"I Hope You Have a Great Day" - by Gwen

When was the last time you really sang like no one was listening?

Incredible Jay

I'm always amazed at the cleverness, courage and kindness that can emerge from my 11 year old boy.

He will think of ways to entertain Gwen and her friend, like making a blanket tent so they could play dogs.

He is blessed to have a good friend right next door who also wants to do whats right. They came up with a "anti-swearing" club for our compound in hopes of encouraging those that swear to stop and those that don't to have courage to not start. The response was great! 2 boys signed up because they said they swear way too much.

He never complains about going to church. It can be difficult for the strongest of us because of the language barrier. He is a great young man and a blessing to all he knows.

A Whale of a Tale

We had a holiday on Thursday and we were lucky enough to get the company boat. We invited some friends to come along and we had a very successful day. John and I spent most of the time on the upper part of the boat. (great view, but lots more motion)
While the rest preferred staying on the front.

The humpback whales come to Angola to feed. And that became pretty obvious as we were following this pod around

They would come up in front of us and then behind us and then in front again. All the while rocking the boat.

They were not in a show off mood, though one of them slightly breached I missed it while I was getting Gwenny her sandwich!
What beautiful creatures they are, it was very uplifting to be so close to them.

Beautiful Ballerina's

There's just something about little girls in pink tutu's that is just so adorable! Gwen is so happy to be able to take ballet. We had bought several DVD's that came with a mat with the feet positions and a bar but it just wasn't the same.

The class is mostly 5 and 6 year olds. About half the class doesn't speak english, the teacher is from Brazil so she speaks in both languages.

Gwen was very serious and did her very best.

Each week they have a fun activity to do. This time they made princess crowns.

Phantom

If you asked Will what was the best part of his summer he would tell you that it was seeing Ben and Rebecca in Phantom of the opera in Las Vegas. It was so amazing! But to make it all the more exciting Ben played the part of Raul and Rebecca his wife played the part of Meg. My cheeks hurt from smiling to see my nephew do such an incredible job.

They are such a cute couple. Still newly weds, Rebecca is a beautiful ballerina. I asked her when she started to get serious about ballet she said she was 8 years old. Wow!

You would think they were brothers! But they are 2nd cousins. Uly and Jay enjoying fruit snacks.

And you would think these 2 were sisters, but then again they are 2nd cousins. And they both love horses (and their new kitty's)

Grandmum Cheryl

It was so fun to have Maddie's Grandmum come and visit. We all adopted her.

She had a whiplash tour of Zion's National Park

and Snow Canyon, while we were driving by we saw the people who spend hundreds to go to the spa close by...

Cheryl had her own Yoga class. We loved her Mac and Cheese and spontaneous singing! We are looking forward to the next visit.

More Swimming

We nicknamed Jay the "baby whisperer" because all the babies just love him. I swear Maddie was saying "J" as plain as day. (She is so smart)

Here she is in her lady bug float.

Hannah taking a break.

Jakey just turned 8!

Swimming!

Dixie never lets us down we always have a very hot summer. It's so nice to cool off in some water. Jocie Bean loved to swim.

The kids took this picture of Gwen. You can imagine my gasps when I saw it!

Little Elias is a natural! His little legs were moving as soon as they touched the water.

Wow, Benja, so graceful!

Grand Canyon

We stopped at the south rim of the Grand Canyon on the way back. It was a bit hazy, boy what a view!

Will looking good.

Maren was making me a nervous wreck sitting on the fence and leaning over...

then I remembered this picture of me the same age at Lake Powell. (I see that stripes are in style again!)

Texas!

We drove to Texas! And on our way we stopped at Cadilac Ranch. I remember stopping there about 24 years ago. I was amazed at how many people were there and had brought a can of spray paint. I think the paint is holding them together now.

We loved seeing Grandy and Grandad and Hobo (the dog). Hobo is the only dog that I know that can talk. I need to get it on video because it is just so cute. He talks mainly to Grandad.

John and his Daddy. Can you tell who the real cowboy is?

The kids got up early one morning to go out and feed the fish.

Summer Highlights

What a whirlwind summer it was for me! I loved every minute of it. I was able to see my dear cousin Gwen and her husband Daryl. We just laughed and laughed like two 8 year old little girls. I just love her!!

This picture of my Gwenny and her cousin Hannah on the 4th of July reminded me of when my cousin Gwen and I had matching dresses that Aunt Ramea made for us.

My darling niece Megan had a princess academy for the girls. They had a great time.

They took their dancing very seriously.