Ekins Express

4th of July

We drove to Fillmore, Utah Friday morning to catch the last of the parade and then to the park to hear Captain Kelly Olson speak. What an awesome opportunity. He's a hero to many, especially to the Ekins family. Thanks Kelly for your inspiring words! We won't forget that day. Afterwards, we drove to Delta, Utah, ordered some Leo's, and then went to Hinckley to rest for a couple of hours. That night, we went to the Delta Demolition Derby! It was awesome! I'm trying to get Lynn to go in on it with me next year. We'll both drive and I'll be his "Powder Puff Girl"! We ate burgers and drank soda pop during the competitions, had a few good laughs, and just enjoyed the company of the Delda-ites (if you live in Delta, you say "Del-da").
We spent Saturday morning and afternoon at "The Rez" (Delta Reservoir). Abby had fun riding on the boat with Grandpa as well as the canoe with M&D. She had lots of fun with the cousins and aunts and uncles. Kathryn actually got her to walk in the sand and put her feet in the water. For some reason with me she didn't want to touch either. She especially gravitated towards the dogs this weekend - CiCi and Dodger (for his blue eyes). She loved to pet and kiss them and talk some kind of doggie language to them. It actually made it tempting to get a dog for ourselves. So cute... except for when CiCi would bark at her, she cried. :(
Saturday night, we went for dinner at The Pizza House and then on to Grandpa Nickle's house for some family pictures. We then went for ice cream at Leo's and on home for some late night chit chat. Sunday we laid low, went to church, ate lunch, talked, and then departed for home.
Thanks for the super fun weekend Everyone! Lets do it again next year!


"The secret to a balanced diet is a cookie in each hand!" - Abby's theory on the drive up





She kept her eye out each time candy was thrown during the parade...

She ended up with this!

Captain Kelly Olson with beautiful prego wife Val



This guy took a break from cooking burgers to sing and play the guitar. He was awesome!

Derby Time...

We all placed $1 bets to see whose car would win. Natalie won a whopping $6 I think. By the way, we still need to pay you $2. :)


Cody and Lynn Spencer






Figure 8 Competition


"Herbie"


This car drove for about 10 laps without his back tire! Ha ha


Matt's pick - won "Best Paint Job"




The rescue team had to come and put this guy back on all four wheels.


This was the coolest crash of the night! As soon as the competition began, the car on the right drove as fast as he possibly could to ram into the guy on the left. He was going to fast that the guy on the left was knocked onto his side and then rolled over until he was upside down! The driver on the bottom quickly got out of his car and jumped up and down like "That was awesome!" Both cars were out of the competition, but the crowd went wild!


Matt waterskiing at The Rez!



Abby and Kathryn




Myself and Karen


Abby crying when CiCi barked! I just had to laugh.






I have a feeling this one will be a golden classic for all time.


She was so exhausted afterwards that she didn't even want me to dress her or take her hat off.


Playing at Grandpa Nickle's

She shares her Dad's love for trucks.

Mr. GQ Baby! I really don't think he was trying to be serious. I guess there's just something about a man in his truck! This is Matt's one request from his Grandpa Nickle when he passes to the other side. He wants to fix it up and paint it Aggie Blue!



Family picture time!

Top row: Me, Matt, Abby, Natalie and Kevin Riley, David and Linda Ekins, Kelly and Valarie Olson, Karen and Tom Grover, Kathryn and Lynn Spencer
Bottom row: Sebrina, Hayden, and Trey Smith, Sydney, Kate, and Christian Olson, Cody and Aubrey Spencer


The Girls


The Boys




Abby got so bored on the way home that she decided to pull every wipe out of it's container.