After a grueling finish at Mt. Sac Invitational! Did I mention it was over 100 degrees?
Always finished strong!
I can't help but tell this funny story. Breven received the reading award for his class. His sweet teacher doted on him telling the school that he loved to read so much that he never puts his books inside his desk, just in case he has time to sneak in some extra reading. Too cute right? So she calls him up and everyone is clapping......he takes the award, which is a coupon for a free McDonald's cheeseburger, and begins to pout. The whole awards ceremony he was looking smug and I even think he rolled his eyes! As soon as the assembly was over, I took him aside and explained to him that it was not polite to act that way, and he was not showing gratitude. I told him that there were lots of other kids that would have gladly accepted an award with a smile. He then looked up at me and said,"Well mom, it's not that I'm not grateful, it's just that you never let me eat McDonald's hamburgers anyway." Too funny! Out of the mouths of babes. And for the record, we did go and eat a McDonald's burger. Way to go Breven!
The "Disgruntled Recipient"
My first sushi bite! Yuuuuuuuummm-O!
Sunshine Sushi was Cookie's recommendation. Note to self: always go to a sushi bar with someone who has lived in Japan before.
I've had a lot of "firsts" with this girl by my side. Love you Jess!
My brother Gerry amazed us all once again with a spur of the moment 1400 mile bicycle ride from Santa Monica, CA to Austin, TX for the LIVESTRONG organization to cure cancer. So many that we know have been affected by this terrible disease and thanks to Gerry, we learned that EVERYONE can do their part. To follow this AMAZING journey you can log onto www.bikeblood.com. 
Brad, and Breven were inspired to ride along........at least for 5 miles or so.
Yes, a cure for cancer is 100% possible!
A boys day of FUN! We have a friend who owns a tow yard and he invited the boys to come and watch on the day that they crush the cars. Cool huh? We picked up our nephews Riley and Cooper and headed to the action. 
They even got to push the "Crusher button!" Thanks Martin for a cool boys day!
We took off to the Lake to enjoy some R&R. The boys fished off the kayak ALL day and Bryce and I ate snacks and read books. Ahhhhh, the good life.
My high school reunion was a crack up! Class of '99 really knows how to have a good time. I was presented with the prestigious "FIRE CRACKER" award.....whatever that means. 
Friends forever right? It was great to catch up with the girls. (left to right) I met Kim in 4th grade, Ali in Kindergarten, and Diana in Junior High. Well, it looks like we turned out after all.
Life flies by when you are busy having fun! We've come quite a way from Cougar's cheerleader and BHS pole vault coach!
Sleeping quarters. Why do boys love this?
Brad earned 6 merit badges in two days of scout camp! Here he is working on his basket weaving. This was his final hoorah to summer. He is looking forward to next year so he can stay for the WHOLE week!
We spent a fun day at the park with the fam celebrating summer birthdays and saying good-bye to summer vacation.
Brad played a little football with his Great-Grandpa Cody.
Breven was happy running around the park with Aunt Lisa's dog Cabo.
LAX at 4:30 AM! Breven's not an early bird......can you tell?
Watching the sun come up.
Breven was thrilled!
What's wrong with this picture?
As long as they give us helmets we're safe right?
This was the way they mined the whole place, by candlelight no less! Sorry, not even gold is worth this.
Panning for gold.
In Thunder Mountain Gold Mine.
Faster than a speeding bullet!
Up they go! The boys traveled up a ski lift, loaded themselves on a ta bogon and flew down a mountain at light speed. I think they liked that ride more than the airplane.
Maybe we should have opted for the extra rental car insurance. This is after the bears checked out the car.
Bryce's view of the giant antlers. And yes, his window is down.
Scratch and sniff?
This is the kind of bear I like.....FAKE!
Sitting in Bear Country.
An old 1880's steam engine train.
Posing for a photo down by the creek.
Always exploring.
Hurry, say cheese before the train comes.
Bros sittin' on the dock
The boys made their own poles out of sticks, fishing line and hooks from the trash, and an old cigarette butt as bait. Yes they washed their hands, but first they caught 12 fish! Unbelievable! 
The traffic stops for the Buffalo to cross, and the donkeys stick their head in your vehicles and eat anything in sight! Seriously, we think traffic on the 91 is bad!
Quick story: We decided to take a Sunday hike at the base of Mount Rushmore. We had not yet gone into the park because we were saving it for another day, but as we were driving around looking for a trail head we spotted a glimpse of the monument and thought we might be able to get a closer look from outside of the park. As we ventured up the mountain we spotted a couple of tepees. Before we knew it....we were INSIDE the National Monument itself! Honestly, there were no signs posted anywhere! The park rangers saw us and thought we were a part of a tour group so we had to look like we belonged. They escorted us to another viewing spot in the park and that's when we knew.......security should be increased! Just a little family of four out for a Sunday hike, ends up trespassing illegally! We decided we had to go back out the way we came in even though it was now roped off! "On three..... 1, 2, RUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNN!" We ran down the hill as fast as we could trying to get back to the car. Breven's red shirt was far from camouflage, but it was my screaming, "START THE CAR, START THE CAR" that gave us away. No arrests were made. We didn't make the 5 O'clock news, but we did feel like we were starting in the movie National Treasure 2! Another thing to state for the record: We went back and paid the next day! It's always an adventure with the BTBB FAM.
