....do you swim in a pool, to keep yourself cool...

.....or swing in a tree so high? Is that what you do? So do I.....and we did finally swim in the pool and it was plenty cool. Not back to the "real" St. George heat yet but it was a lot of fun and good to get some sun.

...and about the "swing in a tree" part. We didn't actually swing in a tree but we did get to watch some monkeys swing from some trees at Tuacahn last night.

Could I just take a minute here and tell you about this place. I got to thinking that this is just one HUGE reason I love living here. I hate the heat, I hate the desert (yes, Traci, I know how you feel about the green in Carolina) and I would love to move and have a new adventure but other than the fact I'm starting to get my family back, Tuacahn is right at the top of why I live in Southern Utah. I'm just proud to live in a place that has a venue like the Tuacahn Amphitheatre and I get a thrill every time I go there. We went to Tarzan last night and it was blustery but just made it feel a little more "real". It was so amazing....I just hope everyone that wants to can get tickets. They're going fast....but guess what??????? Next summer it's GREASE and HAIRSPRAY!!!! How can it really get any better than that?

Let's get this party started...

.....oh, believe you me, it has started and Laynee is in the house so everyone wants to be here and how can you blame them. I remember when I was a kid the "happenin' " place to be was at grandma's house. I only had one grandma but I loved it when I got to stay over with her. Grandmas don't tell you what to do and they let you snoop a lot. I remember that she and grandpa always made me feel like royalty. They happened to live above their cafe in Cedar City for some of my "kid" years and I got a lot of really cool privileges. So....while Laynee is here, I'm spoilin' her (within reason) and letting her enjoy the cousins. We're trying to do all of her favorite things while she is in the magic city (St. George is magic when you only get to come once a year). We've been to Pasta Factory, Cafe Rio, painted at BrushFire, fulfilled our goal to have a Shave Ice every day (2 days so far). We haven't been able to swim yet, a little too windy but that's in the future.....heading to Tuacahn tonight for Tarzan. Lots of trampoline time (4 hours to be exact last night alone). It's fun for me to have a houseful again and watch them play and be together. Only one more year then this magic city turns into reality. It'll be good to have Spencer's family back but until them, we'll continue to show them a good time. Party on kids.....

I just got these cute pics from JoEllen and it reminded that they had a fun day at the park sandwiched in with all the other fun stuff we've been doing....This is the park that is out by my dad's farm.

....and never anything cuter than a kid and an Oreo. Laynee's had a good time getting acquainted with Matty.

You've had a birthday shout hooray...

.....we'd like to sing to you today....one year older and wiser too....Happy Birthday (clap, clap) to you!!!! Did you sing along with us? Laynee here, wanting to wish my mom a Happy Birthday 'cause I'm in St. George and she's in Kentucky. So....let me tell you about my mom. She's helpful, friendly, a little shy but outgoing when she needs to be, she's kinda mean when us kids get on her nerves and when we don't do piano, but nice when we obey her and do what she tells us to do. She plays with us....sometimes she chases us around the house and when she catches us she tickles us. She lets us walk to the Dollar Tree. She's teaching me how to cook. She's a good cook and let's me help so I'm learning how. She cooks the best Chicken Enchiladas. She helps me with my homework. She's busy with her church work. If my dad has a long day, she let's him sleep. She's fun to be around. She will play Wii with us. She likes to hang out with her friends. I love my mom. She's the best mom anyone could have. Happy Birthday, Mom. I love you. From Laynee. P.S. Mom, you might not like these pictures of you but it's the words that count.

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I too, want to wish you a Happy Birthday and tell you thanks for being a great mom to my grand kids and a very supportive wife to my son. He couldn't have fulfilled his career goals without you. Have a great day and know that we are having a good time for you here in St. George. We'll eat cake in your honor today.

Take me out to the ball game....

....please, please, please!!!! I was in heaven as the boys let me tag along. I forgot how much I love Major League Baseball and I used to go to a few, mostly Dodger Stadium but this was a first here and it was great to be at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.....

It was bobble head night....

....and we all got a Scott Rolen Bobblehead....which I will treasure forever....

...but Jonny Gomes (rhymes with Homes) was my hero....I'm so back into baseball, and a big Reds fan now. Watched this guy pump out a couple of homers....it was so awesome.....

It was just a great time with my boys, remembering the good ol' days of a game we all came to love. I just love the excitement but slow pace of baseball....the hotdogs and cotton candy are pretty good too but the atmosphere is like none other.

I always have to have a picture with my kids after church. We're home now.....it was a good week. I was able to help out with the kids while Shana went to girls camp and appreciated Traci making the trip over from NC with Scotty and Jakey to help out and join in on some fun. We really packed in the fun in a few short days. Good times had by all......

I pulled this picture off Traci's blog from our fun at the park when they visited. Pretty dang cute kids, doncha think.......

Happy Anniversary to my Mom and Dad...

Today would have been, I think their 64th. I don't have pics but just want to remember them. I'll post more when I get home but for now here's what we've been up to here in Kentucky.... mostly just hangin' around....(at River Front Park)....

....and I hope you want a school board member that will actually test out your kids playground equipment. I know I do.......

....and if you've never had Bourbon Ball French Toast....well, I'm just here to tell you that you're missin' out.....(this is actually a half order)....

A while back, Bobby Fley's Throw Down was here at Lynn's Paradise Cafe and he challenged Lynn's famous breakfast which included this. I'm pretty sure that Lynn's won.......Clickity Click on my pic to see more.....

....now we're off to Cincy for a Reds game......later!

Churchill Downs....yeah baby...

....after 8 years of coming to here I finally got to go. Spencer's graduation was a lot of fun....very loooooonnnnngggg but a lot of fun. We left at 6:30 and just arrived home at midnight. Needless to say, I was very proud. Just a few short years ago he was trying to get into med school, supporting his family on just over 9 bucks an hour and now, here he is.....Dr. Wells. Oh, my how time flies when you're having fun, right Shana. I think they are all ready to be done but....one more year; a fellowship then they'll be done.

The proud owner of some authentic Louisville pottery......

....and this award for Outstanding Neurointensivist Resident...whatever that is.

......and the brothers enjoy a good discussion over dinner. It really was a fun evening. Congratulations Spencer G. Wells. Ya done us all proud.....

Rain, rain go away....

...not really...I like the rain but the kids were bouncin' off the walls so we took them to Kazoing where it's o.k. to bounce off the walls!

Laynee shows off her flips....even tho' she's not supposed to. I think she broke 8 rules. Don't tell....

....Grandma's lovin' life here in Kentucky....

Jakey made a new friend.....

Good times.....

Fun times in Kentucky......

Kentucky water sports......

Jake's first firefly experience.....

One in the hand is worth two on the grass.....

The fireflies are plentiful this time of year......

Flyin' here I got this shot of Monument Valley as the sun was setting. It was amazing.....more than this picture could show. I love my flights across this beautiful country. All is well here in Louisville.......

There's a new kid on the block...

.....or I should say, in the family and it's James and it's his birthday today (Sunday) and we're really happy to have him on board because he is making Lauri really happy and you all know that all this mother wants is happy children.

So....saying that, I'll just add a great big

Happy Birthday to you, James and next year, I'll have a lot more to write about you; but for now, welcome...we're looking forward to lots of years of getting to know you.

....and there's a new member of the Church. Maycee was baptized by her father tonight.Congratulations, Maycee. May this be the beginning of many more "right decisions" in your life. You truly are a beautiful little girl and you have a grandmother that loves you...actually, you have quite a few grandmothers and friends and family that love you.

Sisters, sisters....

....there were never such devoted sisters (are you singing along)....One of my favorite songs from my childhood and tho' I didn't get a picture of us, I got to spend yesterday on a quickie little roadtrip with my favorite sister and we got to listen to our new favorite book "North and South" (which is also a movie starring our new favorite leading man Richard Armitage - clickity click HERE to see him....) on the way up to Salt Lake and on the way back....(and I got in a little George Strait as well). Here we are at Lauri's wedding.

Speaking of sisters....here's Emily and Matty sporting their "grandma curls"...
.....and "orange" you glad these two are sisters? I am.....

....and here's someone that I love like a sister.....

..... Karen Mendenhall and we had a good time today with a wee bit of a roadtrip to Pine Valley and enjoyed lunch at the Brandin' Iron and no....we didn't go into the bar.....just had a really good lunch.

.....and if you have a sister or know a sister....and live in his school district.....vote for him!!!!!

Click on the pic for more info.....

A day to remember our loved ones.

My mom takes a few minutes to reflect and remember her hubby (my dad).

My grandsons pose with their namesakes(not sure if I'm using that term correctly but ygtd)....Evan after my dad, George after Scott's dad and McKay after my son David...(McKay David Wells).

My grandkids and me remembering their Grandpa Wells.....

....then on to breakfast at Golden Corral....

...and on to Pine Valley. I'm lovin' my perfect S'more with Mason and Mandy's giant marshmallows....yummmmmm....(Just a note here: You have to snag a coat early if you want to get a good one. Kyle was on the short end of the stick here but I think the pink looks good on him and it makes his arms look really buff).

Kyle brought a few of George's friends up for a surprise party and we celebrated with his Club Penguin cake.....

and now, on to summer. I hope yer all stayin' cool......