Meandering our Way - Part 2 - the Olsens and Susie

We arrived at the Olsen's home late Sunday the 23rd of August. They were so great to let us invade their home with 6 more people, especially only a month after Baby Crew was born! We stayed with the Olsens for 4 nights and the kids got a place to relax and play. Here's Aaron, Baby Crew Olsen and Brianna:
Monday night, the 24th, Susie Briley (my second mom- came over to visit us at Jeannie's) Jeannie lives about halfway between where Susie works and lives. It was so nice to get to visit and see her again. Susie's looking so great with all the weight she's lost - I'm so happy for her!

MY Susie Briley and me. I can't go into all the ways Susie has helped me throughout my life (she came into my life when I was 3 years old). Ask me sometime and I'll count the ways for you. My siblings and I and countless children through now adults owe this woman a debt of gratitude!

Carly and Baby Crew:

Everyone wanted a picture with Baby Crew - Here's Kenzie's:

Hayden and Aaron have known each other since they were born. Bummer that the Olsens moved away when they were 2 - but they acted like they're long lost buddies and had a GREAT time together. Hayden said something like, "Aaron's my oldest best friend." Pretty cute!

Riley and Carly picked up right where they left off! They're now in 7th grade and middle school - WOW! Time has sure flown!

Myself and my friend Jeannie! Sure do miss her and her great family! Glad they're doing well in Utah (who woulda thought, huh?) and thank you so much for opening your home to us and letting us play with you for a bit! Baby Crew is precious!

Meandering our Way - Part 1 - the Other Leavens'

Our trip to Provo and back was going to take us 10 days - we decided to make a "vacation" out of it and visit family and friends along the way. Our first stop was with Steve (Paul's brother) and Susan's in Pasco, WA. We found Steve rarin' to get out on the boat when we arrived that Friday evening. The dad's and most the kids headed out and did just that for a few hours. Then they were back at it for a good chunk of Saturday too. Here are some pics from their adventures - with Brianna showing her ever-emerging wakeboarding skills: Rachel and Kenzie posing pretty (well goofy):

Aaron doing the same:

Alise, Carly and Kailey:

A couple of Paul:

Then Steve:

Kailey, Carly and Aaron going for a bumpy ride:

Rachel, Brianna and Kenzie in a series of an unfortunate event pictures:

At least Kenzie's getting her nose plugged in time (She jammed her hand to her nose so fast and hard, that she gave herself a big bruise under her eye):

Aaron pleased with himself for making it over the wake:

Goin' Down:

Brianna was really doing much better this time around:

Kenzie feeling more confident:

Carly not so sure:

Steve in his happy place:

Kailey:

On Saturday, Jessica Stoker, joined them for a few hours. Kailey, Jessica and Rachel:

I just love Jessica's face here:

Rachel, Brianna and Kenzie:

Wweeeee!

Brianna giving wakesurfing a whirl:

When evening rolled around, we had a BBQ at Steve's. The Stoker family came and joined us. Paul and Brianna playing badmitten:

Aaron mid-jump:

Aaron and Alise goofing around on the slide:

Alise as supergirl:

Carly - sure to have her nose plugged:

Kenzie watching the volleyball game:

Volleyball game in progress:

Girls' team showing their solidarity:

Thanks to the other Leavens family for a fun weekend. We attended a sacrament meeting in Pasco, before we drove the rest of the way to Utah on Sunday. We arrived at the Olsen's home in Highland late that night...

4th of July - Better LATE than NEVER people

Yeah, remember WAY back at my previous post how I said 4th of July was coming?!?! That was SO two months ago! The summer was seriously crazy with one event after another. I considered just skipping the 4th of July and fast forwarding to the present and calling it good - but these pics were kinda cute and fun, so here goes:

Aaron, Paul and David mowing in preparation for the festivities:

Carly checking out the fireworks stash:
In the front yard playing badmitton. From the left, Brianna, TJ, Tyler, Chris and Kelly (sitting)

Another view. Tyler, Kelly, Brianna and Jon:

David trying to figure out the scooter:

Tyler and Aaron setting up their homemade firwork. Consisted of a BUNCH of sparklers taped together. Supposed to go BOOM and HIGH:

Uh, not so much:

Double hula hooping Carly:

Sarah giving it a whirl:

Clayton bringing the stash he bought from "Boom City." That place doesn't scare him nearly as much as it scares me! I think we've got enough explosives now!

Smoky haze - smoke bombs anyone?

These parachute army men sure were a hit with the little ones:

Now we're being invaded by them!

Volleyball anyone?

Clayton and Mel:

Kelly and Gina:

Kenzie - dontcha love 15 year olds?!?!

Paul turned 41:

The Sorensons and some of their friends joined us for the fireworks show after dark. The hill is the best viewing spot:

Kenzie, Brianna, Jon, Chris and TJ - cousins enjoying the show:

Plenty of sparklers for everyone:

A small sampling of the show we had:

I like this effect:

Grand Finale:

And that's all folks...