Brook and I had the opportunity to go on Trek with our church this summer. We went "trekking" and pulled a handcart across Wyoming for 4 days in pioneer clothing. We only traveled about 15 to 20 miles in all and only actually pulled the cart one day. We were a Ma and Pa to 9 youth and we made a family. We did everything together. We didn't know one another at first but by the end of the trip we were tied together as a family. I didn't mind the clothing. It made the Trek special and I learned to sew in the weeks prior to leaving. It took a lot of preparation and work but it was such a wonderful experience I would have gone again the next week. We had close to 600 people in our group which was around the same number as the Willie and Martin handcart companies in 1856. I will never forget it.

Getting our handcarts

This is a similation of the crossing of the Sweetwater River by 3 or 4 boys in the rescue party of 1856 who sacrificed their health and took across many of the company when it was freezing cold. Many of the Saints could not bear to cross the icy river so these young men carried them across. This was a special moment to have Brook carry me.

On the 3rd day we got to wash our hair. This is our family. Look how excited we all are. It felt great.

This was the last stop on our journey. Pres. Hinckley dedicated this place as the grave site of 15 people that died after crossing Rocky Ridge. It was sacred and really sweet as we had a silent walk through with the youth. I learned a lot about our heritage and am grateful for the sacrifice that was given for me and my family. I know these were real people who were following their prophet and I believe they did become acquainted with God. I hope to be able to have this experience again.

It's great to be eight!

Trey was so excited to turn eight and be baptized. More responsiblity, new suit and a party. He is such a good boy with loads of energy. Like most kids his age he likes to have responsibilities and have fun with family and friends. He got a new set of scriptures that he is learning from and soaking it up. We are so proud of is choice to be baptized and his good example.

This is Trey's friend Paige Young. She was baptized too.

He looked so handsome in his new suit. Grandpa Ted gave him a new tie with a CTR football tie tack that Trey thought was so cool.

Lake Powell 2010

Lake Powell this June was great. Except that the fridge wasn't working on the boat so everything was either frozen or ruined. We ate as much as we could, like always, and of course we didn't want it to end. The water was a little cool but still nice enough to swim. I love Lake Powell!

The last leg of our journey and the boys are, of course, still silly.
Bella says "Stay away from my chocolate."

He can't even put down the bat when we are on vacation at Lake Powell.

How cute is she? She stayed all sunscreened up and in the shade as much as possible. I'm sure she has chocolate in her mouth in this picture.

Birthday season

We have 4 birthdays all within a month of each other so it can get a little busy. This year we let our boys invite friends to their parties. It was a lot of work but so much fun for them.

At Trey's party we had a cupcake decorating contest.

Trey and Austin Goodwin. Trey wanted a chocolate party so we did chocolate fondue and ate all the chocolate we could get our hands on.

Trevon wanted a jazz party. They played basketball and pin the ball on Deron Williams hand.

They all wore their jerseys. This many boys in one house for 2 hours running around was crazy.

This is Bella's cake. I decided to try a lady bug. It wasn't hard at all thanks to my sister Megs and neighbor Liz. I didn't get the creative gene.

Our little princess turned 1. She wore this crown all day. I also couldn't take her decorations down for a couple of weeks. I may never have a 1 yr old again. She is a blessing in our lives.

Brian Head vacation

We took a winter vacation with our friends the Cozarts and the Burdicks to Brian Head ski resort. Everything about it was beautiful. From the enormous cabin to the snow covered peaks.

Here is Brook, me, Ginger, Karen and Michael in front of one of the 7 fire places in this grand cabin.

The kids got along great. They all slept in the "treehouse". It was a maze of bunk beds and tree branches. They loved it.

Trey went to ski school and learned to go down the bunny hill on his own. He is smiling here but after one too many crashes he was ready to go home.

This is the run outside our back door.

Halloween 2009

We had a Dracula, A Ninja turtle, Triceratops and Little butterfly. This is our fat aunt Casey. You should see her now. She worked it all off training for American Gladiators. Go Casey!

Labor Day 2009

Labor Day is always a special time for our family. We have family come from California that we only see once a year so we love to go to Parowan when the Iron County Fair is in town.

We go to the parade and the carnival and we go up to the 5 mile and have a dutch oven lunch with the whole family. It's such a great time to visit with family that we don't see often and let our kids play together.

My brother in law likes to pose. But really, earlierin the week, he almost cut his finger off and it feels better to keep it in the air.

The cutest little boy on the block.

The other 2 cutest boys on the block.

My sweet Bella.

It was a great weekend and I love spending time with my family. They are all amazing and so much fun. My boys love their grandparents and their aunts. We are so blessed in our lives. I love my boys and sweet little girl.

Lake Powell Again!!

Our second week in Lake Powell was in August and it was quite a bit warmer this time. In fact, it was HOT. It seldom cooled down at night. Thank goodness for air conditioning. I don't know how we survived without it before. The water was beautiful and warm. Just nice enough to keep us cool in the day. It was another wonderful trip with our family and strengthened our bonds even more. We are so blessed.Me, Tyce and Bella looking hot and keeping cool.(There are no beauty contests at Lake Powell thank goodness!)
Lacy, Katy Jayne, Casey, Me and Megs taking care of my pops. (Looks good for 50, Huh?)

This is just one of the many beautiful pictures at the Lake.

More pics of my sisters and Mom. I guess Megs and I were the only ones who got the Jazz hands memo. Leave it to us to throw something crazy in there.

Everyone but my Dad on the houseboat. We love it! And I love all of them. Can't wait until next year.

Bella"s Blessing Day

Bella was blessed by her daddy on June 7th in the Highlands 1st ward in Eagle Mountain, Utah. We had lots of family and friends come to support us. Bella slept most of the day. We were able to really enjoy her on her special day. She looked so beautiful in her blessing dress and I even loved the sweet headband that added a little color to all the white. She has been such a good baby and a blessing in our family's lives. The boys still love to hold and kiss her. Tyce tells me all the time, "Mom, I love her."

She is so pretty!

Go Army!

Rebecca, my good friend and hilarious neighbor called the other morning to see if we wanted to go watch a special forces team jump out of airplanes. The boys were totally excited especially when I told them we could stop at Maverik and buy donuts and chocolate milk for breakfast.

Trey, Laurel, Trevon and Tyce in front of the medic truck.

We got close enough to this helicopter that we could feel the wind from the propeller. Tyce really wanted to ride. I told him maybe someday. Even if they would have let us, I wouldn't have gotten on that thing.

We were super close to where they parachuted down. We learned by accident that we weren't supposed to go into that wheat field unless we had on a helmet. It was a really cool eperience and now the boys want to be "U.S. Army guys" instead of Jedi's (for the moment). Thanks for thinking of us Bec.

Lake Powell

I Love Lake Powell!!! What a great way to start the summer. The weather was great, the water a little cold but swimmable. A couple of showers but mostly sunny. There are so many things to do at the lake....

Build a fire..(LP 2009)

Look cute...(Bella went out of the house boat once and never got in the water but we just had to take pics of her in her new suit.)

Jump on the houseboat.....

Jump off the houseboat....

Float in the water.....

Play Baseball....

Go boating with Grandpa..... (The kids looked forward to their morning ride with their Grandpa Ted)

Catch fish.... (Trey did this all day, every day.)

It was such a great vacation! I can't wait to go back in August.