Fireworks!!!

It isn't very often that we are actually home to see fireworks on the 4th of July because of the Kerbs Reunion, but on the rare occasion we do get to be home in time to go enjoy some good fireworks. This year was a good year. The fireworks were amazing and not only that, we got to enjoy them with Jana and Leo and their kids, and Grandma!

Kerbs Reunion 2010

Kerbs Reunion...My favorite summer memories for the last 20 years. We have been having this reunion every year for the 4th of July for the last 20 years! I've only missed 2 in all of that time because of serving a mission. This year was held at Baumgartner campground near Fairfield Idaho. It was a great year, great company, great food, and fun activities.

Okay so one of the activities was a watermelon eating contest, way to go Leo, he thoroughly enjoyed every bite of that watermelon.

They had lots of fun state fair activities going on for all of us like the balloon popping, fish pond, cake walk, ring toss, etc...everybody's favorite though was Madam Noitall! Shelley gave us all our fortunes and I loved to watch the kids faces when she told them something that they didn't know she knew about themselves. Pretty fun!

Another contest was the corn shuckers...Steph was the fastest hands down!! She beat 3 other boys!

Oh the hot springs! Felt so good!!! Nice warm water, Abby loved it and fell asleep in the water with her daddy holding her...It's nice to be in nice hot water when you've been camping and feel all dirty. 

Everyone who joined us for a dip in the hot springs!

I think Melissa enjoyed going under to see all of the dead flies in the water. She said it was beautiful!

Talk about beautiful, there is just something about being in the mountains enjoying beautiful sunsets that I love. The particular sunset really caught my eye. The colors are amazing! Not to mention the landscape against the sky...I just love it. 

I seriously love this picture...Dakota is such a great big brother and is always helping out and loving his baby sister, Abby...so sweet!

I really loved this reunion and I think it's because of the Olsen Reunion turnout that I now appreciate this reunion all the more. How close this family is and the love that is shown between everyone, I look forward to this every year!!

Relay for Life

I did it...I didn't think it would ever get here and I thought I wouldn't be able to do it, but I did it. There were many obstacles that I had to overcome, and it was hard. We did the Relay for Life to honor those living with cancer and to honor those whose lives were lost because of cancer. Our team raised $305 and I am so happy with that! Our team name was Superheroes United, the theme was birthdays and we decorated our little camp in superhero birthday stuff...it was a lot of fun! We walked all night, raised lots of money and altogether the Nampa Relay for Life earned $45,000 for cancer research...I couldn't be happier. Dad was honored as a survivor that night, he walked his lap and walked one with mom as his caregiver. We honored those names that we submitted in luminaria bags. They were lit up and their names were read. It was very emotional and healing to be able to think about them and honor them in some way. We were supposed to do the dove release in the evening, but because of weather, we had to wait until morning.  I'm so glad we waited. It was such an amazing experience to be able to let go of that bird in Joe's memory. This will always be one of my favorite pictures after everything we went through to get there. I will always be grateful that I was able to contribute in some way to prevent someone from being lost to this disease.

Columbus Park Ward Picnic

It was my first summer picnic for the year to put on for the Columbus Park ward...It turned out so much better than last year. The turn out was great, lots of people...not quite enough food though. Hopefully I'll be able to provide the main dish at the next one in August. It was so fun...people entertained themselves. There were games of Ultimate Frisbee going on, football, volleyball, and just general chatting amongst ourselves. Good times were had by everyone. 

Olsen Family Reunion

Ha Ha...this is our Family Reunion...All of Dad's brothers and sisters were invited to attend this reunion...we had some confirm and at the last minute pull out...we had some that had valid excuses for not being there and we missed them, but understood why they couldn't make, and we had some that just plain didn't come and didn't want to. It ended being my parents and 4 of their 6 kids. We had a great little reunion with just us...we still did what was planned and we had a great weekend. It was the 2nd weekend of June...June 11-12, 2010. Yep that was probably the worst attended family reunion ever put together in the history of family reunions...but you know what? It doesn't matter. As long as you can have fun with who you are with no matter who they are...that is all that counts. Friday we had a great picnic, it rained a little...so I was happy to see a rainbow joined us that evening (always a way for me to know that Joe isn't that far away).  We played volleyball, ate good food, and just enjoyed each other's company. Saturday morning, Steve and I took all the kids on a hike...we hiked up tablerock...it was harder for some than others, but we all made it to the top and encouraged each other along the way...I am proud of each one of them for not giving up. We had a great discussion of our journey here on earth and as families how we can help each other reach our goals. It was a great moment on top of that hill with all of those kids. I will never forget it.  We had some lunch, and all of us headed to the zoo! What fun we had, we spent a good solid 5 hours walking around the zoo, taking pictures and enjoying the animals. We ended our little reunion at Golden Coral with LOTS of food...once we were sufficiently full, we went home and chilled. It was a great weekend...with lots of lessons learned. I think I will stick to trying to get our own family together. There isn't a desire for the others to get together now. Hard lesson learned.

Memorial Day 2010

I know I'm late posting this, since June is almost over, but June has been a very busy month for me! Our memorial day weekend was full of good times, good company, and great memories. We started off at Dry Creek visiting Joe on Saturday... always a favorite place to go. I know they appreciate it...and I like having that time to remember them and honor them in a small way. It was unusual this time...we didn't have Grandpa here to go with us this year...we actually visited him and gave him flowers. It is always so hard the first time you go there after someone is gone. Everything is still so fresh. Are weekend was different this time too because we actually stayed in a hotel...we swam, we worked out, we hung out, and just had a good time, I really enjoyed it. The first night wasn't so comfortable on the floor, but we got smart and used inflatable pool mattresses to help that out! Great idea! Great weekend!

Kindergarten Music Review

I can't believe Melissa is done with Kindergarten already...I have a big first grader who is going to go to ALL DAY SCHOOL. It was quite the year. They sang songs, danced a little and received certificates that said they made it through Kindergarten.  She did a good job, and I'm very proud of her. She has had a pretty tough year, but ended it well. She received a 3 on her IRI's...and I'm very proud of every effort she makes with her school work. She does her best and that is all I expect from her and that makes me happy when she does her best. Now on to a fun-filled summer and to make preparations for 1st GRADE!!