The 4th of July

For the 4th of July, holiday weekend, Nate and I went camping with our BFFs Jen and Rick and their little boy Paul. We camped at the Jordanelle lake. The night we got there Kellene was running a round and tripped over her own feet and cut her lip and scratched her beautiful face a bit. For fire works we went into Park City and watched the show at Park City Mountain Resort. We were only about 50 yards away from where they were firing them off. Kellene was a little scared of the loud booms from the fireworks, so Nate and I had to snuggle around her, and then she made it through.

We were trying to see if Kellene's hair was long enough to pull back into a pony tail...

IT WAS!

Our BFFs Jenifer, Rick and Paul and baby Alex who is due middle of sept.

Cuddling with Daddy. Kellene wasn't a very cuddly baby, but as she has gotten older she sure is a cuddler now.

This little girls sure knows how to melt her Daddy's heart!

Kellene was quite the social butterfly while we were waiting for the show to begin. She made good friends with the people in front of us. So good in fact that she had no trouble walking over to them and sitting down in between them

A big family that sat behind us gave Kellene this glow in the dark necklace. It kept her entertained for quite some time.

She kept taking her necklace over to them and asking "wuz dat?"

And she certainly didn't want to leave anyone out, so she went over to the lady that was seated at our left.

Kellene is the type of kid that likes the craziness of big crowds. For her the more the merrier.

She had fun posing for the camera with her necklace.....

And chewing on it!

Kellene is watching as they start to shoot off some test rounds. She didn't mind them being loud one by one with a break in between. It was when the started going off in rapid succession that she started to cry a bit.

Chillin' with Daddy eating a cookie>

Kellene's BFF, Paul the Jedi Knight

Paul giving one of his cute smiles for the camera.

The little ones were quite tired after their long day. I have never seen Kellene sleep so soundly in a car seat before. She usually wakes up the second the car stops, but not this time, she was out for the count!

She even stayed a sleep for about 20 min. in the car while we got beds all ready. She only woke up when I had to take her out of the car seat, which she was not to happy about.

Paul was just as tired!

Happy Birthday, Julie Dear...

July 10th is my little sister's birthday. She is 27 years old and a brand new mommy.
Happy Birthday and we love you Julie!!!

Arizona and Mexico

On June 1st, Kellene and I went down to Arizona a few days early to surprise my little sister Julie and her new baby Isabella. We showed up at the hospital on Sunday morning and surprised them. No one knew we were coming. They weren't expecting us until Thurs. I rented a car and the surprise worked out well.

Kellene is helping Grammy cook dinner on Sun. night


Kellene had fun drinking out of Grandpa's big cup, we all call it his "binkie"

Eating dinner with Grammy, Grandpa, Aunt Julie, Uncle Rich, Isabella and Mommy

Kellene wanted to help swing Isabella

After my brother Keith graduated from medical school on Jun. 6, we headed down to Santo Tomas, Mexico, where my parents beach house had just been finished. It is a beautiful beach front home that they own with 3 other couples that are their best friends.

A picture of the house from the beach

Grammy and Grandpa reading books to Kellene and Hannah in Mexico at their beach house




My beautiful Niece Hannah who just turned 1. I miss you Hannah!

Mommy and Kellene on "Jill", one of Grandpa's ATVs. Kellene would only ride the ATV with me. She would scream if any one else tried to take her on them.


The beach goes on fore miles on end in each direction. One night after dinner, Kellene, Grandpa and I took a little ride.

Kellene and Grandpa playing in the sand. She sue is a Grandpa's girl!

When the tide was out there were bunches of tide pools that were perfect for the little ones to play in






Grammy and Kellene in the ocean. In Santo Tomas, the water is very calm most of the time with little to no waves, which is nice because you don't have to worry about the little ones getting knocked over.

Kellene kept trying to lie down in the water on Grammy. She was laughing her little head off the whole time. This kid has no fear!



Surf's up! Jake Forsey left his skin board in front of us. It entertained Kellene for quite a while, she walked back and forth on it and tried to pick it up.





We went out to dinner to celebrate Uncle Keith's 30th birthday

This is Kellene's soda pop face. Aunt Lindsay was giving her sprite

Kellene enjoying her noodles and entertaining us all as she ate




Julie and the beautiful Isabella

One of Kellen's goofy poses for the camera

Mommy and Kellene

Kellene, Grammy and Hannah

Here is everyone, minus Nate who couldn't come and Ryan who is due home from his mission on Aug. 21!
On the top is Rich and Keith and the bottom is Julie, Me and Lindsay

The 3 cousins, Isabella, Kellene and Hannah, and Lindsay is expecting, due in Jan.

Family Happenings

on June 6, My older brother Keith graduated from medical school. My dad got to hood him at his graduation. Now Keith and my sister-in-law Lindsay and their daughter Hannah are off to Indiana to start Keith's 3 year residency.


On May 30, at 4:39 pm, Isabella Karen Newell was born to my little sister Julie and her husband Rich.