Timpanookee Trail

 And... so continues the tradition to climb Mount Timpanogos.  This year we tried the Timpanookee trail.  I've never tried it from this side, only from the Provo Canyon side (Aspen side).  So this was new for all of us.  Got up super early, picked everyone up and made it up to the trailhead close to 6am.  Baylie and Rian had never hiked up this mountain, so this was their first time.  Jarom, Tarin and Denham and Brenin did it with me two years ago...  Anyway, we were fresh and ready to go.

Getting higher...

If I remember right, this is Scout Falls...

Stopping for a break.  Apparently, this is where the youth conference hike ended.  So after this, it was new territory for everyone.  Of course you have boys being boys and wanting to build or destroy something...

Seriously, I couldn't get enough of the green and wildflowers!  Its so beautiful and the fresh air was amazing!

Getting higher...

By this time, Rian, Baylie and Brenin were pretty far ahead because they wanted to keep a faster pace.  So I stayed with Jarom and Denham.  Remember Brenin and Denham are from Indiana, so they aren't use to this altitude.

We reached the point where the trail forked off to Emerald Lake (Aspen Trail) or up to the Saddle.  Jarom and Denham were worn out and decided to hang out and eat their lunch.  They had lots to explore and I wasn't too worried about them being together, so I hurried ahead to try and catch up to the other three.  These guys found this on the trail... Have to say, it has a nice view... looks like at one point it was a small structure, but has been beat up by weather and lots of hikers...

 These guys found this on the trail... Have to say, it has a nice view... looks like at one point it was a small structure, but has been beat up by weather and lots of hikers...

I caught up to the other three right before hitting the saddle.  Jarom and Denham were down in the green patch on the left, in that meadow.

On the other side of the saddle is the Utah valley below.  Simply spectacular!!

After a snack at the saddle, it was the last hour or so up to the summit.  Pretty steep, but really worth it.

On top of the world!  Made it to the top!  Looking over at the Heber side.

We were so excited to relish the moment and show evidence that we made it to the shack!

Brenin calling his mom, Missy, and then his dad.

I love this hike and love doing it every year... I especially love sharing it with my kids and niece/nephews.  I love spending time with all of them.  Jarom and Denham had 'vowed' to make it up next year.  They also challenged their moms to come next year.

Time to head down...

Such a perfect day!

Girls Camp

Our ward had their girls camp south close to Price Canyon.  Pretty close to the Scofield turn off.  They roughed it for three days.  This was Tarin's first year of girls camp.  Althought it rained (A LOT) I think they still had fun.  Tarin was a bit homesick, but Rian was a great big sister to help her out.

Rian and Sophie

Singing campfire songs.

A spiritual lesson... I think about being led by the spirit or holding to the rod...

 Tarin

 Rian

Cadance and Tarin

Tarin flying down the zipline

Then... it was pick up time.  With all the rain, they had to set up and clean the tents and dry them out.  They were in need of a shower and...  I was glad to have my sweet girls home!  Oh how I missed them!!

Orem Owlz

Had some free tickets to the minor league, the Orem Owlz.  Why not have a simple night of fun.  I like watching baseball and being outside is nice.  Ammon and Raegan came with Trent and I and roamed and watched.  It was a fun.

Happy Birthday IHOP

Free pancakes and fun times together...  I'll take it!

Ammon, Raegan, Jarom and Mom :o) 

I <3 their harvest pancakes

Neighborhood Celebration

Most families were busy on the day of 4th of July, so our neighborhood pushed it off until the 6th.  It was great.  The Vincent's constructed their water slide again (always fun), and the Corbett's have a connection to whole sale fireworks.  We all contributed $20, brought food and had a great party.  We invited Troy and his kids to come and enjoy.  It was a fun night for everyone.

Jarom going all out...                                               Brinley and Tarin taking a turn.

Setting up the electronics so he can run the program he created for the show.

Pano of our house and the Vincent's... a great turn out.

50 Miles or More

Continuing my road bike hobby, my friend, Tia White, and I decided to try making it to 4 temples...roughly 50 miles round trip.  Left kind of early, like 5:30am, and hit Oquirrh Mountain Temple in Daybreak first.  Because it was the 4th of July, there wasn't much traffic, and we had perfect weather.  Then we made it to the Jordan River Temple, then crossed the valley to the Draper Temple...by the way, that is a huge climb up to that temple.  I was proud of myself for making it.  Then we went around the point of the mountain to work our way to the Mount Timpanogos Temple, but realized I was running out of gas - mentally and physically.  So I decided to forgo that stop and head home.  It was rough hitting that wall.  I had called Trent to met me 2 miles from home.  I really wanted to finish it, but overall I was still able to hit 50 miles.  It was a new best for distance for me.  It was great!

Draper Temple

Big 1-2 Birthday Girl

My beautiful girl turned 12!  I can't believe how fast she is growing up.  She is an amazing helper and always wanting to be apart of life.  She is full of love and fire that will light up anyones day.  I love you sweetie and you make me smile everyday.  Hope this day is a great one.

Time to make the cake.  My kids just love making their cakes.  Look for ideas online and then make our own version of it.  The icing was a little softer then I wanted it to be, but it worked out ok.  There was suppose to be light blue and dark blue...oh well, she loves blue.  Her friend and neighbor Cadance helper her decorate.

She is officially a Young Women.  She was excited to get the sign in our yard, just for her.

  As you can see, she went swimming.  It was donut day at the Lehi Rec Center for all the kids in Swim Team or in Swim Lessons.  She is currently in swim lessons :o)

Tarin was able to invite some friends to Lowes Xtreme Air Sports.  A fun indoor gym.

For dinner, Tarin chose pizza roll ups.  Easy and tasty.  Cresent roll dough, half a cheese stick, sauce and pepperoni.  Easy fun.

Freedom Festival - Hot Air Balloons

Early morning, 5:30am we  got up to make it to Provo to see the Hot Air Balloons inflate and rise up.  This was part of the week long festivities for Independence Day.  I've never been to the fields when this happened, even while attending BYU many years ago.  I was determined to see it this year.  Sadly more kids weren't willing to wake up early, but Rian and Trent wanted to see it.  I thought it was spectacular.  Although  it was a warmer morning, these balloons were still able to get up and float around.  

I loved how the field was flat, but suddenly the balloons started to fill and fill and soon we were crowded with  these amazing bubbles of hot air.  It was fascinating to see these fill so quickly and then take off.  Maybe I'm easily entertained, but loved it.

Darth Vader made an appearance.  This guy, was TALL!  Seriously, you can see the man in front of him with a kid on his shoulders and Darth was still taller then him...  It was kind of cool.  The Darth balloon came from Belguim or something.  Kind of cool.

Rian wanted her evidence...

Bells Canyon Reservoir

Needed a little hike for a picnic.  So we headed toward the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon to do the little mile and a half trail to the reservoir.  It's a little bit of a climb, but not bad when you hit the little bridge over the creek.

The res was so pretty and peaceful.  A little busy with people, but not bad.

Found a great place to unload and eat our lunch.  It was perfect, because the little ducklings were nearby and the kids loved feeding them.

Can't have fun at a lake without someone getting in.  Yep, Ammon was the one to take the dip.  Love my adventurous little guy!

It was a hot day, so we were pretty tired when we finished.  But it was nice to get out.  

Love Ammon's expressions.