To New Heights

We took the kids climbing a couple of Saturdays ago for the first time this season. Here are some pictures from that. They only made it about 10 feet up, but that is better than last year. It was great to get out in the canyons again too!

Dancing Girls and Milk Moustaches

Last Thursday, my beautiful girls had their first dance recital. They did so well, and I don't think I have ever been so proud. In my prejudice state of mind, I would have to say that they were, by far, the most beautiful dancing princesses ever. Her are some pictures that I took at their rehearsal and before and during the recital.Thank you to those who came to support and cheer them on! Go Starz Unlimited!



On to Brock: I had to take a picture of him too, but I couldn't get him to look at the camera, so I told him to flex like Superman, and that kinda worked.




A couple of weeks ago, we had chocolate shakes. Check out the moustache on him. He cracks me up.

More Birthday Fun

Here are some pictures from our quarterly family birthday party.

Happy Birthday Breein

My tiny fireball Breein turned 6 today. Because of Brant's rigorous schedule, we celebrated it over the weekend. We only do friend parties every few years, but we always try to make the celebration fun with the family. So, she chose cheese pizza for dinner.And Dad's making lemonade to drink.
For presents, we gave her a dress-up, the Enchanted soundtrack, and a piggy bank, for the money she is getting from losing her teeth.(She loves to dress up and sing and dance to "princess" music.)


Then, we had chocolate-frosted, candy-decorated sugar cookies, per her request, instead of cake, but my batteries went dead before I could take a picture of her blowing out the candles.


And what more could a girl ask for than to dance with her daddy on her birthday?


We also played duck-duck goose, which doesn't work that well with only 5 people, and hide and go seek.

Let me tell you a little about Breein. She is brave and fearless, loves to share, strong-willed, has the biggest heart, the best imagination, can play by herself or with others. She loves to get and give huge hugs, and she is the best and most beautiful "second baby bear"(from the book You're All My Favorites) there ever was. I love you, Breein!

Memorial Day weekend

Brant and I gave the kids to Grandma over Memorial Day weekend so that we could go backpacking in Escalante. However, a last second check of the weather in the area we were wanting to go made us change our minds. So, we still gave away the kids but stayed home. It ended up being a pretty good weekend. Friday, we were able to go to the temple (together!), we went for a run (together!), and we had a nap (together!). Saturday it was actually decent weather so we decided to head out to Antelope Island to hike around a bit. We saw some antelope, a bison, and the normal lizards and such. Our adventure ended up turning into quite the hike. Antelope Island has really bad maps, and we thought we would end up going about 7 miles, by combining some trails to take us from the visitor's center to the top of Frary's Peak, the highest point on the island. So, the total trip would be about 14 miles. Here is a picture of the last 1/2 mile or so of the trail. Can you see it anywhere in there? It kind of turned into some scrambling.

And here is a picture from the top of Frary's Peak - 11 miles later. I was pooped.Then we had to turn around and go back. Never wear ankle socks on a hike more than 20 miles or you won't have any skin left when you get back. The views were incredible though, and aside from the biting flies which started to annoy us when our deet wore off around mile 16, we had a great time. We couldn't have asked for better weather. It wasn't hot, and there was a breeze that stirred up the air. Plus, there were lots of clouds off and on throughout the day to shield us from the sun some.

I loved all of the wildflowers that were out. I know the picture doesn't do justice, but look at all of the color on the hillside around my silly husband.



And here are some beautiful Indian Paintbrushes. Brant and I had never seen such soft colors. They are usually more vivid red or orange.
Sitting in our car after we were done, we got to see this.
Brant and I are so grateful for the chance that we get to see our Father's creations. We are blessed to be able to find time to spend outside enjoying them.



Ok, on to Monday, which was very wet and dreary. We picked up our kids and were going to take them on a picnic, but since the weather again changed our minds, we took them to see Horton Hears a Who at the dollar theatre, which is the only place to see movies, and then we had a picnic in our living room.They must have enjoyed it at least a little, because they keep asking me since if we can have another one.

Willard Bay excursion

We had one nice weekend somewhere in May, and so we took the kids to Willard Bay to go camping and play in the water. Here are some pictures from that trip.


What do you suppose he is saluting?


Breein wouldn't play in the water.





Cierra is helping her dad get the kayak out.



In the afternoon, we drove up to the Brigham City Bird Refuge. It was cool, I guess, but rather dull, and I won't be begging to go back for a while. But, here are a couple of pictures. This first one is all nests. I thought it amazing, how many there were.
We did see a large blue heron, but it flew away before I could get out the camera. Oh, but you should have seen it. Very majestic, even when it was flying away.

Last day of Disneyland

One of the most fun things (I think) that we did was the Lilo and Stitch character breakfast. It was the day before Brock's birthday, so we celebrated that while we were there.


Here he is blowing out his candle.And here he is enjoying his cake.

Here is Breein learning how to hula from Lilo.









Playing games with Stitch.

Breein's birthday present to Brock.

We finally got a picture with Goofy.


With Ariel







Last character of the trip. Brock was asleep.



Did you know Disneyland has a petting zoo?
Brock driving the bumper cars again.






And here we are waiting for my all-time favorite, the Electrical Light Parade. Still great, even though they have changed it some from when I was a kid, and my kids loved it just as much as I do.
After the parade we went back to the hotel for the last time. And here is the most peaceful picture we have from the trip.