Sunday, July 27, 2008

Jeff, Jaxson, and Grandpa Ivan Run the Snake River




On Wednesday, July 23, Jeff, Jaxon, and Grandpa Ivan drove to Jackson Hole to float the Snake River between Hoback Junction and Alpine.  They loved it!  Grandpa was in a 10 man raft with some of Jeff's co-workers at Living Scriptures (LSI).  Steve Ott, the CFO of LSI owes the rafts and the two man kayaks, called duckies, that they used.  

Grandpa had a blast!  He is wearing his white round hat sitting near the back right on the boat. Pretty good for a 90 year old to run the river!




Jeff and Jaxson floated the river twice.  This is their second time down.  Grandpa Ivan decided once was enough, so he didn't go with us the second time.   Jeff is steering the boat while Jaxson yells "watch out for that rock, Grandpa!"




The first time down the river, Jeff and Jaxson were in a two man kayak.  They got soaking wet, but didn't tip over.  Both of them loved it.  Jaxson thought the 10 man raft was pretty tame compared to the kayak.




Some other co-workers at LSI, Dave and Lori, didn't fair so well going down "Lunch Counter".  They were in the same type of boat as Jeff and Jaxson but ended up swamping!

Could she be any cuter? I don't think so!





A nostalgic trip to Wisconsin


Mom, Sue, Andrea and I went to Wisconsin for the wedding of Katie and Travis.  We had a fantastic time and crammed a lot into the 6 days we were there.  We shopped, laughed, went down memory lane and wondered why we moved  - till we swatted mosquitos every 15 seconds!  Then we remembered , oh yeah, we hate humidity and bugs!  The wedding was beautiful, as was the bride.  Cyndy and Buzz were so proud and we felt honored to be there.  
Lake Mendota
Bonnie, Lee, Sue and Mom
Gram cuts a rug with Matthew - wow - he's tall (or is grandma just short?)
Sue, Mom, Lee and me
The house I grew up in - until I was 12. (418 Washburn Place in Madison)
Cyndy, Lee and Andrea
Sisters, Kristin and Katie
Chip's daughter Kaia and Grandma
Chip, Kaia, Karisa, Zane and Colt
A unique way to get to the reception
Travis pedaled Katie while she rode side-saddle from Cottage Grove to UW in Madison - about 40 minutes away.  It was hot and muggy but they loved it!  Hey, they're young!

A Sunday with family

Aunt Marilyn came from WI and Tobias from CA so we had a cookout.  It was lots of fun to get together and we all enjoyed the afternoon on our deck.  Jeff always does a great job cooking on the grill and everyone pitched in to make it a yummy meal.  Afterwards Marilyn and Jeff played a couple rounds of Scrabble, each winning a game.  She is pretty serious about her games so it was fun to tease her.  Scott stayed home with the 6 puppies, Tauna had pink-eye (yuck) so they didn't come and Melissa and Spencer both had to work - we missed them all.  Someday we'll have Sundays together again!
Andrea meets Abbie for the first time
Jim and Tobias
Cute Mason - 6 years old
Regan got teased by Uncle Jim cuz she has a cell phone (with lots of texts from boys!)
Aunt Marilyn visits from Wisconsin - we had a fun time with her

Our annual Lagoon outing



We can't get our kids excited about going to the Living Scripture Lagoon day, but luckily for us, Jax and Bay love to go with us.  My favorite rides are the Tidal Wave and the white roller coaster.  I got Bailey to go on the roller coaster with me for the first time this year.  He was hesitant at first, and even started to cry, but by the time we pulled it to the station, he was hooked!  He wouldn't go on the Tidal Wave though, maybe next year huh Bay?  Jeff and Jax went on Wicked and LOVED it - though for the next 2 days Jeff had to go to bed early saying "that ride really took it out of me"!  It was a fun day with our cute grandboys and we look forward to it every year - thanks LSI!


I have quite a few handsome guys in my life but these are 3 of my favorites!
Waiting for Rattlesnake Rapids
Watch out - Jaxson is a hot rod!
Jeff and Bailey at the Young Chev raceway at Lagoon

June 29, 2008 - Jaxson turns ELEVEN!!!!

Yikes, where did the years go?  How can he be so old already!  I was only 40 when he was born and though I may look it, I don't feel that much older!  We have loved every minute of being Jaxson's grandparents.  He has brought us so much joy and happiness.  We are very proud of him and can't wait to make lots more memories with him.  He is one very special boy.  We love you Jax!!!
The Birthday Boy
Colby liked the slide - inside AND out - he tried climbing up it on the outside too!
Julie, Spencer, Jacob, Jon, Josh and Amy
We sure love our Jax!
What a beautiful family!

Hogle Zoo

Colby, Melissa, Bailey, Julie and Jaxson
Our Three Grandsons
Yeah- Josh made it to Utah!
Merry-go-rounding with Jax, Julie and Colby
Jax helps shade Abbie

We hadn't been to the zoo for a couple of years so it was cool to see the renovations they've made.  We had such fun with all four of our grandkids together for the first time - though we never got a photo - duh!  Jaxson, Bailey and Colby did a good job of wearing us out and we saw most of the exhibits before getting just too darn hot and tired to finish!  Josh arrived in Utah about half way through the day so he and Jeff joined us.  It's great to have our Boston kids here!