Pioneer Trek and Party Hats

The last two weeks have been a blur! After great preparations, these two wonderful youth went out to test their mettle against the Wyoming wilderness. They dress like pioneers and pull handcarts to remember the sacrifice and effort put forth by our ancestors. They both had a very good time. They covered 35-40 miles in 4 days and felt a great deal of accomplishment, though it exhausted them. Now as we drive down the road and see an off ramp that indicates it is 1 mile ahead, Camille always says, "I can walk that."

Last week I drove to Idaho to pick up my Leslie, as her college term concluded and she is on break for several months. (Welcome Home, Sweetie!) While I was there, my grandma Joy gave us a batch of fun hats that she crochets to keep her hands busy. I have to show you the hats, and the party feeling that accompanied the distributing of such a great thing!

Jake and his cute wife, Chelsea. (Welcome to the Blog, Chelsea!)

Leslie and Caleb. Often a crazy duo.

Camille's is yellow with a white stripe, and Seth.

Dad and Ethan. Also my particular favorite photo bombing by Leslie.

and Miriam. 

We also celebrated Jake's 21st birthday this weekend. What he was wishing for this year is that he doesn't have to wait much longer to meet his baby that is due in August.  Yes, people, I'm going to be a grandma! Yay for our family to continue to grow!!!

4th of July

We had a fun 4th of July this year. Guess who was home for the weekend? Leslie.

 And she is still a bit of a stinker. Look what she and her little sister are up to, even if they are taller than me! Can't turn your back for a minute!

Nice. You don't know it, but there is this awesome mud beauty treatment for your feet.  It causes them to be muddy. A-hem. Glad you could come home, Sis!

We had an extended family dinner at Dave and Tiffany's lovely home. They  live conveniently across the street from a big fireworks show and concert, so we watched those too. Yay!

Jake made sure the cousins all had a little fireworks fun of their own. Grateful for our freedoms. Grateful to those who have sacrificed so much for them. Grateful for a nice weekend together!

Taylorsville Days

We have been attending this fun event for all the years we have lived here in Taylorsville. It always happens the weekend before the 4th and is super fun.

 There is a parade. The longer we live here, the better it gets, because we know more of the people on parade. Sometimes my scouts have had a chance to participate, and this year, Caleb and Ethan carried the banner for the Governor's Award.

Camille's hat and all our fun friends to watch and wave with.

 We have some friends we call our blonde counterparts, because our families are similar in ages and size, but they are all blondes. Hey Baileys! We Love You!

For the last three years, we have watched the live concerts and fireworks with this fun crew.  This year we were supposed to hear Elton John and Billy Joel impersonators, and we did for a time, but a power outage cut the concert short.  No problem we have friends for this.

Except Caleb...he does have a great Bailey friend, but his counterpart was at scout camp. Better luck next year lone wolf.

The good news is that they found a generator so we could focus on some fabulous fireworks, and have music to go with them. Phew.

Move Over

My new house is a place where me and my books can hang out under the trees. :) We made the long anticipated move in mid-March. We have enjoyed spring here with all the colors and new plants.

I spent a large part of April costuming a play that Miriam was in.  I had a great time getting to know the youth and making and gathering costumes.  The play was Shakespeare's As You Like It. (Sorry to those cut off by my questionable photography skills.)

I even had the chance to go to Shakespeare Showdown with them to help and see them put on the play there. Loved that.

Miriam turned 13 this year! Watch out world! Leslie also had a May birthday, (turned 19) but she is at BYU-I and her birthday photos are on facebook.

Ethan just turned 11! Can you believe it? Now the kid who always wanted to be part of a scout troop is! He goes to Camp Tracy with his troop next week.

Summer is in full swing, which for the last many years means that half the family is gone at any one time.  Camille is at camp this week and spent last week babysitting for her cute cousins. Caleb has attended the Big Event scout camp already and the two of them are involved in Trek preparations. Miriam spent a week in Heber with Paul and Nelda helping with little cousins and having fun with them. We miss having a crew around the table and are thinking about taking a leaf out of it, so we don't look so lonely!

I am trying to keep all my new plants watered and saying sweet things to my garden so it will grow. Also keep thinking about that new grandbaby that is on the way in only 8 short weeks! Wow!