A whirlwind of a SUMMER!

Our summer started with a "girls" trip to San Francisco to see Katie. Sarah and her three kids, met us there from Utah. We had lots of fun, trying to keep the kids quiet so the downstairs neighbor wouldn't pound on his ceiling with a broom.

We had fun touring the Jelly Belly Factory!

We went to Pier 39 to see the Sea Lions, it was a little windy and cold for our AZ blood.

While we were in San Fran, Darin and Don were at a YM Stake Encampment, and the other three boys were at Luanne's. Cade says to me later, "Mom did you already go see Katie?" I guess he didn't miss me much?!

The weekend we got home, we got to attend Cub Scout Day Camp with Travis. (Don't get me started on cub scouts.)

The following week, which is now the second week of June, Darin went to Scout Camp for the week.

The next day, upon Darin's return we left for our first ever Bradshaw Reunion. We stayed at Bahia Resort in San Diego. There were a few upsets on rooms, but other than that we had a GREAT time playing on the Mission Beach and visiting La Jolla Cove.

Kruze and Mckell digging for crabs and whatever else they could find at La Jolla Cove.

Travis, Braden, Darin, and Cade at La Jolla

Here is the proof, my dad (grandpa) actually went on VACATION!!

The whole family at La Jolla

After we got home we had a few days to recover before Cade celebrated his 7th birthday at Chuck E. Cheese.

Darin and Braden left the next day to go spend 3 weeks in Idaho with Grandpa and Grandma Leavitt. They got to experience what helping on the farm actually means. They pulled siphon tube apart and put it back together, changed water, weeded the garden and the list goes on. I don't think they have ever worked so hard in their short lives!

Cade's Birthday

Cade opening his presents

Yosemite National Park

We set off, really, to go to Idaho to get Darin and Braden, but took a little detour to Yosemite National Park.

Our first stop was Death Valley, which after our adventure through there, should be renamed HELL! We made it through and found our way to a tourist town, Kernsville. We stayed our first night there, and then headed on to Yosemite.

This sign is in Death Valley, it says Elevation-Sea Level

It was sooo hot and windy, Don got out to take this picture, none of the rest of us would dare.

Yosemite has beautiful Giant Sequoia trees, you can see how big of round they are.

My arms stretched out couldn't even reach the ends.

I really enjoy being able to see the beauty around us!

(including my kids)

These are the pine cones that grow on the sequoias

This is a trickle coming down Yosemite Falls, but in the Spring it really comes down, that's what we were told anyway.

Half-Dome, that you could hike in to.

El Capitan, it looks like a huge, flat, straight mountain side.

A view of Yosemite Valley

Our next stop was Grandma and Grandpa Leavitt's house in Idaho. We went camping for a week to Baumgartner. It is right by the Boise River, has lots of 4 wheeling and motorcycle trails, plus it has a natural hot springs, that the park fills up in to a cemented pool each day. It is very nice and relaxing... not to mention the only way to bathe with hot, clean water! (Obviously in our swimsuits and by pouring the hot water on us outside of the pool.)

While we were camping we visited the nearby Trinity Lakes.

Darin climbing!



Don's new found love...FLY FISHING!



There were pretty flowers all around the lake.

Isn't she beautiful?

Travis's new found love...FISHING with Grandpa or Dad

Kambree...isn't she beautiful?

Braden & Kambree posing on a rock overlooking the lake.

Grandma & Grandpa Leavitt's house

Mckell and Kambree loved to pet and talk with Grandma & Grandpa's neighbors horse.

They also got to ride Savanna, Grandpa's horse!!

Our last leg of this trip was to go to Utah for Amy's wedding. We stayed with Zach and Sarah for a few days...THANKS guys. We went to the park for Mckell's birthday, went bowling, visited BYU, saw Bridal Veil Falls, Don and I got to attend a session at the Bountiful Temple with Amy, best of all we were apart of the sealing of Jon & Amy! It was good to be with and see lots of family!


Mckell's Birthday

Mckell with her birthday stash....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Utah

Darin and Braden in front of the Provo River

Jon & Amy 's Wedding

Dave & Don with all our kids

(Dave is saying get me out of here..NOW)

Jon & Amy Snodgrass

newly married coming out of the SLC Temple

Jon & Amy

Do they look tired of waiting?

Blair looking so cute, Logan crying with a toothache

Jon & Amy

Leah, Danny, Travis, and Marissa

waiting and more waiting

Jon & Amy Snodgrass

We got home just in time to unload the car, do a little school shopping and then school started.

Mckell ready for her first day of Kindergarten...watch out Mrs. Shawd here she comes.



AND THERE YOU HAVE IT....
OUR SUMMER IN A FLASH!