Week up in Swan Valley

Cruz and Casey, probably one of the most prayed for dogs!


Most of my family (brothers, sister in laws, nieces, and nephews) were up in Swan Valley this week. Cruz, Alegra, and I took off last Sunday and drove up to Idaho. Dad couldn't get the time off work, so we were sad to leave him behind in Utah. We had fun going to Heise with the gang, going on the boat, playing on the trampoline, riding on the ATV, going to Jackson Hole for lunch shopping and a horse back ride, and fishing on the Snake River. Cruz had fun playing with Georgia (11), Macy (10), Grant (7), Walt (5), Mia (6), Sasha (4), Isla (8 months), Nicholas (6), and Clara (4). They all played pretty well. Don't get me wrong, there were definitely some fights, tantrums, melt downs, etc. but there was also TONS of laughing, playing, and joking! I was king of lazy and didn't take too many pictures the first part of the trip but the last couple of days I took a bunch. It is tough work being a single parent!! :) My mom helped me when she could but still sometimes they only want mama. Shawn left this past Friday afternoon with his friend Jeff Martinez and they drove to Laramie Wyoming for a bike race on Saturday. The race was 75 MILES OF MOUNTAIN BIKING, THAT IS TOUGH! Shawn did great of course, and finished in about 6.5 hours. He thought he could do it in 7 so he beat what he thought, we are so proud of him. We came home yesterday afternoon from Idaho and Shawn drove home today. We were very excited to see him. Cruz was pretty bummed to leave Idaho, he really loves it up there. It has been great having cousins to play with practically the whole month of July.
Typical breakfast, all the kids wanting to sit at the seats by the counter. From left to right: Clara, Mia, Cruz, Grant, Nick, Walt, and Sasha
Baby Isla and Naomi on a HOT day at Bear World!
Sasha and Clara, the bobsy-twins! These two were in a phase that they didn't want their picture taken.
Walt, Grant, Nick, Cruz, and Macy on the drop ride at Bear World. Macy was such a good help with Cruz. She took him all over on all the rides!
Mia and Cruz. The kids loved Bear World, especially the little rides they had. There are about 6 rides there and they spent over an hour running from ride to ride!
Nick and Walt pushing Alegra around the house in the walker. Nick, Grant, and Walt all really loved spending time with Alegra.
Alegra and Uncle Russ
Tramp Time!

Grammy with ALL of her grandchildren. It was a little traumatic to get this picture. :)
On Thursday July 29th, was the 2 year anniversary of when my dad passed away. We were all up in Jackson Hole together and after lunch we went around and told a memory of Grandpa. We had to keep it short with all the little kids, but I couldn't help crying hearing some of the stories and missing my dad so much. He would have loved to be hanging out with the family.
Cruz and Walt learning to fish. Walt has a Batman Fishing rod and he was trying to teach Cruz all of the tricks to fishing (even though Walt has only been a couple of times).
Walt and Uncle Russ
Me and Cruz out fishing!
Cruz cast the rod about 3 times and he got fish on 2 of the times. This second fish he got was actually pretty good size!