Pioneer Day's Celebrations!

It all began with the "Ice cream Social" in St. Johns......
We got to see cousins and long time friends! We always enjoy the reunions!
And of course......all the ICE CREAM!!!!!!

It was fun to see friends from my childhood and

have our kids play together and become friends!

(Sherry "Haws" and her girls)

GRANDMA and GRANDPA

Merrill

came and celebrated the weekend with our family.

Grandpa played the guitar and sang songs.

And Grandma taught us the secrets to her yummy homemade rolls!


FIREWORKS!!!!!

We had a fun Bar B Q on our deck and watched the Fireworks!

The girls loved the fireworks this year and were not even scared.

They were so proud of themselves that they weren't scared!

The only problem was the fireworks were an hour late, so waiting for them,

the kids got grouchy and tired, but were thrilled when they finally came!

Hanging out with the family waiting for the fireworks!
Grandma and Grandpa Pember came too!

Chapmans and Aunt Jesskya came with her girls.
The Boyz and their friends!
Teenagers always make it that much more fun!!!!!

~DANCE MATRIX~

Charlotte and Kalicia showing us some of their dance moves.

Kalicia "Kika"

Charlotte (Look at her standing!!!)

~BEST FRIENDS~

The boys missed out on a lot of the celebrations because they had to work,

so we went to go visit them.

Jon (Cool big brother in uniform)

All the family came to watch the girls perform with Dance Matrix
for the Pioneer Day's Celebration at Pioneer Park in Snowflake.

Aunt Jessyka coaching Charlotte on her dance moves.

This cute little dance team will be performing at the Diamond Backs' Stadium for the preshow before the Diamond Back's Game on August 21st! Woo hoo! What a dream come true! And Charlotte is supposed to be in a wheel chair. She does really well and everyone loves her! The teachers there are so proud of her. She has been a real inspiration to all in this little town.

Watching the Pioneer Day's Parade.

Jade, Aunt Jessyka and MeikaGrandmas and Grandpas, Uncles and Aunts

They loved being STARS on the float and waving to everyone!

Little happenings........

Jon and Austin got to go to Clear Creek and go cliff jumping with Winston and our friend, Mary McCray. Oh, they so loved it and were on a high when they go home!

Jumping all at once....
Jon

Austin

Even during Monsoon season when we can't play outside......the kids still are able to get their energy out in the basement! Caroline loves to spin on this swing that Daddy made.

She giggles and giggles!!!!

Dance practice and then off to the library.

While at the park, Caroline took her first dive onto her face. (so sad)
But, I am so proud....she is trying so hard to be like her sisters.
She is starting to get around really well.
She also just kept this ice pack on her face without me making her keep it there,
what kid does that without moving?


Ok, ok.....so I finally got released from my Preparedness calling after 3 years and still hadn't made a solar oven. So I taught one more class on how to cook without electricity. I was so excited because I baked rolls in my cheap little solar oven made out of boxes and foil.
It worked!!!!! What a fun experiment!

Gymkhana ~ My little Cowgirls!!!

Even Daddy got involved!
Our horse, Bobbie, is starting to get and look old.....
She is so gentle with the girls.

The teenagers love our spunky horse, Annie.
They ran he all night long, taking turns going on rides.
Jon and Austin with their friends and cousin, Alex, Becca and Amanda.
Charlotte took First place with her time in racing barrels!
She was so proud! She even did it by herself!

Kalicia was so proud of her third place ribbon.

Caroline's 1st time running barrels in the 2 yr. olds' age group.

She played with her first ribbon and wasn't interested in posing for a picture.

She took 4th in her age group.

Charlotte and Kalicia even figured out how to get on Bobbie all by themselves. They would push her up against the fence, while Bobbie just looked back at them wondering what they were doing to her, then she would move sideways up against the fence. Then the girls would climb the fence and get on. I was so proud of them and was entertained watching them.

"We're the Pembers!"

Pember Family Campout It all ended in a huge traditional water fight.......

always instigated by Grandpa Pember!
This time he bought all the grandkids waterguns to join in on the chaos!
Aunt Jan came up to celebrate Winston's Birthday!
It was so fun to have all the Chapman's there!
Happy 29th Birthday Winston!

My silly little Kalicia......
This is such a funny story. The whole time she was going around finding sticks that looked like something; flag, gun, sword etc. One of the times she came up so proud, this time she found a hat too! We all laughed and she loved every minute of it, until someone finally told her it was cow poop. I never saw her throw something away so fast and disgusted!

HORSES

Trail Rides......

The kids loved the horses!

Cody and Kalicia

Aaron and Halee

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!

We love America!!!!!

Grandma Pember's

Traditional Patriotic Parade!

(Kalicia's wooden flag that she found and painted ~0ne of her many finds.)

THE SWING

(We can't have the campout without the swing!)

Charlotte and Kalicia

Messy, but fun art projects!

Loren, sang to his little girls everynight of the campout!

Oh, and they so loved it!

Messy......not my kids!

(They loved the dirt)

We had so much fun meeting and seeing all our cousins again!

(Even second cousins came, my kids loved it.)

(Loren and Anna Merrill, Charlotte and Edwin, Grandma and Grandpa Pember, David and Lucia Norris, Chapmans, Jessyka and Nate Boyd, Cheryl and Kids, Players, Amaron and Satya Merrill, Isaac and Laura Pember, Keith and Sierra Pember)