BFF's!

This summer Kimbel's "bestie" came for a much-anticipated visit all the way from Singapore.  Kimbel had been counting down the days and when Mady pulled up on Wednesday evening there was so much HAPPINESS!!

 Mady and Kimbel picked right up and chattered non-stop through their "sleep" over.  Not a whole lot of sleep though!!

 Thursday I took them on a date to the spa where they got matching zebra toes and they giggled and played with the massage chairs until they were almost obnoxious!!

We loved every minute of Mady and can't wait til next time!!

Okay?  Emily?!

We love you guys.

...and off they go!

I do NOT like back to school!

I know, I know, most moms whoop and holler

when the school supplies appear in stores...

not me.

I like my kiddos close ~

going to the pool.

staying up way too late.

crazy summer projects.

family reunions.

I love summer.

...and I don't love that they are growing up.

But.. ready or not..

here we go!!

 So, this year we have a 

Junior,

a junior-higher,

and 5th and 2nd graders.

 And they are all looking pretty dashing for their

after-school photo shoot!

 

Oh, how I adore these amazing kids! :)

kimbel's best day

I have been meaning to post this for awhile...

I decided it is MUCH easier to take the kids school shopping 

ONE AT A TIME.

They look forward to their "Mom" time and I get to worry about what each one NEEDS! :)

Anyway, Kimbel and I headed out a couple weeks ago to her 

favorite place... the mall!

We walked in and right into

President Uchtdorf!

Kimbel was a little starstruck and said,

"He looks so different...

I have never seen him in normal clothes."

We exchanged smiles and went on our way.

Definitely the highlight of the day.

(And that is saying something...

after the damage she did at Justice!)

Braithwaite's '11

Here are a FEW highlights from our

Lava Hot Springs Camping Adventure...

Let's see.

hula hoops.

tubing the Portneuf.

rest and relaxation.

yummy food.

the pool.

the twisty water slides.

the speed slides.

dave's graceful jumps off the TOP platform. 

lots of food (is garlic a vegetable?)

some spirited games of ZIM-ZAM.

flashlights. glow sticks.

treasure hunting.

treasure finding.

more r & r.

yummy food.

I didn't take nearly enough pictures

(I think I was too busy enjoying it all!)

We had a great time.  

See Grandma, we DID have fun! :)

So... where are we going next year?

temple time with the girls.

 While Shir was in the states we met up for a session in the beautiful Draper temple.  

A gorgeous day with Shelly and Shirlee.

Madison and Makenna tagged along and did baptisms.

Fun girls day out.

Duffins '11

We had our Duffin Family Extravaganza last weekend... 

talk about party!

I didn't take nearly enough pictures, and I can't believe I didn't even get a picture of everyone there.

But here are a few snapshots of the festivities...

 Kirk, Kelly and James replaced Grandma's shutters on one of the front windows.  They had their own little pep club cheering them on.  Looks great!

Jessica showing off her otter pop skills ...

look out college! :)

Raelene and little Joseph singing songs and cheering on the scaffolding climbers.

I think they just liked being up there...

A few of the talent show hits...

Kelly and Eric showing off their 10 kinds of push-ups.

Katelin, Kenna, Madison, and Jess rapping to 

"Popcorn Popping".

And .. the "drops" - definitely a highlight!

A fun, swift canal just begs to be jumped into - 

with or without a tube!

For those too little to jump into fast moving water...

we opted for the Shoshone pool.

Braden, Lydia, and Gracie mastered the 'nestea plunge'...

while Kimbel and Lauren practiced their noodle riding.

It was a FABULOUS weekend with lots of family 

(11 adults and 21 kids ages 2 to 17!),

LOADS of food,

and TONS of fun!

All thanks to Grandma D. - WE LOVE YOU!!!

new bike.

 New bike for Braden!

 It took some practice to get the braking figured out.

No major wrecks due to Kelly's expert training.

 

 

 

Braden did great because of,

or despite,

his sisters constant silliness and cheerleading!

 Very proud.

Way to go, big guy.