Avery Baptism Pics

My little niece is being baptized in October, and these are only two of the sweet pictures I will share before her mom has a chance to choose any.  It was a lot of fun to take her picture.  Proud of you Avery.

Thank You Gifts

I've started to do a little substitute teaching.  I love teaching and enjoy the challenge, especially when it is at my kids' school and I'm nearby.  I've even subbed for Jarom's sixth grade class and a first grade class...but not much more lately.  Of course I still have little buddy, Ammon, to think about, so I don't want to sub to often.  

Because I have a little one to think about, I started thinking...for those who do me such a huge favor in watching him for the day, I need to give a little something back.  I've been on pintrest and found a few ideas.  They are simple and easy on the wallet.

I love this one.  Seriously love making this one and using it too.

I made this out of 12x12 scrapbook paper and ribbon.  I put candies or cookies inside.  The candle will take a bit more practice.  But this was my first attempt.  Tracing a design on wax paper then melting it to the candle.  I need better pens to make this look a bit more sophisticated...

Yep, very simple, but fun.  And a little something of thanks.

Brigham City Temple Dedication

Such a neat experience to have almost all of our family at this special event.  With Raegan newly baptized, she was able to come.  In stake centers all over Utah and parts of Idaho we were able to watch the broadcast of the Brigham City Temple be dedicated by Russell M. Nelson.  Wish I thought about touring it during its' open house times...life is so busy.  But the Payson Temple and Provo Tabernacle Temple will be dedicated in the next year and half so I plan to take the family to those open houses!  So many opportunities living out here in the west.  Very cool!

Dirty Dash

Before moving out to Utah, Trent's sisters had set up for all of us to do the Dirty Dash in Midway.  I was pretty excited to hang out with these ladies, but also to get as dirty as possible.  Hopefully I can get an after pic when they are available.  Wore my grubbies and crazy hair...never used my goggles like I intended...and ended up throwing my whole outfit out afterward.  This was such a fun 10K but also a very c-c-coooold 10K.  We got up there to a beautiful morning, but when you are being sprayed, wading through mud pits/rivers, climbing/slipping up muddy hills, sliding down giant inflatable wet slides, then finally spraying yourself off with sprayers that are as cold has ice...it starts to take it's toll.  But hey, it was a load of fun and I'd do it again!  Happy Birthday to Kiley (next to me)!

gotta love our orange, garbage bag tags in our hair...we couldn't think of anything else to unite us in short notice

Stewart Falls

I decided to try Stewart Falls with Ammon since, by mistake, I almost did it with my sister the weekend before.  It's only a 2 mile hike and seemed simple enough.  I wanted to take the Alpine Loop to get there since I've never driven it.  Wow, the views are impressive!  Fall colors everywhere (wish I had brought my SLR)  The aspen trees are amazing and reminds me why I love nature so much.

Of course this drive took a bit longer then expected but was worth it.  so our hiking time was cut short, since we needed to get back to the kids coming home from school.  But we had a fun time together and ate a fun lunch.  I've decided to bring all the kids back next time and finish it!

yep my eyes were closed, but oh well, I have proof we were there :o)

We saw chipmunks and squirrels and found some great skipping rocks for water...he likes to collect these for his dad and brother.  Such a fun day.

Hiking Mtn Timpanogos

Last day that my sister was here to visit we wanted to tackle this hike.  Several years ago I came out from Georgia to attend Education week with my sisters and we did this hike...unfortunately coming from sea level and then hiking up to 11,700 ft was very difficult for my lungs.  Didn't even make it to Emerald Lake like I did when I was 15yr old.  Today we were determined...especially since I had been living here a few months and had started back to the gym...I better be acclimated!  

So we got up at 5am and headed out to Provo Canyon--Aspen side.  It was a crowded parking lot, so a busy day.  Unfortunately, with it dark and with flashlights we didin't look up at the trail head and we were going toward stewart falls for about 20 mins...turned back and officially started the trail around 6am-ish.  It was kind of neat to see flashlights flickering up high of all those that got up way earlier to watch the sunrise up high.  But we did see spectacular colors as we were making our way up. (wasn't about to bring my big heavy SLR)

On our way up...now you know why I take pics and not be in them

These pictures don't do justice to the amazing and glorious views we had...just awesome!

We did make it past our original stopping point, and made it to Emerald Lake.  Very dry summer, so the lake was no surprise for how low it was and glaciers are almost non existent.  Shack at Emerald Lake

From Emerald Lake we took this crazy trail across a rock field and up a slippery dirt path to the saddle.  On this rock field you could see the mountain lions or goats whatever they are...they blended in so well, you almost couldn't see them without them moving.

At the top of the saddle, as you can see it was a busy day of college students and people from all walks of life.

Shanda and I got our glory picture of Happy Valley.  The fall colors on the hike were just magnificent!  Now I look up at the saddle from down below and think how I made it up that far.

Other side of the saddle we got our pic.  You can see the trail of the Timpanoke side.  The trail is another way up I have never tried.  Aspen side, in my opinion is much harder and gorgeous.

At the saddle we had a choice to make...Shanda had her flight at 5pm, and we still needed to get down.  It took 4 hours to get up and probably 3 or so hours to get down.  Although it was about another hour to the summit (700 ft more in elevation) we decided we didn't have the time.  Next time, we will make it to the surveyors shack and sign our names.  It was still amazing what we did.  Can you see that trail?...pretty crazy narrow...

on our way back down...

I liked this double tree and the trail going right between them,

took pics of the falls (too dark before)

Such a pretty views the entire day!

Got our token pic by the trail head...you can see the parking lot is still packed full.  Got back with just enough time.  It was a lot of fun having her out.  Love having family and friends visit!

Visitor -- Big Sis

My oldest sister, Shanda, came up to visit.  First day she just lived a day in the life of... me.  She helped me grocery shop and run errands...I know just what you want to do on your vacation.  But I guess doing someone elses is more fun.  Anyway, day 2 we relaxed and then went and did a session at the Mount Timpanogos Temple while Ammon went to preschool.  It was pretty cool to go the temple twice in one week, since Tuesdays are my temple days and here we were going again.  Best part we knocked out two names that I did for a friend. 

Friday, we decided to run up to visit my brother Jeff who works as the events coordinator at the Conference Center by Temple Square.  Afterward we went up to Centerville to visit his wife and their new baby girl, Brynlee.  Such a sweet little baby.  Loved being up there and seeing their boys too.

While at the conference center, Jeff has access to different areas that are normally off limits, but gave us a tour of it all.

To see it in person is amazing!  I was here over a decade ago for the dedication, but only seeing it on a projector screen or TV for so long, it's breath taking and so vast!

Altogether...me and Ammon, Jeff and Shanda

Looking out from the podium area, can you imagine being a speaker?...so many looking at you!  We got to sit where MO TAB gets to sit.

We went back stage and then up to the catwalks in the ceiling.  This room is just above the catwalks and we could look down all the way through to the podium and seats.  I will admit, this literally took my breath away.  It was hard to look down and walk across this grate.  It was pretty scary.  Ammon wouldn't go anywhere up there without holding a hand or walking on sheets of plywood.  I don't blame him...

Looking down through the grate at the podium

Then we had the privilege to go up top in the garden area.  I'd never been up there, but some great views.

Jeff, me and Ammon.                                       Ammon loved the water features...shoes eventually came off and were thrown into the fountain...crazy kid.

Later that evening back in Utah county, we went to this antique shop I've been wanting to check out.  It's used for many photo ops, so we did our own... hehehe
Looking good sis!

Labor Day -- Silver Lake

For Labor Day we headed up American Fork Canyon, along with everyone else in the valley...but luckily many stopped at the two reservoirs and we continued on up.  This trail head started at Silver Lake reservoir, but ended up top to the naturally made Silver Lake. 

(Phone pics, sorry for fuzzy photos)

**Confession, this pic at the trail head was taken after we completed the hike, so you can see they were pretty beat.

This hike was so beautiful!  I loved every moment.  This was a 4 mile round trip hike, and steep in many places, so Ammon and a few others had their moments of despair, but overall it was worth it.

We made it to the top, with breathtaking views!

Silver Lake was very, very low...this summer was extremely dry and hot!  So it wasn't too much of a surprise.  Beautiful all the same.  The mountains just towered over us at this lake and we felt like little ants.  The cool breeze, filling lunch, and a few splashes in the lake made for a great afternoon.

Ammon stripped down to his 'undees' and went for a jump or 5... they all had their thrill in the water.

Sad to say good bye to a beautiful piece of nature... I hope to do this hike again after all the snow melts next spring, so I can see her in her full glory.

 On the way down, we saw two baby moose.  We were actually pretty close... the kids loved seeing them.