Sedona 2014

We arrived in Sedona at about 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 28th. What a great memory this place has been for our family. Since the age of 12 I have been going with my family every year to the Arryo Roble Resort in Sedona. It's sort of a magical place for me now. When I was 16 I invited all of my closest friends and had a two night sleepover there. It is a place with so many childhood memories and what is so cool...now my kids are living those same memories.

Every year we have a big Parry reunion with all 7 kids and their kids, but this year since we did Mexico, we only had Jimmy and his kids and David and his kids. We hiked, we swam, we shopped for little matching dresses at Beal's Outlet, we played a great game of doubles tennis with Jimmy and Jeremy (my nephew) and just swam and swam and swam...Of course, we also had to have the annual family talent show. The girl cousins had a few talents, dancing, a skit and so forth. The kids played piano and did a few other crazy things. Love these talent shows. Next year we need to bring our dance costumes!

Our favorite hike West Fork Trail was closed, due to the big forest fire that they had, but we hiked over at Crescent Moon Ranch and did a new hike called the 7 sink holes, or something like that. Just had a wonderful time. My sister Olivia even came up for a few days. Loved it!!!

 Matching Girl Cousins Dresses!!! So fun!!! They had a ball, dancing and twirling!

Driving West 2014

Photos of our drive out to Arizona. We left on June 28th 2014. Had the best drive. It's amazing when your youngest is 6 what it does for the family vacations. They can all get dressed, go to the bathroom, eat, and entertain themselves. It's wonderful...almost too easy. Feel like it shouldn't be so easy. But it was great.

The most amazing part of this trip out west was that Tom helped me the entire day packing. He was a trooper...he usually has to work and packs his stuff, but this time, he was with us the entire time packing. Sort of funny actually, because it was exhausting. I felt like we packed the entire house.

Here are some pics:

We actually stopped in New Mexico at a gas station that has an amazing display of historic vehicles. That was probably the best part of the trip for me. I love a good car museum...the girls of course loved the cadillac ranch. It took exactly 19 hours to arrive in Sedona, Arizona. Our 9th trip their in the last 9 years.

Horseshoe Canyon Ranch

This year I was asked to be a camp leader of the YCL's (youth camp leader) at our girls camp. We had the absolute best time ever! I grew up going to girls camp for our church every year and I had never done another camp before. It was the most amazing week with 100 girls from our church. We got to rappel, zip line, hike, cave, swim in the buffalo river, jump off of the cliffs. The girls are so amazing. They are kind and sweet and hard working and so good embracing. I was just proud of each and every one of them. It was a week full of facing fears. I hate caves, I get claustrophobic. I did it. I hate rappelling, sort of afraid of heights. I did it. I faced my own fears with a lot of determination, peer pressure ;-) and of course I prayed like crazy! I love the girls from our Springdale, Arkansas Stake. We just made memories that will last for eternity. Here are a few pics.

Eliza's 5th Grade Celebration

I can't believe that my little Eliza is done with elementary school. She did a wonderful job singing and speaking in her 5th grade musical celebration. I was so proud of her. Here are a few photos of the night. I always sit on the floor to direct the students, because the last time I sat in a chair, it was a kindergarten chair and my butt poured out over the sides. All you could focus on during the video was my huge derriere sitting on that tiny chair. Thus...I always sit on the floor and everyone is happy!

Memorial Day

Every year, we take the girls to the National Cemetery on Memorial Day. This year we looked for the Veterans that died in WWII. The girls went around and read the names and tried to find these men that died in combat. Then Tom would talk about the war and tell stories. It's always a very humbling, sobering experience to visit the National Cemetery and to remember these men and women that died for us serving our country. We really are blessed to live in such an amazing country.

Olivia's Photo Shoot

Amelia got the camera again and this time it was Olivia's photo shoo. She did a pretty good job!

Christmas 2013

So, this year for Christmas we had a neighborhood Christmas Caroling Party! It was so much fun. We got to about 7 houses and gave a plate of cookies. People were shocked when they saw this huge group coming up to their house to sing. I love doing this. I think it pretty much is my favorite event to do at Christmas. Loved it!