risencrazy

We ski because we can

And the rest of the week, we lived by the water, on the water, in the water, and had a beautiful time.

rozann

me - okay maybe I like the zoomed out, then you can't see my facial expressions. ha!

Liz

ryan

rachel - yeah, ouch. She tried several times - just couldn't keep the balance and pull back on the boat.

skiing takes a lot out of the spectators

don't worry, he got to practice his boogie boarding skills

the girl cousins hanging out - calla, liz, lea, rachel and taylee

we all knew the peace couldn't last that long - thanks tanner!

not to be overrun - he fights back! :)

boys in their element: Tyler, Lucas and Ryan

Sunday - the day of Cousins Christmas

We share a small 400 square foot 'studio' cabin. There are 2 queen beds, the table in the picture. A stove, a fridge from the 1950's, a counter and a few cupboards/drawers. There is a enough room between the bed and the wall for my suitcase to stand - sideways. This is how my kids sleep and each morning we clean it up and pile it on my bed. There's no running water - that's outside at the pipe and the bathroom and showers are out back. 50 cents this year for a shower.

This year (after all the trials and scary events we've endured - especially last year), this year, every day was picture perfect. It didn't rain, it didn't even threat of rain, the water was warm every day, all day, no boats stopped working, noone was injured (my niece Rachel tweeked her back a little, but nothing else). It was beautiful, peaceful and a well deserved break from life and the real world.

always eating - I'm pretty sure this was taken at the same time as the one above where the other 3 kids were passed out.

We held church and it was phenomenal as usual. Something about being outside in God's world He created and singing and praising Him.

After church, we have Cousins Christmas and eat dinner, play games, and enjoy our family.

rules: $5 or under - that's a hard target to stay under. Once you graduate from high school, you're out of the pool. :)

Taylee

card games are not complete without sweets

Abbey and Shay

Ammon's bat and ball were put to good use.

it got pretty intense

my sister Caryn and her granddaughter (looks just like her Dad - Derick), Riley

you never know where the paparazzi will strike

sometimes Lucas just needs to wrestle

too high, but he got a hit!

Twin Lakes - Ferry ride

I love everything about summer. I love being with family, vacation, travel, and more. The only thing that would make it better was if Jeff had the same vacation schedule we did. :) One of my very favorite places to be is at Twin Lakes. So much so I said it was my favorite place to vacation and I've been to Paris and London, but Twin Lakes tops both of those.

organizing for a group photo. We drove up with my parents, Kristin and Jonathan and their girls.

Mom, Lucas, Liz, Kristin, Abbey, Aubrey, Mo, Calla, Lea, Dad

Jonathan opted for the quiet solitude of the vehicle.

2013 - some day we'll learn to take photos not facing the sun.

Don't get wet....

We met up with my friend Laurie and her 4 kids are the river to play. Laurie and I were in the same ward growing up and our moms are the best of friends. Her mom was my favorite YW leader. She was just amazing and I strive to be the kind of leader that she was to me. I never felt judged by her and always felt loved and important even long after I was in YW - married and had children. She still commented on how pretty I was and how wonderful it was to see me. Laurie is just as fun and amazing - it's a wonder we're friends. :) We even spent a few months as roommates at BYU. Love that girl.

We started at the playground and it was too hot. Of course as it goes with every time we go to a park at my kids request - they never play and end up sitting right next to me. It was hot again, so we went down to the river to throw rocks in. Don't get wet we said.