All I Want For Christmas is......

Evelyn has had 3 loose teeth on top for weeks. She has wiggled and wiggled them but they never went anywhere. Then all of a sudden, OUT popped the first one. Last night she finally got it ready enough that I could just get it done with. What a relief for both of us! She was so happy! What a giggly little thing she was. So funny!

Even though I knew her other front tooth was getting close I figured we had another week to go at the rate she was working it. Boy was I wrong!! By dinner tonight that sucker was getting ready! She sure surprised me when she came running up to me with her tooth in hand. Could not believe she finally got up the nerve to yank it out herself. Boy, I tell ya, if I thought she was excited the night before, well, I didn't know what I was talking about. She was higher than a kite! Giggles and little girl shrieks were heard throughout the valley and they all originated from OUR house! So much fun to watch!

She already has the inevitable little lisp that accompanies this kind of loss, which in my opinion, makes it even funner. She still has one more loose tooth on the top. How in the world that little girl is gonna eat is beyond me. Especially during hot dog and corn on the cob season!

While it is super fun it is also a reminder to me that all of her "firsts" are also "lasts" for us. Crazy to think. Our baby is growing up. With just weeks before school starts and knowing that I have no more babies at home, it is truly the end of an era. Sniff Sniff 

Grandpa's Hiking Adventures: Wind Cave

This hike was definitely one for the books, in a few ways. The kids and I got a late start from our house up to Logan, why do things always have to take so long?  So, by the time we actually started the hike it was late in the morning. That translates into HOT! This hike was a total of 3.6 miles roundtrip, the first 1.8 miles being fairly steep.

It took us a little longer than it would have usually because we brought this little cutie pie along. She required more frequent rests in the shade. She was a little trooper though and ultimately made it all the way. This hike was definitely an exercise in "I can do hard things" for the majority of us. When Ryland asked me why we were hiking again I told him it was because Grandpa and I were going to show him that hiking is funner than video games. He didn't seem convinced.

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Here Grandpa Hale is showing the kids the "Great Wall of China" of Logan Canyon.

You can see it in this picture of the vista here. It was absolutely gorgeous up there.

Grandpa showing the kids how to look for fossils. We didn't find any this trip but that probably had a lot to do with the fact that we were so tired and hot and didn't have a lot of patience to search for them in the hot afternoon sun.

The older kids weren't spared of the "I can do hard things" lesson of the day. While we sat in the shade waiting for Grandpa and Evelyn to catch up they recieved a lesson from Mom about having a positive attitude. It started out with a little something about murmuring like Laman and Lemeul, and ended up with Mom threatening to assign a chore for each murmur I heard. Jury is still out on whether or not that was a parenting FAIL or not! haha

While I didn't hear anymore whining from them it still took a while for the attitude adjustment to sink in.

Arriving at the Wind Cave did wonders to boost our spirits. It was super cool up in the cave both physically and visually. We loved it!

It was such a neat site. Ally showed us that she is like her father, a bit afraid of heights, worrying about everyone slipping and sliding out of the cave.

My favorite part was feeling the tremendous wind come rushing through the cave. It felt AMAZING!

View from the top.

Grandpa bringing up the rear across the way. Seriously amazing views up there. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The best part was that we didn't see ONE snake. Not one. Perfect.

After three hours of hiking we were finally done. Phew! We were all hot and sticky and ready for some A/C. Thanks again to Grandpa for another successful and awesome hike! You know it was an awesome hike when Ryland tells says to you, "Alright Mom, I admit it, hiking IS funner than video game. Well, like 2% funner!" I will take it Buddy! haha



Grandpa's Hiking Adventures: Temple Fork

Grandpa Hale is a hiker, and he knows some awesome hikes! Tonight we started a series of hikes with him. The Temple Fork hike. It was so much fun! We did this hike a few years ago with him and I loved it just as much this time. It is such a beautiful hike up Logan Canyon. The smells, the sights, the sounds of the river and the birds, so beautiful! It was also the perfect weather. You could not have asked for better weather.   

Our good friend Vonda joined us, super fun having her along.

Once we reached the top, where the old Temple lumber mill was located, Grandpa told us all stories about the mill, the location and some history of Logan and Cache Valley. We loved hearing them, so interesting.

It was a perfect hike, cannot wait to go again.



An Eagle Scout

Tonight Ethan had his Eagle Board of Review. He was super excited and a little nervous as he headed on his way with Nate to the Church. When we asked him about the interview he could hardly recall any details. Nerves, followed by euphoria will do that to you. He wanted to act very solemn, like he hadn't passed, when he walked out but he could not contain his excitement nor his smile. It was one of the biggest ones we have ever seen! Super proud of you Buddy! You have worked so very hard  and are now reaping the benefits. 

Why I Love Where We Live: Skyscapes

Photo Shoot Sunday: Impromptu Sunset Shoot

Last night we had this crazy summer storm come crashing through. Wind and rain just came battering through. Right after it we had the most amazing sunset. I grabbed my camera and headed out to capture it.

You can still see the amazing storm clouds too. It was so beautiful.

Some of the kids came out to enjoy it as well, so I had them all come out for a quick family photo, So glad I did. The lighting was just beautiful.

Had Ally snap one of Nate and I as well.

Flashback Friday: Camp Hunt

Nate and I have a tradition that we do with the kids. The summer of the year that they turn 11 we take them on a camping trip one on one. Nate took Ethan and last year I took Ally.

We had so much fun together. We went to Camp Hunt up in Bear Lake. Even though it was around the 4th of July our first day it just rained and rained. Cute, brave Ally decided to go for her swim check. It was COLD outside of the water I couldn't believe she wanted to get even colder by getting into the water. I was super proud of her, especially because her Mom was too big of a wuss to do it. Of course she passed the swim check. 

The next day, when the sun was shining, I got my swim check out of the way so we could enjoy all of the waterfront activities.

We went canoeing and kayaking and swam in the lake. It was perfect weather.

Here are our swim check chips. The board shows that we stayed in the Crow campsite.

During some of our free time we went into Garden City and got us a raspberry shake. Ally found this blow up Dolphin so we picked it up too for her to play with. She had a great time with it.

I thought she was a little bit crazy when she wanted to get up before sunrise and go canoeing out on the lake. I really thought that once the alarm went off that she would beg to sleep in but nope, she dragged me out  of bed into the cool, crisp morning air and away we went.

It turned out to be the highlight of our camping trip for me. It was so beautiful and calm. I loved being out on the water with my Ladybug. Such a sweet memory.

We loved participating in the campfire songs, the skits, and all of the activities that Camp Hunt had to offer. It was a great trip!

4th of July 2013

We had another great 4th of July this year! We seriously LOVE going to our little town festivities. It feels so Mayberry-esque. Starts off with a great little breakfast and parade, then on over to the bowery for field activities.

The kids love the foot races, the games, the candy drop, running around with their friends, all of it! Great times!

Ally with two of her friends, Taylor S. and Isabelle W.

Evie was pretty excited to run in her foot race this year. She did  a great job!

Ryland and Karter waiting for their race. I missed his somehow so I didn't get any pictures of it. Darn!

Ally put in a solid effort runnning in hers. Proud of her!

Meanwhile, Nate and Ethan were out fundraising for National Jamboree, in West Virginia, which is in about 10 days!

Found some great friends from the ward to hang out with in the shade. Wendy C. and Michelle W. and I had a great visit.

We went home for a couple hours to catch our breath before heading back out to all of the fun. Our next stop was the Warners annual snow cone party in their backyard. Yum!

Then back to the park for the live music, patriotic program, another candy drop, fireworks and of course, visit with friends!

Me with one of my best friends, Jenn Gardner

Evie and Mylie G. waiting, rather patiently, for the candy drop.

Ladybug brought a book to kill some time.

Candy drop is getting close!

Time for the parachuters to bring in the Flag for the Patriotic program.

Fireworks!!!