Glacier on the 4th.

We went hiking in Glacier for the 4th of July. Val lead the way along McDonald creek.





How is she so gorgeous - I am so jealous of her hair.


Chad always makes everything fun. He always has a smile on his face and the one liners he comes up with . . . we were laughing so hard along the trail.


The falls along the way. They were sure flowing - talk about white water.


At the top of the falls.



Yes, we're still at the falls.


On the foot bridge. I told them to get close and Val made sure they were really close.


Who wouldn't love this face.


Still jealous that she is so cute.

Are you asking where Keston is in all our fun . . . well he is working at Melita Island the scout camp. He will be there for two weeks then he is going on a 50 miler so we won't really see him for a long time. Hope he has fun.

It has been a great weekend. We went out to Ashley Lake with friends on Saturday, the Sunday we went up to Toren's for food, fun, football, and fireworks. A great weekend to celebrate all the freedoms we have.

Poor Grandpa

This is what happens when the house is overrun - you grab a nap when you can get it. Watch out though . . . never sleep with your toes uncovered. Ask Kayden about that one.

Jumpin Rope . . . with Grandpa

Saturday afternoon Grandpa Paul got out the rope maker and made a rope for jumping but Tracy needed some for girl's camp so they made some heavier ones but boy did the kids have fun.



Becky helping Preston - it didn't take long, soon he was jumping all on his own. And then he watched the older kids run in and he ran in and started jumping. He was so excited.



The boys getting in on the action.


Grandpa had a senior moment and forgot that he was a grandpa. It didn't stop him. He joined in with the kids. Afterward he had to go lay in the chair. He quickly remembered he was a grandpa.


More of the gang. They were getting pretty good but only Aunt Tracy was able to do the double dutch.





Chad showing off some tricks.

Learning about the days of yore

We went up to Granny's to visit because Sherylee and Kayden came to visit and it was time to head north. While Chad and I were getting ready for bed we found the records again and Chad had no idea what they were. Can you believe that Granny still has the old record player from when we were little. So Chad and I plugged it in to see if it would work and it still does. So we found my favorite Smurf records (no laughing) and the Raffi record and we put them on the ol' turn table. We taught Chad how to be careful not to scratch the record when he put the needle on. It was the scratchiest, most static I have heard in a long time but we sure had a good time. Then we found the little 45s and Chad can put the middle piece in. What is funny is we found Billy Idol, Bruce Willis and other ones that Ken used to listen to. It was a fun night - who needs to go to bed when you can play with old record players.

We didn't find the Disney record or the Easter record. How fun!

The End of an Era . . .

Yesterday was the end of one chapter and the beginning of another chapter in the Hemsley home. First, Keston completed middle school and is on his was to high school - he is a Freshman. How is that possible? He did great in his last year and was on the honor roll every trimester so he received the President's Education Award and he received a KMS Health Enhancement award. He was great.

And then . . .sniff, sniff. My baby graduated from Elrod Elementary, they . I didn't get to the first part of the program but he also received some awards. He received the Presidential Physical Fitness Award and a Volunteer Appreciate Award for his job this year. He was the teacher assistant for the Kindergarten P.E. classes on Tuesday and Thursday and he loved it. The P.E. teacher loved him and said he did a great job. When I picked him up yesterday the cute little kindergarten kids were running up to him and giving him high 5s. Say it with me . . . cute!

At his graduation ceremony they showed a cute video of the kids growing up. I was not the only one with tears. After it was over we said goodbye to his teachers, Mr Bunker and Mrs Wakefield were amazing and this has been Chad's best year ever. We stopped by to say goodbye to Ms Diede the school secretary who always answered the phone and of course the best principal ever . . . Mr. Hornby. We will sure miss everyone. The tears really started flowing when we said farewell to Mrs. Sinclair. Chad even let a few tears slip out as they were sharing hugs. Mrs. Sinclair is such an amazing teacher and person and she has made such a positive impact in our life. We will sure miss being where she is. Words can not express our gratitude to everyone at Elrod, we sure loved it there and we look forward to more great things as our kids move on. Now the question is . . . how will Chad do in middle school? He is excited but thinks he will get lost.

So now we are on to summer and the busy schedule. Is it sad that we have already planned our back to school shopping trip and school just ended.

Have a great Summer!

Happy Birthday Keston

Can you believe Keston is 14? I sure can't. I remember my cute little red head the moment he was born and the first time I saw his little dimple. Melt my heart!


Keston with all his birthday gifts - each one full of love.



Grandma Longacre gave him a book that belonged to his dad.


In his new sleeping bag. This should keep him warm and toasty on his many, many nights camping this summer.


The yummy ice cream cake - love it.


He had a great weekend. Last night we went to the Zone to play laser tag and have fun. The boys played on the blow up bouncy slide, the moon bounce and we even played some of the games - air hockey, skeet ball and stomp the spider. Then back to the house to watch a movie. It was a late night - in fact we didn't hear the phone ring at 7:15 when Grandma Berry called.

Keston was ordained a Teacher today. All in all it was a great weekend.

Kootenai Falls

We went on a long drive to get to the Kootenai Falls. They had a great swinging bridge and the falls were pretty neat.


It was finally a great day in Montana and we took the opportunity to get outside.


Keston and mom - we have fun together. Take a good look, this is his last day of being 13.


The swinging bridge.


Sitting on one of the cables that hold the bridge. They tried to be tight rope walkers but didn't get very far.


The view from the bridge.


Going across the bridge. Chad has mentioned on more than one occasion that he is afraid of bridges, but he didn't say one word and had a great time trying to make the swinging bridge, swing.