Water, Water Everywhere!

We had our Stringham Family reunion at the ranch in June. I took the kids up a few days early so we could spend time with all our cousins. The "Abnormal Acres" is a small farm but it boasts a wonderful tube run canal, complete with mud spas, and wading pools.

I'm sure there were some clogged shower drains after the clean up, but the kids sure had a great time.

On Saturday afternoon, we headed over to the local pool for some more wet fun.

The kids jumped off the diving board over and over. And over. it was a little over the 100 degree mark and the water felt fabulous.

I love summer. I love the water. And I love when we get to spend some good wet fun with some of our favorite people!

Stringham Family Reunion

 The Stringham family reunion was held this year on June 24 and 25 at the Dryhead Ranch in Montana. All the cousins got together from my grandma Iris' family, Uncle Arnold's family, and aunt Peggy's family.

It started off like all big get togethers- with the parents telling the children to behave, get along, and have fun.

A nice little surprise came with the reunion this year- 100 degree + weather with occasional wind. Yeah, the kids spent a lot of time playing in the creek.

Jaycee and Cody found out that playing card games with cousins you don't know very well is a great way to make new friends.

We had so much fun visiting and playing at our reunion. I could've stayed for weeks and just talked to everyone. I'm so grateful for a family that plays together and allows us to join in in making memories.

Cody's vs. His Bike

Britnee and Cody love to drive their bikes down by the church to where a big tree has a rope swing in it. One night this summer they headed down. I got a panicked call from Brit's cell a while later telling me to come and get Cody. Almost as soon as she asked me, she told me that some of our sweet neighbors had stopped and picked them up.

I walked outside in time for Cody to come in looking like this. Apparently Cody's chain had fallen off and it froze his pedals. Since he and Brit were racing, he was moving right along and flipped over the front of the bike.

The cuts themselves didn't alarm me too much but he was pretty concerned that he couldn't see straight and kept getting dizzy. So we had a little party at the ER that night. A sweet nurse took good care of us and butterflied his forehead. His seeing got better after a good nights sleep and he was back out riding the next morning. Oh, the joys of raising a boy!

Lord Of The Ringlets-Kicking The Hobbitt starring Britnee

Believe it or not, I was in that play. I was a dwarf named Smellen and I got to stink out everyone. This is when I got to kill some kid..........but unfortunately I died in that scene too.

I was dancing in this one. It was called, ''We are off to kill the Wizard.''

This was me and one of my besties and yes I'm holding a rat. His name is Harold.

Dang! Don't I look good in that pic! On my vest- yes, that is a skunk and a rat. By Britnee

Cody's Pinewood Derby

Cody's Pinewood Derby was on March 27. He got his kit and sat down with some graph paper to design the perfect car. His dad worked on painting it with him, gray and red, just like the Ford.

That night Cody and Matt went to church a few minutes before I did. On their way out the door, Cody grabbed my change bag. When I got there, they had coins and fishing weights all over it. Apparently it did the trick though because Cody's car went down the track at a pretty good pace.
I was so proud to watch how Cody behaved that night. He was encouraging and kind to all the other boys. I'm also so proud of how our ward scouts handled the night's activities. Every boy won something and the awards were given for creativity and not speed. And most of all, I'm so proud that Cody has a dad like Matthew, who took the time to help his son, allowed him to have his own creativity, and to know enough about derby cars to help make a really fast car.

Beautiful Spring in Bear Lake by Brit

It was grandmas last day with her real knee so she took us to the north beach. She taught me how to skip rocks, and I taught her how to laugh again without feeling the pain. We ate candy and played with sand and rocks. I really hate pink and look at me, I'm wearing pink.

The first time I walked in the water and felt the sand between my toes, it makes you feel like summer is finally here.

Grandma said that the feel of the water on her knee made it feel so much better.

The first time Cody walked in the water, he ran back out and ten seconds later he tore off his shirt and ran out into the water. he got out to his waist and almost never got out. We had the best time ever. And grandma wants to go again with her new and improved knee.

Our First Summer Weekend With the McMullin's

Jaycee's Gum Graft

WARNING! If you're prone to queasiness, close your eyes. 

For a couple of years now we have been watching Jaycee's bottom gums. Somehow they started receding and as careful as she tried to be, they finally got to the point that she needed a gum graft. We found a wonderful Dr., Dr. Maughn, that teased Jaycee and calmed a lot of the nerves that she had about having the procedure done.

Our appointment was scheduled for May 30. Matt had the day off so he went with us and Grandpa Mark and Maggie drove up for moral support. We all met up for breakfast at Denny's and then Jaycee went in. She had made herself a playlist to listen to so she wouldn't be focusing on what was happening. Later, I happened to see what she had picked for her playlist and saw that she had chosen church talks. I was so proud.

   The surgery was about 45 minutes. They took a piece of skin from the roof of her mouth and grafted it into the problem area on the gums. Amazing! They had her up and walking out to the waiting room maybe a little too fast. The nurse handed her a juice box to drink and she squeezed it all over. She laughed though and once the funny gas wore off, she was back to normal.

Everything's good for Jayc now. After a couple days recovery, you can't even tell anything happened. What a trooper!