Mom and Me!

Though seeing my parents once a year is very hard on me, it makes our visits all the more special.
The time is precious to me and I'm just so grateful that we ARE able to spend time as a family!

Lehi Legacy Center

This was one of my favorite memories from our trip this year! Whoda thunk it... Lehi has an amazing aquatic center!

We ended up taking Dom and Di to this center twice and each time was fantastic! The water depth was just perfect for Diana and she had no problem swimming around all day, Dominick enjoyed the bigger water slide on the other side of the center and Ed and I just enjoyed hanging out all day in the water under a sunny sky!

Bridal Veils Fall - Utah

My Dad recommended taking the kids to see this fall right before we headed back to TN. I'm really glad we went, it was just so pretty and the kids had fun exploring around the area.

VEGAS!

So this was exciting! Ed and I were able to steal away for a little time on our own! Now, I absolutely had my heart set on Staying at Caeaser's Palace or the Wynn, but when we got there, we found out (while trying to book)  that Caesar's pools were closed for renovation (a deal breaker) and the Wynn was almost entirely booked for some sort of computer conference, so we had to find a back up. Not knowing what else to do, we packed up the car and decided to wing it.

After touring the strip and checking prices, we eventually decided on Treasure Island.The hotel itself was beautiful inside and out, clean and the staff was so helpful!

On check-in they upgraded our suite to a penthouse deluxe suite! Ooh la la!  Our room was amazing and the views were just great! We were able to see the 'pirate show' from our room and the fireworks exlpoded just outside our windows!

The casino was par for the course in Vegas.

I found I have a sweet spot for the "Price is Right" slots! LOL Ed couldn't keep me away! All in All, we did well, we only lost about 10% of the money we'd brought to gamble with! We'd both been expecting to lose it all, so we feel like we came away winners! LOL

So, after Ed and I had adjusted to be childless for a few days we had a really great time!
We had an amazing dinner at "Envy", saw a great Cirque show and were able to spend some good ol' fashioned quality time together!
It's a trip I won't be forgetting for a LONG time!

This is my self portrait taken about 4:30am when Ed and I finally headed to bed after a fun night out! We'd just had the most amazing dinner and won some money in the casino! I was in my "happy zone"!!

Brooke's best picture!

We've all been missing Brooke this week, (She's with my parents in UT until August) so I thought I'd share this adorable picture I snapped of her right before we left to come home!

She's starting to look SO grown up!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

"My daddy is my favorite pal, and I help him everday.
It's plain to see, I want to be like him in everyway.
He teaches me that honestly is best in all I do,
I'm very glad that he's my Dad, and I know he loves me too!"

Growing up, those were the lyrics to my all time favorite Primary song. I can remember being a CTR and singing that song with as much pride as my little heart could hold! There was never a child prouder to be the daughter of such an amazing human being!
While I've not always been the picture of an ideal daughter, you've always been the picture of an ideal Father.
You've been a shining example for me throughout my life and for that I am eternally grateful.

You will always be my favorite spy, my favorite story teller and as corny as it sounds, the best Dad a girl could hope for!

The Other Odom's

Our trip to Utah would not have been nearly as fun if Dom, Brooke, and Diana didn't have their cousins to play with!

Tarin, Ember, Tyson and Jared were so much fun to have around! We miss them already!

Sisters Night out!

Caity and Shawn decided to host a night out and take us to one of their favorite downtown hang outs! Imagine my utter surprise when KACY BRYCE walked in the door! I haven't seen Kacy in the better part of a decade and it was such a treat for Caity to organize an impromptu reunion!!! Gotta give props to the little Sister! HOLLA! (LOL)

Betsey, Myself, Kacy!

Gardiner Village

My mom introduced me to this charming craft community when I visited last summer and I couldn't wait to share it with Ed. Dom and


Diana feeding the Ducks and the fish.

Dom ran up to me and said "Look Mom, how cute!! That other Duckie wants a ride!!"
Thank you nature, that was a fun conversation!

*** I was taking these pictures a good 20' away from the kids using my zoom, (My Duck-a-phobia in full swing) while I was snapping away I could hear Ed yelling "Leslie. Leslie! Leslie!!! LESLIE" I looked up and not a foot away was the BIGGEST duck of the bunch. Just staring at me with his ugly beady eyes.
Let me just say this: For a fat chick, I can still run! LOL ***

The Alpine Loop...Almost.

A few days after arriving in Saratoga Springs, my Dad wanted to show us around the Alpine Loop. A drive we'd done the previous summer without Ed and Dad knew he'd enjoy the scenery! Unfortunately, the loop was closed, I think there was still too much snow on the mountains. Oh well! We had a great time anyway!

Lake-ing.

Our favorite summer activity is finally in full swing:
Sunday's on the Lake!

Even though it was a bit overcast we loaded up the kids and spent the day enjoying the warm weather and the cool water!

It was so odd being on the water and not having Brooke with us!
She'll be in Utah until the first of August!

Graduation 3

Exiting "Barn C" as it was worded in the Graduation Instructions. (Only in TN)

Christina and her boyfriend David.

Graduation 2

Christina's graduation was held at the local Expo center (usually reserved for rodeo's, LOL). It was a much welcomed improvements over last year's ceremony. The only thing lacking was some air conditioning!

The lighting was just horrible and we were too far away to get any really good shots, so I circled the blob we believe to be Christina receiving her diploma!

John and Anthony.

Hat toss!