We were in Utah for the Fourth so we got to go decorate Katie's grave, and give her a flag and sparklers......
and head to Classic Waterslides to cool off.
Spencer wouldn't go down the bigger slides, but James would with Doug.
What's the Fourth without sparklers?
James celebrated his fifth birthday while we were in Utah. Here he is on his actual birthday. We were saving his big party until Doug could be there.
He got to go to the local arcade that night. They love a good round of ski ball.
Not quite tall enough.
This lucky boy got three birthday parties. Here is his final birthday party with family. He wanted a Wall-E cake. We saw the movie, but can't tell you much since I was asleep for most of it!
Thanks for the Nintendo DS, Mammy. It made his whole day!
James picked Chuck E. Cheese for his party with his friends. I think they all had a great time! Happy early 5th Birthday, James!
Dancing with Chuck E. Cheese. You really need to check out James' sprinkler move. 
I made him this Spider Man cake. 
Looks like the cake made everyone happy.
They live for tickets!
We went to Disneyland on Monday to ride the newest ride, Toy Story Mania.
You get to wear these 3-D glasses as you ride through arcade games using the guns to hit targets.
This Mr. Potato Head will talk to you as long as you stick around to talk to him.
Our favorite place in Disneyland in the summer is the water at Bug's Land.
I don't know what they're doing, but I like their facial expressions.
Yes, James is licking the wall and drinking the water.
Not sure what happened here, but I'm willing to bet James is behind it all.
I've always wanted to go to Solvang, a quaint little Danish town with shopping, cute buildings and yummy food. When we drove up last Saturday we really should have checked the weather first. It was a balmy 114 degrees! We spent more time in the ice cream shop than anywhere else.
Thank heavens the stores were air conditioned! If we weren't in a shop, we were in the shade.
What's a trip to Solvang without buying aveiberscheevers? I'm sure I've spelled that wrong. They are yummy little pancake balls.
After the heat of Solvang, we only had one thing on our minds---the Beach!
These Beach Boys didn't seem to mind the quality of water. They only wanted some good old sand.
After dinner in Santa Barbara, we found a beautiful beach off Santa Claus Lane.
This beach could have been comparable to Hawaii. OK, so the water wasn't sparkling blue or warm, but it wasn't Long Beach that's for sure.
So we decided to do away with Father's Day and our anniversary on June 15th and head to Yosemite National Park instead. We met the Donnellys and spent five fun-filled days. There seemed to be a lot of rocks and water on this vacation. Here we are the first day of site seeing on a mere 0.8 mile hike. Little did we know it was all UP HILL!
Spencer and James climbing rocks.
Spencer, Parker, James, Reese and Blakelee wedged in between rocks.
After our up hill hike, we were rewarded with chilling water from Vernal Falls.
Doug, James and Spencer climbing more rocks to get closer to the Lower Yosemite Falls.
The Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls are in the background, although the Upper Falls kind of blend in with the tree in the picture.
The view of Half Dome from Glacier Point. It looks like I am my own version of Half Dome in this picture.
James, Spencer and Parker on top of the world--or on top of Glacier Point.
Doug was in the water as much as the kids--maybe even more. No one else was willing to dunk their head in the freezing water at the base of Bridal Veil Falls.
Seven kids on rocks at the base of Bridal Veil Falls.
More rocks at Mirror Lake.
The Polar Bear Club a.k.a. those brave souls who jumped in and went completely under water at Sentinel Beach. In case you haven't got the picture by now, there is plenty of water, but it is all freezing COLD!
Spencer standing at the base of El Capitan. Now that's a ROCK!
When we weren't site seeing around the park, we were hanging out at Dirt Flat Campground. Yes, the name conjures up images of no where you'd like to be camping, but it was actually a great little place. It was right on the river where Doug and the kids had a blast.
Our campsite. 
We also learned to cook a mean cobbler, among other things, in our Dutch oven.
Swing ball proved to be a hit.
Our tent. When this picture was taken I'd gone four days without a shower. Get me home!!
We found this great little historical railroad on the way home. We couldn't resist a ride on the steam locomotive.
Of course the boys had to sit on the train in the car without shade. Although it was wonderful to get in the shower when we got home, I'd do it all over again. It was such a great place to take the boys, and we were so lucky the Donnellys could join us. 
