Monument Hike

One Saturday this summer we took off and did a hike that we have been talking about doing for a few years. A couple of years ago, I went on this hike with the girls at girls camp and wanted to take my family back there ever since! Luckily, I have a brother and sister-in-law who love to hike and so I invited them to come because it is smart to take someone that knows a little what they are doing. Let's face it...I am a city girl and unfortunately, I have transformed Jeff a little and so between the two of us, we aren't too outdoorsy...but we love it when we get a chance and it isn't too much Ha ha! So we met Michael and Rachel and their family up there and started our hike. It is a pretty easy hike as long as you don't have anyone too young..oh wait, we took a 4 year old! Jacob was so great though and was a trooper and so was Michael because he carried Jacob for a good portion of the hike.

 The views were beautiful and it was a gorgeous day that day! PERFECT!

 The hike goes up to a monument that was placed after some girls died while on the hike many years ago. They were attending girls camp and got caught on top of the mountain in a lightning storm.

 Underneath some of the water while we ate lunch.

Our little family! Loved being there with them! It was a special day.

Here is the water fall that ends the hike. It actually goes all the way through to a place to repel and come out the other side of the mountain...Maybe another day in a few more years!

 From the Inside!

Going Home...

Family Shots

One day after we walked home from Stake Conference, I made everyone wait to eat lunch until we took a few shots together. It had been a while and so we took a few photos together.

Grandpa Craig and Grandma Sue 2011

  Craig and Sue came to visit and we did the same things that we traditionally do with Grandma and Grandpa. We went to the zoo and enjoyed the warm weather together.

 We always do a lot of swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's hotel!

 This year they were here for the 4th of July and they love the Idaho Falls fireworks as well they should and so we went again this year with them. The fireworks never disappoint!

Our regular Pizza visit to Papa Tom's. Our last night. It is always so bitter sweet to be with them. We enjoy their visit so much, but always know that when they leave it will be another year before we see them again. We always enjoy having them here so much...so grateful for their efforts in coming so far to see us all.

Mack gets Baptized!

 On July 2, 2011 Mack made a wonderful decision to get baptized. We are so proud of him and had such a special day. I love this picture of him before he got baptized He was so happy and excited. He was worried about his hair and what they were going to do with it after he got dunked. Dad ended up doing a really good job getting to look the way her wanted after the baptism.

 Dad and Mack before the big DUNK!

 I love my special family and the choice that Mack made to get baptized gets us closer to being a forever family.

 The Kiddo's!

 The "NEW" little boy with mom and dad.

 There were a lot of special people there to share in that special day with us. Here's a picture of all of them even though half of the kids aren't even looking at the camera...including the special baptized boy.

It's days like this that we miss our dads and grandpas so much. This would have been a day that they would have enjoyed more than any of us. I know that they were there at some point, but how lucky we are to be able to have our moms and grandmas there. I love this picture of Mack and his Grandma kissing him! So much love!

Calli's Birthday

On June 30th, our baby girl turned 12!!! Calli wanted a rainbow cake for her birthday this year. I have wanted to try one for a while. When I was a kid I loved rainbows and if I knew about this cake, I would have asked for one! It was super fun to make this with her. She wanted to help of coarse and because her cousin was here to spend a week with us, Maddie helped too.

We just used 2 white cake mixes and divided each cake mix into three sections using three cake pans. We baked the red, orange, and yellow first. With the next mix we did green, blue, and purple. The colors look a little funny when they are baked, but once you cut into it, the colors are bright and gorgeous!

 

Dad always has the job of lighting the candles.

 Here's what it looked like cut. It was so pretty and yummy too! If I do say so myself!

I can't believe that she is 12! She was very excited to turn 12 so that she could start going to Young Women's at church and to go to Middle School! The changes she was excited for scared me the mom. I am not sure that I am ready for them...but watching her be excited is so much fun. I cherish her and love the relationship that we have. She is just dang adorable and dang good company! What a joy she is to have in our family! Thank Heaven for little girls...even though they grow up and get big!