Ditched

"Mom, what does ditched mean?" Karissa asked

"What do you mean?" I asked

"Well, Brian said on his cell phone that Dakota ditched him!"

After a good laugh, I responded, "Well it means that Dakota didn't show up today. It also means that someone may leave you to do something else."

Later that day I had another opportunity to use this new word. Karissa was invited to visit her best buddy Holden at his house. (On July 5, Holden, was involved in a serious accident that may cause him to loose his left eye. He's undergone several surgeries at the Jules Stein Eye Center at UCLA. We pray everyday for a miracle that his eye will heal.) I explained to Karissa that this would be a movie play date as Holden has to remain laying down for his eye to have the best chance of healing. We discussed that it wouldn't be fair to Holden to have her ditch him to do something else. She understood completely and promised she'd stay right by his side.

Yesterday afternoon we had to chance to hang out with Holden for a few hours. Both kids were amazingly sweet to one another. Karissa was very conscientious about not asking questions and just enjoying the time they had together.

Dazzling Dancer

Karissa's annual dance recital was held last weekend at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. As you can see Karissa was Minnie Mouse and danced with several other mice to the Mickey Mouse Club theme song. Our little Minnie loved being on stage and can't wait till next years recital.

Our little tap dancer.
Minnie with her Godmother, Aunt Lisa.

The roses she said she earned.

Family photo take 21!

What every other family photo looked like.

Proud to be an American

I feel more American when I spend the 4th swimming, BBQ'ing, and enjoying fireworks.

Addi and Ellie in the wave pool in Price.
Uncle Ryan taking Karissa on a fun ride on his ATV.

Family photos

The best part was the 4th of July Fireworks at BYU Stadium. Nothing makes you feel more American that a good flyover. Not sure why I always tear up feeling the roar of fighter jets.

Matt, Ellie, Kayley and Beth's lap.

Cherry Pickers

The ride to Price, UT. All went well. The kids got a bit restless when we turned off the I-70 towards Price and quickly realized not only was there no place to get dinner, there are no grocery stores or really much of anything in the small mining towns of Eastern Utah.

St. George. The red mountains are such a stark contrast from the barren desert.

Rainbows on the I-70.

Ah and the cherries in Ryan's backyard.

My nephew Brett-Brett. He asked me to take a picture of his silly face.