Its been a long, fun-filled summer for us all. I haven't posted for so long because I haven't had time to think about it. Here is a re-cap of the Ball family 2009 summer:
In June, the boys and I went to visit my Mom in Afton. It poured rain the entire time. There was not one moment that it was not raining. Although it was nice to be there for a visit, we were bummed about it. I made a blanket for a church humanitarian project and Ryan and Andrew caught up on their Cartoon Network, as we don't have cable and they feel they haven't to get as much as possible in....Andrew does anyway.
In July Steve and I went with our Neighbors on a 10 day getaway to Alaska. We visited Fairbanks, Denali national park and did a 7 days cruise with 5 stops and little alaskan villages. Steve was almost late for one departure, made it by 2 min as they were litteraly pulling up the anchor to leave. We enjoyed sleeping in, not making one meal ourselves, swimming and seeing that vast part of the world. It is beautiful, no doubt...and Unbelieveably wild. Didn't see a bear. Didn't see a moose. Saw hubburd glaicer, a few baby seals and the beautiful pacific ocean. Loved it. Our boys went to their Grandma marcia and Grampa Merle's House. They were spoiled rotton, got to eat out a lot, watch movies. Ryan built bike jumps out in the field and would call and tell me he'd get up at 6 am to go outside and work on them. Their grandparents bought them each a special gift, Andrew a unicycle and Ryan a BMX bike. Andrew has yet to be able to ride the unicycle, but he doesn't practice as much as he used to. Ryan is just now getting used to the bike and is learning to jump with it. They had a great time.
In August, we headed to L.A for the X-games. We stayed in a hotel close to the ocean. We were there 5 days. We got to see the Skate Boarding BIG AIR, which was amazing, and the BMX big air. Our seats weren't together for the biking, Ryan and I sat on one side of the Staples center while Steve and Andrew were on the other. You can Steve and Andrew on youtube when one of the bikers makes a first ever 2 front flip trick. They are just a red and green blur, but if you pause it at ....you can see them. ;-)
Later that month we went to Bear Lake for 2 days to swim and relax. Steve and Andrew took a jet ski out, and returned about 5 hours later. It had run out of Gas and Steve pulled the ski and Andrew back to shore by swimming. Turns out that they could have used the reserve tanks, had Steve know it had one. :-) Both boys were burnt pretty badly. Other than that, we had a great time. It was followed by a Trip to star Valley to see my little brother and his family. They live in Rexburg, but were up to visit. We went to the Lincoln County fair, were Ryan participated in a magician trick. The guy had a gicantic balloon which we blowed up with a leaf blower, had 6 people climb in (Ryan being first) and then blew it up till it popped. It was pretty cool. I went up on stage for the Hypnotist. I went up because I thought my kids would be entertained by it. It didn't work on me, and in my own opinion, everyone around me was faking, including myself, as I didn't want to be tapped on the sholder and told to "go take a seat." I did it again the following day so Steve could watch. We have it all on tape, and I must say, I'm a pretty good actress. :-)
To end the summer, we went to the Merritt Family Reunion to Riverdale in Preston id. It is a little water "resort" that has natural hot springs pool. The main attraction is the very tall waterslide. You have to walk up 5 flights of stairs. Steve made it a goal to go up at least 50 times, which he did. I just did it 25 times, and who knows on the boys, they went all day. I did, however, make a record of the fast going up and coming down. From the time I entered the stairwell to the time I fell into the water was 33 seconds. I hit my head coming down but it was all worth it. :-)
Great summer, great family. I now have a fall and winter to enjoy and it starts off with the best part: Kids going back to school!
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