she made lots of faces!
She also learned to sit up. She is so much fun to watch
One of the last things we did in our summer traditions was to go to Tuachan in St George with Gary and Millie(--although this year we did it in October.) We have such a great time with them. It was Gary's birthday so we got to join in dinner, cake and ice cream and song on Friday night. Saturday we did a temple session and then drove over to the play which was really fun. (Next year it is Little Mermaid!--it will be a great show) Dad did have a great time also--despite his grumpy face
So much to do--too little time. So much to be grateful for. Now I had better concentrate on the blessings of Fall
The cousins have such fun together and this year was again full of food, fun and memories. It was so good to catch up with the Colorado Hall family happenings and to see Allison and get excited about a new baby coming.
He had even drawn a special picture for the occasion and then he got to leave school early with me. He was so excited to see Trey! 
The girls were on the other side of the football field when it was time to go, so they somersaulted all the way over to us
We ended up at the park for Sunday dinner. It was very cool and rain threatened and came down at times.
Tom and Kristy were already up there celebrating Tom's birthday so we brought their family up with us.
It turned out to be a relaxing and memorable night (those pull out beds create all kinds of memories) and couple of days
