Humming Birds

 We have tons of humming birds this summer.  They are just like flys, flying around  our patio.  They are use to us, that they will fly within inches of us.  
I have counted as many as 13 drinking at once, and that is not counting the ones fly around waiting for an emepty spot to drink from.   They are slupping up  over 1 1/2 cups of sugar every day.  I just went to Sam's club today and bought  25 pounds more of sugar.

 This little guy was guarding one feeder just for himself.  He was getting fat, not enough exerise. We called him fluff ball.
 After a couple of weeks he just gave up the guarding.  Too many others .

I love them.  .  I have them trained they will drink what ever color of sugar water I make. There for a while they didn't want red go figure.

Mocking Jays

 When Melissa's children was over here, a couple of weeks ago.  They were bored as kids goes, so grandma came up with an idea.  She told them she would give them $10 if they could catch the mocking bird or any other bird in my backyard.  Mocking Jays as they started to called them. (Hungrier Games).  To work they went with the net Grandpa let them use. And traps set all over the back yard.  No luck.

 Then they wanted to know if I would give them $10 for a humming bird.  yes.  Willow had a plan just stand under the feeder and wait. She waited and almost got one.  Look close you can see it.
What about the lizards that lives there.  yes.  How about the Japanese beetles. yes, but only a $1 each.  At last they found something they could catch.  It didn't cost Grandma much that day, and they were busy all day long.

Poppy's First Try at Flying

 We have had Melissa's children all week.  Poppy made weapons the first day.  She is very good at making bow and arrows. 
What she really wanted to fly like a bird.  Grandma can-----------------------------.
At last she found something she could have, to make wings out of.  Above hard at work.

 Finished wings.  Are they not fancy.  Don't you just love how she always makes her own fun.

 I wouldn't let her jump off any thing higher to see if they worked.  Wonder why.

 She was very proud she flew for a minute.

Only a small battle scar.

Part IV Just pictures

My beautiful children and their spouses.  Melissa and Dave Snow.

 Catherine and Greg Gardner.

 Tim and Aleca Taylor

 We did many more things that I am not going to post.  Just a few special pictures of Grandkids.

 We made Smores two nights.

 Aunt Catherine putting Tatoos on thoses who wanted them.

 Dave the outdoor BBQ chef.  Dinner wonderful that night.

I still have more pictures if you are interested.  We had fun.  Glad all came that could.

Part III Bottle Rockets and Jump House

Melissa brought an activity that was bottle Rockets.  Using the 36 mm film cases and vinegar and baking soda.  The kids loved it. 

 Just look at their faces , it says everything.   Zoey

 Poppy

 Phoenix

 Rugs

 Splat

 We rented a jump house one day.   Catherine was also the first to jump in it. Grandpa second and etc.

 Breckyn.

All loved it.  Especially Catherine and Greg at 7:00am in the morning.

Part II White Water Raftilng

One day we went white water rafting on the Seiver River.  Rough enough for fun but not very dangerous.    

Getting all suited up with life jackets.

 Willow and Zoey

 Grandpa getting his jacket on.

 Instructions time.  Is Lily listening??? Never fear grandpa is near.

 Loading the two rafts.

 Raft one is off.

 Raft two is being pushed off.  The two little boys in the middle don't look too excited either.

 They are off.  See you in two hours.

  They also saw lots of interesting things.  Wild bee hive, otter and etc.  No one was lost either. 

Phoenix wringing out his socks.  
They all had a good time and would love to do it again.

Part I Taylor Family Reunion.

We just got back home from a Taylor family reunion in Junction, Utah. This is where we stayed.  It is the old Piute County Court house.  It has been restored into a family Union site.  With 8 bedrooms and lots of space to just hang out in.  The bad thing is Junction is out in the middle of nowhere.

   Sadly we were missing Benny and family.  But here's the rest of us.  the Snow's, Taylor's and Gardners.  Taken just before, everyone except Grandma,went White water rafting in Marysville.

 The granddaughters.  Willow, Lily, Breckyn, Zoey, and Poppy.

 The grandsons.  Emerson, Rugby and Phoenix.

Stay tuned for later today when I post some of the exciting things we did.