summer has come and gone

Adam having fun at Bear Lake  July 2013

We camped up Logan Canyon with some of Mike's relatives and then headed to Bear Lake for the day.  It was so much fun and the kids had a blast in the water.  See, we don't need to take them to Hawaii when Bear Lake is so close.  Wink Wink

Camping up Logan Canyon   Aug 2013

We have had fun doing a little camping this year.  A few weeks ago we headed up to Tony Grove in Logan Canyon.  We weren't able to camp up there because the sites were all full, but got another spot in a lower campground.  We had a lot of fun.  We hiked, vegged and ate yummy dutch oven food.  One day we hiked to White Pine Lake with the kids.  It ended up being an 8 mile round trip hike.  The kids did very well and we had a lot of fun.  You should have seen their faces the next day when we told them we were going to do it again.  It was priceless.  This year I was finally able to really enjoy camping as I don't have to follow Ethan around worried he will get lost or hurt.  We really had so much fun roughing it in the woods and being together.

August was a hard month for me.  We did a lot of fun things as a family.  It really was hard because our family isn't complete and I really miss Ryan being with us.  He would have had so much fun doing these things with us.  I know he is where he is supposed to be but sometimes it is still so hard and my heart breaks.  It also has been hard with school starting.  Ryan would have started high school this year.  I know Alex is sad he isn't able to go to the same school with him and show him the ropes.  Alex has also taken a liking to fishing this year.  Ryan loved to fish.  They would have had a blast going together.  Yes, they would have fought and most likely been grounded from going but that's what brothers do, right??  Jaime also started school at the Jr. High where Ryan had his cardiac arrest.  She was so nervous.  I took her around and introduced her to the kind staff and they promised to watch out for her.  I am so thankful I know she is in good hands there and am so grateful for the continued love I feel every time I enter the Jr. High.

Aug 12, 20013

My sister and her kids came and stayed with us.  It helped keep my mind off of things and we had a lot of fun.  We all dressed in Texas Longhorn shirts and went to eat at Red Robin.  I know we were getting a lot of stares.  Our waiter kept teasing us and finally I told him why were were dressed this way.  I felt sad for him as the smile faded from his face and you could tell he felt bad for us.  I usually try and just tell people we like orange or the team because I don't want them to feel sad when they find out the true reason.  We usually don't attract as much attention when we are in different shades of orange but I guess it's hard not to notice a big group of people all in the same shirts.  Afterward we headed to let off balloons and eat donuts with Ryan.  The kids still love to come and see Ryan.  They especially love it when we ride our bikes there.  The first day of school Ethan and I rode and did a "drive by" on our bikes two times.  The guys mowing the lawn probably thought we were nuts, but Ethan loved it and it was special.

Our garden has been doing super good.  I now know why Hooper holds Tomato Days.  Our tomato plants have exploded and I am giving away tomatoes left and right.  I have made some salsa, but still have way to much.  Next year I will adjust what I plant.  It has been yummy eating so many fresh veggies and I feel very proud of our hard work.

Our mutant potatoes

Ethan was so excited that the seed he planted in Primary grew. 

After taking the first picture he actually bent the stem and it needed a band aid to help it stay up.  It worked a little bit but still doesn't have the strength to hold itself up, however, it is still growing.  Yesterday I finally snapped it off because I want to see if it will actually regrow the leaves.  Any guesses?? 

Ethan is so excited to turn five next month.  He has been telling his teachers at church that he is getting a new bike with flames on it.  This is not something I was planning on.  So, I came up with a great idea to make us both happy.  I spent $4 on some flame duck tape and with the help of Mike's cousin, we duck taped the entire bike.  It was actually a fun little project that probably only took 30 minutes.  You should have seen his face.  He is so proud of his new bike. 

We have so much to be thankful for.  I see my Father in Heaven's hand in so many things.  I love my family dearly and am so glad we will all be together again some day.  I am thankful for Mike's new calling on the High Council.  I enjoy going and hearing him speak.  He spoke a few weeks ago on the blessings of the temple.  He shared our families story.  I hope hearts were touched and those who listened could see how fragile life is and how important temples are.  Not only are we sealed to our own families in the temple, but we help make the promise of forever families possible for those who have gone before us.  I am thankful to be able to be a part of this great work and I am so thankful for the gospel and the happiness it brings me.  I know that I continue to receive strength and comfort from a loving Father above.

  Alex's principal came up to us after Mike spoke and we chatted.  He is very nice and we have his cell phone number if we ever need it.  Watch your back Alex, just kidding.  And on an even funnier note, someone came up to me a few days later and told me they thought Mike was a return missionary sitting up on the stand. I got a good chuckle, but it is actually true.  Guess I need to find the fountain of youth so I am not mistaken for his mom (even though she's a hottie) in a few years.

Yikes,  look what we caught down stairs.  Hope it doesn't have any friends.