3rd of July

Since the 4th of July was on a Sunday we celebrated Independence Day on the 3rd. To start off the day Crystal (Matt's sister), her husband Danny and I ran in the first ever Rupert 4th of July race. It was unbelievably FREEZING!! I think I finally warmed up as I was coming into the finish line. After the race the men went golfing while the women took the kids to the big 4th of July parade. The kids received too much candy and otter pops. After the parade we headed to Grandma Reddington's house to play whiffle ball and croquet. If you have never played whiffle ball it is very surprising to find how difficult it can be to hit a ball with such a skinny bat. But don't we look like pros?

OUR LITTLE THIRD BASEMAN

STEPHEN HAD NO PROBLEM HITTING WITH SUCH A SKINNY BAT.

I WAS EVEN WORSE AT PLAYING CROQUET THAN WHIFFLE BALL. :(

MATT THROWING HIS CURVE BALL

LOOK AT THAT FORM!!

The other team in whiffle ball was very generous and made the rule that I had unlimited strikes. Eventually I did figure out how to hit the ball and slammed a few good ones. Don't make fun until you've tried it!

Family Vacation Continued

The Reddington Family planned a little reunion to get all the kids and their families together at Lava Hot Springs. We all rented a camp spot close to the swimming area and hot springs and stayed several nights. It was fun swimming, roasting lots of marshmallows (which Randy (matt's dad) is really good at I ate plenty of them to verify) and just sitting by the fire.
THE SWIMMING AREA- SO FUN!

ENTERING THE CAMPSITE




I must admit I was impressed with my wood cutting skills. Next time though I should probably wear shoes.


Look at how happy we look camping!:)

I started reading my kids stories and all the grandkids joined in. We love the Fly Guy books.

The last day of camping we all packed up and then headed to Pocatello, ID to get family portraits done. The photographer did a great job and is actually the father to one of the son-in-laws. My kids were pretty worn out so trying to get them to cooperate for a photo was a little challenging.




Friday, the last day of our trip, was one of the most memorable. Matt's side of the family got together and we went to the Twin Falls temple to do temple work for Matt's Grandpa's family. Matt's Grandpa passed away a few years ago and asked for the work to be done. It was special to me because I loved the "Old Man" (that is what I called him). The summer before he got really sick Matt, the kids and I all lived with him (and Grandma)while Matt was doing an internship. Although it is always hard living with someone else I will never forget that time. Every night we would all sit together on the porch swing watching the airplanes and laughing and talking about our future plans. He was always so positive and fun loving. I miss him so much! So doing the temple work was a really neat experience that I am so glad I got to be a part of.
AFTER THE TEMPLE

THE KIDS PLAYING WITH THEIR COUSIN EVAN-WHO WAS A GREAT BABYSITTER.

ALL OF US WHO DID THE TEMPLE WORK

TWIN FALLS TEMPLE

After going to the temple we had to rush back to get ready for my high school reunion. I can't believe I have been out of high school that long!


LOOK AT US NOW


COMPARED TO 10 YEARS AGO...

I had a lot of fun catching up with old friends and seeing how people's lives have changed. I had almost decided not to go to my reunion so we could drive back home sooner, but was so glad I did. It makes me sad that I can't live close to my fun old high school friends, but they are more than welcome to come visit.

Our vacation ended that Friday night as we left the reunion, picked up the kids and drove through the night and the next day. Still not reaching our destination we got a hotel and drove one more day to get home. Yay!