Boys Night Out

Waiting in anticipation!

Dalin & Emily didn't want to miss the excitement.

Doesn't everyone like to see cars crashing into each other on purpose?

And here's what they all come to see....a good roll over!

And another one bites the dust!

Nice body work.

Crowd got their money's worth.  I think 5 roll overs.

In our family, it just wouldn't be summer without one good Demolition Derby!

Color Coordinated

This evening I sat beside a group of wild sunflowers in my backyard and observed and listened.  The evening sun highlighted the brilliant yellows and greens, just as if colored with a magic marker.  I watched as the busy bees moved from flower to flower, still working after a long day.  Occasionally a butterfly or other insect stopped by but quickly moved on when a bee claimed his territory.  The only sounds were the soft humming of the bees and the rustle of the breeze through the fluttering petals of the sunflowers.  There is such beauty in ordinary things.   It is amazing what one sees, hears and feels, if we only take the time. 

New Threat to Children's Safety!!!!!

This was on Allison Clayton's facebook page, and if accurate, all parents who post pictures they have taken with a smartphone to the internet need to watch this video.  If the phone's GPS tracking system is activated, which allows you to use navigation maps and other tracking apps, then it is also tracking where your children are.  Thankfully there is an easy way to protect your children that is shown at the end of the video.  Please watch and pass this along.

Note to Family & Friends:

As many of you know, I store most of my photos of recent years, including all my personal and family photos, online in a SmugMug website.  Here is the LINK.   SmugMug has recently revamped their whole format to which I've had to adapt and figure out all the new settings.  If you go to the website and click on 'Photo Galleries' you can then access any of the folders and galleries except for one folder titled 'Families & Friends are Forever'.  Because this folder has mostly personal, family photos, I've protected it with a password.  If you click on this folder you will be asked for the password which is Hostetter, (my mother's maiden name).  Just wanted to let you know you are welcome to download any of my photos for personal use or to help with a lesson, etc.

Lots of love to you all!

Fun at the Dunes

I've been trying to clean out and organize photos, which for me is a never ending task.  (I'm still not done with the photos I took on our mission!)  Anyway I ran across these cute ones when we were at the sand dunes near Yuma this past winter.  As I recall we were there in January and the sand was too hot to go barefoot.  Anyway, I like the look on Sawyer's face in the first photo.  He has already learned that it is never safe to go riding with his Dad.  You can always count on some thrills, chills, screams, twists, turns and bumps, and it's a given that all four wheels will leave the ground at the same time at some point during the ride!!!!  He's already got his game face on in anticipation!!!

Important Announcement.......

Men really DO have all the answers!!  

Hop over HERE to my photo blog and see for yourself!!!

What a Week!!

We have had a fun, busy, GREAT week.  Jaron, Michelle, Sawyer, Bear, Amber, Sabrina, Vanessa & Isaac, all came at the same time.  Amber came to go to her class reunion and Jaron & Michelle timed their vacation so they could be here the same week.  Our family activities during the week included: boating, tubing, picnic in the mountains, hiking to Timp cave, miniature golf, girls' night out, golf day for the men, Jaron's 'world' famous brisket for Sunday dinner, Pioneer Day fireworks, visits to Grandma, and a combined baby shower for Emily K. and Michelle. Emily A. was also able to come up for a few days and joined us for a BBQ, but we missed Tyler & Will.  Jaron had to leave early to get back to work, so Jeff & I took Michelle and the boys home the day after the baby shower.  It was fun to see their first house.  It is darling, and is part of a golf community.  Jaron is hoping he can find time to play a bit.  On the way home we stopped in Vegas to see Tyler and drag a car back to AF he bought to resell, (takes after his Dad), then stopped at the casita in Santa Clara to make sure all was well.  We are now home and tired, but we sure had a great week!