Field Trip

We went to a fruit orchard for Nathan's Joy School yesterday. I'm a farm girl at heart. Fruit farm, animal farm, doesn't matter to me. I just love the simplicity of that lifestyle. However, to run a farm, anytype, is not that simple I've learned. We learned a lot about harvesting the fruit and sorting it, and containing it in huge refrigerators. It was impressive and awesome. We all had a great time and got to pick an apple to boot. Yum!

Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again

I love good music! Sometimes I will turn it up so loud until you can feel the music. I love to sing and dance to it with the kids. I don't get crazy often, so my kids love when I do this. This is one of my favorites to sing and pretend that my voice is just like hers. Ha! if only!!!

1st day of Joy School

Nathan is doing joy-school with some of his friends. The four of them belong to the "monster truck joy school". He was just as excited to start his first day as Hannah was to start hers. We will rotate homes for joy school, so I will get the opportunity to teach the kids as well. It's going to be a great year!

Brett, Nathan, Kamaren, & Judd

Jon Schmidt Concert

So, I kinda like Jon Schmidt. Okay, I just love him! He is such an inspiring pianist. He had a concert at the waterfalls at Thanksgiving Point. Wow! He really is good.

Hannah has been taking piano lessons for a few months now. We took her to this concert so she could see what fun she can have playing the piano. It was a bit much for a 4 year old, but she was impressed when she watched Jon play laying down, or backwards, or riding his seat like a horse, or when he hit the note with his head. I mean, who wouldn't be right? So, thanks Jon for inspiring us all, and hopefully, most of all, our little Hannah.

Pre-School: 1st day

One happy girl gets to go to pre-school. One happy girl looked adorable. One happy girl calls her teacher, Miss Tecia. One happy girl is already learning great things and making new friends.

One Last Hoorah!

We got the slip 'n slide out one last time before school started. Oh we will miss summer. But I won't miss the solicitors or the mosquitos, but everything else.

Just what I needed

Parenting: Touching the Hearts of Our Youth

Stay-Cation

What a fun few days we've had. A little trip up to Idaho, dutch oven cooking in the mountains, camping, and a trip to Utah's Hogle Zoo. Aaron had a couple days off so we took advantage of our precious family time.

This is the fast and furious version.

Thursday. Drive to Burley, Idaho with my sister Susan and the kiddos. Stay with some of our Ragnar teammates. Reconnect with old roommates. Go to their fair. See a lot of very very very stinky pigs. (are there any other kind?) Eat the famous maple bars. Run into my college dorm mom of more than 12 years ago, and she's the one who recognized me! Couldn't believe it!!! Sleep out in the country. Look at the amazing stars and envy, the simple life of a small town. Wake up, drive back to Utah to hang out with Aaron. Pack up the kids again and head for the mountains for a delicious dutch oven dinner. Go for a beautiful walk and be thankful beyond measure to live right where I do. Get home, sleep in my own bed and sleep in in the morning. Heaven! Work all day on "projects" around the house. Put the kids to bed early. Wake up early. Go to my nephews homecoming. Try not to cry too much, but can't help all the amazing feelings that rush back while hearing him talk about the last two years of his life. Incredible! Have a wonderful lunch with my family. Rush home, put the kids down for a nap. Pack up the car to head for the mountains yet again for a campout. Find the perfect spot. Pray it doesn't rain. It does. A lot. Have some family come up for a dutch oven dessert. Lick the pan clean. So yummy! Breathe in the fresh air after the down pour. Say goodbye to the family. Clean the van out completely and watch a fun movie with the kids. Movie over. Kids in pajamas. Say prayers. Pray especially that no bears will come into our camp. (I was worried). Nervous about our first "real" campout with the kids. They sleep perfectly. Wake up. Build fire, make breakfast, and go for another beautiful walk. Clean up camp. Head home. Change clothes and go the zoo smelling like camp fire. Take our sweet little time looking at all the animals. Pack the kids up yet again. They are out in no time. Enjoy the quiet with my husband. End the night with an ice-cream cone from Thanksgiving Point. In my opinion, the perfect stay-cation!

Me, Jen, and Brooke. My first college roommates. Love these Idaho girls!

The campout begins










Hannah called these "fruit snacks"



Hogle Zoo

7 years ago today......

....I woke up bright and early. Got all dolled up, and waited for my Aaron to pick me up and take me to the temple. We may or may not have skipped into the temple. It was a happy day. Now, 7 years later we are still a happy couple.

And slightly more crazy.

What a Guy!

Aaron competed in his second open water 5k swim yesterday. Yes, I did get all emotional watching the swimmers finish the race. It's just so darn inspiring! It was a GORGEOUS morning at Deer Creek. Aaron did awesome, finishing one minute faster than last year. Finishing in 1 hour and 34 minutes, he wasn't impressed, but hey, if he shaves off one minute every year, in 20 years he'll really be able to compete! Just kidding Aaron, you are amazing and I am in awe every time I watch you do anything like this.

Tony Parkinson was his kyaker. He texted me half way through the race saying that he deffinately had the easier job.




Here's a couple random shots of the race.

This guy stood the whole time, for 3.2 miles. Impressive!

Totally Hooked....

....on gardens! Seriously, we are LOVING the fruits of our labors.