Family Temple Trip

Some of us had started a little family history work, and with a few names, I felt no only do these ancestors need their work done, but our family needs to get to the temple more and more!  I'm making it a goal to get our kids to the temple at least quarterly.  It's going to jump start me to find more names, but kids need to understand the spirit that resides in the temple and they need the desire to stay worth to be able to go in.  This was Tarin's first experience to the temple, and she said, "When can we go back!  I love it!"  That was all I needed to seal the deal on my goal.  She is learning at a young age to love the temple and the work we do inside.  I was glad that Trent and I could take our kids and invite their cousin Baylie to come too.

Sun was so bright, sorry for the bad picture, but it's our 'evidence' or memory that we were there. 

Afterward, we treated them to a smoothie or cookie at Paradise Cafe'.

Highland Splash Pad

 We missed this park when we lived up in Cedar Hills, so to get them out of the house, I had them all come and play.  It got a little chilly for the overcast and breeze, so we didn't stay long, but isn't it fun to lay on the hot concrete to warm up?  Oh yeah!  Love me fun kids.

Bragging Moment

 Tarin and Rian have done a little with ceramics last school year.  I love the pieces they have created and had to take pictures and tell all about it.  They loved doing these and want to continue learning more.  This makes me smile, because I loved this art in high school and love that we can share that passion.

Tarin made both of these pieces.  I practically begged her to let me display them on the shelf.  She is so crafty and particular in details.

Rian's Freshman year, she had a bit more time to work on pieces and was able to create more.  This blue vase I had sheepishly asked to have, and she eventually gave to me as a mother's day gift.  I love it and everything about it.  It shouts how visual Rian is in creating and going the extra step in a project.

I begged for these too, but I understand she likes to have them in her room.  I love admiring these pieces.  Detail, and concentration went into these and I love how perfect they turned out.

Fianlly, my other talented daughter, Raegan, has earned so many ribbons in her swim meets.  Yes, some are 'participation' ribbons, but see the personal bests?  She has excelled each meet in her personal times!  She has worked so hard and is working toward qualifying for the Elite/Gold meet for some of these events.  She is awesome!!

Down the Provo River

Trent had surprised me with kayaking down the Provo River.  He got off work early, which really warmed my heart.  He had never done anything like that before for me... I had never been down that river even when a student at BYU so I was excited to try this.  The kayaks are "fun-Yaks" where you just sit on top, but it was still really fun to float down and enjoy the beauty of the canyon.

This really wasn't his "thing", but he impressed me by trying it and  just being with me.  I love that.  Kayaking is something I want to try.  So this was a fun 'beginning'.

Death Cab For Cutie

Salt Lake City has a twilight summer concert series, and the opening night was the band Death Cab For Cuties.  I honestly have never heard of them, but was glad Trent had gotten these a long time ago... $5 a ticket is well worth the concert experience and fun.

We had five tickets, so Rian invited Abi to come along.  It was a really cool night.

Grabbed something to eat before... really really good.

 I wasn't a concert go-er growing up, but I'm glad I have Trent to expose me to great things like music and that exciting culture.  He's teaching me a lot, and I like growing with him.

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.