Aunti Em! Aunti Em!

So on tues. the weather guy said that there was a "chance" of rain. HolyCowATalkingMuffin, we are glad that he didn't predict any more. In five minutes time this stuff just came pounding out of the sky. It broke windows, dented cars (even those parked in the car port), ripped screens off windows, ripped stucco off walls, turned off the power, stripped plants, runied this years citrus crop, made dogs crazy and was all together a little scary!

Oh yeah, we will be working on the years supply this weekend.

this was a really pretty tree.

all that green on the car is really on the car

looked like someone dumped ice trays

poor hibiscus

There were probably 50 oranges on the ground. This was the saddest for me.

lemons

Of course I didn't take a picture of the beautiful rainbow that followed, or all of the neighbors out side helping each other, or the looks of dismay on the insurance adjuster's faces :)

Crazy wild experience!

Helaman 5:12

Road Trip 1 - "California Dreamin"

This July, Boyd and I decided that we had had ENOUGH of the

Summer Heat inPhoenix

SOOOOO

ROAD TRIP!!!

Boyd and Marty's family went on a Scuba Trip to Catalina Island. Preston and I met up with Boyd in LA via LAX. Tawni, Matt and the rest of the Browning Crew

(minus Colten, who now has to be a BIG Boy stay home and work for a living) drove to LA, and the fun began.

The first day in LA we all went to Hollywood. All along Hollywood and Vine were characters from any movie that you can imagine. The boys were so excited to see Spidey, any and all Star Wars people, Loni and Taya were thrilled to see "Hello Kitty" and Boyd was out of his mind when he saw Michael Jackson's Star. Then it was time for the movie "UP" in 3-D.

Truly a fun, fun, day.

Of course, we were tired and hot - conclusion: a dip in Ryan and Lisa's pool.

Loni and Hank are master "surfers" in their pool.

With instruction and help from Uncle Ryan, Jackson, Taya and Mason had "skills" too.

Later that night we went to Ryan's baseball game, where we found out that he still has "wheels"

Beautiful Bo.

Saturday Morning we woke up to Lisa preparing our lunches and dinners for a day at the Beach. Along with some of their friends we went to their favorite beach - Ricon.

It was the first time that we had seen Ryan and Lisa surf, so much fun watching them.

We tried our skills in Ryan's kyacks, played in the sand, went on a long walk, played frisbee,

and ate all of the yummy foods that Lisa packed for us.

BEST day. If you listen close you can hear the laughter.

Jackson, Loni and Hank. They owned the beach.

We stayed until dark. A fire was built by Preston, roasted hot dogs and enjoyed S'mores.

Ryan and his music buddies entertained us. I never get tired of hearing them.

Tawni joined them on a song, again, never get tired.

Sunday we went to church. I love being in church with my kids - AND then again on Sunday Evening the "hostess with the mostess" brought out the goods for s'mores AGAIN.

Thanks again California Tippetts for Good Times!

Next installment Utah, Idaho and Washington State.

Did anyone Notice I was GONE??

I know, this is amazing!!
So, rather than try to do all the individual posts that I want to do, and knowing how faithful I am at blogging, I decided to put the last 6 almost 7 months on one BLOG. (don't judge me!)
We have had many great experiences and LOT'S-O-FUN. We were all together as a family at Christmas, except for Whitney and Stellios, and spent a few days in Prescott -in the snow- and had so much fun.
As you will see in the rest of this blog that most of the pictures are of the grand-kids.
I really love them!

In February we went to L A, for the twins 4th Birthday. It is so much fun there. We sleep on an air mattress. The best part of the day is jumping on the mattress before it is made.
Look at the smiles.

So much fun riding bikes. Loni asked her dad, "why is grandma always the last."
I thought it was so cool that g-ma didn't fall off!

We found these construction trucks and just had to climb in. Seriously, I have about 20 more pictures of this.
The kids were just so cute and excited.

Sweet Bo.

Birthday gifts and then a "hot" game of Candyland. You just can't get enough of that game. I get so frustrated when I am almost to win and get stuck in Licorice Falls!

Of course, it is a special time to have Grandma Heaps with us for the winter.
She made some baby quilts while she was here this winter.
She is a light weight though.
As soon as the temperature looks like it might get to 85 degrees, she is outta here.

Ready for church.

Matt & Tawni thought they need to get away for a weekend.
Mitch, Megan, Colten and Preston went hiking.
Great idea, except they all chose the same weekend.
So, all the rest of us had a 4 day sleep-over at grandma and poppa's house.
REALLY, it was fun, especially bath time.

This is just too cute to not include. Ben with a cupcake.

In April, Mitch finally graduated. This is him walking into the hall.
As soon as Pomp and Circumstance started playing, I was a puddle of tears. I cry at graduations. I think if my dog graduated from Obedience School, I would cry.
The smile says it all!

The day after graduation we were off to Cayman. (see Megan's blog for the really good pictures.

Best picture ever of Boyd

Just chillin in the condo.

Sam and Jackson both graduated from pre-school this year. (again see Megan's Blog for Sam) Whenever we talk about Mitch or Colten graduatin, Jackson will always say, "and me too."
He was so excited and really adorable.

And then on what seemed to be the hottest day EVER, our Colten graduated from Basha High School. So proud of that boy. We are looking forward to wonderful things from him. It was good to see his diploma and realize he has come a long way from his only word being "ball"

Grandma B and Jackson

Proud parents

Men and their boys

So, we were so excited to see Mitch graduate, but next was the move to Spokane.
I still am dealling with that. It is so hard to have almost everyone live so far away.
Sam was so excited to get to travel in the "Big Truck". If you look close you can see him waving.

And finally, we had such a fun evening at Taya's dance recital. She is ALL GIRL!

So, that is it. Hope to see you soon and not in 6 months.