goblin valley

They started out happy, this great group of campers/ scouters/ deacons and their fearless leaders.  They arrived at their destination, the great Goblin Valley, set up camp, cooked some food, played around a little and then it started to rain. 

And once it started, it did not stop.  It rained and rained and rained.  This was a hard rain.  A steady rain.  A very strong rain.  And all of a sudden, these happy boys weren't so happy anymore.

Maybe because of things like this.

And this.

Oh, and this.

This was my boys tent.

They did think it was cool when they saw the flash flood and all of the debris it was carrying with it, but that was really the only cool thing about this rain and this camp out. (They actually closed the whole canyon down because of all the flash floods.)  They were freezing, they were wet, they were tired.  Some of them huddled in their ponchos.  Some of them cried.  Some of them gave up.  But one of them decided to do something about it.  One of them decided to say a prayer and asked everyone to join them.  He hates to admit it, but my husband, the fearless scoutmaster was doubtful.  There was no fix to this problem.  No, not even a prayer could fix this one.  But not even the doubt of the scoutmaster deterred these then determined, faithful, hopeful youth.  A heartfelt prayer was given by a trusting little deacon that it would stop raining, that they could somehow enjoy this beautiful land that they had come so far to see.

And  you will never guess what happened.

For a few, just a few short hours, the clouds parted, the rain stopped and the glorious sunshine came out.

And these scouters, these campers, these deacons used those few short hours to explore the beautiful red rocks of Goblin Valley.  They dodged in and out of the little goblins, explored caves and climbed to the top of rock monuments.  They took advantage of every last minute of those two dry hours before the rain started again.

They did have to cut the trip short.  It wasn't possible to stay one more night because every tent and every sleeping bag and every article of clothing was sopping wet, but although it was short, it was a trip they will never forget. 

The lesson learned:  never underestimate the faith of a child, the power of prayer, the goodness of God.

Because, you know, whenever there is rain, there is always a rainbow.

leaves

Trevor is not complete every year until he has driven the Alpine Loop to look at the leaves.  There is a small window of time when it is absolutely gorgeous, when all the colors are out, when the air is crisp, when you just have to go.  The fall is a pretty busy time for us and sometimes that window does not stay open long enough for us to all enjoy it together.  This year was one of those years.  We were just too busy, and schedules didn't work out, but that did not detour Trevor.  

Nope, not at all.  

We grabbed anybody who we could find, whipped through a take out window for some lunch and headed for the hills.

It just so happened that Ash was the only one "free" enough to come along. And so the three of us enjoyed a little Carl's Junior, a little "I'm the youngest, and I am special" time and a few breathtaking views of this wonderful state we call home.

And, now, my nature loving husband is complete, at least for this year.

Happy Fall!

september random

September:  one of my favorite months.  Here are a few reasons why:

What a beautiful wonderful surprise on fast Sunday in September when I opened my door to this glorious sight.  My 2 deacons.  Bryson's first day of fast offerings and Brandon's 2nd to last.  I loved that they went together.  I loved that Brandon was teaching him what to do.  I love that they get to be deacons together for 2 months.  I just love everything about them and this picture.  What a good day!

Labor Day in the park.  You gotta love the freedom and confidence to play football in a bathing suit!  Perfect weather, perfect park, perfect Monday.

Caveman Day at the elementary school.  Could they be any cuter?  Seriously!

Sunday dinner with my college freshman and her delightful roommates.  What a treat it was to have Kara home for dinner along with her new roommates Heidi, Vanessa and Krista.  We loved talking with them, getting to know them and laughing with them and warning them about Kara's quirks.  

They are a happy group.  It's going to be a fun year.

Bryson earning some scout award.  As I am typing this I don't even remember what it was, but I'm sure it was huge.  And I'm sure he worked hard.  And I'm sure I was proud.  Very very proud.

This is just precious.

(And girls, about that last part, sometimes I feel that way too!)

I began with the Priesthood and now I will end with the Priesthood.  Four out of my five boys before Priesthood session.  Bryson's very first.  I am thankful for these men in my life.  For their dedication and for the power that they honor and hold.
I am a lucky woman.

walking with pumpkins

On a cold October day we bundled up and headed over to the school for the annual Pumpkin Walk.

Ashlyn could hardly contain her excitment as this was the very first time she had a pumpkin to show us all.

A self- portrait, no less.

Ethan's M&M.  He choose blue.

Alyssa's dog.  She named  her Daisy.  

(Alyssa isn't in the picture because she was home sick.)

Bryson's alien.  I love this boy's creativity.

Some favorites this year: 

The minions.

The elephants.

And the cute frogs in the pond.

And that's all!

a day at the fair

Kara still hasn't forgiven me yet.  For not taking her to the fair this year.  She was at college.  And we were at the fair.  Of course we were at the fair. 

She was sad because we tried a few new things this year at the fair.  I actually shouldn't say "we".  I should say Trevor and Mark, who are known for being best buddies at the fair.  These best buddies tried a huge chicken/turkey/maybe ostrich leg.  All I can say is SICK!!  I couldn't even look at it little lone gnaw on it.

We also tried deep friend green jello.  Yep, we did.  It wasn't that great.  At least we could always fall back on the tried and true funnel cakes, fresh squeezed lemonade and hot buttered corn on the cob, which we did.  Of course we did.

 As always we ended our evening with a ride on the big yellow slide.

I'm sorry Kara, but it was a great night, once again, at your beloved fair.

Maybe next year.



a party for my 10 year oldl

10 friends.

10 games.

10 toppings at the ice cream bar.

10 reasons to come and celebrate at Alyssa's 10th birthday party!



10 toppings:  Hot fudge, nuts, coconut, cherries, sprinkles, butterfinger, caramel, M&M's, oreos and whip cream.  Yummo!

Game #1:  Pop the balloon to find out what the next game would be.

Game #2:  Cheeto toss.  Throw Cheetos at the poor girl with the shaving creamed shower cap on.  The team with the most Cheetos that stick wins.

Game #3:  Head Banz

Game #4:  Guess how many candies are in the candy jar.

Game #5:  Rollik (reverse charades)  Definitely a favorite.

Game #6:  Spray bottle squirt.  Pick a category (fruit, candy bars, colors) the one in the middle with the spray bottle thinks of a color and then asks everyone their color and if it is the same one she is thinking she sprays them and then they are it.

Game #7:  Licorice chew.  Who can eat it the fastest without hands.



Game #8:  Cotton ball scoop.  And old favorite from my childhood. 

Game #9:  Sticker Tag.  Each girl has a sheet of stickers and they all run around trying to stick them on each other.  The object of the game is to get rid of all of your stickers and avoid having a sticker stuck on you. 

And here is where my camera stopped working.  So, no pictures of Game #10:  Apples to Apples, no pictures of these cute girls eating their ginormous ice cream sundaes, no pictures of present opening, no more pictures period. 

I was sad x 10!

But, despite my broken camera, I had 10 happy friends and 1 very happy birthday girl.

And that's what really matters.



A perfect 10

Seriously, I cannot remember a more perfect day.  The weather was gorgeous.  It was so peaceful and calm and spiritual.  It was a Sunday.  It was the first day of September.

  It was the day my sweet Alyssa Jane was born.

When they placed her in my arms, my little girl, after 3 boys, I totally cried.  And I didn't stop crying for almost 3 days. 

 She was so sweet and so small and she was mine.

She doesn't make me cry anymore. 

 She makes me smile. 

 She makes me happy and we smile.

This year her birthday was on a Saturday and she requested toaster strudels and chocolate milk for breakfast.  And that's what she got.



It also just so happened that our Orthodontist was having his yearly party for all of his patients at the Scera pool that night.  Free pizza, free soda, free swimming and tons of prizes.  We were all over it.  It was great until the storm rolled in.  We watched the clouds come up over the horizon, they were black and thick and coming fast.  And when it hit, it really hit. 

We hurried home, showered up and then gathered in the family room to continue to celebrate our cute Alyssa. 

She is so good.  She was thrilled with all of her gifts, satisfied with her stormy day, content to be surrounded by her family and just happy to be 10 and to be having a birthday. 

The day she was born was a perfect day.  And now, 10 years later, every day since has been perfect with her in it.  I am so thankful for her.  She brightens my day, she lifts my spirits, she gives and she serves.  She truly is the perfect 10!

Happy Birthday Sweet girl!