Jake's Blessing

Yesterday we blessed Jake in our ward. We had lots of family come out and it was great to see everybody. Ryan gave a wonderful blessing and the day turned out fantastic!

Trent, Ryan, Tally, me, Jake & Jenny

Family Picture

Me, Ryan

Carol, Brad, Grandma Kunz, Jake & Grandpa Kunz

Jeff, Stacia, Cassidy, me, Ryan, Stetson, Brianne

Carol, Brad, Tally, Grandma Kunz, Jake & Grandpa Kunz

Charles,

Cassidy, Brenda, Chantel, Kellie

Evan, Brandi

Ryan, me & Jake

Bud, Nanette,

Ryan, me & Jake

Bud, Nanette, Deidra

Jeff, Stacia, Stetson, Brianne

Ryan, Tally, me & Jake

Dad, me, Jake & Grandpa Morris

Mom, me, Jake & Grandma Percival

Aunt Denise, Dad, Aunt Debra

Grandpa Morris, me, Jake & Ryan

Stetson,

Deidra, Ryan, Jake & Stacia

"The Bum Picture"

Candice, me & Karli

Candice, Mom

me & Karli

Candice, Karli

Ryan, me, Jake, Mom, Tally, Dad

Madie, Aunt Shelly

Zac, Cami, Ryan, me & Jake

Uncle Joe, Heston

Maclaine,

Ryan, me & Jake

Candice, me

Karli & Grandpa Morris

Tally & Jake

(Funniest picture to take. Tally fell over a couple times trying to hold him)

The 24th of July

This was our 2nd year spending the 24th of July with our friends Jenny and Trent and their family. They always have lots of games and competitions and even a raffle. It's an all day party with a pot luck and food judging lunch. Always tons of people and tons of fun.

Playing the kids games

Blowing bubbles (her prize from the fish pond)

Her fishing pole and fish that she won in the raffle

Mr. Potato Head from the raffle (she also won the Mrs. Potato Head)

Jell-O Slurping

Sack Races

Raw Egg Ride (without the egg, Ryan didn't want it dropped on his head) :)

Timber!

Before I begin this post I have 2 things that must be said first:

#1 To all of my neighbors who were at their house on Monday: I am terribly sorry about the noise, alas chainsaws can be loud.

#2 Nanette: This was all Ryan's idea! Keep that in mind as you look at the pictures.

Alright we can begin.

Sunday night Trent and Jenny came over for dinner and games. Somehow we got on the subject of Ryan needing a chainsaw because he wanted to get rid of the trees in the backyard. It just so happens that Trent has a chainsaw...

Before

During: It's amazing what you can do with a harness and a chainsaw

I was not there for the second tree so there aren't any pictures of that one. Which I was ok with since it was Ryan's turn to be in the tree. Turns out it was a good thing I wasn't there, Ryan ended up cutting part of the harness and almost cut the safety line. (Once again HIS idea to do this)  But by the time I was home from work both trees were down.

Right now my back yard looks like the perfect habitat for a beaver if there was a river running through it. The first tree got picked up and taken away but the second is still there because of lack of time. Hopefully on one of Ryan's days off this week we can get it picked up and hauled away.

I also don't have an after picture yet! I didn't want all of the wood on the ground so you'll have to wait for that one.

Conference

After Conference we made plans with Jenny and Trent to have dinner (ribs, and they were delicous) and play some games. Games of course mean we need a treat, so in between sessions Tally helped her dad make brownies for the first time. She did a great job.

Last time fishing

This is probably our last fishing trip since it's now Fall and too cold for Tally. We went with our friends Jenny and Trent up to a little lake. We had the best luck catching the fish with grasshoppers plus I got to try out my new pole that I got for my birthday.

Trent trying to get Tally to touch the "baby fish"

Reelin in the big one!

CHEESE!

Ryan with his fish

Tally being brave and touching the fish

I am now domestic

About a year ago I asked my friend Jenny to inform me when she decided to can in the Fall because I would like to learn. I did not know what I was getting into!

First we started off with salsa. We made two different batches. I came out with 18 pint jars worth but here's a picture of all of it before we split it up.

Then two days later we decided to do peaches. By the time the day was over we had 72 quarts!! I took home 42 pints of them!!We are not even close to being done. We still have peach jam, pears, applesauce, apple pie filling and possibly more jams and grape juice to do. I will be canning all Fall long... at least my pantry will be full though.

There's no way I would've been able to do this without Ryan's help. He's watched Tally both time I've been gone sometimes after midnight! What a great dad!

Our 24th

Our 24th of July was very busy!! First we went to a big party with Trent and Jenny. Jenny's parents throw a big 24th of July party every year. It swas tons of fun.

Tally with her "treasure" after a treasure hunt

They had a really great swing set that Tally LOVED!

"Raw Egg Horse Ride"
Such a funny thing to watch! The "rider" balances a raw egg on a plastic fork while the "horse" takes them to the finish line. Everytime you drop the egg the horse has to stop.

Tally won a bag of horses from the raffle. She thought they were pretty fantastic!

The jump rope contest (I took the picture right after he quit!!)

Water balloon catch. I only have a picture of the little kids because Ryan and I competed in the adult catch.

At one point in the party Tally went over to the swing set by herself and when came back she looked like this.

That may not look suspicous but when you get a closer look...

THOSE AREN'T HER SHOES!!

Tally has always been a big hit with kids. She has friends everywhere we go. Even older kids are just drawn to her.

Ryan and I competed in the washer toss and the golf ball toss. Which I didn't get pictures of because we were both playing. I did get pictures of the sack race. Ryan took 3rd.
He also competed in tug of war and arm wrestling.
Tally did the ring toss

The party went nearly the whole day. We had fireworks we needed to light so we decided to go we better get home on time to use them. On our way home we invited Jeff and Stacia to come watch and they brought pizza for dinner. Tally was so excited to show Uncle Jeff her horses. She knew he would love them I guess.

Trent and Jenny also showed up later but they didn't stay very long.