Grand Teton National Park

Hidden Falls -- a five mile hike around Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park

Joe and Mike want to climb to the peak of the Grand Teton next summer.  You have to go through training and stay at base camp and everything.  I really hope they both get in shape and make it happen!

Unkie Joe's House

It really is impossible to express how much I love my brother Joe.  Since our family lost James, the rest of us have really pulled together.  None as much as Joe.  I love to have long talks with him on the phone, tease him about his love life, hear all his adventurous stories, and experience life through his eyes.  

We took a family vacation up to his house in Idaho this summer.  We all camped out in the upstairs bonus room which was surprisingly comfortable.  It was fun to hang out at Joe's house and have it be so great.  We  even dragged him along to Yellowstone with us for a day!

View from Joe's back yard.  Cant beat the Tetons in summer!

Joe and Mike really get along well.  They are both layed back and accepting.

Dirty, the abused heeler that Joe adopted.  He's a great dog, and perfect for a bachelor.

Joe's house.  Cozy, rustic, and just right for my bro.

Letter Hike "P" for Payson

We stayed overnight at the Jaussi's in Payson this summer because Mike had to take a test up at UVU.  While we were there we decided to hike up to the "P".  It was so much fun with cousins!  everyone thought up words that begin with P.  You would be surprised how good kids are at that game!

I love this picture.  My little guy and I sure do like to hike.

Carrie is my soul sister.  She's a great gal and an excellent mother and role model.

Everyone says these two could be twins!  Abby and Josh are only 1 month apart in age, and look a lot alike.

Isaac and Drew.  best buddies to the end.

Happy 3rd Birthday Caitlin!

What a fun birthday!  Everyone went all out with the princess theme.  Yes, I have officially given up on trying to avoid the color pink and disney princesses.  Caitlin was so overwhelmed with happiness she had to cuddle with dad for a while between gifts.  What a beautiful 3 year old girl.

Karen was in Utah for a visit -- so fun to have her around!  We love her and her family, and miss them all the time when they are in North Carolina.

Nap Time

I sent Caitlin to her room for a nap.  She obeyed me so well, I didn't check in on her for a while.  When I eventually peeked in I found her asleep on the floor with every dolly and stuffed animal she has sleeping sweetly beside her.  What an angel she is (most of the time...).

4th of July

I LOVE the 4th of July!!  All the kids and I got up and dressed in our most festive red white and blue outfits.  We were piling into the van to go to the parade when I noticed what Michael had chosen to wear.  Not only was it NOT red, white, or blue, but he had picked the most dull drab gray imaginable.  It was so funny, I had to ask a neighbor to get a picture!  That's our family for you -- hyper mom and kids, mellow dad.  we balance each other out pretty well.

Letter Hike - "M" for Manti (or Miserable)

The hike to the "M" in Manti looked fairly easy, so I packed Peter on my front, and carried Caitlin on my back, and we trudged up the hill.  two hours later:  no water, still no trail, extremely grumpy children, and no sign of the M. we wandered around that mountainside on every game trail there was.  Finally after wanting to quit for some time we stumbled onto the M.  we were so grumpy we didn't stay long -- just long enough to get a picture.  Once we got back to the car we decided "M" must stand for miserable!  I had blisters on my ankles that took weeks to heal.