Cutest little cowgirl ever!

Pool fun!

Once-upon-a-child had a 4th of July sale where swimsuits were only $1.99, so I got a couple super cute ones for Grayce.  I'm always behind on laundry and we go to the pool so often in the summer that she needed a few more.  I love the cap with this one!

4th of July

One of the sweet YW girls in our old ward babysat, and helped the boys make these pretty red, white, and blue, tarts.  They were so yummy!

 And Grayce loves her red, white, and blue rice-crispie cereal!

Williams, AZ Roadtrip

I've been feeling the claustrophobic effects of the heat and endless concrete here in the Valley, and had been itching to go someplace cooler and greener.  So I called my Mom and asked her if she'd like to drive down from Page and meet us in Flag for an overnight adventure. 

 As a kid, my Mom would often take us to the Deer Farm in Williams, AZ, and I have been wanting to take my own children there.  May and June are great months to go because you can see the new baby fawns. It was such a gorgeous day!

Polly Bird at the Deer Farm :)

This looks like the same bird they had when I used to come.  I remember one visit as a kid, Polly plucked out one of his feathers and passed it to me through the bars of his cage and I felt like we bonded. ;) We couldn't get him to say anything more than "Hello-hello" though he's supposed to know over 15 phrases.  Reese would often wander back over to his cage and have some deep heart-to-heart conversations with this pretty bird.

Bearizona

 A friend I work with told me about Bearizona when she heard I was going to Williams.  I suggested it to my Mom, and she informed me that the steel and old railroad cars used to set some of the scenery in Bearizona, actually came from Page Steel where my Dad works. 

 

We drove through it first and then afterwards took the tour bus through again.

They have one of the cleanest, most peaceful, and relaxing petting zoos I have ever been too.  My Mom and I could sit on a bench and chat and listen to the trickle of the pond while the kids ran around and explored.  It was such a beautiful day, and just being here was therapeutic to my soul.  I think the country girl in me found great peace in seeing my kids thrive in this environment.

 This goat was so very patient with Grayce bossing him around everywhere and calling him "Doggy".  

 

I am so grateful for my Mom, and love her so much!

 Afterwards we enjoyed some yummy food and checked into our hotel.  I drove back in the morning while the kids slept so we could make it to my friend Jennifer's, daughter Lily's 6th B-day party. 

 

Extended Family Fun

My second cousin Beth Reeb hosted a family dinner at their home in Mesa.

She prepared a ton of food and it was all amazing.

It is always one of my favorite things spending time with family.

I was grateful Edward had the night off, and was able to join us.

Reese and Reese -3rd cousins. Both will be starting Kindergarten this next year!