Smith family wedding shower for Ethan and Maddy

 As the wedding gets closer and closer Ethan and Maddy are having so many wedding showers.  They are smaller because of COVID and so there are more!  This was one of them from the Smith family.  They are being showered with gifts and things that will really help them start out their lives together.  People are so generous and it's fun for the family to get to know them both better.  We're getting so excited for the big day!  8.22.2020 💓

McKinley gets her license

With all the Corona Virus closures it was difficult for McKinley to get her drivers ed range drives, test, and appointment for her license at the DMV, but she was able to get it all done and only be exactly 1 month after her birthday.  She passed the test without any deductions and is happy to have the white Nissan truck as "her" car to drive around.  Be safe!!

 

Sandhollow RV trip

 

When all the craziness started happening with COVID-19 and all the shutdowns and restrictions on travel, I knew that we would want to secure some reservations for camping so we would have some fun trips.  We scheduled one per month and in June we went to Sandhallow.  We took Grandads truck and camper and McKinley's friend McKenna for a weekend getaway.  It was a lot of fun, so beautiful and stinking hot!!  Next time we'll go in the spring or fall, but the water was amazing and the evenings were beautiful.  

Funny story:  Since it was so hot we decided to take a siesta during the afternoon heat and go on a hike once the sun went down and it was only in the 90s.  We headed out after dinner to do a slot canyon hike that was about 30 miles away from the campsite.  We had a great hike, which included some amazing dog lifting skills by Evan (scary moments not caught on camera) and finished up the hike about 9:45pm.  That was when it occurred to us that the campsite gates close at 10pm and we were not going to be able to get back in.  So, we had to park on the road outside the state park and walk in to our campsite.  We only got a little lost (the kids and I) and made it back to the campsite a few minutes before Dave walked up from parking the car down the road.  Fun times!

Engagement photos

As Maddy and Ethan continue to prepare for their wedding day one of the things that they really wanted to splurge on was the photographer.  After seeing these pictures I can see why!  Wow!  They are both so beautiful and handsome and together make an amazing couple not only in pictures but in their relationship and their outlook on life.  I'm so excited to see them start their lives together and just watch their journey together.  We love you both!! 8.22.2020 💓

 

Sweet 16!! (Covid -19 style)

So, when your 16th birthday falls in the middle of a world-wide pandemic it's a good thing that you are a chill girl and perfectly happy to spend the day with your family.  We did our best to spoil our princess on her Sweet 16th and she is just that.  McKinley is our only girl and she is the best!  She's my little party planner buddy, my silly meme's partner and all around fun friend.  I hope she knows how much we love her and how proud of her we are.  I keep telling her not to become a snotty teenager and so far, so good.  She stays out of the drama, is kind and thoughtful to everyone, is quiet and shy until you get her laughing, and is obedient and a leader at the same time.  You do you girl!

 

Oscar comes home!!

After 16 days (or longer because we can't really remember the first day we didn't see him) Oscar showed up at the back door meowing and so dirty and thirsty.  We assumed he got shut in a garage or barn somewhere and was finally able to get out and come home.  We were SOOOOO happy to see him and we didn't think he was still with us.  We had put signs up around the neighborhood and sent messages to everyone in the area to be on the lookout for him.  But there he was!  We gave him a lot of cold water, loved on him and gave thanks he was home!  We love you Oscar!!

 

Family trip to Moab

As one of our COVID monthly trips, we rented an AIRBnB in Moab and went down for the weekend to explore the area.  We met up with Ethan and Maddy and hiked Mary Jane Canyon.  It was a longer hike, with lots of water, and it was beautiful.  We enjoyed exploring the canyon and finally gave up on trying to keep our shoes dry.  We ended the day with a great meal at a burger place in Moab followed by games and a movie.  On the way back we stopped at Dead Horse State Park and enjoyed the views. Perfect family getaway!