This is how we do it....

In Utah, we have two reasons in July to light fireworks and get a day off of work. July 24th...Pioneer Day. This year, we were happy to be back in Zion where the whole state (excluding Karl Malone who thinks we do it to celebrate his birthday) celebrates the pioneers and the selfless sacrifices they made. Saturday morning, Mark on the VFR and Swals on his Moto Guzzi- headed to a ghost town two wheel style to explore, while Sini and I took the kidlets to Silver Lake. We had a great time walking the trail and being in the cooler weather. The lake was beautiful and it was fun to hang out with Sini and 3 little boys (a rare oddity at the Williamson parties). Highlight of the afternoon: the HUGE dead fish @ Kneaders that the boys had to poke and whack with a stick- just to ensure it's deadness.

Saturday night, we hit the Macduff's for a BBQ/Firework extravaganza. Mc LOVED watching the fireworks and playing with her cousins.

There was definitely no shortage of fireworks- Miss Liberty, the strobes...all wondrous to behold. Mark of course, couldn't resist being in the middle of the action. And for those of you that know Mc, her sitting still to watch the fireworks AND to have it captured on film...illusive.

Do I have something on my face?

Mckinley and her ice "keem" mustache. What a cutie.

Men will be boys

From left to right: Evan Iund, Richard Flynn, the hubs, Bule, Swals, Nate and Dustin Johnson (who are twins, blows my mind too!)

Last Friday we got invited to a "reunion" BBQ of sorts. The picture above is of Mark and all of his high school friends that surprisingly (as un-masculine as it is) have kept in touch by phone, email and too infrequent visits. We haven't seen most of them since the night before we left for Phoenix almost six years ago. Mark always comments how nothing has changed- how you know you have true friends because you can sit and talk like you had just seen them yesterday. Special mention, all these men are upstanding citizens that have made good choices, have hot wives and I am truly grateful for their example in Mark's life. I feel right at home with these guys and their families and we had a great time!

I think I'll go to Boston

Since Mark started working for his sister, we knew he would be venturing to Boston with his company for a conference at the end of July. I was bummed and jokingly, said I would love to go (wishful thinking). A few weekends ago, Mark worked late and let me know he had something up his sleeve. For those that know me, I don't do well with surprises. I kept nagging and nagging and eventually (maybe for a week) forgot about it. Well, I started asking again earlier this week and Mark's response was "I'll tell you" and when I asked again he said "Yeah, I said I would tell you but not when I would tell you". So the frustration grew- finally Mark asks "give me your best guess of what you think it is". My best guess- I was thinking a one nighter at his sister's condo or maybe even someone hired to paint the basement. So the deal went down like this- my incessant nagging would end if I could get Mc to say "tell me". This being no easy task, every time I would say "tell daddy 'tell me'" she would lean in and give us each a smooch (obviously confused). After a few minutes, the golden words poured from my toddlers mouth "tell me" and the secret was about to be revealed. Mark then tells me...WE ARE GOING TO BOSTON! He had booked my flights, hotel and had asked my mom months ago to babysit. I am beyond excited. Not only is this the first vaca we have taken for more than a night without Mc but we are going to be in Boston people!!! That is seriously off the hook cool! I leave in 11 days to spend 5 more days cruising the streets of Bean Town! Can't wait! And yep, to brag a little more, I have the best husband of all time! This seriously takes the cake!

One of these things is not like the other

What a great LONG weekend! We have had excellent weather in Utah and that has made it really nice to be outside. We have been swimming, done some yard work and overall, just enjoyed being with family. It still baffles me that we are already in July!

To get all you peeps up to speed- here are the haps with the Williamsons:

1) We sold our house in Mesa! Yep- it only took nine months but it is sold! I assume the new people have moved in and from what I am told they are expecting a baby which always makes buying a new house that much more fun. I remember bringing Mc home from the hospital to that house....that seems like a whole other life ago. It was a bittersweet day- glad the stressful part is over but sad that now, that chapter of our life is really closed for good.

2) Our basement is almost complete! We need paint, carpet and hardwood and we are done! I can't wait!

3) Jamba Juice- Orange Dream Machine....seriously. I have a problem. I can't not have one! They are delicious and since I am trying to cut out "sweets" (cakes, dunford donuts, cookies, candy, cupcakes- basically everything that is worth living for), the Jamba Juice is a substitute. If you haven't had one, I recommend NOT. It will call for you in the middle of the night. Promise.

4) Grocery lists- this is how it goes @ our house(hence the title of the blog). As you can see, Mark wanted to remind me that we were out of toilet paper.

5) Mckinley is IN LOVE with all things Toy Story. We recently added Buzz and Woody ("wooh ee") to our house and Mc is infatuated. I think over the last month, I have probably seen Toy Story 1 and 2, about 1,000 times. I am convinced that Disney is like crack for children. They know exactly what kids want...and not even just "WANT", I mean, they HAVE to have it and ask for it ALL day long. (see above referenced Jamba Juice, same thing).


Not much else really to report. Work is going well for both Mark and I. We are truly blessed and are eternally grateful for the happiness in our lives.