Ken cranks around another year!

July 19 - We celebrated Ken's 61st birthday in our typical family style. Here's Ken reading a card from Scott & Jenny.Pam laughing and enjoying the moment!Yep, and here is the card from Scott & Jenny!Ok, we're all enjoying the moment! Jasen is laughing with Scott and Jenny! Jimmy, Stef and Jo
Grandma!
Steve & Shellie

Ken sitting under his new Lace leafed Japanese Maple!!!

Honestly this was the best picture of Prestin and the only one of Deron! Prestin is studying for his SAT.

Belated Independence Day Celebrations

July 5 & 12 - We took the opportunity to celebrate our independence on two separate occasions. Not that we are ultra patriotic, though we are VERY thankful for the freedoms that have been bought for us. Besides just being fun, having two parties was more practical because we all couldn't get together until the later date. Here are Pam & Haley showing off some of the spend on the first night. Okay, on to the second celebration. Jimmy grabbing one of the barbecued gourmet hot dogs.
Watching some preliminary sparkler action.

Oh yeah, Jasen loves this stuff!

Jasen did a little dance while swirling several sparklers.

While waiting for darkness to fall we watched the Home Run derby and ate our 50/50 bars.

Finally under the cover of darkness Deron & Prestin readied the fireworks for what ended up being over 30 minutes of nearly no-stop spectacular home show.

Happy campers watched on!

Boom, pop, sizzle... Enjoying the moment!

"Bombs bursting mid air..." Jasen got into his role as fireworks ignite-er!

Deron & Prestin continued to keep the flow coming. Boom!

Awe...

Not too bad for an assorted box of fireworks we purchased at Costco for $28! Well worth it for Jasen, indeed!!!

Frontyard Blitz @ Scott & Jenny's

July 12 - Family day began at noon as we converged at Scott & Jenny's to do some serious yardwork! Here we are having a bit of nourishment before the big task!Shellie dove in and fixed up a little planter area. It looks so nice!
Besides lots of other stuff, Ken did some weed whacking.

We did lots of trimming of bushes trees and digging up unwanted shrubs!

And did I mention is was VERY humid? Scott and Deron stopping just long enough to smile for the photo!

Jasen moved stones and chopped up limbs!

Prestin blowing off the driveway after they did some serious leveling off of the lawn, which included taking out two small trees.

Jasen is simply cool!

Steve raking away!

Ken taking a long earned break!

Kinda an after shot. Notice the tree has been trimmed and the bushes underneath have been cleaned out and manicured. But really, we need to put in another day and then it will look awesome!!! Shellie & Jenny are pleased with our progress.

Can you tell who's legs these are?

Prestin's Adventures in California

June 21 - July 7 - As Prestin's graduation pressie he made a special trip back to California for several weeks. He thoroughly enjoyed seeing friends from Flipside and helping out with Epidemic. Prestin was picked up from the airport and taken to Flipside right as Wacky Week of Fun was beginning. He helped out there all week! He was welcomed with much excitement and affection!Prestin was greeted by a hurricane of love!!! Here he is with Bob.
Melissa saying welcome back!Ray & Jackson totally stoked to have Prestin back! Likewise, Erik was thrilled to see his good friend Prestin! Jackson & Prestin stayed together the first few nights in a hotel near the Mill (and Flipside).Three amigosMelissa just finished some softball.Prestin, Denny & Jackson One of the many times eating out with the gang! Prestin joined the band at the pool party!The jacuzzi. Apparently Erik's foot was pretty gnarly!Prestin jamming with Kevin Ibanez. Prestin changing some strings on one of Kevin's guitars. Jazmin enjoyed having Prestin there!
Prestin & Abbey at Chik-Fil-AJust chill'nOut again.Switchfoot concert at the beach. This dude looks mild mannered enough, but he really gets fired up... up on the drums... up in the air...lifting the mike stand up. The Ibanez clan (without Andria who was taking the photo) Prestin's first opportunity EVER to be around home lit fireworks!!! Have we deprived him or what?! Prestin with Abel, Nadia, Gabby & Danny.
Saying good bye is never easy. Prestin felt so loved on while he was there! Really this isn't some sort of jujitsu move. Final moments at airport! Sadly Prestin stepped on the escalator...
"Bye my friends"...
....
This is only a glimpse of Prestin's adventures in California (we nipped most of them off of Facebook). If you have any other photos that we can use, please email them to us and we will adjust this blog accordingly. Thanks!!!