Grandpa Roylance

Grandpa was put on hospice in late July. My mom and I decided to go for a visit, because we weren't sure how long he would be around. He had heart problems for a long time, and finally the doctors could do no more. He was going to dialysis a couple of times per week as well.

Our visit was great. It was hard to see him not be as active as he would like to be (he has always been one to be on the go, working at something). It was nice to be able to spend some time with him and my Grandma, as well as my aunts and uncles. I've always felt close to my grandparents, even though they live far away. Our visits have always been few and far between, but I've always felt a connection with them.

It was hard to say goodbye, knowing that I may never see him again....and I didn't. My grandpa passed away a few short weeks later. I'm so glad that I got to see him one last time and tell him how much I loved him. He was a wonderful man, and a wonderful example to me. I know that I will see him again, and for that I am very grateful.

Jones Family Fiesta!

The Jones Reunion is always a blast. Doug's mom and sister put so much work and effort into it, we appreciate it so much! They decorate, come up with teams, challenges, races, etc. It is GREAT! This year's theme was fiesta, so there was lots of spanish spoken, mexican food eaten, and traditions played out.

There were lots of flowers in bloom, especially lots of sego lillies (perfect for the celebration of the 24th of July!)

The kids had lots of fun playing together. They especially loved anytime they could catch a ride on the 4-wheelers.

We all had to check in, see what team we were on and do the Mexican Hat Dance. We wore sombreros, shook maracas and danced away.

Gettin' our groove thang goin'

Olivia and Grandpa. They love to tease each other!

We ran the race around the island (Bill's Island, in Island Park, ID). Doug came in 4th....and I'm not sure what place I came in, I just know it was 3rd from last. We played our challenges and I think the team order was....yellow 1st (because they cheat! Doug and Ryker were on this team) green 2nd (because we're good. Olivia and I were on this team) red 3rd (Grace was on this team) and orange 4th. It's amazing how competitive we can get.

This was the view of all the people taking off in front of me. We walked the whole 2.1 miles around the island.
Challenge time!

We relaxed, did water sports (although the boat never got put in and the jet skis weren't working part of the time). The weather was good during the day and cooled off at night, even giving us some showers.

An attempt to put a new battery in the jet ski, it did not work :(

Grace eating her mini chili pepper pinata that Brittany helped her make.

Pinata time! One of 3 that the kids took FOREVER trying to break apart. These pinatas were tough!

The remnants from the first broken pinata. Should we take a stick to his head? Ha.ha. Love you, babe!

It's great seeing and connecting with family you don't see as often as you would like.

Grace Turns 6!

Can you believe it? Six! We are getting so old! Grace had many celebrations for her birthday. As a family we went to Chuck E. Cheese. The kids had a great time. That night she and I went to see the Hannah Montana movie. It was fun to spend one on one time with her. She then got her gift of a Hannah Montana doll, pajamas, lipgloss, and other beauty products. Can you tell she likes Hannah Montana? For today at least :)

We learned that going to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch on a weekday isn't too bad. Not as many people, and didn't have to wait for any games/rides.

Saturday was her party. She had a butterfly theme. We made butterflies out of coffee filters, and the kids swam. They had a cupcake cake that looked like a butterfly, and a rainbow pinata (couldn't find a butterfly one). They had a great time. (All the pics I took of this are on the other camera that I'm not getting out right now).

Then she had another kind of party at the cabin. Grandma J brought her presents up to the family reunion, so she opened them.

Grace got totally outfitted (now she can look like Hannah Montana), a Hannah Montana watch and a Hannah Montana guitar. So she serenaded us the whole weekend. Thanks to Uncle Kent for tuning it (as much as he could) and making a make shift guitar strap! Now for lesssons.....

First Lost Tooth

A few weeks ago Grace's bottom tooth became loose, finally! I was wondering if this girl was ever gonna lose a tooth naturally. But then it happened....the big tooth was growing behind it. I was kind of panicky, so we made a dentist appointment. The dentist gave her a week to get it out on her own. She only needed a day. I'm very proud of her. The tooth fairy came and all was right with the world.

4th of July

We had a great 4th of July. It stared on the 3rd. As we have done the past few years, we attended the fireworks at Granite High. It's always fun to see neighbors and ward and stake members there. The fireworks are always great!

For the 4th we had a BBQ at our house and we had the missionaries over. Chase was visiting with us from Idaho, and was excited to get to be with missionaries. His brother Dusty is serving a mission right now, and really misses him.

We did some of our own fireworks that night. I'm so happy to be living in a free country. We are truly blessed.

We went to the church parking lot to do this one. We've done it before and had confetti all over the neighbor's yards and roofs. We've learned that you need a wide open space for this one.

Poppers, poppers, poppers!

Keeping Busy

This summer we've been keeping busy. We went to see the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, it is beautiful. Doug mows a lawn right across the street, so he has watched it rise from the beginning, and gets to see it every week.

We renewed our zoo pass, and have only been once so far. We will probably go back when Grandma J and Chase come down, hopefully it won't be too hot.

We've spent some time in Idaho with Doug's family. I got to be pampered at a local spa for the day while Grandma took the kids to Jensen's grove and they swam and played at the beach. They played at the park, and rode their bikes around Grandma's house. We also went to the library, where Doug's sister Lisa works. They always do such a great Summer Reading Program. This year's theme was pirates and it was awesome!

The kids have been swimming pretty much every day that we have been home. We've gone to the lunch park, had friends over, sleep overs, and all that fun stuff. The kids participated in Rad Kids at the Columbus Center, Ryker finished up soccer and started football.

We also have gone to Lagoon a couple of times, using the great Bounceback program.

Can you tell I was stuck at the kiddie rides a lot? Doug and Ryker ventured off to the big rides, so I didn't get any pics of them :( We spent most of the day at Lagoona Beach anyway. Too hot for anything else.

We've also celebrated holidays, birthdays, family reunions, and have camping trips coming up, and a few other things. Only 3 more weeks left, hopefully we can fit it all in. It's gone by fast!

Ryker at the Races

Ryker has raced a few times at RMR this summer. He really enjoys it, even though he can't really compete seriously right now. For one, most of the kids have been racing since they were 4, and two, all of their bikes are faster than his. He now wants a KTM so that he at least doesn't get lapped :)

Watching Doug's race

As his mom, I am just fine with him puttering around the track. I would rather him never learn to jump, but that's probably not going to happen, darn it.

Doug on the line. I didn't get pics of Ryker on the line, I'm not sure why. I was probably too nervous and didn't want to look anyway :)