Circle Party

 We had an end of Summer Party with all the neighbors in our circle.  We seriously live in the best circle and have the best neighbors!  We started the night by having dinner and pickle ball playing at the Olson's.  After we headed over to our yard to to have an outdoor movie.  It was the perfect way to spend our last weekend of summer!

Rob, TJ, Alisha, Kelly, Tina, Gwen, CB, Me, Mike, Gordon, and Rachel.  That is our circle now.  We have 3 lots that still need homes so, hopefully, our party will be bigger next year!

Ogden Temple

Jason, Anne, and Eliza went to the Ogden Temple Open House.  We were all suppose to go but, Lucy ended up having strep throat and Mike got caught in meetings for work.  So, Grandma Young and Auntie Jill took the kids.  They ended up meeting Ryan and his family also.  The kids said that it was very pretty.    We are so lucky to live so close to so many temples!  I am so grateful for the temple and the blessing it is in our families life!

Dance

Lucy started Ballet and she is so excited.  I love her little body in the leotard.  She has really enjoyed it so far.

Young Family Reunion

It was so fun to get together as cousins on the Young side.  We were suppose to be at a Park but, it ended up being super cold and raining on the day we chose to have this party.  So, our house became the party house for a lot of people and kids.   We just enjoyed catching up, played some games, shared family history pictures, and some shared memories of Grandma and Grandpa Young.  It 's amazing how much I am like my cousins and it's always fun to get together!

Toothless Grin

Eliza finally lost her other front tooth!  I love this toothless grin and can't believe how big she is getting.

Spain!

We were so lucky to be invited to see Connor Whipple open his mission call.  He is our home teacher and the kids think he is pretty cool.  He is going to Spain and will be such a great missionary.  We can't wait to hear about his adventures.

First Day of School

 Anne is off to 4th Grade!

 Jason is the big man on campus and is in 6th Grade

Eliza started 1st Grade and she was so excited.  I dropped her off and then cried all the way home.  I always hate cutting that apron string of having them gone all day.  I have a feeling it is going to be a great year!

Peace, Be Still

 I always ponder and I think what the Lord wants my kids to learn at certain times in their lives.  As I thought about this years back to school dinner I wasn't quite sure what I wanted the theme to be.  One Sunday, I was sitting through Sunday School and we learned about how Elijah talked with the Lord.  He wasn't in the wind, earthquake, or fire but, was in a still small voice.  I felt the spirit so strong and knew that was what I wanted the kids to learn...How to hear the Lord's voice in their lives.  We talked about being still so the spirit can speak to us.  My hope is that they will develop their listening skills to the spirit.  I know it took time for me but, once learned the spirit speaks to you daily.

 I made kids hats with qualities I love about them. Anne the Loyal, Jason the Brave, Eliza the Joy, and Lucy the Great.

 We gave each of the kids a picture of Christ with this scripture that they can hang in their room.

After each of the kids had a Priesthood blessing by Dad to start the year off right.

Family Camping Trip

 This year we went camping up in the Uintas.   I have not been up there in years and man, have I been missing out!  It's beautiful up there and was the perfect place for our family.  It was so nice not to have movies, Internet, computers, or phones to distract us.  We just hung out together and talked and enjoyed God's creations.  We first stopped at Provo River Falls which was so pretty.  I love this picture of all my chicks all lined up in a row!

 We finally made it to our camp site and this butterfly loved Anne.  She seriously carried it around for hours.

 The boys relaxing after setting up camp.

 Anne still with the butterfly.

 We loved relaxing in this fun hammock.

 Teapot Lake.  This was my favorite lake.  I thought it was so pretty and plus we caught the most fish on this lake.

 That evening we caught a bunch a fish between all of us and so dinner was extra yummy that night.  I have to say that I caught the fishing bug.  I can see now why my boys love it so much!

 The girl's  found these cool water lily flowers out on Teapot Lake.

 Eliza found this cute little frog.  She carried that around for hours too.

 Here is what camp look like.  I actually really loved the site.  We had a nice little creek that ran through our camp and there was lots of shade.  The first night we were in a huge thunder and lightening storm that kept us up for a little while.  We were safe and snug in our tent.  The nights got really cold and we were glad for our extra warm sleeping bags.

 Lots of yummy camp food was made around the fire.  I actually love planning and cooking in a dutch oven and fire.  I was pretty proud of myself and we ate great!

 The next morning we went fishing and caught some more fish.  Lucy loved being in charge of the net.

 We then went hiking.  We hiked to Ruth Lake and it was a pretty hike.

 I couldn't believe all the beautiful lakes and ponds found everywhere up there.

 We finally made it to Ruth Lake and tried to fish but, no luck.  We ate some snacks and then headed up to Hayden Lake.

 At Hayden Lake Mike caught this midget fish.  We were so confused by this fish.

 We have never seen a fish like this before.  Something was wrong with it so, we let it go back in the lake.

 After hiking we were so tired we all headed back to camp and took a nap.

Lots of eating and story telling around this fire.  We all had such a fun time and can not wait for next year when we can do this again!

Super Sweet Lemonade

 It wouldn't be Summer unless the kids made some money selling Lemonade!  They got together with the Olson's and made a stand with Super Sweet Lemonade.

 Luckily, we live right off a pretty busy street, the parade of homes was going on, and people were thirsty!  They made a killing and had fun doing it.

I loved their sign.

Brighton Service

 We always have the best time getting together with the Derricks.  We had a fun Sunday night with them, and then during the week Lori and I went up to Brighton to do some service.

 We drove up together and wondered around camp before we they put us to work.  Lori and I on the famous Brighton Rock.

It was a lot of work making these famous Brighton Camp Cinnamon rolls!  I have never baked like that before in such large amounts of flour and sugar.    But, the girls had some awesome rolls in the morning and for the fireside that night.  It felt good to give back for a night and hang out with one of my favorite friends!

Lake Mary

 For FHE one evening we decided to hike to Lake Mary.  I haven't hiked to Lake Mary since my days up at Brighton Camp so, it was fun to go back.

 We were all so proud of Lucy.  She hiked the whole hike!  I thought for sure one of us would have her on our back but, she was a strong girl.

 Once we made it to the Lake the fishing began and taking pictures!

 We hung out at the Lake for a while but, no fish were caught.  We enjoyed playing around by the lake and then started to make our way down the mountain.

 The Wild Flowers were beautiful.

 Also, a lot more water then I remember back in '97.  The Lake was full and the water was everywhere. It was so pretty.

Right after I took this picture it started raining and huge black clouds rolled in.  We started walking faster but, the rain came faster.  We did pack ponchos so, we put them on.  But, then the lightening and thunder started and things started to get dangerous fast.  We ran to a grove of trees and hunkered down as a family in the trees.  The girl's were really scared and Eliza and Lucy were crying.  Anne said please let's say a prayer I am so scared.  We said a prayer as a family that we would be kept safe and make it out of the storm.  Our prayers were answered.  We felt at peace and eventually were able to make it down the mountain safe.  I hope the kids always remember this experience and that Heavenly Father hears their prayers.  If they are ever in a situation where they are scared they can pray and Heavenly Father will ALWAYS be there to comfort and bring peace.

After, we went and got some yummy snow cones and called it FHE.  This will be an FHE we will never forget!