Bowling with Grandpa

My new camera lens finally arrived just in time for our last day in Nevada. We took Grandpa bowling. There is no doubt about it, Ashlyn is Grandpa's girl! She sure loves her Grandpa and spends most of her time on his knee. The evidence of his devotion is that she receives the choicest and most tender cuts of meat while we are visiting. My Dad owned a meat packing plant for years so a choice piece of meat is pretty high up on his list of perks. =)

I did not get many photos while bowling, mostly because of this little guy. Chris and I took turns chasing and corralling him. Who would of thought that an active 1 year old and bowling would not be the best partnership???


Whitney chose a ball that would match her outfit.



Gavin was a little peeved because he was not bowling as well as he usually does. I, on the other hand, had the best game of my life! I had three strikes!!! It was looking like a sure win for me until Chris rallied to beat me. Why can he never let me win at anything?!?!

Landon and Grandpa

The Narrows

Chris really wanted to take the two oldest kids and our nephew Carlos to hike Zion's National Park's Narrows hike in Southern Utah. He and I hiked it with our good friends Jeremy & Kari Cox back in 2000. We did the hike in one day but he decided it would be best to get an overnight camping pass and do it in two days with the kiddos. There was a lot more water this time than when he and I went. He was so proud of the kids! He said all the other hikers were really impressed with their efforts also.

This is a description of the hike from the park's website:

The Virgin River has carved a spectacular gorge in the upper reaches of Zion Canyon: 16 miles long, up to 2,000 feet deep, and at times only 20-30 feet wide. The Zion narrows; walking in the shadow of its soaring walls, sandstone grottos, natural springs, and hanging gardens can be an unforgettable wilderness experience.

It is not however, a trip to be underestimated. Hiking the Zion Narrows means hiking in the Virgin River. At least 60% of the hike is spent wading, walking, and sometimes swimming in the stream. There is no maintained trail, the route is the river. The current is swift, the water is cold, and the rocks underfoot are slippery.

Needless to say, he came home with some pretty worn out little hikers! Except for Chris, they were all walking like old people. They all said they loved it though! The true test will be how willing they are to go hiking the next time he suggests a trip.

Weaver Family Vacation 2010

Our travels started on July 9th and ended on July 27th. Our vacation got off to a rough start.

First we had to replace my camera's lens ($500.00). Our next large purchase was a new luggage carrier ($200.00). Upon arriving in Las Vegas, I realized I had left Landon's suitcase in Tucson. We literally only had the clothes on his back! The silver lining was that the summer clearance sales were going strong and we were able to buy him a new wardrobe for around $125.00. Because of our online purchase of a new camera lens we were the victims of some kind of hacking scam. Someone enjoyed quite the shopping spree in New Jersey! Thankfully, our money was reimbursed but it was a pain to deal with. We also lost a set of car keys and the keys to the new luggage carrier. We were able to rise above these obstacles and still have an awesome, memorable and fun filled vacation!!! It is just going to take me awhile to catch up on my blogging!

A Day in the Country

On July 5th we were invited to come out to the Layton family's property in Willcox, Arizona. The Layton family showed us a great time! We enjoyed a BBQ and wagon rides. Our city kids were loving life! They had several mules that Whitney and Ashlyn both loved. Whitney has now added a mule to her pet wish list.

Look at those five little piggies! Joni's brothers made a giant mud pit. Chris threw Gavin and Whitney in the pit. I never know what Ashlyn will do but she decided to join the fun. They romped in the mud for a long time. Some people pay big money to have a mud bath!

Come on in!!! The mud feels great!!!

Joni took Wit for a ride on an ATV. She even gave her driving lessons.

Gavin was torn between his desire to go for a ride with Melody and the knowledge that Chris would tease him unmercifully if he did so. He decided to take the teasing.

Joni's Mom was worried that the day might be a little too redneck for us. One of the first things I told her was that I had a cattle trough/swimming pool when I was a kid. I hope I put her fears to rest.

4th of July 2010

We were disappointed in the Davis-Montham AFB 4th of July festivities. The fireworks were good but there was not much to do leading up to big event. They hardly had any food vendors. Since we had time to burn we decided to walk down to the shoppette and get Icees'. All day Ashlyn had been worried about getting to the 4th of July and she does not like to exert herself physically so she was a little put out with this plan. Once she had her Icee though she was much happier.

Ashlyn enjoying her Icee.

This shot cracks me up every time I see it!!! Looks like someone partied a little too hard and had too much fun! She fell asleep on the drive home and apparently could not make it up the stairs to her bed. Though she did manage to get one shoe off before passing out.



Landon getting some rough housing! Can you tell how much he hates it?



Watching the fireworks. Ashlyn was loving them! I expected Landon to be scared but he wasn't at all.

My favorite people.

Landon loves to put all kinds of things in Chris's mouth. Chris lucked out this time cause he kept feeding him cotton candy.

Gavin was on a bit of a sugar high after his giant Icee followed up with cotton candy.

Our All-American Sweetheart.