hike to Catherine's pass -for the sunrise

Last Sat Morning nice and early dad, Hayley and I headed up little cottonwood canyon at

4:30 AM so that we could hike a Trail called Catherine's pass and also hike on up to a ridge called Sunset ridge--and on that ridge we watched a beautiful SUNRISE what a great way to start the day-

PS funny but somehow -Now I look forward to the sunrise each morning even though I am back in the valley and not on the ridge

I love the random things summer brings

*I love that summer bring:
*GREEN, Green , green all around you
*cooking in the fire pit in summer (obviously pictured in a not burning stage in pic-but we do burn stuff in it)
* having the grandkids come by from time to time
*being outside (lots)
*the Garden growing and all the fresh fruits and veggies--
*taking hikes -including hikes that start at 4:30 AM in the morning to catch the Sunrise at Alta
*sitting on the grass and making little piles of grass while you visit.
*going to plays at the Murray amphitheater
*swimming outdoors /or indoors
*sitting outside on a summers night and feeling the breeze and hearing the crickets chirp
*sleeping outside on the trampoline looking at the stars (Hayley and I did this last week)

playing board games on Sunday night makes me laugh

Sunday night --so naturally we played "Pass the pigs"
Are they touching???dad shines the head lamp on the pigs while hayley determines if the pigs are touching --and will dad loose his game points
we were laughing so hard--(in the end it was determined they were) and dad was a good sport

"baby steps" was the game we played the next Sunday night-- we had a lot of fun remembering how fun this game is and we laughed a lot again
(thanks again brad for creating the game)

I (mom ) am still getting the questions wrong after all these years--but learn new stuff every time and I still laugh everytime no matter how bad I am at the game.

Never Happier...

Aug 19-2010

Dear family,
I recall hearing once that, Pres Benson once said something to the tune of ; I'm never happier than on the back of a horse.
He (Ezra ) went on to tell how he pondered while he rode and recieved many great ideas there. And he always enjoyed riding. I can attest to that as I saw him in Midway ride his horse many times. He had a summer home in Midway- and a horse there. (incidently--my dad Ray sold him the land for that summer home)
I too love to ride horses--and this past week on Monday my good friend kari West took me on a trail with her horses for a great ride. We galloped and trotted and walked the horses and visited and ate some snacks and rode some more (about an hour into the mountains and an hour out) it was so fun for me. I enjoyed myself so much. I rode her paint horse (a Pinto) named shasta and kari rode a palamino that reminded me of my palimino that I had when I was young -that we called Jack.

I have to add my sentiment to Ezra T Benson. I don't think I am ever happier than on the back of a horse.

one of my most favorite summer traditions

one of our (dad and I) most favorite summer traditions--....drum roll ....you guessed it --(probably) PAYSON LAKE camp out (or day trip) either way we just like to canoe and eat and play at this lake at least once a year with as many family as possible--we love you guys for making time to be there--it was a great way to welcome Hayley home. Sitting around the campfire and hearing her mission experiences and other stories of the family--was a treat for us

Mom (me) tried to recap from her memory some of the tender mercies that Our Father in Heaven has given us over the past years *(or year or so) and somehow sharing them in the dark around the fire--seemed like a good place to remember and recount those. Even as we spoke of tender mercies--Mayley slipped close to the fire and didn't go in the pit. Another tender mercy.

be thinking of some experiences as the year go along that you have seen the Lord's hand and his tender mercies and we'll gather again next year and share around the fire at the campground.

Happy -Happy birthday --

Happy --Happy birthday

we are so very happy that you were born and for the influence that your life has had upon us--Mary Englebright the artist and poet--writes--"Birthdays are a celebrations of a person's life'

we hope you felt of all of us celebrating with you a life well led --*we celebrate that kaci has a great mom and brad a great wife *we celebrate that seminary kids have been taught gospel truths * we celebrate that a more teenagers know how to poulvault (spelling?)* we celebrate that your brothers and sisters had you in their family and now we share in having you in our family--to love and influence us * we celebrate that you are adventous and try new things * we celebrate your love for our loving Heavenly father and recognizing his hand in your life* we celebrate that you bear a powerful testimony of our Savior by the way you live your life and your complete honesty * we just love the person you are --and the spirit inside you and what you have grown to be during your life time- you are an all around --wonderful elect lady --we can only imagine what a thrill it was for your wonderful parents to welcome you into this world on that 'birth-day" years ago... lotsa love--

this little girl had a birthday

this is one happy-adventurous girl

this little girl had a birthday.......... Father in Heaven bless her throughout the coming year.

so glad for this little girl in our family, and lives--hope you know how much you are loved

*we love your smile, *we love your warm welcome *love how you ride horses like a real cowgirl *love how you love to read, *love how you try to help your brothers and sisters * love how you think funny things are funny and giggle so cute*love how you love to draw and paint us pretty pics to hang on the office wall * love to hear you do your funny voice *love to watch you learn new things *love that you are patient * love that you love the beauties in nature. and you are lovely and true and thoughtful and an all around wonderful little lady. we love ya much

Part II pictures --of the Happy return of Hayley

the first front room dance party --after hayley got released by Pres Hunter as a missionary

walking down --airport coridor heading for open arms

its okay to be proud parents of a missionary like this

Hayley with bryan and Nancy--

the hug I've waited for --after that courageous smile and wave good-bye -19 months ago