the Mercado summer visit

Valerie and her crew drove all the way across America, well almost! This summer we were lucky that they took a whole month to travel and make our visit with them doubly fun

One of the fun days was a beauty day with Emily and Jan.

We got to see Emily using all her skills to help us become our more enhanced self.

Loved see the girls together 

and the boys hanging out

A little hint of Americana, and Erik fell asleep in his swim suit, ready for the next days adventure.

They all take on Calvin

we played all kinds of games, golf, rummy, truth or dare

me AND  Karina, Derek and Val

yet again trying to get everyone in one photo, 

The big hike to the top of Timp with two different groups reaching the top. Me, I was back up, so I was up at 1am to see them off, then helped Karina with Blake when he had some pain and needed assistance.( that was 5am ) then Jim and I were lucky to meet many of the hikers a few miles coming down at 11am to bring them home. They started at the Timpanokee side . It was a long night and then day. Hiking in the dark with flashlights helped avoid the heat of the day. It was rocky and uneven and scary for me even in the light of day!!! What we saw of the hike was terrific and our next time we want to make it to the meadow.!

two best buds enjoying the sun rise. These are the  first two down the mountain that met Jim and I in the morning when they heard my call..WOOOOHOOO!

the older kids hiked up earlier so we got a great shot of them

even the dog made it to the top!

De

Dereks pool was another fun day. 

the bathing beauties

always a great time with water and kids

we  set up the tent, That was a great idea which the tenters loved

trying to get everyone in, here we missed Karina and Missy!

but we did get us !!!

we hiked the Y! well at least the campus, It was very emotional for me to share the dance areas with Victoria and Val shared Southridge where she lived when she met Jason.

another hike in Timp, this time we went inside the cave on a very rainy day, when we returned we were in the hot tub and got to see the lightning and thunders and even hail

J

of course we worked out everyday, even doing yoga among the toys and cats, After that Valerie and I got to share our quiet time studying the scriptures and our testimony

Valerie got to go to Draper temple and Jim and I got to go to Payson temple. Getting to share our love of the Savior and temples even with the restrictions with covid made all the extra effort even more special because we set aside time for worship.

I am so happy to have shared my love and time with those who mean the most to me, All and all we tried each time to get everyone in a photo!!!but never could, You are all loved and missed whenever we try to get us all together. And now, I will lovingly continue to wash and clean up and remember the joys of being together,, only wiping away tears as I recall it all

er

 

swimming is in the blood

keeping fit and even competitve is one of our passions

Jake is a great example of working hard, We are so happy that he is on our team!

This love of water and being active started when my parents made being active a priority. We took dancing, ball sports and water sports to the max, we even convienced our dad to put a large pool in our home in Devon Pa, All of our family trips included water. This is one of the last trips that we got to take with mom and dad still healthy. At this trip I orgainized a Lun Olympics and it looks like Terry got a metal!!!

more resently Derek put a pool and hot tub in his Utah home!

Luck for us we live near by!

this is a pool near us 

even dancing and water go together

and large lakes

and Michigan rivers

and the cruises

we love working on our strokes and trying to be the  best we can

Hawaii!!!

snow capped in the boat

San Diego

more racing

even reading , at least for a little R and R

surfing  in Costa Rica

Beach beauties

and back home in our hot tub! 

As I do a quick reflection on our passed activities I remember the joy of being together .

Water brings us together. I am glad that we can share our love with each other in so many different ways, so here I looked out for all the ways we were all wet...together!

 

celebrating birthdays in July

our latest find is Mirrior lake up in the unita mountains and we are already excited to return and try truck tenting, We figured out with the kayak on top of the truck it is almost a perfect cover up above.Now it is just about getting these old bodies comfortable in the truck bed. here is Jim at his 77th. 

Izaak and Nik also celebrate at the end of July, So much fun seeing these cousins share each others adventures and love

Niks party was a fun day with a big group of fill energy boys

we also hiked the TImp cave to test out our legs and lungs and here we are with Emily and Jan

the latest fun is creating domino structures

more biking at mapleton

on Jims birthday, one of our favoirte ways to show thanks

creating memories with the family is what I love to do, I am always thankful for times shared with loved ones and especially when we  are growing more healthy both physically

  mentally and   spiritually

And many more happy birthdays

 

summer goals

our families love adventures, Most of us have been locked up too long, Even now as I type this and think of all the dty heat we have had for the last month, I am glad that we have been able to be outside, together. Here we are at the Hiawatha trail in the boarder up by Idaho and Washington and Montana . It was an easy ride through beautiful scenery and tunnels that really cooled us off. And Dan rode this the day after his IronDAN.

As you can see it is a nice mountain bike trail which is slightly down hill and you can do 15  or 30 

here is a photo off the Jordan River trail that is quiet and calm in the middle of the Salkt Lake valley, 

Our family goals of more soccer games started off the season with Niks team going to finals in his first ever tournament which went into over over over time which each team member having to kick a goal  leaving us only one short,

In the middle of all this we celebrate the birth of America,

here we are at Dry canyon ( I think) with the second largest flag waving over this open canyon reminding us of the freedom and liberty we have

Derek brought (our) boat up to Eden to help us celebrate with the Chatterley kids reunion. I say our because he is still paying it off! Boats are fun but alot of responsibility and we are thankful to Derek to keep us wet and wild and reaching more goals

Huntsville 3rd of July parade

Jim and his tools rolling in the parade

Jan and Auggie= LOVE

Spokane with Celeste

Eden with Jaton and Nikkis family

Megan and Shellys family

Reaching our goals this summer.? I have no photos of me reading which is always a goal for me. One book a week is about average. Some of the grandkids are working on their reading and writing goals also, So as much as it looks like we are always moving some of my favoirite times are in the quiet times whien I can ponder and pray and find peace.Finding peace has been harder this time as we try to return to a life filled with service and love to others.