Star Valley Trip

Over the 24th of July, our family went to Star Valley to visit Grandma Helen. It is always fun to visit Afton. Afton is a small town outside of Jackson, Wy. that is one of the most beautiful places on earth. There is no pollution in the air, just green mountains and blue skies.

It was so much fun to visit with Helen and let the kids just enjoy getting out of the city and playing outside. I know that it is a lot of ciaos when we come to visit, but we really love it! Thank you Helen for everything!!

While we were there, we also got to visit with Jesalee, Abby, Randle, and Gwen. Jesalee is Jason's cousin. I had so much fun sitting by the fire talking to Jesalee about kids and work. She helped me so much, thanks Jesalee!



Devin and Abby are the same age and had such a fun time running around together...cousin's are the best!









Jesalee and Helen


It was hilarious to watch their little dog....she showed Rosebud who was boss.







Uncle Randle playing with Trey.
I was so surprised at how Trey took to Randle so quickly. Usually when Trey meets someone new, he ignores them totally. At the very least he takes a couple hours to warm up. However, Trey immediately played and interacted with Randle. My heart was very full watching this little interaction. I think that Trey was so open to Randle for a couple of reasons. One is that Randle has an amazingly soothing voice that reminds me a lot of Uncle Nolan's. It is like budda!! It has the most beautiful tenor to it and has an almost sing song quality to it. I really think that he should narrate a book and record it.














Before Randle came over Trey was convinced that this little toy just a funny looking golf club. He was so fun to watch:) He also had quite a natural golf swing for a 3 year old! I definitely need to get him playing,...he will be amazing.






The dutch oven chicken and potatoes that Helen made were delicious....naturally!












Devin has now informed me that he doesn't smile in pictures anymore...he would rather sport this tough guy look.














One thing that Afton has, that I could do without is a TON of mosquitoes!!! Trey is demonstrating the mosquito spray position:) We would say "O.K. Trey, time to get sprayed" and he would immediately put both arms out to the sides and close his eyes....so cute! Even with the can of spray we used, we had quite a few bites.








Getting Helen's fire pit ready to dutch oven....Jason has turned into a master fire builder.




Do you play Crochet?



















The kids had fun watching a couple of movies too. When we were there it happened to be Crazy Days in Afton. We were able to take the kids to Cars 2 for free!! Also Taylor and I had fun with Helen walking the streets and seeing all of the sales. We even found some great necklaces.















Helen is amazing with how she is able to keep things in perfect condition for years. I would like to know her secret! She has never lost a toy.....it's not natural I tell you!

These are big wheels that Jason rode on as a little boy. My boys had fun racing them around the basketball court.














Even Trey joined in that fun!

Can't wait for the Draney reunion in Aug.!

Summer Fun at Cherry Hill

Since we only have a couple of weeks of summer, we are trying to make the most of every minute! On Thursday the 14th I took the boys to Cherry Hill since Taylor was already going to be there with friends. It was so much fun to spend the day with the boys, Jason felt so bad about missing out on the fun that we took the whole family back yesterday!


Trey was hilarious when we were playing miniature golf:) He would walk his ball right up to the hole, tap it in, and give a fist punch saying Yah!

Dylan took a picture of me, Devin and Trey! Love my boys!

Dylan is such an awesome big brother! Trey thought that it was so much fun that Dylan was fist punching with him.

Sweetest boys ever!!!!

Trey hated the ball pit at first, with his sensory integration problems it was too much to process the feeling of them. To his credit though, he didn't lose it like he usually does, he just wanted to get out:) baby steps!!


I have been so amazed at the improvement that I have been seeing in Trey. The first day at Cherry Hill, Trey screamed for about an hour and a half straight. He has trouble with being in water, he struggles with sensory integration disorder and this is very hard for him. I kept getting out of the water and then reintroducing him. I think that between the two days I held him for about 14 hours! He is a trouper though, and by the 2nd time that we went, he was doing so much better and even was playing in the water! Although there is frustration when we go on these outings, the improvement that I see in him is so apparent that it is worth it. I am so proud of him and am humbled by the progress that he is making.


My sweet Taylor!! It is hard to have her growing up so fast. This was when we had our family day at Cherry Hill. I thought about following her and her friends around but thought I should save her the embarrassment.

One of our best days:)

Happy 4th of July and other Cousining

If it is one thing that our family likes to do, it is playing with cousins! The last couple weeks the kids have had a lot of cousin time and it has been a blast. Whether its water play or parades we love to get together and enjoy the blessing of family.

Water fun at Hollie's house. The kids came to Wally World and chose out a slip and slide.


Grandma and Grandpa with the little boys who were totally engrossed in the ipad


Charlie, Sawyer and Trey. (Yes that's my kid picking his nose, just to drive me crazy....that's o.k. I'll get him back by showing this picture to his girlfriend when he's 18)

Katelyn and Summer...beautiful girls!





Dad the Grill master, braving the heat to slave over the hot grill.

Sawyer and Trey at Hollie's house. Do a little dance, have a little fun....get down tonight!

Devin, Summer, and Sadie



Taylor, Summer and Savannah

Now it's off to Idaho for the 4th of July and the epic Albion parade!

Samantha is an amazing Griller! Thanks for the food Sam

Doris Hunsaker the matriarch of the Hunsaker family. Grandma is

an amazing lady. She is so resilient, not too long ago she had

a serious fall that put her in the hospital. Now she's up and smiling

and surrounded by family that loves her :)

Grandma's legacy is one of love. Thank you for your love and your

amazing example of faithfulness. We love you Grandma!!!

Trey and Papa at the parade







Dylan and Sadie with their mad soccer skills...impressive!


Savannah cheering in the Albion parade..you were so great and we had a ton of fun watching!

Cotton candy hummmmmmmmmm

The man circle....pondering the mysteries of the
universe .....or rather all the awesome cars that
this little parade had.







More cheering

Grandma protecting Trey from the wind.

This is a well known look that we in the family like to call...BLUE STEEL











Sadie

and Skyler

Heidi and Sawyer

One of the great gifts that God has given to us in this life, is the gift of family. Family is there for us in times of celebration as well as in times of sorrow. We laugh together, cry together, sometimes fight together, but ALWAYS we stick together. We are blessed to have the best family in the world. Also we are blessed to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our life that is the foundation of who we are.

Some of our family is separated from us by miles (Rob,Lyndsay, Cohen, Canyon and Suzie), but we are always as close as a phone. Our hearts are knit together with love and that makes us infinitely strong and our bond unbreakable.

Thanks for the memories...we can't wait til the end of the month to see Rob, Lyndsay and their kids. And Suzie: We love you and are praying for you. You are serving the Lord and are bringing blessings to all of us, who are proud to be called your family.

Until our next adventure :)