Ben unloading the boat with all the cousins

Cute little Joshie

Beaverless Jer and some buried skeleton man (or Jordan)

Grandpa and Annie

Amy and Emily

For the McMullin family reunion this year, we didn't camp, we didn't go to Westgate...we went boating! It was very convenient for us Loganites to meet everyone halfway at Pineview Reservoir. The 45 minute drive seemed so much shorter than the hour and a half drive all the way to Salt Lake! Grandpa and Grandma brought their boat and the Johnsons brought their waverunners (my new favorite toy!). Right when we arrived, Paulette told us to hurry and take the waverunners out because it would be the last chance we got all day to take them by ourselves...and it was. I was so proud of myself because by the end of the day, I did my first 360 on the waverunner! Hooray! I was a little nervous though because Ben had been doing them all day with Andrew and other cousins and they flipped over, mostly on purpose. The little kids had a great time entertaining themselves on the beach, and it was nice because they all had life jackets on, so we weren't quite as worried about them drowning. Other than the severe sunburns Ben and I sustained, the trip was quite a success! (We had to make a special stop at the store to purchase aloe vera so we could have some temporary relief.)

Little Sneak-Thief

So I was getting ready for bed the other night and I heard a noise in the kitchen. I just assumed that Ben was already in the bedroom because my nightly routine usually takes so long that he can get in a good 10 chapters in whatever book he's reading at the time. Anyway, I went to go check out the kitchen, and lo and behold there was a little weasel in there drinking the remainder of our cold, refreshing juice! He looked so sheepish when I caught him (Kristie, what does sheepish make you think of?) that I just had to take this picture.

Hyrum Reservoir

Right before we jumped in the water...

The lovely slimy seaweed from the bottom--yuck!

Ben throwing his little frisbee

Melinda biding her time until she had to jump in the water

The Vietnam War tank in Hyrum Cemetery. Ben was dying to stop and look when we were driving home. How very Bennish.

Ben was very restless one summer day, and he was dying to go swimming because our poor little apartment is so very hot. We called our good friends, the Humpherys, and they were good sports to go with us to seek out a place to swim. When we arrived at Hyrum Reservoir, Ben's eyes just lit up and he couldn't wait to jump in. It actually turned out to be ok. :) Sometimes Benners' little plans frighten me or I'm not completely sure about them, but I'm usually a good sport to go along with them...for awhile. It cooled us off and was actually pretty fun. The only gross part was the seaweed (or reservoir-weed?) that was stuck to the sharp rocks at the bottom (ew!).

Tag, I'm It

Since Kristie tagged me, and was nice enough to explain what tagging is (writing 7 things most people don't know about you) here they are...

1. I get super crabby when I'm hungry. But if Ben tries to bring this to my attention nicely by asking me if I've eaten anything (because he can tell I'm a little edgy) then I tend to bite his head off. Pardon the pun...haha...oh man, that was a bad joke.

2. One of my pet peeves is when people use the wrong form of there/their/they're. I know this sounds harsh, but misuse causes me to judge people as less than competent (Read: stupid).

3. I love office supplies. I don't know why, but just buying new pens, pencils, post-its, binders, folders, etc. makes me feel organized. It doesn't make much sense I know, but back-to-school supply shopping is like Christmas to me.

4. Feet are like private parts to me. It's actually my family's philosophy that you should keep your feet to yourself, yet Natalie and I wear flip-flops quite often. This labels us as "toe sluts" in our family. Many people that wear sandals just shouldn't. And if you're worried right now that I might be giving you a hint that your feet are not fit to be shared, you probably shouldn't worry, because usually those people that have disgusting, dry, cracked, smelly feet don't pick up on subtle hints like these, much less those of normal social acceptability.

5. I hate mascots/clowns/people that sing to me with or without a guitar. All of these things make me very uncomfortable. I don't know what it is, but clowns make me very afraid. They're not funny, they don't make me happy. Why are they allowed to be in parades? Clowns should not be celebrated and waved at. It's just not funny for freaks with Ronald McDonald hair to spray innocent bystanders with water from a crude flower on their chest. Mascots are just like clowns with exaggerated features. You know their eyes are really where the character's mouth is, but your everyday experience tells you to look where their eyes are. It's just not right. Enough said. People that sing to other people without their consent are weird. I can't think of a more awkward time than when I've been sung to in a full-out performance voice. Where do you look while this is going on? Are you supposed to look them in the eye? Do you look at the ground? Do you look up once in a while to fake an encouraging smile? I don't like it when people sing like they mean it because it just makes me feel embarrassed for them.

6. I have very hairy legs. I was blessed to get my dad's hair follicles, so alas, I must shave each and every day to keep it under control. You know how a lot of men get a 5 o'clock shadow on their face? Yeah, I get a 5 o'clock shadow on my legs. Gross, I know. But at least I stay warm in the winter. :)

7. Last, but not necessarily best of all, I have a serious shoe fetish. Going shoe shopping is like discovering long-lost friends. I'm on top of the world when I'm wearing a cute pair of shoes. I think that the shoes make or break and outfit for sure. You can tell a lot about a person not only by what kind of shoes they're wearing, but also the condition that they keep them in.

So, now that I've shared my deep dark secrets, Brooke, Katie, and Brooklin....tag you're it!

The Birthday Boy

Here is the birthday boy! I didn't want you to think I forgot about you on the other post! Make sure you are being a McResponsible pants with your air soft gun, just like you said. I don't want you to shoot your eye out. Thanks for sharing your birthday with me...again!

Fourth of July...and Brad's Birthday!

Ben looking a teensy-weensy bit tired after getting up so early to save our place at the parade.

Winda looking happy as can be at 7:00 in the morning

Our designated candy-gatherer. The rest of us were too embarrassed and lazy to scramble for candy, so Stephanie was kind enough to gather for all of us.

Mimzy and Poppy

Newman smiling like the ray of sunshine that she is.

It wasn't very convenient to have the Fourth of July on a Wednesday since we had to teach school and go to work both on Tuesday and Thursday, but we drove to Salt Lake anyway so that we could go to the parade, Healy barbeque, and fireworks. We celebrated Melinda' s birthday on Sunday night with the Johnsons where she received a cute shirt from Scott and Ashley, stylish jewelry from Nat, Brad, and Steph, and a very nice check from Mom and Dad. Mom made a delicious 3-tier chocolate cake. (It was divine) Benners took Wind to dinner at the Copper Mill for her birthday on Monday night since we had to leave on Tuesday right after work to go to Salt Lake. (Isn't he a good husband?)

On the actual Fourth of July we went to save a place at the Murray parade at 6:15. It was so early! We did get prime seats, though. Steph was our designated candy scrambler and she did a great job. After the parade, Brad opened his presents which included his long-awaited air soft gun. Scott got permission from Mom to buy him one since she wasn't too keen on the idea. But I'm sure Brad will wear his stylish protective eyewear every time he uses it...right Brad? We then attended the Healy barbeque and had lots of fun playing with Jack, Audrey, and Reagan and visiting with everybody. To end the night properly, we attended the fireworks in Murray. They were awesome. As Scott and I like to say "They did a good job." After that, unfortunately, Ben and I had to drive back to Logan and we didn't get back until 1:00 a.m. Less fun...but at least we're alive and had a good time.

Happy Fourth of July Weekend! Oh...and Melinda's Birthday

At the Drive-In with Scott, Ashley, and Ben

The weekend before the Fourth of July was great fun. A dear soul at work took Melinda's Saturday shifts so we could go to Salt Lake and visit our families. Ben went down on Friday morning and spent all day with his family doing fun things like golfing. Melinda drove down to Murray after a long day of teaching her adorable students in summer school. We then drove up Little Cottonwood Canyon with the Johnsons and had a delightful dinner of roasted hot dogs, chips, banana boats, and roasted starbursts. (They were actually quite good!) Then we sat around and poked at the fire made of old, outdated prescription pads. It was an awesome fire! Brad and Melinda gathered some quality wood and had some battle wounds to show for it. (We're not the most graceful pair in the world...) Then we went home, showered, and crashed so that we could go to Town Days in South Jordan at 7:30 the next morning.

Alas, we don't have any pictures of Town Days with the Christensens, OR the Rindlisbacher Reunion, but both were great fun. As Tom said about the Town Days breakfast, "This is the best deal in town for our family, at less than 75 cents a plate!" Candy gathering at the parade was also quite successful with the large row of small Christensen boys and Mare doing their perfect parade waves. (I want you to know that Ben was the one instructing them on the elbow, elbow, wrist, wrist approach. He was really good at it. It scared me.) After Town Days, we all jumped in the van (yes, all of us, including Ben and Winda) and drove to Provo to pick up a Davidless Chris on the way to Spanish Fork. Oh what a swimming party it was! For those of you that haven't been to the Rindlisbacher reunion, it's an extravaganza of gargantuan proportions. After the reunion, we celebrated Melinda's birthday with the Christensens where she received an iPod nano from Ben and the Christensens. After THAT, Ben and Wind went with Scott and Ashley to the Drive-In to see Ratatouille and Pirates 3. (They brought lots of good treats!) It was a BIG day.

Parents of an 11-year-old...

Our 11-year-old, Stephanie

Ben being excited about the 34 he got on his MCAT

While Melinda's parents were touring Europe with Natalie and Brad, Ben and Winda got to tend Stephanie for 2 weeks. (It reminds me of my fun little trips to Europe...sigh...) It was crazy being parents of an 11-year-old! We did all kinds of things with Steph. We took her fishing, camping, to a Demolition Derby, and to the Willow Park Zoo. She was a lot of fun and it was hard to see her go! We've adjusted back to normal life pretty quickly, though. :)

Uncle Ben and Aunt Winda

Uncle Ben

Sunburned Alli and Aunt Melinda after a long day

While we were in Virginia, we got to see our one and only niece! We had to secure our positions as the favorite aunt and uncle. Remember Alli? We're your favorites...your favorites!

Virginia Trip - Washington D.C.

Melinda in front of the White House, freezing.

Here is Ben getting better acquainted with Mr. Lincoln

Did I mention it was cold? Here we are in front of the Capitol Building.

A great view of Ben's nostrils as well as the Washington Monument.

Melinda in front of the beautiful cherry blossoms

We only had a few hours to spend in Washington D.C., but we saw quite a lot while we were there! We rode the Metro in and literally ran to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. It's no joke that you could spend months in the Smithsonian. There was a neat exhibit there with items from the American History museum such as Dorothy's ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz, R2D2, Babe Ruth's baseball, George Washington's coat, Marilyn Monroe's gloves, the Mormon sandstone from Nauvoo, and many other rare and historic items. It was a good sampling since we had such a short time there.

After the Smithsonian, we walked down the Mall to see the Washington Monument, White House, World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. It was awesome. Before we headed back to Brooke and Tim's house we dropped by the George Washington University Medical School just to take a look. Who knows? We might be living there in a year or so.

Virginia Trip - Williamsburg and Jamestown

Melinda looking colonial in front of a carriage in Williamsburg

Our fearless chaperones, John and Davi. Thanks for letting us stay with you and for driving us around so much!

Ben, Chris, Melinda, and Bill posing picture-perfect in front of John Smith

Chris and Winda all ready for battle atop their trusty cannon.

Ben and Melinda frolicking on the beach.

Williamsburg and Jamestown were really fun and interesting to visit. There is a lot of history to be learned there. We especially liked the new archearium at Jamestown. (And Melinda especially liked the speed-walking contests with Christine!)

Virginia Trip - Busch Gardens

Here is Melinda waiting in line at Busch Gardens with Joe and Elise in the background. She looks a little nervous!

Don't you just love Michael?

Again, don't you just love Michael? Poor Jenny, having to ride on the couples swing with him...

Yay for Wind and Lise!

Here is Josh's cute little face riding on some Ladybug-looking ride. Isn't he cute?

While on our awesome trip to Virginia, we decided to support the beer industry by going to Busch Gardens. (Ok, not really) But we did go to Busch Gardens. It was cold, but it was a lot of fun! They had some killer rides there. Melinda was a wimp and refused to go on the water rides though--so she was the designated Alli and jacket holder.

Almost Done Spring Breaking...

These were pictures from our hike to Double O Arch. It was a long and hard hike as well. It had an awesome view though. Pretty much every view in Arches is awesome. :) There was one really scary part of the hike where we had to walk across the fin of an eroding rock and it dropped pretty far on both sides. There were no protective guard rails or anything, and there was one part where you had to jump over a crack between the rocks--so I almost didn't make it. I'm not as coordinated as one might think. (ha ha, my family can stop laughing at my clumsiness now...) All in all, we survived our trip in one piece and had a great time doing it.

And Still Spring Breaking...

Here are pictures of us at Dead Horse Point. It's pretty much where the world ends and then drops thousands of feet down. I am sooooo afraid of heights, so this little stop made me a little nervous. There is also a picture of us with our friends, Kevin and Natalie, sampling the water of the Colorado River. (It was freezing cold!) Our rugged vehicle, as mentioned before, was good to us. And last of all, a picture of Ben in front of Landscape Arch. This was a pretty wicked hike too.