Friend Reunions

It was my 20 year class reunion this summer. It was over the 4th of July weekend, and since we were out of town, I didn't go. (It was probably good we didn't plan to come home and go seeing how Jeremy tore his ACL and was not very mobile at the time.) However, I was able to get together with some great friends from high school and from my Laurel days:

We went to dinner with some of my best friends from high school.  Pictured above is me, Kenny Freestone, Jennifer Reimschussel Lewis and Jillyn Dick Colman.  I would have never survived high school without Kenny and Jillyn along with a couple of other dear friends.

A few nights later I got together with some of the girls that I went to church with when I was 16-18 and one of our leaders.  It was a great night to catch up and laugh at all the silly things we used to do.  I have know a couple of these ladies most of my life!  Pictured above is Jennifer Butcher Cook, Kathy Mickelson (our adviser  whom we loved--she isn't much older than us!), Char Wilkinson Olenik, Me and Alice Mackay Miller.

I am grateful for the wonderful people in my life who have had such a positive influence over me and helped me become the person that I am today.

Scout Camp 2013

Even with his bum knee, Jeremy took his scouts back packing in the Uinta Mountains.  Thankfully, he had a knee brace and no longer required crutches.  And after all, they had hiked Timp to get ready for their week at scout camp.  Here are a few highlights of their week--that got cut short due to some nasty weather:

All the boys at the trail head ready to hike into camp.  Jeremy is in the back with his green hat on, Jaxon is smack in the middle wearing orange and McKay is a couple over from Jaxon wearing a Captain America t-shirt.

They weather was bad every day they were there.  This was after a heavy hail and thunder storm.

But they still had fun cliff jumping.

Doesn't it look like Jaxon is running on water?

They did some knot tying (in the rain), worked on other merit badges and did some hiking and fishing.  The weather got so bad that there was a river flowing under one tent and every thing in camp was completely soaked.  They were all miserable so they decided to call it quits and got home at mid-night in the middle of the week.

While the scouts were away Josh, Kayden and I got to play:

My friend Julie from dental school came into town and we met up for lunch.  It was so good to see her!

Josh, Kayden and I went to go see a movie and spent lots of time together having fun.  But we were glad when the rest of our family came home safely.  We missed them!

Jaxon's New Smile

Yes.  Jaxon got braces.  And he wants you to know he isn't happy about it.  I keep trying to tell him it will all be worth it one day, but it is hard to see past the pain of getting your braces tightened every six weeks.  Nevertheless, I must say he makes those braces look good!

4th of July

We had a fun and interesting 4th of July weekend up at Uncle Paul's and Aunt Debra's in Idaho Falls.  They surprised us and had purchased a boat this summer.  We had a good time riding and playing with the boat:

Jaxon had just come in from taking a swim in the river.
 

Marissa, Kayden and McKay riding the tube.  Kayden loved the tube and McKay and Marissa were good sports to ride with him so often.

Aunt Juli, Uncle Craig and cousins Meaghan and Camron were at Uncle Paul's too.  Jaxon had a good time riding the tube with Juli and Camron.

Josh and Kayen getting ready to jump off the boat and into the river.

Jeremy had a good time water skiing and riding the tube too.  Even I enjoyed skiing.  And then this happened:

Jeremy tore his ACL while riding Bryan's dirt motorcycle.  He was laid up the rest of the weekend with constant ice packs on his knee and had to use crutches to get around.  Thankfully he was able to still attend the 4th of July dinner and fireworks show.

Marissa enjoying some ice cream. 

Josh loves ice cream too!

Kayden wanted his picture taken with a giant cookie.  He likes dessert too.

The next morning the kids didn't want to wake up:

Jaxon wrapped up in a blanket snoozing away.

Josh blanket-less sawing logs.

And Kayden had built a fort to sleep in.  He slept for a long time too!

Other than Jeremy tearing his ACL that will require surgery in a few weeks, it was a great weekend being with family and making memories!

Hiking Timp with the Scouts

In preparation for a scout camp backpacking trip this year (more on that later), Jeremy took his scouts and hiked Timp. He took Jaxon (who also was going on the backpacking trip) along with them. It was a long hard hike, but the boys did well and they were glad they did it when all was said and done.

At the bottom of the trail head.  They left at 5:30 in the morning.  They are all smiles here.

Along the trail the they would stop and cool off in glacial waterfalls.

The skinny trail that scales the mountain leading up to the very top point.  Jaxon, who is slightly afraid of heights was wondering what his dad was thinking bringing him along.  McKay said it was one of the hardest things he had ever done.

Jaxon with Zach, one of the scouts, at the very top.  Check out that view of Utah Valley behind them.  That is what makes it all worth it!

Jaxon with the view of Heber Valley which is on the other side of the mountain.

Jeremy and Jaxon at the top.  It was definitely a proud dad moment.

After all the boys and leaders slid down the glacier from the top, they decided to take a dip in Glacier Lake. It was more than a bit chilly.  It was down right freezing!

Jaxon looks like he is showing some Karate Kid moves.  Then check out the man on the patch of snow in the middle of the lake.  He is one of the scout leaders and he swam in the freezing water and onto the glacier.  That is one crazy guy!

McKay taking a rest.  Although he was glad that he had gone on the hike and had made it to the top, he said it was one of the worst days of his life.  (Not dramatic at all.)  At least he was ready for scout camp!

Jaxon Goes To Clear Creek

Jaxon headed to Clear Creek this summer and was out on his own for a whole week.  He was a little hesitant to go, but had a great time.  He blogged about experience his experience below.  Here is a picture of Jaxon as he was just about to board the bus:

I am glad he had fun, but I was glad to have him back at the end of the week!

Hey guys this is Jaxon, I would like to tell you abut my week at clear creek.

 This is the cabin that I slept in.  It wasn't much, only bunk beds and our bags.  It was really fun.

 This is a pot gut.  I caught 3 pot guts. I didn't have my camera with me, but I found my camera in the middle of the week and took a picture of this one.  I caught my pot guts on Tuesday.  This is a different persons cage with a pot gut.    

 This is the Scofield Public School it was built in 1928. It was built the the year winter quarters mine stopped mining for coal.

 This is the Scofield jail.  People from my cabin started to lock people in.

 This is a picture of me in the jail house.

   

 This is the Scofield cemetery.  Over 100 bodies are there from the Winter Quarters mine disaster.  We had to look for certain graves it was almost impossible to find any.  But we heard some pretty good ghost stories.

 This is me with my second place ribbon for rock collection during the awards.  I earned some merit badges for scouts too. 

It was a pretty fun week.

Summer Soccer Camp

Josh and Kayden were able to participate in a neighborhood soccer camp.  The camp was every morning for a week.  They had a good time and at the end of the week they each earned an award:

Now they should be all set for soccer season!

Happy 14th McKay!

My biggest boy turned 14 today.  He is getting older (which means I am getting older).

14!

The Birthday boy getting bonked on the head by his brothers.  McKay was full of good wishes for us:

1. A riding lawn mower (which would benefit him more than anyone).
2.  Jeremy would receive a brand new pick up truck.
3. Jeremy's hair would grow back to a full head of hair.

Isn't he a generous wish giver??  I am just not so sure any of those wishes were for me!

McKay received this Duck Dynasty hat with beard as one of his gifts.  Doesn't he look handsome?!

Tonight we went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  While he slipped away to the bathroom, we told our waitress it was his 14th birthday.  We got to give McKay at big "Yeeehaaww!" and he got a free bowl of ice cream--which he ate immediately so no one could see him blushing.

14 Things We Love About McKay

1. His room is always clean.
2. He is a great lawn mower and is saving the money he earns by doing it for his mission.
3. He likes to hang out with his brothers and they like to hang out with him.
4. He compliments me on my cooking--and boy can he put food away!
5. His desire to do what's right.
6. His work ethic.  This kid works hard and his grades show it!
7. He has made one terrific Deacon's Quorum President over the last few months.
8. His love for Duck Dynasty.  ("Hey! Your beard is so hairy, even Dora can't explore it."  Gotta love Si.)
9. He enjoys playing sports.  He has picked up on running this last year and he is now at the beginning of football season.
10. His love for cacti.  The desk in his room has tons of them.  He is just like his Great Grandma White.  In fact, he inherited a few of her cacti this last year when she passed away.
11. He is responsible.  He always does what he is asked to do and he does it well.
12. He still likes his parents.  
13. His smile.  He got his braces off this year!  He also started shaving.  (I know. Weird, huh?)
14. McKay is now 6 feet tall.  He is proud of his height and the rest of us are amazed by it.

Happy Birthday McKay! Your family loves you and we are so blessed to have you as part of our family.