Trekking to Zion

August has come and gone in a whirl as well! Just wanted to journal a few events:


Almost all the kiddos have had Pioneer Trek this summer.  This hot, hot summer.  (I say "Trek is a ONCE in a lifetime experience!)  It was hot.  It was hard.  They all had a good time, a miserable time and are grateful for their own comfortable lives!


Marci and the kiddos actually didn't have trek this year but they went (without Ryan) to Martin's Cove where Marci's parents are serving a mission.  They got to do the handcarts and hiked 5 miles uphill with mosquitoes the size of buffalo!  They still had a great time!

This is Rylee's and Boston's trek experience.

Isn't this picture amazing? 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, Gracie and Hallee's Trek adventure-

(again, the photography was amazing!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have relatives who pulled handcarts with the Willie Handcart Company.  One died at Rocky Ridge- Archibald McPhail and one lived- his daughter Henrietta- age 14-15.  I am so thankful even though Trek re-creation is hard, it is such a wonderful opportunity for our kiddos to learn about the trials our ancestors went through for their faith- plus  an increase of gratitude for the abundance we enjoy.

 

 

“They left their encampment with dirt-covered linen strewn about the abandoned grounds amongst clothes, shoes, children’s toys and other discarded belongings. The handcart wheels crunched over them, and the dry wheels screamed as the Willie Company started for Zion.” ― Sage Steadman , Upon Destiny's Song.

A Lot of Goodnight Kisses

Brandi posted this on Facebook:

Blessed with the very best! Happy 47th Anniversary to these two! 💗💗💗

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Brandi surprised me with one of my favorite desserts- a Blueberry Almond Shortbread tart.  Recipe on the cooking blog.  So YUM!!!!!

More Summer Catch Up

Our new favorite dessert recipe- Hawaiian Coconut Bars (think crushed pineapple and cheesecake and toasted coconut....)  Recipe on the cooking blog!

Brooke and Tanner and kiddos spent a week in St. George family reunion-ing…..and I got to babysit Browser!  Oh man, talk about turtle love!  Really, I am completely gaga over turtles anyway and to think I have a Grand Turtle!  We had so much fun talking and me shredding veggies for him and taking him for walks outside (where he can bee-line to a flower bed like no other) and I'm so happy I didn't lose him or kill him dead.  He is mesmerizing!  I almost need one for myself....

 

 

 

Pretty Patty Petty has been with me (us) on and off since they are homeless until their home is completed in Ivans.  I worked hard to get her room ready (Tom's room as well) (and Max, the dog)- and thought it was a good excuse to update one of my guest baths downstairs.  I love the fun, fun colors!

 

Patty and I love being together- we binge watched Endeavor and a few other BBC dramas.  (She does a great imitation of the music for Midsomers Murders- which is rather frightening...)  We also make David play marbles with us (really Aggravation) and he usually creams us.  We also binge puzzle making:  I love White Mountain puzzles because they are so nostalgic.  Patty is preserving them and hanging all her puzzles in her new garage!

 

 

 

 

 

Bucket this past month was at Diana's.  She loves all things Chinese (served a mission there)- and is recently working on publishing an article about Pre-Buddhism in China- which is very Christian.  It was fascinating to hear her share how ancient and much of the current symbols of Chinese represent the creation story, the Garden and expulsion, the tower of Babel, the flood, etc.  Diana is such a Brainiac and we love that she can simplify for us- Ancient Chinese Symbols for Dummies.  I love our varied experiences at Bucket where we learn things outside of our comfort zone and love the friendship of these dear women (and the food they cook!)

 

 

“In the end, only three things matter: How much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.”.  Buddhist quote

July Catch-Up

I have lost two months of my life. There is always something going on but I'm not sure what it is half the time.

We love our visits from Mallorie and Sam and the kids-  they all love to hang out with us and also Tanner and Brooke and kids. Gehrig drew this darling picture- I got matching Jasmine jammies for Summer and Larkin.

We have lots of days when the swimming pool is over flowing.  I love that the kiddos love to come here (when they have a million other choices)  Tenille's sister, Ashley and kiddos came to swim for the day. Kenedy runs track for her high school and needed to run while she was here. I made sure she was armed.  This is what Ashley posted on Facebook:
  When you show up at Grandma Marilyn's and tell her you are going for a run... #shankthemwiththecornholder #couldnotstoplaughing

(can I just say, she DID come home safe!)

My brother-in-law-without a home dropped in about 5 months ago.  I'm not sure if this is a "forever" thing or what, but we can't study the Come Follow Me/New Testament (this year's reading)- and skip over the Good Samaritan and "the least of these" and not offer respite to one of our family.  I've had my mini-ups and downs with it but it's fine.  It's just hard because we have so much company.  Larry also brings 2 horses, a burro named Friday, a dog named Oakley and several vehicles in various states of repair/running.  Oh my!

In addition to our house guests, we had 3 turkeys and 13 babies show up.  We have watched the babies grow and they are almost as big as their mommas now!  They are a hoot to watch.  They keep our family and the whole neighborhood entertained!

 

Got some kids sports watching in. Addi had a soccer tournament in Park City and they weren't expected to place and they took second!  That's always exciting. (Did I mention it was hot?)

 

Our littlest "little" turned 4!  Oh, how we love this little gift of Summer!

July Bucket

We've been looking forward to July Bucket hosting by my cousin Zella and her husband Charles at their cabin by Kamas. Charles and Zella now live there in the summer and St. George in the winter because of Zella's ongoing health.  We were so bummed when we got to the cabin, that Zella wasn't there!  She had gotten really sick and Charles had to take her back to St. George.  She has fibromyalgia and is really affected by cold and damp weather.  But Charles has Type A superpowers (he served as a mission president in Germany, then as the Young Men's General President of the church, then as National Commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America.) and their daughter Jill and husband Derek Wright (Jill lived with us the summer before they got married because Charles and Zella were in Germany) jumped in and we had an over-the-top BBQ- ribs two different ways, salmon, shrimp, potato salad, fruit, rolls and "big as your head fritters" that are the rage in a Kamas Chevron station (written up in food magazines!)

  

 

 

After the wonderful dinner, they had water bottles and treats for us as we headed to the Oakley rodeo- which is kind of a big deal in Utah.  Of course we loved that!  And to be with friends (and Gail and Kim and their body guards- lol)- just having fun.  We are blessed!

The 4th of July

This was the first year I didn't attend the Granite Parade.  I just didn't have it in me!  But I did invite all the kids to meet after the parade at the food trucks for lunch which we did.  Yum!  Then back to our house for swimming and playing.

Way too much fun!