Summer Playtime

Summer comes and I fail to stay on top of our family history.  So here are a few of the highlights.

Girl's Camp at Mt. Lemon.

 I wasn't there this year, but the girls had a blast.  Chad surprised them when he showed up on Friday night as the Bishopric member joining the girls for dinner and testimonies.

Madera Springs Hike

 Carlee was the only one excited about this particular hike.  Chad woke everyone up before six so that we could go hiking, unfortunately, the spring we were hiking to ended up consisting of this box we are standing in front of and so the kids felt a little jipped.

4th of July

For the first time ever, our town had a fourth of July fireworks show.  However, because it was on the third of July, we kept with tradition and had friends and family over for a BBQ and fireworks on the fourth.

Prior Family Reunion in St. George

 After the 4th of July, we packed our bags and drove up to Utah for a family reunion.  The weekend was spent at Zion's national park, playing games, participating in service projects and putting on a talent show.  Most of us stayed in a historic home right next to Brigham Young's winter mansion.  The house we stayed in had 8 bedrooms and bathrooms so it ended up being a perfect place to visit rest and relax in between all of the outdoor fun.

Young Ambassador Singing Entertainer's Workshop or (YASE)

 The girls flew up to Utah a week before our family reunion to attend YASE.  On Day two of our family reunion I drove from St. George to Provo to watch the girls perform and bring them back to the reunion.  The performances were incredible and the girls had a blast.  I think we have a new favorite summer program.

 The Final Day of our Family Reunion

 All three girls sang the Fiona song from "Shrek the Musical" for our family talent show.  They were super cute.  Carlee is in love with Shrek the Musical and so we listened to the soundtrack most of the drive up to Utah.  The good news is, by the time Carlee had to sing, she knew all the words.

Be the Best You / And Time with Grandma and Grandpa

After the reunion, we drove from St. George to Sandy and stayed with Chad's parents while the girls attended Be the Best You.  Cathy and her kids stayed with us for a few days and so we went up to the mountains for a dutch oven cookout.  We also attended the Pioneer Day concert at the Conference Center, and spent time bowling and having fun with Chad's parents.

Back Home!

After a crazy summer there is nothing quite like enjoying an evening at home with family. Since Talia was gone the entire time we were gone, these two cuties were happy to see each other again.  

Saying Goodbye

 Summers in our area are often filled with young families moving in or out as they start or complete schooling, dental programs, or medical residencies.  This year I lost two of my favorite people, but not because they had graduated from a university program.  Robin and Susan have been more than just friends to me and my family, they have been family.  I miss them both tremendously and can only think the Lord has big plans for them, since they both moved to Utah.  I hope someday our paths will cross again, but until then. . . thank you for blessing my life and making me better then I ever could have been without you.