This week has been so busy and fun! Amy, Elizabeth, and Aly flew out from Georgia and Mary, Jon, and girls came from Logan to help us pack and to enjoy family parties over the 24th of July weekend. All the children, grandchildren, and cousins gathered for a final swim and picnic on Thursday. Special guest of the day was Molly, Ryan and Katherine's new Coton puppy...so adorable! Abby, Eliza, and Madeline spent the night to be here the next day for Mary Grace's 5th birthday dress up tea party. Emme, Camille, and Ethan rounded out the guest list with grown up and dressed up "kids" Amy, Elizabeth, Mary, Aly, Katherine, and Jon, Dorothy, and Jen Scoresby. Not one of us will ever forget the sweet delight on Gracie's face when we shouted "surprise", the look of contentment as she took the first dance with her daddy, or her uncontrolled giggles at Ethan's antics. Friday was also the marathon work day with the girls tackling the garage from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. You had to be there to appreciate the total transformation...they accomplished in a day what would've taken Max a month! It was definitely the hardest project. We relaxed Friday evening at Jordan and Jandee's home in Springville., enjoying grilled chicken, vegetables from their garden, and Jandee's homemade peach and cherry pies. We missed Jason and Mimi, Christian, and Brandon, but had the funnest time sharing memories of the particular virtues and quirks of each other. Saturday the girls and I sorted and packed family (including grandparents and great grandparents) photos and memorabilia...then exhausted with aged dust, cleaned up and went to Chilis for lunch, minus Amy who stayed home to visit with her friend Judy Saunders. Saturday evening we continued the tradition of family cookoffs...this time the common ingredient was lime...perfect for a warm summer night. Every offering was a winner...sugar crystalized sparkling limeade, corn on the cob in salted lime butter, roma tomato-mozzarella cheese-fresh basil horderves, lime chicken fajitas, fish tacos with salsa and lime tomatillo dressing, and key lime pie and lime sherbet for dessert. Everything was delicious! It was a perfect family weekend and appreciated everyone's help!