S*O*P*H*I*E

Sophie got to go to Oakcrest this year. It's a camp for girls who have just completed 7th grade. She spent 5 whole days away from us, all alone. A first for her! We thought there would be some other girls from our neighborhood going, but they all backed out so she went without knowing a single person. But she's so brave. She did get pretty nervous as the day grew closer, but she went and learned that she can do hard things! And she had a great time. You can check out her blog if you haven't read her account of it.

I took her out one night to do her "birthday shoot." She's usually not really into having her picture taken, but this year it was her idea. We did most of them up at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.

The day after we got home from camp, we headed up to Afton. The Nashville Tribute Band was performing there on her birthday, so that's what she picked to do. Her cousin, Brayden, is staying with Grandma & Grandpa for a couple weeks so we got to spend time with him as well.

On Saturday my parents had to go to a funeral for a dear friend, so while they were gone we decided to go visit Grandma Lark. It was good to see her, but so hard to watch her deteriorating. I was able to get a photo of her with the three great-grandkids there.

By the time we got back to the house, Ross, Melanie, Nigel and Alfie had come to join the party. They didn't know we were there, so maybe we ruined their plans for the weekend -- or maybe we just completely made their whole weekend. You know, getting to join in on Sophie's party and all.

First things first, we opened presents. It nearly killed Sophie to have to wait until 2:00, but now she's so much stronger.

There were many suggestions thrown out for activities to do for her party (a movie, bowling, floating the river), but Soph chose Sculpey clay! And a game. I love her simplicity.

This is the game my mother threw together -- to get rid of a bunch of her "treasures." I made out with the Gandhi book -- sorry, Ross.

We went to dinner at Pizza Hut, and look at this beautiful selfie I found on my camera.

There's the gang (no tongues out).

In place of a cake she requested Red Baron milkshakes.

And then it was off to the concert. It was a little delayed due to technical difficulties, and they had to go ahead and start without their computer working properly, but they did just fine. Afterwards, we got to go out and meet them all. Sophie even went through the line a second time so that she could get their autographs. We are big fans!

It was a fun birthday and a great way to celebrate a great kid. We are pretty spoiled to have her in our family. Oh, I still need to do a video interview with her. Chloe & Sophie both decided to stay and spend a couple extra days with Brayden and G&G, so I did get my break after all.

Young Women Camp

This was Chloe's third year to go to camp, but Sophie's first (she just barely missed the cutoff last year). I would have had a few days all to myself, but someone decided I don't need a break. I was called to be the assistant camp leader. Which meant that I was there to take pictures. Sometimes it sure felt like I didn't need to be there. I did do a few things to help prepare, and I was a great lifeguard on the beach (my camera acts as binoculars so I can see far out on the lake!) We spent Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (7-9th) up at Pineview Reservoir.

I don't know the last time you went to camp, but it's sure not like it was when I went. No certification, no classes. They did have "camp manual" on the packing list, but I never saw one and my girls sure don't have one. We did a craft and worked on a service project we've taken on, but mostly it was giving them time to play on the beach. The girls just wanted to be at the lake, and sometimes the rainstorms we got put a damper on that. Our second night, right after heading to bed, we got a beautiful light show -- and it poured! Thankfully my tent kept me mostly dry.

So, I've been debating how much detail to include here. I'd love to tell more, but to spare my head from hurting anymore this will have to suffice. Really, aside from the rainstorms there wasn't a whole lot of excitement. And I'm only going to include a few pictures that focus on my children here - the rest will be saved for YW's.

150 Year Old City

Our darling city turned 150 years old this year, so there was a big celebration. Brandon had to go to Boston for the week, so he wasn't able to join us, but I took the girls.

You know, one thing I have missed here in Riverton is a nice city park. Then one day it dawned on me that this big construction project they've been working on was our park. They did a huge renovation on it, which apparently took 2 years. Now I have an awesome place to go walk, the kids can play, they have a splash pad -- lots of fun stuff.

The Grand-Opening Extravaganza we went to had all kinds of food vendors and booths, plus entertainment on two different stages. They had a tribute video, honored several people in the town (Jerry Sloan lives in my stake). Nathan Osmond was the Master of Ceremonies. They had some skydivers come in (kind of like Uncle Terry, but not as cool) and a Jet Pack Flying Man! Alex Boye and the Osmond Brothers performed. We hung out on our blanket, and enjoyed an awesome fireworks show at the end of the night.

A Day For Dad

Brandon does so much for our family that it doesn't seem right to only have one day a year to thank him. Hopefully we show our gratitude more often than that, but on the third Sunday in June we are going to make sure he knows what he means to us.

We didn't have a lot of time in the morning for the breakfast I had planned for him, so we had it for lunch instead. Then we did veggie burgers and sweet potato fries for dinner. Sophie gave him a gift card to Home Depot and Chloe gave him something for the trimmer (so he doesn't have to load new strings all the time).

We just spent some good, quality family time together playing games and hanging out together.

Inflatable Race & Sophie's Party

May 30th was a big day. Jason, Ross, Mel & Lark had signed up to run in the Great Inflatable Race. I don't run, so we went along for moral support. Shalee doesn't run either, so we had her and the kids to hang out with.

Elsie and Sophie, just waiting for the race to begin.

This cool dude just hung out in the grass.

They started the race at this "Death Drop," and then took off. We didn't see them again until the finish line.

But we entertained ourselves at the playground and rolling down a big hill while they were gone.

Lark - coming in for her landing.

And then we went and got a shot at the finish line.

Everybody was going to go out to lunch afterwards, but our support had to end there. Sophie had planned a big party that she had to get home to. Guests were arriving!

She just wanted a low-key, have friends over to play games party. She had asked them to all bring their favorite games, but then she went and planned a few so I don't think they had much time to play anyone else's. The kids played out on the trampoline for most of the time while Brandon and I visited with Kellie.

They came inside for some treats.

Then the party was supposed to be over, but they still had one more game to play. I was in charge of it, so I hurried and hid the M&M's. This is Kiera out finding some.

Then they came back in to count up their points.

Now the party was really supposed to be over, but they talked Kellie into staying for one more game. We played "The Name Game" (again), but it would not end! It went on and on -- just helping Sophie out so her friends wouldn't have to leave.

Alfie's Blessing

Dear Summer, why can't we just get along? You know I don't like Winter with its cold and snow. I love your warm, blue skies, food growing in my garden, and more evening walks with my husband. But everyone has to suck every second of you up, and I sure don't get along with Busy. Maybe someday people will learn how great it is to go camping in September, and go on family vacations in April, and have indoor celebrations in January. And just maybe (Oh, I know I'm dreaming), but just maybe the public school calendar will not rule everyone's lives. Wouldn't that be nice?


Since I've barely had time to breathe, you're going to get about 5 blog posts from me today to catch up on all these important events consuming our lives. I believe I am receiving a wake-up call to resume my simplification process. I must have gotten off track somewhere. At least we've been doing worthwhile activities, and no one will argue with that. So, to start with... Alfred. Ross & Melanie decided to give him a name and a blessing. I don't know what the delay was, but we were sure excited to get to attend this special event. We went to Logan on May 24th -- had to leave super early to get there in time, but thankfully I'm a morning person.

After the blessing and church, we went to Ross & Melanie's for lunch and quality family time.

I was trying to take some photos of Alfred, but his cousin was being super "helpful." I tried to appease her by taking one with her in it first.

I also tried to get some of him with his brother, but that didn't work out quite right. Maybe someday I'll be interested in learning how to pose people.

But until then I'll settle for Chloe and her natural talent for looking good.

While I was trying to take pictures some others were playing in the hammock. That looks way more fun. I must have chose the wrong hobby.

Then I got a shot of the grandparents just as it started to rain.

The rain was a good excuse to go inside and fire up the Wii. "Just Dance" was the game of choice, and Jason rocked it.

A Baptism and a Funeral

Guess who we got to see for the third time this year? Yup, all the way from Indiana. Jessica's sister got married, so they were able to make another trip out. Dallas was stuck at a conference in Dallas (yes, you read that right), so he joined them later, but before he got here we were able to have a picnic at the park with Jessica and the kids.

Once Dallas got here, he was able to come spend nearly two whole days at my house. I guess I didn't get my camera out (he probably would have broke it, hehe)... but, while he was here, we got a semi-surprise visit from grandma and grandpa. We knew they were coming down for the weekend, and we knew they were coming to get the last few things of Lark's left here, but we didn't know when, so it was a surprise. And I think they were surprised because they didn't know Dallas would be at my place. Somehow I found a photo on my camera to document their visit.

The next day, Saturday, was Eli's baptism. Unfortunately, it was the same day as Jessica's sister's wedding so they weren't able to make it, but the rest of the family (well, the Utah dwellers) was able to be there to support Eli. After the ceremony we went to his house for brunch, and played in Jason's new kayak.

Since the Hoosiers couldn't make it to the baptism, it was decided we needed another get-together so we went back to Tooele the next day for a picnic. Dallas' family got to come to church with us first, and the girls were so excited to get to take Makiah to Young Women's with them. At our picnic we rescued the frisbee off the roof of the shelter, ate some food, watched kids cry, took some silly pictures, and then did an adult group shot to show the kids how easy it can be.

The next day we left for Laramie/Cheyenne. Brandon's grandma passed away, and we were so fortunate to be able to make it to her funeral. We knew we had a full weekend so I was praying the funeral wouldn't be on Saturday, but the following Saturday was Sophie's best friend's birthday party which would have killed her to miss -- but the funeral ended up being on Tuesday so we were able to make it to everything! It was just a quick trip. I know it was a funeral, but it was still a lot of fun to see everyone -- some we may never see again. Sophie said she is determined to keep the reunions going, and one of Brandon's uncles told her he is going to make sure they do as well. Let's hope so! After the funeral on Tuesday we went over to Cheyenne so we could spend a little more time with Brandon's family. We went out to eat at Olive Garden (Sophie's prayers got sent through a special direct line). And we found an awesome hotel to stay in -- no more questions about where to stay when we're in town.

This should have been at the beginning, but I decided to save the best for last. You remember when Brandon had to go to Atlanta for a week? Well, he did, and I got to work. I went and bought paint -- and painted my hallway, the stairwell, the ugly ceiling in the stairwell that got ruined during construction, and the bathroom. And you know the cupboard hidden in my hallway? I painted it pink. I really wanted some pink in my house. I wasn't sure where to put it, but I jokingly told Brandon I was going to paint the whole hallway pink. I talked myself out of that one, but Sophie wouldn't let me give up on my pink dream. She encouraged me to stick with it, so the cupboard door got it. And I love it!