July

Grandma B. gave Meg her 8th grade promotion dress.  It is so darling, so is the girl in it.

 I did not want to make dinner one night, so Maisie and I came up with pancake art.  We all loved it.

 Austin finished my valences.  Our "unslatted" view is just breath taking. 

 We had nine mouths that needed a cleaning.  Molly and I represented the army that went into Sedona Dental Arts and left with very clean teeth.  The ladies take really great care of us.

 Grandma B. celebrated her birthday with us.  She requested taco salad, and we ate a festive cake.

 Grandma B. makes sure everyone around her is comfortable and happy.  She quietly serves and never thinks of herself.  She's a gem in every way -- a true angel in our lives. We love her! 

 July 4th celebrations included lunch and swimming party with ward friends.  I used 21 cups of flour to make lovely rolls for the event.

 Here is our perfect oasis.

 33 children were in attendance.

 Clean-up was being pressure-washed while swimming.

 Then!  We went camping for 24 hours, exactly.  We drove to the rim, found a spot, hiked in West Clear Creek, and loved it all.  No fires are allowed, so our meals were minimal.  Best detail was that the kids slept in one tent, and we slept in the other. 

 While in the canyon the rains came, but we had not put flies on the tents, so Meg and Andy ran back to the top and got them covered.  Rain finds us whenever we camp.

 No devices, lots of books and word games made for a simple time together.

 Molly refused to wear shoes, I have no idea why, so she climbed from chair to chair.  We loved that her little feet fit in the cup holder.

 The view from inside our tent.

 Austin took the fly off and we watched the stars.

 Homeward bound.

 Sliding down the stairs in the amazon box -- these kids were cheering and laughing.