How I Spent my Summer "Vacation"

This Summer has been pretty busy - lots going on...

June

Hubby has monthly meetings away, and I don't enjoy being alone here - so I planned to head for home.  While we were planning and getting ready to go, Wayland's sister called and asked if I still wanted a dog.  My first reaction was a big NO, but I hesitated and asked "what kind of dog?"  She said it was from the same litter as hers.  I remembered visiting her at her house a while ago, and thinking that her dog was really cute - so I took a deep breath and said YES.

She immediately went to pick it up - and I was committed.

All the way up the road, I had mixed feelings - did I make a mistake?  could I handle the commitment?  What if it didn't like me?  What if it didn't want to come home with me?

Melissa & Jenny went to pick him up a day before we got there, so they had been sending pictures and getting to know all of his qirks.  When I finally walked in the door, Jenny was standing on the steps in front of me holding him - he literally leaped into my arms (which were loaded with baggage,) and I swear he hugged me!  We have been great buddies ever since...

Navine and Anthony getting to know each other;  (my dog came with that name, and he answers to it so quickly, I decided not to change it - at least for the time being...)

Brad was in town taking a class at his alma matter, so I got to spend some time with him too :-)
Taking puppy to his new home;

 The following week was our family reunion up Payson canyon, so it was back to Utah.  I was really glad Brad could be there for the reunion!  We had good times - but puppy was kind of a mess - it was a lot of "new" for him to get used to all at once.  Couldn't keep the little kids away from him, and he wasn't too keen on that...

Anthony loves camping :-)

While we were up the canyon, Brad & the girls took me on a drive up the Nebo Loop a ways to see the sights;

...And they showed me a spot called Devil's Kitchen that I never even knew existed!

It's like a mini Bryce Canyon, right in my own back yard!

Enjoying the view...

I love my family!  I taught them what I could when they were kids, but now they are teaching me!

While we were in Utah, my aunt passed away, so I opted to stay, rather than going back with my husband.  I was able to attend the viewing with my sister.  It was really nice to be able to spend some time with her, and to get re-acquainted with some of my cousins.

July

My girls were planning to come down to Vegas for my birthday, so that worked out well - they were able to bring me home...

...And I got to see my girlies for my birthday.

The girls had plans in St. George, so I was to meet hubby there to take me the rest of the way home.
...He was late, as usual, so after visiting with Jenny's friends for a while, Melissa drove me up around the Mountain Meadows monument.  It was evening, and there was nobody else around - if you've ever been there, it's kind of an eerie place, but when it's deserted, it's kind of creepy...

 When we got back, puppy was starting to get antsy, (which usually means he needs to go out) so I took him for a walk.
Jenny's friend just lives a couple of blocks from the temple, so we strolled around the grounds a bit...

It was a bit gusty, but the sun was just starting to set - what a beautiful sight!

Back to Vegas for the 4th - we had a fun, but somewhat mellow time with my daughters here - we all kind of hate the hustle & bustle of the city, so we avoid it as much as possible - for the 4th we drove down to the parking garage at the local casino, and parked up on the roof - from there, we could see all the fireworks across the whole valley.

I always have a hard time after my family leaves, so I immersed myself in some more crafting - I knew the grand-girlies were coming to spend a couple of weeks, so I got busy and made them some surprises...

Got them done just in time...

We had fun while the girls were here - it was so HOT the whole time, though, we didn't go and do very much outside the house.  We did take them down to Bass Pro to see the displays there.  The giant fish tank they have is so fun - and SURPRISE - there was a mermaid there this time!

I can't stand that the girls are growing up without me...

We also took them to the equestrian park, where the miniature ponies we saw earlier this year live...

...But it was so hot and miserable, they didn't want to stay there very long.  Out of desperation, I asked my friend if I could bring them to swim in her pool, and she was kind enough to say "yes."
Bless her heart...

We returned the next day too (we were invited this time) to have a barbecue and swim some more.  My friend's grand kids were there this time too - and they all had so much fun splishing and splashing.  They spent over 4 hours in the pool - until we were all sunburned to a crisp.

Then we went to an event across town celebrating the 24th.  One of the stakes here puts on a carnival, much like the "Ward Days" we had when I was a kid - a great big carnival with food booths,  games, and skits - lots of fun! 

I love spending time with my girls!

 All too soon, their mom came to pick them up (she and Jeff had been in Washington DC seeing the sights,) and she spent the night with us - but, as you can imagine, after a long week of traveling, she was anxious to get home...

August

Kind of a slow-down catch-up month.  I have stayed really busy sewing, because after one of my sisters learned I was making doll clothes, she put in her order :-)  Honestly, I've been glad to have the distraction - except, now my sewing machine is acting up and will probably quit on me!  Grrrr...

Still much work to do, but I'm taking it with me, as I'm heading home again.  Hubby has to fly to Minnesota for a trade show, so I am going home to be with my girls - when he comes back, it will be our home town's festival weekend, so we will stay for that.

It's been such a busy Summer - I'm so glad to see the temperatures finally dip a bit so we can breathe again.  Looking forward to Fall...