Good Times Boating!

The early evening seems to be the best time to get out on the lake - less crowds, less sunburns, more sunsets and loads of fun.

Derek is one HAPPY man!

My parents have been staying with us so we picked an evening where the winds were calm.

Me and my Pops!

Sara shows Grandma and Grandpa how easy it is to waterski.  Sara has great control and balance now.

Jensen, Brianna, Kieko and Sara enjoying the ride...

Cuddling with a warm blanket after all the water fun has taken place. Great memories for these sweet friends!

Picked up Makell at tracks before coming out - She and Alli were the surfing pros tonight.
Gorgeous Girls, Gorgeous Sunset!

Dance your heart out - for three days!

The Covey Center was the new home for my two girls for the past three days...Dress rehearsals all day Thursday and Friday, a Company Showcase on Saturday and then the Spring Recital and Ballet Show Friday and Saturday nights.  These pictures show part of their dressing room with 1/2 of their costumes hung behind. Happiness and excitement filled all of these backstage areas. I really thought my girls would wear out, but they smiled and kept going, loving being there and doing whatever was asked of them.

Since the ballet show was copyrighted, we weren't supposed to take pictures inside. I had to quickly grab some pictures behind the scenes of my beautiful little birds. Madi was the most excited for everyone to see this ballet. Many extra Saturday mornings have been dedicated to practicing for this ballet show. Miss Melissa (her very devoted teacher) made each one of these costumes for the girls to use at no charge. 

Torie, Madi, Mallorie, Kimmi, Sara

Time for a tap-off. Sara starts with her group...looking good!

Then Madi's group moves in and takes over the stage...

 I wanted to get a picture of them in a shot together.  I love how Sara stayed in character the whole time.

Madi ends the dance with acquiring the guitar after earning it by dancing and lip-syncing a solo.

Sara shines center stage in the dance "Good Morning Baltimore"

Big finish! These girls looked and danced spectacular!

Wonderful performances Madi and Sara! It makes us so happy to watch you dance and see how much you enjoy it!

Everyone gathered to congratulate them afterwards...Thanks Heather, Darby and Kelli for coming!

After all the beautiful facial expressions on stage, the smiles and sparkling eyes...Alli encourages the girls to make some silly crazy faces!

 Grandpa and Grandma and Haley came too! We loved having you all with us!

Since Haley had another activity she had to get to right after, I didn't get a picture of her and Grandma. However, Grandma came back just as we were getting in the car to give more hugs to the girls. 

FHE Swimming with Friends

Even though the weather was a little stormy, we all had a blast enjoying this 80+ degree water!

This slide was a huge hit with all the kids and adults too!

Crazy Madi jumping off the rock cliff.  This picture really doesn't do this structure justice.  It definitely was way higher than this looks!

Dinner with chocolate covered strawberries for dessert! GREAT TIMES! Thanks Jensen Family!

Enjoying Father's Day 2013

Three wonderful generations of four very great men! Happy Father's Day! 

Time for some tasty JDawgs and Burgers! A perfect dish for these awesome Dad's in our life!

These four took full advantage of their time on the trampoline. Madi and Sara worked magical fun with these little guys. 

At the request of her mother, Alli plays the song she wrote.

A favorite activity for Jake and Grandpa - Slingshots (I wish you could see the creative targets they were shooting towards.) 

This cute litte man loved all the attention he was getting from his older cousins. He was content with just hanging with them.

Ryan plays the blues - he is a natural with a guitar in hand.

Time to serve up some dessert. Judith made her most famous favorite carrot cake for all the fathers and us ladies too. Yummy!

A Wonderful Coincidence

Derek just texted this picture to me and to the wonderful Mom of this cute missionary! Roger Chu is on his way home! We found out yesterday that he and Derek would be coming from Seattle on the same flight tonight! (Derek never goes to Seattle) He looks great and an even greater sight will be when he gets to see his Mom for the first time in TWO YEARS! Awesome! Can you tell I really love these missionary moments? Come the end of August, I will really be focusing on homecomings - I will just have to be very patient for a very very very long time. WELCOME HOME - ROGER!!

Feb 2011 - Gma Barber's Funeral

Mar 2011 - Birthday Twins 6/26/91

me, kayli & chris...meet kim & dan in san fran!

A great day spent with great people! I love the sights of San Francisco! I never can get enough of these trolley cars.  Still can't believe they are moved by a small part that grips onto just one cable underground. 

Waiting for our ride...heading to the Cable Car Museum then Chinatown.

And TODAY marks one year from the day that Chris asked Kayli to marry him.  From the top of

Snowbird, UT to the top of San Francisco, CA - exactly a year later. These two still act just as in love as they did before they got married - they really have so much fun together!

 The entrance to Chinatown - Kayli mentioned that the smells were similar to Beijing... I must agree.

A fabulously decorated street...lots of shops and lots of people.

Lunch at the Boudin Factory right on the pier.  YumYum. You just can't beat clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.

Such a beautiful day! I loved spending time with these gals!

Grace Cathedral - Just as we arrived, mass was getting out...

Inside Grace Cathedral - so beautiful and calm.  The stained glass windows are exquisite here.

Kimmie and Me

(Our matching purses were a b-day present from our sister Kathy; coincidentally, we both brought them)

 The evening was really cold down by the bay...we all have red noses.

San Fran wouldn't be complete without a little Ghirardelli Chocolate...

 The two days before I spent in Santa Rosa where Chris and Kayli are living for the summer. I have really missed these two, especially on the weekends when they would come home to do laundry and eat Sunday dinner with us. They enjoyed showing me around the Armstrong Redwoods, Senoma and the beaches close by.  

Spring Lake was beautiful to walk around on one of the mornings. Those trees are easy to get lost in and I did. Thankfully, there were two ladies that were just a head of me that I could use as a guide to get back to where we parked.  Little did they know they were being followed. I was so relieved when Kayli and Chris came running up from behind.

I Loved the Enormous Redwood Forests - SPECTACULAR!

This tree was amazingly huge! Seriously, I really wonder how old it is...probably from the 1200's.

We took a picnic lunch to the beach...but the wind was very chilly.

Thanks Chris and Kayli for letting me come.  Also, a big shout out to my Brother Dan for another complimentary ticket on Southwest! I have been the beneficiary many times and I am so grateful.