Summer Camp for Rachel

Rachel spent her first ever week at summer camp last week. She did great ... she was so excited that she didn't even look back when we dropped her off and said goodbye. She made lots of new friends, did water sports and learned wilderness survival and self defence (she said it will only work on someone her own size that was attacking her though). She was full of stories about her new friends and experiences. It looked like a fun place - right on the lake with cute little cabins for the campers. Julia gets to go in a week.

Big Girl Tessa

We celebrated Tessa's 4th birthday yesterday. It was a very full day of 4 year old fun. First we had to go to Build-A-Bear. Thank you grandma and grandpa for the birthday money which went towards new bears!! Next we had lunch at the mall, then spent the afternoon at the pool. Dinner was at Chuck E Cheese (where else would a 4 year old choose to go??). Grace was a crazy bowling lady. She winds up and chucks the ball high and hard. Half the time it would land 2 allies over but the other half, it would land in the 100 point hole. She could beat anyone in the family. After a fun filled evening there, it was home for cake and presents. Tessa loved her new little plasmacar. Phew ... no more Staley birthdays this year.

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Kindergarten Graduate

Grace was front and center for her kindergarten graduation. She sang the songs out loud and clear. This is unusual for our little unpredictable Gracie who can either be a total ham, or stare blankly with her fist in her mouth ... it depends on the day I guess. (she is in the white dress, front row)

John's Powell Adventures

We found some great cliffs to jump off. This video is John and Karl jumping. Rachel jumped off too but I was slow with my camera and missed it. Julia claims that she jumped the day before when there were no adults around but I have no proof of that and darnit ... I forgot my maternity life jacket so I couldn't jump either.


This is John surfung. This year they finally figured out how to surf on the wake without a rope.

Lake Powell

We had a great family trip last week at Lake Powell. I can't say that it was relaxing but it sure was fun. We went with our good friends - the Fellers, the Bakers, and the Fellows. Total craziness with 8 adults and 16 kids. Julia and Rachel both wakeboarded and waterskied. Grace surprised everyone by asking to try wakeboarding off the boom with Jed helping her. She did great first try and was up for a few minutes but took a pretty good wipe out as soon as we brought John in the boat to watch. She decided to call it enough for this year. If you ask Grace her favorite part of the trip, she will say it was catching lizards. She was totally obsessed! Tessa's favorite part was the tubing. She was so cute hanging on with all her energy. I have great pictures of this but they are on Jamie's camera and I will post them when she uploads.

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