Barker family reunion

We had a great time at the family reunion at the Perry park. The kids played lots of games, we ate lots of food, and they even had two little ponies for the kids to ride.
Porter and Audrey playing games with all th other kids! They love to play together.

Camping in Kamas

This past weekend we got to go with some friends to their property above Kamas. It was so fun. Thanks Taggarts!


Tag's friend built this fire... It was huge!! YIKES.

Picture Day

Okay, so my kids HATE getting there pictures taken (at least when I take them), so I have to bribe them a little. We hadn't taken Traces 2 year old pictures yet, so yesterday while Chad was fishing I told trace we were going to feed the ducks. Of course he was up to that! We got a few pictures in before we spent the rest of the night feeding ducks and playing at the play ground. I think I have the cutest kids in the whole world!

Porter having fun running around playing!

Trace is such a monkey... always climbing, or swinging from something.

Garden

Porter and I have loved planting our garden the past few years, and this year was no exception... only this year Trace had to be in on the action. It is always fun to watch little plants turn into big plants, and still more fun to see big plants with vegetables on them! Our garden is doing great this year, and we even picked our first zucchinis. The yellow squash is almost ready too! We have a few tomatoes growing, and our pumpkin plants are looking great! Our peppers haven't starting growing yet, but the plants look healthy... is that normal for this late in the year??

The first two fruits of our labors...

After a hard day of weeding the garden we turned the sprinkler on for Porter and his friend Camden...


And one of the best parts for me is enjoying fresh flowers. I have to admit that this is the first year I have cut any flowers out of the flower beds... In years past I haven't had enough to loose any, but my flowers are doing pretty good too. (at least I think they are until I go to my Mom's or my Mom-in-laws house). Flowers just seem to make me happy!

Happy 4th of July

Another perfect 4th of July! I love this holiday. How blessed we are to live in America. This morning when we woke up I tried to explain to Porter why we were celebrating the 4th of July, and it almost brought tears to my eyes as I told him how proud I was to be an American. Chad and I explained that freedom doesn't come free, and that many people had fought and still are fighting for our freedom and safety! Thanks to our soldiers.

We spent another night at the cabin, and again had a blast. This time was a little bit different than last weekend, because Greg (a cousin) brought his ceramic wheel up! We all had a blast on a memory train back to high school ceramic days. Even Janet, who has never done ceramics, gave it a try. We played in the river (Porter had fun floating the slow parts with his cousins, chad shot his bow, and Trace loved fishing with his dad (so much in fact that I couldn't steel him away for a nap. He fell fast asleep right on Chads shoulders!!)






The Hansen's all get together every 4th for a big breakfast at the cabin. The tradition is biscuits and gravy, eggs, and fruit. YUM!
Porter loves playing with the big cousins! This is them playing "Sorry".
Just a fun picture of Trace in the tent.

Tonight we went to Kaysville's firework show. We all love fireworks, and had a blast.
On our way to the fire works Porter asked if we remembered a hat for him. We asked him what he needed a hat for, and he said "to keep the ashes out of my eyes, remember last year they kept flying in my eyes!" What a good memory.

Grandpa's Cabin

This past weekend we spent another fun filled weekend up to the Hansen family cabin. Grandpa and Grandma Lee (and family) built the cabin when their kids were little, and have kept it in GREAT condition. We always have a blast when we get to spend any time up there, but this time was especially fun, because for the first time we went with just Chads family! Everyone was able to be together Friday night through Sunday! We did all of our favorite things... starting with camping in a tent with the boys.


The weather is perfect for sleeping for me, but the boys got a little cold in the middle of the night. When I woke up, both Porter and Trace were smashed into Chads sleeping bag. What a Dad! The next night we were a little smarter and zipped two sleeping bags together for the three of them... again I slept great!

One of our favorite parts of the cabin is the river! It is FREEZING cold, but is so fun to play in on a hot summer day. This trip was no exception.

Last year Porter didn't want to jump from the bridge, so this was his first year! On our way up he told me he wasn't going to do it, but when he saw his cousin Audrey jump right in, he had to be brave! Way to go Sport...

Thanks Grandpa for leaving such a fun place to be with family!
We love the Cabin...

Oh yeah, one more funny thing from Porter:

(on the way up the canyon)

"Mom, why do my ears keep tooting?"