Father's Day 2014

Steve had been out of town and just barely made it home in time for Father's Day.  The kids were so excited to wake up Sunday morning and find him home.  After church on Sunday (you can tell it's after church because Steve is sporting his usual post church attire-black dress socks and shorts) Addy sent him on a scavenger hunt around the house to find the present she made for him.  Not only did she make him his own board game, she also made him twelve thousand pictures.

Who's your daddy?

No butty is better than you

After lunch we headed up the canyon and found a lovely place to "relax".  Only this wasn't quite as relaxing as when we did this a few weeks before without any children.  Despite the 7 year old that kept jumping on my back saying she was bored, I managed to read a few chapters to Steve out of the book we are reading.

We came home and had a delicious dinner.  I am so thankful for this man.  I am thankful for the kind of father he is to our children.  I am thankful for the example he sets for them and for me.  I am thankful for his unwavering testimony of the gospel and of Jesus Christ.  I am thankful he works so hard everyday for us.  I am so thankful that he is my best friend.  I am so thankful we get to spend eternity together.  I love you Stephen with a ph: Phsteven!  Thank you for loving me back!

Last Weekend - Camp Helaman, Special Olympics, and the Day I Kicked Everyone Out of the House

 Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday Zac had the opportunity to go to Camp Helaman.  It is a missionary prep for young men ages 16-18.  They are divided into districts and each person has a companion, just like in the mission field.  We loved hearing all of Zac's fun stories of the adventures he had while he was there.  He had a great time with the boys in his district and with his district leader and companion.  They gave all the boys who participated at tie and handkerchief and a coin like the one below.  It was a great experience for him and I am so thankful to our stake for providing it.

We got to hear all about their arm wrestling matches at camp Helaman.  With all the talk of arm wrestling, Steve couldn't help it and he challenged Zac to an arm wrestling match.  In order not to embarrass the old man, I won't tell you who won.  I'm sure though that he was weakened by the otter pop in his other hand (and possibly the 7 he ate before the match).

On Friday and Saturday, my sister Lauren participated in the Utah Special Olympics.  On Sunday we had an Olympic Champion Dinner in her honor.  She showed us all the medals she won and also told us all about her adventures at the Olympics.

Zac told us about Camp Helaman.

We managed to get a few games of Speed Rumikub in.

That night I announced to everyone it was time to get up off their boo-tays and get outside and appreciate and enjoy the fantastic weather and scenery we are so blessed with.  Everyone complained because they were perfectly content sitting right where they were.  I didn't give in though.  I kicked them all out of the house.  Once we were outside, they got into the spirit of the whole thing and we had a lovely walk.  "Our" horses were happy to see us again.  They used to be in the pasture right behind our house and would always come over to talk to us when we were outside.  A few weeks ago they were moved to the next pasture over and we have missed them.

I pointed out the lone cow stuck in the pasture with the horses (that explains the mooing we hear at night).  Steve and Zac paused to check the poor lonely cow out, and I had to take a picture since they not only look exactly alike, but they were also standing exactly alike as well.

Every.  Time.  I.  Go.  Walking.

I wanted a cute picture of the girls on the bench.  They would not cooperate.  I took about 20 pictures of them acting like this, until they finally complied and I got one good picture.

Zac, giving Emily a lift back home.

We were able to watch the sun set on our way home and it was absolutely gorgeous.

Family Pictures

When you think of Girls Camp fundraisers, you probably think of car washes, bake sales and babysitting.  Our girls had the most fabulous fundraiser this year.  Family pictures!  An awesome photographer in our ward donated her time (a lot of precious time!) and here are the results of our session!  Thanks Melissa!

Family Home Evening In The Mountains

 Last night we took the ATVs up the canyon and had dinner there.  It was absolutely gorgeous!  I really honestly had to keep stopping my wheeler just so I could take in the view.  I was afraid I was going to drive right off the cliff if I didn't, because I just couldn't keep my eyes on the road, the view was so spectacular.  The way the sun was hitting the canyon made everything so intensely beautiful.  These pictures don't even begin to do it justice.

We were able to watch the moon rise throughout the whole ride.  And on the ride down we watched a beautiful sunset.

This kid kept reminding me too much of myself when I was his age.  He thinks he is invincible.  He kept walking right up to the edge of cliffs.  Seriously.  There is like a huge vertical drop-off inches away from his right foot.

Horrible picture but if you look close you can see Steve and Aubrey and Emily on their ATVs riding along this somewhat scary road.

We saw some guys rock climbing.  I thought this was an awesome picture because it had the moon in the background; my phone camera wasn't cooperating though.

It was a fabulous night!