So it appears that Auntie is waaaaayyyyyyy behind in the fun things that happened this summer. Because of this I thought I would do one long entry with lots of pictures.
LEHI, UTAH
In June I went to see my favorite Potter Peeps. Because I got a late start I didn’t arrive till after 9 PM and I had very anxious kids waiting to see me as they had been permitted to wait up to greet me. I know their parents were very glad to see me because I think they wanted to go to bed to. LOL!
My sweet Noah gave up his room to Auntie and when I arrived I found this sign on the bedroom door.
Translation - "Anyone is welcome in my room"
I felt so welcomed! My wonderful nieces and nephew get up at 7 AM and once again they were driving their parents nuts because they wanted to know when Auntie would be downstairs. When I finally emerged, David said “Thank Goodness, now they will stop asking where you are.”
The first day they wanted to show me their backyard and the swings. Of course I was required to push them. Thank goodness I have 2 arms. LOL!
Look at us swing
Ruby & Noah teeter & totter
Sweet Lily smiles for Auntie
Holly shows her gymnastic moves. Can you say Olympics!
After we had our fill of swinging and games of GO FISH we played with the all important Wii. Mind you Auntie’s talents in video games run along the Pacman/Frogger route and she is not really good at those. :-) However Noah is an expert and was very excited to create an Auntie Mii. I must admit, it looked like me. We played Press Your Luck (A replica of our favorite game show from the 80′s – “No Whammies, No Whammies – Stop!”) We moved on to Lawn Darts but when I couldn’t work the control I got many sighs from my 7 year old Noah. I’m sure the inner monologue of Noah went something like “Sheesh Auntie, can’t you work a simple game control, must I do everything”. I’m sure I have the same inner monologue with my Dad when trying to teach him to email. LOL!
The next day we put on bathing suits and headed over to Lehi Pools. We had a blast and were joined by Andrew, Sara & Mary. There are lots of shallow areas and small water slides for the kids. One of the favorite items is the GIANT BUCKET OF WATER that fills slowly and then dumps on the occupants in the pool. It is a very exciting time, wondering when it will drop.
The Bucket of Doom fills....Muwahahaha!
Noah tries to get away but David holds him tight!
The bucket drops its contents on David & Noah!
Happy Potters in the shallow end.
My Happy Water Lily
Holly stops swimming to give me a smile
Ruby relaxes in the pool
Auntie enjoys the lazy river
Andrew is so happy to be in the pool
Mary loves the lazy river too.
Swimming makes everyone tired & hungry so we all went home, changed and had a bite to eat. The rest of the day was spent visiting and hanging out.
The next day brought lots of homemade food. Auntie made her chocolate chip cookies and had lots of help. I had one to crack the eggs, one to dump in the sugar and one to dump in flour and chocolate chips. It took double the time but I wouldn’t have changed anything, it was the best.
A sneaky Michelle hand reaches in for a cookie.
Auntie had one demand when she visited and that was to have Michelle’s homemade pizza. I have heard for years and years how good it was and had to try for myself. You will see the yummy process as it unfolds.
Move over Rachel Rae here comes Michelle Potter
The secret ingredient Soy Lechitin..I asked Michelle what does it do best, she didn't know.
An Impressive looking dough ball
David presses it in the pan. He doesn't look very confident, does he?
Ruby helps put on the toppings.
Auntie now understands what all the fuss is about, because it was yummers! Thanks, Michelle
The rest of my trip was filled with odds and ends. Bubble blowing, picture taking, and trips to the park. Before you could say Vacation my week with the Potters was up. How could that be, it seems like I just got there. Oh well, all good things must come to an end.
Aunties must be expert bubble blowers.
What a face for an Auntie to love!
It's wrestle time..
Action shot..catch Auntie.
Holly & Lily my leaf collectors
Me and my brother..Love you David.
My favorite couple
When Ruby was visiting us for Easter she & Sara & I started a shooting game. Whenever we see each other we pretend to shoot. Whoever does it first, wins. I don’t know what we win, we just win. When Michelle was a little concerned I explained they were bullets of love. LOL!
Ruby & I are locked & loaded.
The next Charlie's Angels
Yes, Auntie is crying because she is a giant Boob, but I have always been a boob and nothing will change as I get older- LOL!
Love is not a strong enough word for what I feel for these faces.
So after more hugs I left and started my drive to Ephraim, Utah. I was finishing out my vacation there because I wanted to see the Mormon Miracle Pageant that is performed on the lawn in front of the Manti Temple. I strongly encourage all to see it as it is such a fabulous story and made me so grateful for my pioneer relatives and the sacrifices they made.
Hanging out in town by the Bubbling Brook. Watch out for Mosquitoes.
Posing before the show starts!
After the fabulous show, i grabbed a few winks at the Ostler home and drove home to start the work week again. I love my family and I loved my vacation.
July ( Michelle’s 40th & Stadium Of Fire)
Okay so here is the story you have been waiting for that I eluded to in a previous post. July 1st is my favorite sister-in-law’s birthday and it was a special one because she was turning Forty & Fabulous. I knew what Sara was planning to give her and I was going to be unable to join because I had just spent a week with them in June. ( I did however take her to lunch in June so I was covered – phewww).
Stadium Of Fire is presented at BYU stadium with an AWESOME fireworks show and usually a country star singing. This year was going to be the handsome Brad Paisley. ( He is HOT!) However because I couldn’t be there in person, I devised a way to be there in spirit. And that is what I refer to as “AUNTIE ON A STICK”. I donned a cowboy hat, took my picture, attached myself to a Popsicle stick and Ta Da, I am now attending the concert. Michelle & Sara were a little embarrassed to take me but they got over it really quick because the kids thought it was awesome. They actually fought over who got to play with Auntie. Below you will see the adventures of Auntie on a Stick.
Leaving for the concert..Yikes must we carry Marilee around on a stick!
Even Aunties on a stick get thirsty...Ahhh now that is a good diet coke.
Auntie on a stick meets Brad Paisley.
Happy 4th of July
Noah & Holly play with Auntie on a stick. I was such a hit there had to be time limits. LOL!
The kids were not the only ones that liked to take Auntie out. The next day David thought I would enjoy posing with Salt Lake Temple.
Labor Day at Pismo..Our Last Fling
So temperatures in the 3 digits make Sara & I a little crazy. Since Joy School was starting for Sara & Mary, this was our last long weekend to go find some cool weather. Our favorite Shell Beach did not disappoint. In fact it bordered on cold that weekend. Anytime we have gone to Pismo Beach we have always said the last day you are there is always the prettiest and Monday was no exception. So we gathered up chairs, sand toys, and shovels and met Melissa, Amanda, Ashley & Dylan at Pismo to soak up the sun and the waves.
Unfortunately there were little bits of dried seaweed and driftwood and Mary stepped on one and from that point on she had to be carried because she was afraid of the sand. It finally took some coaxing from her cousin Amanda and her Mommy with the promise she could help bury Daddy in a hole to get her to walk on the sand.
I however enjoy just sitting in a chair and reading a book..okay my Nook but same difference. It was glorious. Below are some of the pictures that were captured.
Melissa & I enjoying the sun while reading trashy books. Now that is living.
The Ostlers enjoying the day.
Ashley in her sand recliner.
Sara in process of building the all important drip castle.
Amanda attacking Dylan..I don't know why..I guess because it's fun.
Your never too old to dig in the sand
So I come to the end..and if you are still with me you are probably saying to yourself “Finally” but I just can’t help myself when it comes to my family. They are absolutely the best thing in the world. I am blessed beyond belief. I hope you all had a fabulous summer and are looking forward to fall as I am. Till next time, Auntie Marilee
