A RETAINING WALL BUILT OVER THE 24th of JULY

IT TOOK JOHN A GOOD WEEK TO COMPLETE THE WALL

While I was at camp, John poured the cement for the foundation. He tried to do it alone, but Shannon saw him struggling to get it done, so she came over to help......thank you Shannon!

We had two loads of sand and gravel dumped in our front yard, John carried the loads to the back yard by himself. What a Man!

The beginning of our retaining wall project

This was the foundation for the wall

Monday, the 25th

John worked over the holiday weekend to set up the forms for the retaining wall. After the forms were in place, Jay and Shannon helped prepare and pour the cement for the wall.
Thank you Jay and Shannon!

Almost done
Looking down from our deck
Later in the morning Natalie, I and the grand kids helped pick up as many rocks as possible to throw into the mix, we were running low on gravel and the rocks helped to fill in.
Marilyn (our neighbor to the south) could see how hard we were working so she treated us to her fresh home made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
Thank you Marilyn!
THE RETAINING WALL IS FINISHED
Next Project:
To fill in this area with top soil and make the ground level so we can plant grass. We think our hammock will fit perfect between those two tree to the left of this picture, can't wait!

After the work was done, Larry and Shannon took Collin, Dresden and Logan to the movies. Natalie, Sydney and Jay went birthday shopping for Collin. John wanted to go swimming so we took Strider with us. I thought for sure he was going to like the swimming pool because he loves his baths, but he wasn't enjoying it too much. I think it was because he was very tired, it was his nap time.

After the dip in the pool, he took a nap.......much happier baby

24th of July Celebration

DINNER AND FIREWORKS

RED WHITE & BLUE CAKE, COOKIES AND SALT WATER TAFFY

COMING TO NANA & PAPA'S TO CELEBRATE PIONEER DAY'S

GETTING READY FOR THE BIG FIREWORK SHOW
(We bought a couple of Aeriel fireworks,they included little parachutes and streamers)

PIONEER DAY IN CALIFORNIA

SUMMER FUN IN CALIFORNIA
Mike and Niki's ward celebrated Pioneer Day's at a morning breakfast held by their ward.
Mike bought a canoe with a friend at the scouts auction.
After they went to their city's celebration called "Tropical Daze"

Nicole and Creed

Michael and Creed

Savannah and Cole with one of the activities

It looks like they were having fun

GIRLS CAMP - JULY 19, 20, 21 & 22nd

YOUNG WOMEN'S CAMP

back row, L-R Vanessa, Jennie, Donna, Samantha, Maren, Susan, Jane, Laura
Front row, L-R Veroncia, Kira, Emily, in front of Emily is Tori, Sarah Gerogann & Kim

Our Theme: Asian
We were called "The Kigatsuku Girls"
which means: An inner spirit to act without being told what to do
(Service without asking)

Jane Johnson was our camp director, her husband Terry came up and helped out. The Arnold's, Marie France and Kirk came up to help out with the cooking

Our Food Prep Table

The leaders and young women's mail boxes (Asian takeout boxes) The leaders and girls would write notes to each other

My cute beehive girls
Kira, Tori (in front), Jennie (in back) and Veronica

Jane Johnson and Marie France Arnold

L - R Laura, Susan & Jane

Our girls performed a dance (thanks to Sarah Jones) for our bishopric who came up for testimony meeting

camp fire and smores after an awesome testimony meeting

BABIES EVERYWHERE!

The Curtis baby & the Strong baby
Tayler is holding her cousin Strider, he is almost 5 months old
Carlee is holding her little brother Grady, he is one week old

Cousins meeting each other for the first time

Tayler loves her baby brother

Grady's first time at Papa's and Nana's house

Natalie and Jay didn't want to be out done by the two new babies, so they went out and got their own little baby. Here is the newest addition to their family, meet Copper, he is a Sheltie Mix.

Sydney and Collin adoring their new little puppy

Papa John enjoying his new little friend