FAMILY

 We enjoyed a trip to Utah last week. Joey and Katie let us and Carly's family all stay in their beautiful new house in Springville! We got to see Abby while we were there. 

 Part of our entertainment included the Dinosaur Museum.

 The kids really got into the hands on part of the museum!

 We got to see Charles' sister, Renee and her daughter, Nichole, while we were there.

 Jackson is a wonderful little two year old! He loved having some cousins around for a few days.

 This is Audra's favorite past time. She reads a lot! 

 Bella didn't take any time at all to warm up to Abby's boyfriend, Kevin. She liked him a lot! We all liked him.

 We took a little trip up to Bridal Veil Falls, where some of the guys (including Evan) made it up to the top. The rest of us meandered around down below and later had a picnic lunch.

 Bella and Audra on a "dig".

 Carly's family followed us home and stayed for a few days. It was fun getting together with Katy's family one night.

 These same age little cousins were happy to see each other!

 Evan's first conquest was this rock, which emboldened him to go up to the falls (in his flip-flops!)

Some of the family hiked up the Y Mountain early one morning.

 Some neighbors gave Joey sparklers for the kids on Pioneer Day. Jackson really loved this!

  Jackson patting Evan's shoulder tenderly.

JAKE'S VISIT

We really enjoyed having Megan and Lexi visit for a few days before Jake drove down. He was only here for a couple of days, so after going to the beach, we had a barbecue with Katy's family. 

 These two, Lexi and Skylee, are the same age, same size, and both love to do cartwheels and put on shows for the family.

 Jake and Katy!

 Megan and Kelsey

 Family fun at the park.

 Catching turtles is a favorite past time at the park.

 Little Adeline had fun! The Ellsworth's brought scooters, with an extra one for Jacob to ride.

Jacob's Visit, AZ Trip

 Jacob went to church with us while he was here.

 This is how we found Carly and Bella when we arrived at their house in AZ. The water is about 95 degrees, so not terribly refreshing, but nice!

 Carly took us to a city water park in Chandler one day, and the kids loved it!

 We stopped by to see the progress on the Gilbert Temple after the water park, and yes, the kids do look hot!

 Jacob was really sweet with Bella and Audra, and they liked it!

 Mother-Daughter

 Jacob and I stayed in a hotel, and had Evan spend one of the nights. The two of them really enjoyed being together. As you can see, they're playing a video game here!

 We went to the Science Center in Phoenix another day. Jacob loves cats, and was pretty interested in looking at the cat's brain!

 Here it is closer up, in case you're interested.

 These are giant cockroaches, and Jacob explained to me how some people in Africa eat them. Gross!

 When Evan stayed with us, he missed swim practice, so swam some laps in the hotel pool. He preferred the hot tub though!

 Here's the gang at the science center. 

 Audra was totally absorbed in some of the displays. Afterward, she said she loved it all! When we first got to AZ, Audra wasn't in the pool, so I went upstairs looking for her. She was relaxing in her air conditioned bedroom, reading past issues of The Friend. For a bedtime story one night, she got out a copy, went to the table of contents, and found an article she wanted me to read to her. KG won't know what hit them when school starts!

 This display powered a light bulb from pedaling a bike.

 Couldn't resist the cow! The display was about methane gas, and had fake cow manure to touch.

 This big telescope let you view your own eye in the display above. That is Bella's giant eye.

 Last night together for the cousins!