Happy Family: July 2013

July 2013 - Bear Lake Fun

Grandpa and Alissa on Grandpa's boat

Kim is excited to waterski for her first time this summer!

Kim got up her first try and skied several

times over two days without missing a start.

After mommy had her turn skiing, Alissa wanted to try the knee board. Alissa insisted on being on her knees, but the board kept tipping so we had to convince her to lay on her stomach.

Once we convinced Alissa to get on her stomach, she was ready for the boat to start moving. Since Alissa was a little scared and mommy wasn't sure Alissa was strong enough to hold on to the rope by herself, mommy stayed with Alissa to help her. Everyone was so proud of Alissa for being brave enough to "board" behind the boat.

When Alissa was read to stop, mommy told her to let go of the rope.

Here is a picture of Alissa enjoying grandpa's boat

Grandpa has struggled to get up on waterski's for the last few years so he decided to drop a ski. You can see the "dropped ski" next to grandpa as he is skiing.

After waterskiing, we all decided to drive race cars. Alissa went with daddy while mommy and Grandpa had their own cars.

While at Bear Lake, Alissa enjoyed swimming with mommy and grandpa. Alissa even jumped off the side of the pool many times.

Alissa fell asleep on grandpa after a day full of fun. Isn't this a cute picture of them sleeping?

July 24, 2013 - Pioneer Day

July 24th is always a fun day for our family since we have a tradition of going to the "Days of 47 Parade." We meet at grandma and grandpa's house at 7:30 a.m. and then go to Dan's Grocery Store for donuts and treats. We always show up to the parade around 8:30ish and we get the same exact spot every year. It's amazing that I have gone with the Smith family every year for 26 years and we have always sat in the same spot. I'm not sure if our luck will ever run out, but so far so good.

Here is a picture of mommy, daddy, and Alissa (eating her donut)

Here is a picture of everyone except Jason's family. Satoko asked

me not to post a picture of her so that is why she is missing.

Here is Grandpa with his two youngest grandchildren, Vash and Alissa

After the parade, we drove to Bear Lake to spend the rest of the week with Grandma and Grandpa Diamond at their condo. On the way to Bear Lake, mommy and daddy stopped in Wyoming to purchase some fireworks for the special occasion. We ended our day at Bear Lake with our own firework show for Grandma and Grandpa. Everyone was very tired after a long day.

Obon Japanese Festival 2013 - July 13, 2013

Alissa and I danced in the Obon Japanese festival on July 13, 2013. We have been practicing the dances for the last three weeks. We have made many new friends and had a wonderful time at the practices and the festival. Here are some pictures:

Alissa and Mommy in costume

Mommy did our hair in buns with chopsticks

Daddy, Alissa, and Mommy

There was a great deal of worry that the festival would be rained out. At 5:30 p.m., the rain was pouring down and many people were drenched. Most of the guests were huddled inside the Buddhist Temple trying to escape the rain. It was crazy. Amazingly, the sky cleared up around 6:45 p.m. just in time for the Taiko Drum exhibition that started at 7:00 p.m.

Grandpa and Grandma D. with Alissa

The Taiko Drum Exhibition

Mommy and Alissa dancing

Alissa and others being silly...

Grandma and Grandpa S. with Alissa

Swimming Lessons - July 6, 2013

During swimming lessons today, Alissa went down the waterslide. She was very scared at first and did not want to go. Daddy did a little coaxing by promising her lunch at McDonalds if she would go down the slide. She ended up going four times. She is so cute.

Since today was the last day of First Session, Alissa received a sucker and a report card. This is Alissa with her teacher. She had the same teacher last year too. So Proud of our little girl. She is growing up very fast. We love you Alissa.