July 24th Part 2

During the afternoon of the 24th we took a little hike to The Grotto up Payson Canyon.

 

 Jon was crazy enough to stand under the freezing waterfall for probably 30 seconds. 

 After the Grotto, we went and hiked around a little lake nearby.

It was such a beautiful setting. 

 Yes, the one below is more clear but I love the picture above!

24th of July- Pioneer Day!

I love the 24th of July!

It is a day of family, fun, parades, patriotism mixed with powerful pioneer heritage; it makes my heart overflow with pride and emotion.  

My morning started with a 10 k race,  The Speedy Spaniard, with these lovely sisters of mine!

Jana kept me going when my legs and lungs were protesting against the altitude and helped me get what I believe was a personal best! 

Yes, that is a 3rd place for my age group! 

 Next up was the Mapleton City Parade with the gang.

We had a great time at the park at the little carnival.

Jon loved being in the dunking booth. 

Lily was thrilled with her cat face painting.

And we you are all hot and the car is parked far away, Dad is able to do superhero things like carry 2 girls back to the car. 

More to come from the 24th.

Fabulous 15!

I interrupt these vacation memories to share some special anniversaries with you!

These first 2 pictures do not have specific dates but they did take place mid August of 1997. Yes, 18 years ago! Peter and I had just started dating and of course the logical thing to do with your new boyfriend is to go camping and river rafting for a week. Max and Lanell, you are the best parents ever! It was so much fun! I learned that not only did I think that Peter was as amazing as I thought and then some but his family was pretty awesome too!

Peter is the one standing in the back and I am on the far right. 

We were babies!

Fast forward 3 years and you get this!

You took me to the temple, just like you said you would.

Sorry for the quality, I used my scanner and did not time my movements very well.

I still fell like that-like the world is swirling around me and it is only me and you-when you kiss me. 

This is in here for the sake that it should be digitally preserved.

The picture on the right was the last one. Our families had already left and we were taking just the last few pictures. The photographer said he was done in some way that I wish I could remember and Peter said, yes, now she is mine and grabbed my backside. If you look closely you can see the look of total shock on my face and pure joy on Peter's!

A week later we had our wedding reception. It poured rain on us just as we were finishing the pictures. Someday I will add the pictures of all of the outdoor reception stuff being covered and pop-ups being assembled. It was still a magical night, one of which I will always remember! We still like to play with each other and have fun (picture on the left) but there is always love and tenderness behind everything we do (picture on the right).

I love you Peter E! You make my life so wonderful!

You are the best decision I have ever made in my life. 

Dad comes to Utah

Thursday (July 23) we left early and headed to pick up Dad from the airport.

But, we made a stop in Bountiful first. 

We had a missionary Elder Taylor Gulbranson, that served in our ward for 6 months at the beginning of his mission. A few months after leaving our ward he became sick and was sent home and was diagnosed with Burkitts Lymphoma. He has been going through intensive chemotherapy as well as a surgery. He has been a real fighter and continued to smile through it all. He is a great young man and we are praying for him. Anyway, we stopped by his house to drop off a package. He was not there because he had a doctor's appointment but I was able to visit with his mom. She is an amazing woman. She is loving and strong. 

 Taylor's house was really close to the Bountiful temple and so we went and took a quick picture. The grounds were closed for some repairs and so we just stood facing the really bright sun. Arabella did not want to come she just wanted to stay and play with cousins.  

 Later that day, we went with most of our cousins to the Bean Museum at BYU and then to the creamery for some delicious ice cream!

 Samantha loved the animals. 

I loved the display of Boyd K. Packer's art work. He was so talented. 

 A good looking crew!

 That night we gathered for dinner and some birthday cake for Trevor's 7th birthday! 

And then we polished the day off with a family trip to the Spanish Fork Rodeo.

It was really fun to watch and cheer. 

We almost made it to the end but Samantha fizzled out towards the end and we headed home. 

One super cool thing was that Trevor was selected in a drawing to try the mutton bustin'. He did amazing and almost one.

A day for peace and relaxing

Wednesday, July 22nd, started with an early morning trip to the most beautiful Payson Temple.

There is a painting just outside of the women's dressing room that as soon as I saw it, my heart was touched so much that I had tears in my eyes.

The attention to detail in this House of the Lord is exceptional. 

My life is so much greater because of the blessings that come to me from striving to remain faithful to the covenants I have made in the temple. I feel so blessed to live near and be able to visit many temples where I can attend and do work for those that have died without the fullness of the gospel. There is no other place where I feel the strengthening power of the spirit so powerfully.

This visit was made extra special because I was able to attend with two of my sisters, Malisa and Carla. They are part of my eternal family that brings me such great joy. I will continue to strive each day to keep my covenants so that I can be with them for eternity. 

We then spent the afternoon enjoying Grandpa and Grandma's backyard. 

 See, I told you Joseph was really there. It is no surprise to find him on the trampoline. 

 It started to rain while they were playing in the water.  But, what is a little more water when you are already wet and in your swimming suit. 

 And, if you get cold you can just hop in the hot tub and warm up. 

 It is scenes like these that make me long to live closer to family. 

 Samantha's personal pool with a refreshing otter pop. 

It was a glorious day!

A Day to Hang Out

Tuesday we hit the road and headed back to my parents.

 I had to capture a picture or two of the beautiful red rock in Southern Utah. 

This handsome guy photo bombed the red rock! 

I then had the chance to go and visit this amazing dear friend, Wendy!

She was kind enough to let me and Lily and Samantha hang out at her house while we caught up on life. She is such a kind and loving person. She is a tender mercy from my Heavenly Father to me. It only took me a few days of knowing this girl that we would be lifelong friends. She is still teaching me and setting an example for me. We have laughed, cried, studied, exercised, been pregnant at the same time, attended the temple for the first time on the same day, traveled, danced, hugged, and talked for countless late night hours. BYU would not have been even a small portion of  the incredible experience it was without you Wendy. 

 After Wendy's, the kids and I had some time to just hang out and enjoy Grandma's house. 

We played tag and rode scooters and climbed on slides. 

 

I promise Joseph was there, he just did not hold still long enough for a picture.