Camping/4th of July :)

We headed up to our normal camping spot Friday morning to meet up with the Nowlins that had been there for a few days...it was just an overnight trip for us since Craig had to work Sat. night and Sunday.. It was a great trip...the weather was beautiful...we played lots of cards and dominoes...I should say that I got my butt kicked in all of them :) Hopefully we can camp again this summer


Carli and Molly driving the Ranger

Tatum * Payton * Codi * and Tori
We have been going to this same place since before the girls were born...we have our names carved in a few trees :)


I know it is very hard to believe...but Craig layed down and took a nap :)
Campfire time :)

Cowboy Craig with me, Tami, and Tad :)

We came home Saturday morning...Matt, Marci, and Austin came over to swim and bbq...Marci and I were talking in the pool how at our parents house we used to jump off the roof into the pool...Carli immediately insists that she wants to jump off the wall into the pool...I said sure do it (thinking for sure she would chicken out...it wasn't exactly safe!)...She did it 3 times!!! :)

It's official!!

The club volleyball season is now officially over...the last 4 days both Carli and Codi's teams have played at the Festival Tournament...which was moved from Reno to Phoenix this year (so nice to sleep in your own bed each night)...Codi's team got 19th out of 39 teams...she played great!!!

My team (Carli's team) ended up being 9-2 in the tournment and finished 7th out of 40 teams...we missed being in the semi final losing a deciding game 16-14...I can't even put into words how well the girls played...we were always out sized by every team by 4-5 inches per kid...but we played just as big as them...I am so proud of Carli...she played absolutely amazing defense!!! Most importantly~~~she survived the season with her mom as the coach...I'm sure I was harder on her than the rest of the girls but she always responded well!!!

Codi in action :)



Carli with teammates and good friends Abbi and Kayla at opening ceremonies of the tournament


Right before our final match...each day was an early morning and late night...The girls were absolutlely pooped!!!

Carli on the couch at home after we got home today :)

A Perfect Friday :)

Yesterday was such a great day!!! We started off at 4:30 in the morning on a little fishing adventure. I grew up with my family fishing on the river. I told my dad on father's day that we were going to take him fishing...so Craig, my dad, and myself headed out on the ranger early in the morning...it was so nice out. We went to a place out by Lake Pleasant. We were there for probably a little over 2 hours....about 40 fish later...we headed home!!! It was the ideal fishing day :)...as soon as you cast your line...you couldn't even sit down...your line was getting hit. They were decent size catfish too.....


He didn't get to sit still like this too often :)
Craig taking the hook out...some of them swallowed the hook and it was a pain in the butt to get them out!!
Nice looking fish :)



We were home by 9:30----Carly came over and we did some pool time :) Then Craig, Carly (not my Carli), and Craig went to dinner and to see Hungover...it is a pretty funny movie!!

Oh yeah...the girls had a relaxing day...I think they were in their PJs til about 3:00 in the afternoon :) The last club volleyball tournament starts tonight...we play Sunday thru Wednesday in downtown Phoenix...gonna be long days :)...Codi's pools start at 8am...and my team's pools start at 3pm...the end of club season is near :)

Weekend in the Mountains!

We spent last weekend up in the Mountains. Lance had a surprise birthday party for Mosty so we headed up Friday morning. We stayed the first night at the ranch that Lance works at...It is a luxurious all inclusive ranch.....It is so beautiful..pictures just won't do it justice. Your cabin fee includes all of your meals and activities...we ate like Kings/queens, did a 2 hour horseback ride, fished on the pond, road on a wagon to feed the horses in the pasture, and the girls made these really cute leather bracelets. It was nice to see Lance in action...kinda weird too tho...he is quite the cowboy now!!!


Our Cabin ;)
Uncle Lance with the girls

This place was amazing..this is one of the cabins the ranch takes care of...wouldn't call it a cabin!!

Carli teeter tottering with my son :)
Going on the hay ride to feed horses

The horses practically came in the wagon trying to get the hay!



Out on our ride...Craig followed right behind me...my poor horse had the worst gas!!!!!!


On Saturday we had the surprise party for Mosty....she had no clue :)
Hard to believe we all had jackets on...

Grandma and Grandpa with the girls.

Home from New York!!!

This will definitely be a long post :) I have so many wonderful pictures from our trip in New York!!! It was an amazing time...we were so sad to leave yesterday :(....I was so worried about the girls really being able to appreciate and understand what incredible things they got to do/see...but last night when we got into our truck from the airport at 1:00am...they both made comments about how cool and amazing everything was...I am sure they get it!!

The only speed bump in the trip was that we didn't get to see JJ with any fist pumps ;(...we are hoping he will have a speedy recovery (for Kelsey's sake :)...he will be giving those aboslutely crazy fans something to be obnoxious about very soon!!!






Heading to the City to see The Little Mermaid ;)



At Nationals park



Daddy is finally here :)

Central Park...i love this picture!!


NBC studio store

Getting ready for Mets/Yankee game...Lauren and Codi



About to hop on the "police escorted" bus...it was very cool!!

Yankee stadium :)

All 5 in their NY shirts :)

Codi teaching Kaelyn great passing form (these kids should be tall...should start now) :)

Dumb and Dumber :) Sitting on the couch with JJ is like being at blockbuster...whatever you wanna watch...he has got it on his "box" ;)

I miss 'effie' already~~~he is so stinkin cute!!!
Sad faces at the airport...time to go home :(

New York/Washington DC

Carli and Codi at the Putz house

We took all the girls to see Little Mermaid Broadway show!!

On Thursday we took a train to DC...the Mets were playing against the Nationals...one minor hiccup...JJ ended up going back to NY (needing elbow surgery) :(...we stayed in DC to do some site seeing...Arlington Cemetary, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Korean War Memorial, White House, and the Vietnam Wall...it was very cool and my girls are at the perfect age to relate many of the things they saw to things they have to things they have learned in school.

The girls and I at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetary.

At the Nationals/Mets game :)

Kelsey and I

Kelsey and I with the Washington Monument in background...Ethan was the best little traveler :)

Carli in front of the White House


Today we had Ethan's baptism....it is an honor to be Ethan's God Mother :)... This picture doesn't do the justice of the ceremony :) Everything went off without a hitch...followed by a nice gathering at the Putz House...

I have so many wonderful pictures...can't wait to post more :)