Safe Return!

Ek, Eliza, Dad

Chris' parents returned home from Baltimore after serving as mission presidents. We are thrilled to have them back! Welcome Home!

Back Packing Trip

Our young women's group went on a backpacking trip. Chris was able to come as a priesthood holder, which meant Taylor got to come along as well. It was a great adventure for everyone!
Here we are at the church before we left:At the trail head - weighing my pack trying to not to let anyone else see:On the trail:Our first view of Mt. Adams!Taking a rest on the trial, but we realized that we couldn't sit too long or else we would start getting attacked by misquotes.We finally got to camp and the mosquitoes were worse! We hurried and set up camp and ate our Mountain House Meals:and filter more water:Everyone was trying different things to keep the bugs away. Those dryer sheets didn't work very well:The girls tried swimming in the lake. Didn't work very well either - but at least they had fun (and didn't look as ridiculous as the Andersons!)!The next morning, because of this:and this:and this: (yes, those are mosquito bites!)...we decided to pack out early and go to a different spot. It was just as beautiful and the girls had a great time w/o those pesty bugs!
Playing in the river at our new spot:
Ready to go home:Thanks, Delene , for planning such a wonderful trip! It will not be soon forgotten!

Mud City

Cities, lakes, streams, tunnels, volcanoes, mountains, hills, rivers, waterfalls....what a hard day's work!

The good thing about this is that it can entertain the kids for hours. The bad thing is that it makes a HUGE mess. The good thing is that they work and cooperate so good together instead of fighting. The bad thing is that it makes a HUGE mess. The good thing is that it actually puts a dead/ugly/useless space into a creative masterpiece. The bad thing is that it makes a HUGE mess....and I guess the other bad things is that it ruins their swimsuits. Good thing the GOOD outweighs the BAD!

One Year Older and Wiser Too...

Chris' birthday was on Saturday while we were at the lake. Chris is not one to make a big deal of his birthday. One year I sent a balloon bouquet to the office. You would have thought I sent him a dead animal. He was so mad that I would embarrass him like that! So, since we were at the lake, we kept it low key. I made him his favorite banana cream pie, but he didn't have a chance to eat it until we got home. We ate at Red Robin on our way home, which of course was delicious! But we wouldn't want to pass up an opportunity to have a party, now would we? Last night for FHE, the kids decorated the house and made some brownies. We waited to have dinner until he got home (7pm) and surprised him. Each kid hid their present and lead him in the Hot/Cold game. I think he might have had as much fun as the kids! What a fun night! Happy Birthday, Brutus!

I didn't get this on camera, but we scared him so bad that when he initially opened the door he quickly shut it again. The kids were laughing so hard they couldn't even sing!

Cocolalla

Chris' brother, Darran, and his in-laws just bought a house on Cocollala Lake and were nice enough to let us stay there!!! They wanted Brent/Holli to come look at their yard and give some landscaping ideas, so we took advantage and loved every minute!

We enjoyed floating:Fishing:Playing in the sand:Seeing wildlife: The kids were SOOO excited to see a snapping turtle!Campfires:Exploring:And for an added bonus, I swam across the lake and ran 10 miles (1st 6 mile run EVER):

Footsteps

Ethan wanted to give Steel Band a try. He did a summer camp and absolutely loved it! They had a performance at the end to show off their new skills.

Freedom Day

After my lovely race, we headed to Silverwood Theme Park!!! We love that place and enjoyed the fireworks at dusk. I didn't get any pictures - too tired to carry any extra weight! :)
My sis-in-law posted this video on her blog and I loved the message! It's a nice reminder that not everyone has the freedoms we enjoy!

Boating

The day before the triathlon we went boating with some of our good friends! We love going to Levey's Landing - they have the best sand over there!

Raquel, Holli, Jenni, and Me (Melissa hadn't gotten there yet):
Getting ready to ski:The world's best skier:Every once in a while I'd get control (and yes, I was sore the next day!!!):
Jenni, me and Melissa going for a crazy ride!Jenni is cut off, but you can see how much fun I am having:Taylor having fun on the tube w/ Cooper and McKenzie:Trevor, Megan and Chris:Kaden hanging out in the boat:Sweet Emmaline - she loved being in the boat!
This year she finally LOVES tubing!!!There ended up being 5 other families/friends in our ward up there! Of course I loved seeing some of my YW! We had quite the party!