Melissa & Shawn's info

I was going to try to contact everyone I thought would want to know about this...but then realized it would be easiest to just put the info on my blog.

Melissa will be released from her mission on Thursday, July 10th. We're going to pick her up in Nebraska, so she'll be back in Mesa on July 15th. There is an open house for her at my parents' house on Thursday, July 17th from 7-9pm. She speaks in church on July 27th at 11:30am at the Val Vista/Adobe building.

Shawn will be released from his mission on Thursday, July 31st & will be flying into Phoenix. There is an open house for Shawn & Stetson at Stetson's parents' house that night. They will both be speaking on August 10th at 11:30am at the Val Vista/Adobe building.

I AM BEYOND EXCITED TO SEE 2 OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE, WHO I HAVEN'T SEEN IN FOREVER!!!

Trip To Cabin

Lincoln's schedule ended up to where he had a week off of work. It was awesome. We probably should have stayed home because we had so much to do, but we decided to play as hard as we could this summer. :) The cabin is seriously breathtaking...it's such a nice place to get away & just relax!
Linc & I hanging out on the deck. It was actually COLD at night there! I loved it!!!
Todd & Em came with us to the cabin for the weekend. We just love them! Emery & I were roommates at EA & we lived in a tiny little studio apartment together...so we know each other quite well! We both met Todd at EA...he is a great guy. They're moving to Texas to go to law school...we are really going to miss them!

Whenever Lincoln was suddenly missing, we knew that he had hidden away somewhere to read his book. That guy can't put that thing down. He gets so into it!

Frisbee Golf

Lincoln's uncles have a crazy frisbee golf course by the cabin.
This is Emery in action...this picture cracks me up
because Todd looks so into the throw.







I hadn't played it in a few years & forgot how hard it is! This is me with my arm totally stuck to the raspberry bushes, waiting for Lincoln to take a picture & then get me out of them. I obviously didn't throw it where I was aiming. :)

Another Trip To Snowflake

We have really taken advantage of Lincoln having the summer off school. We're trying to go up to Snowflake as much as we can before he gets too busy again! This trip was great, as usual. A few things I didn't have pictures of: riding bikes with Lincoln's cousin Erin & stopping every 2 minutes for a shade & water break, going on a picnic with Matt & Danielle's family, & hearing Jarod tell Jayten to go away because he needed some "alone time with Aunt Anjane'".

Claire's 2nd Birthday

Claire blowing out the candles on her awesome Elmo cake. My sisters-in-law will definitely have me beat in the kid cake department...I don't know if I'll ever be able to make any that are so cute!
Claire got a new slide for her birthday. She loved it but insisted that Shrek go down it with her at first.
Dancing in her boa...she loves anything girly. I love it! She makes me laugh ALL THE TIME!
The kids really enjoyed the pinata. We also made yummy homemade ice cream!

Feeding the Horses

Linc's a pro at feeding the horses. You can tell he's done it a million times.


Me on the other hand...I was so scared that they would bite my fingers off! I finally got to where I wouldn't drop the apple on the ground before they could eat it. :)

The horse started kind of chasing me wanting more apples & I didn't know what to do. I was freaking out. I hate that I'm such a city girl...I'm trying to change!

Claire & Her Sword

Claire was just loving pretending to get Lincoln with her sword. He would make a sound like she hit him & she would just laugh her head off. It entertained her for a long time & entertained me too. :)

Visit to Cemetery

Lincoln, Alyssa & I went to visit Jackson's grave one of the mornings. I probably should have dressed up a little more...but I'm guessing that Jackson doesn't care. :) I can't wait to get his headstone up!

Lincoln's Uncle Reaves's headstone. We love that Jackson is buried next to him & that we can visit his grave when we visit Jackson's.

Girl Time

Linc's aunts, his mom, my sister-in-law & I tied a quilt one night while we were there. I have to admit, I have absolutely hated tying quilts in the past...I've probably only done it twice for like 5 minutes in YW. Anyway, Linc's aunts taught me how to do it better & I really enjoyed myself this time! It was fun to get some girl time in! I love all of these ladies.

The future Dr. Hiatt taking care of Lea's knee.

Visiting Kenny & Cleona

Lincoln's parents, us, Jayten, Jarod & Erin made the trip to Kenny & Cleona's house to celebrate Rans's 2nd birthday. We had a lot of fun eating, hanging out, riding the quad & watching cute Rans with his bday cake.

The boys hanging out outside.
Putting coins on the train tracks & watching the trains go by. The kids loved it...except for the noise. :)

Rans's 2nd Birthday

Rans showing us his cute fish cake & candles.
The boys just love Lincoln. Rans is just afraid of me. :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RANS!!!

Happy Birthday Christa!

Mindy, Christa, Amber & I went to lunch at Red Robin for Christa's bday & then shopped at the mall. I have to say that Christa is an amazing person...she & Brandon are always doing so much for me. Whether it's picking up my medicine when I don't feel well or inviting me to play games or to have dinner with them, she is always trying to find some way to help me. I love you Christa & really appreciate your friendship! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!! Happy belated birthday!