Mountain Picnic

One huge benefit of living in Utah, other than having some family nearby, is being at the foot of the Wasatch Mountain Range.  This past Sunday we drove up the canyon to a lake and enjoyed family, a little picnic, and nature.

Cy trying to convince cousin Sam that there isn't any water on the sides of the bridge

 the boys hunting for a moose

We took about 10 photos of me and the kids and Madison insisted on being a goof ball in all of them...so here's your gorgeous picture Mads!

Homecoming

Mads just left for homecoming wearing a true vintage dress that belonged to Grandma Pia and was used by me and my sisters (and Madison) as dress ups while we were growing up.  She and her cute date looked amazing together!

End of Summer

This week the kids have been camping in our yard while Mike and I take turns sleeping with them.

Angel dream face

We also had a big reunion bash with several of our New York buddies who were in town.  It was so great catching up and reconnecting.  I miss them all and the closeness we shared!

 Barney's - Schmidt's - LaBelle's - Green's - Us - Wunderli's

 Miss Madison started her Junior year and is loving it

Sky News and Mormons

An interview our family did for SkyNews in the UK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot0Ycn4mVRw&feature=plcp

http://news.sky.com/story/958170/mormons-reject-cult-label-ahead-of-us-polls

Girls Camp?

This summer our ward girls participated in a Pioneer Trek...since they had to rough it, we decided to let them enjoy girls camp (it was really a girls retreat if you ask me).  We stayed at the top of a gorgeous mountain past Kamas that our friends the Croslands own and "camped" out in their guest cabin.  We enjoyed amazing food (thanks to us leaders), fun crafts, and some exploring time on 4-wheelers where we saw a moose, deer and antelope.  Thank you Croslands...this is my kind of camping!!! 

 

With the leaders: Me, Shelly, Bethany, Carlie

Our View

 

Mads modeling the toys

Heading out on our 3 hour tour of the Croslands mountain 

 Taking a much needed break

 After eating dirt for 3 hours we came back with black and dusty faces, but it was so worth it

Enjoying some journal making time

Shock and Awe

Little Esti loves 2 youtube videos; one about the solar system, and the other is hickory dickory dock.  Watch how she gets into this!

Open mic

Madison is continuing the tradition she started in Kansas this summer and singing at open mic night in a local establishment in town.  She was so amazing!