Summer Birthdays

Abby is officially a TEENAGER!!  Ahhh!  Isn't she cute with her hair braided and the curls flowing down?  I made the mistake of erasing birthday pics before I got them downloaded.  For her birthday, Abby chose to go shopping with just her sisters and I.  We had a fun day helping Abby choose clothes to spend her b-day money on.  We went to lunch and made sure to get her a warm brownie with ice cream and hot fudge at Cold Stone!  It was one of my favorite celebrations with her!

Once in a while, I can squeeze a hug in from Abby.  She's a beautiful young lady, but doesn't like to hug much.  She's also at that "I'm too cool for my mom" stage, but I sure enjoy her.  She's my little cleaner who will just get on a roll and not stop.  I appreciate all that she brings into our family!

Chicka, Me, Abby & Whitney right after returning from Lake Powell.  We all have a nice suntan.  Wow!  How did Evan and I get such beautiful young girls?!  They are each so fun and unique!

One of my accomplishments this summer was making my first ever rag-top quilt.  Whitney had selected the fabric nearly two years ago, so I decided to surprise her and complete it for her 21st birthday!  It was so much fun to make!  Taylor designed how the squares should come together and Abby stayed up late visiting with me.  I thought of my mom and how often she sewed into the night hours creating clothes, quilts, curtains, etc. for us and/or our children.  I am so thankful she taught me some sewing skills!!

And though she's of legal age now, she was thrilled to have a new quilt for her condo bedroom.  She thought she may be too old to pose with her "wubba", but I told her to smile anyway!  LOVE IT!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, ABBY, AND WHITNEY!!

Small Town Celebrations

Long before we moved to Lincoln County, Evan & I came out to visit the Wiscombes.  Evan loved the small town celebrations and was usually playing on a softball team.  Now we have been here 10 years and enjoy family coming out to celebrate with us. 

Poor Uncle Wayne hadn't been feeling well since Grandma's 90th celebration.  Little did we know here, he had come down with pneumonia and was admitted into the hospital the next day.  Removed a large mass of infection and lung tissue.  No wonder he didn't want to visit with anyone!

Evan showing the German boys and Josh some of his exciting adventures while patroling the land of Lincoln!

It's not a Schimbeck gathering without a couple games of Nertz!  Very competitive bunch of girls, especially Grandma Linda!  I do better at taking pictures!

Aunt Mindy and Body gathering coins at the traditional fireman's game.  It's a sure way to cool off in a hurry!

Chicka and Jacey tumbling after losing balance and rhythm in the wheelbarrow race!

Chicka w/Jacey. . . . Marc w/Jonas at the ready mark!

Waiting for the parade!  Siggi LOVES photographs and LOVES all the crazy Schimbeck boys!

Jacey, Abby, Sydney and Chicka looking pretty cute in their red, white & blue!

Gpa Deon giving hugs and advice (I'm sure) to Whitney and Allie while Gma Linda grins at all her family!

Waiting for parade to start!  Girls have their sodas, boys have their sacks for gathering candy!

Whitney organized a "dance off" competition with all the family!  Wish I had the energy of these boys!

PARADISE aka Lake Powell

Ahhh!  Beautiful scenery, cool water, plenty of sun and fun for everyone!  What's not to love about this amazing vacation spot?!  It's been tradition in my family since before I was even thought of.  Dad & Mom used to tell us about their first trip to the lake when it was still filling up.  They'd drive 20 or more miles down the canyon just to reach water!  If you ask me, Lake Powell is right up there with the other 8 wonders of the world!!  I'm so glad that the Schimbeck Family loves Lake Powell too; it has become one of their favorites as well with the exception of Gpa Deon.  With a few teenage grandchildren talking to him, he's usually a good sport about coming and we've learned to ignore his whining!

In keeping with tradition, we usually bring along a few extra kids--friends, cousins, or roommates. I can never get good action shots, but this is Hannah wake boarding.

It is also tradition to take a cruise to the marina for an ice cream and look at all the houseboats that cost more than our own house.  Here we have Evan, Aaron and Kirby no doubt solving all the world's problems together!  he he

German cousins!!  Mark, Tonja and Tom posing at the marina.

It's rough; but somebody's got to do it!  There are enough water toys for everyone to lounge on to get a real good tan.  If you're not careful...a real good sunburn!

Sydney, Evan, Whitney, Abby, Tay, Hannah, Stephanie

Parker LOVES his older women!!

Jonas posing on back of boat.  He loves visiting America every few years!

Catching some rays on the bow are Parker, Whitney, Stephanie, Taylor, Hannah & Abby.

Such bathing beauties!!  Parker keeps us all entertained!

It was too hot to sleep in the tents so we all brought our air mattresses out in the sand.  We all snored harmoniously together until the bright morning sun woke us up along with the squawking crows!

Well, atleast MOST of us slept comfortably.  For whatever reason, Parker slept in this very small food tent between three coolers and two bins of food.  How he did this remains a mystery.  Not a morning person either!!

Parker and his harem of women visiting after ice cream at marina.

Linda and Siggi posing at the Sand Hill.  They may be in their 60s and 70s, but they climbed the massive sand hill like champs!!  Everyone LOVES Aunt Siggi!