Lets go hiking

We love to hike in our family. It's such a nice way to get some exercise, reconnect as a family, and enjoy the beautiful state that we live in. Most of our hikes are in Big and Little Cottonwood canyon. If you go at just the right time you can see fields of wild flowers. This year we saw some flowers but we missed peek wild flower season but it was still beautiful. I could go and find a trail every weekend if we weren't so dang busy in the summer.

We found a small stream to play in

Jeff and I at Lake Catherine

Love hiking with these kids

Lake Catherine

Blazing the trail

Happy Fourth!

I love the Fourth of July! It is my favorite holiday. There is nothing better than good food, a warm summer night, and fireworks. I would take 100 Fourth of Julys over Christams any day.

I hosted our 4th BBQ this year and we had quite a turn out. Jeff and I marinated chicken and everyone else brought a salad or dessert to share. It was awesome! Everyone had a nice time eating and visiting. Mom made her famous homemade ice cream and it is always so hard just to have one bowl.

citrus ice cream

strawberry ice cream

 This year Owen, Frankie, and Lucy did a interpretive dance to I'm Proud to be an American. It was really cute and they got some big laughs.

 I feel truly blessed to live in this country. I love America and all it stands for. I love that America is a nation steeped in faith and God. I am grateful for our founding fathers and their desire to build a country where people can pursue their dreams and wishes. And while we have our problems the people of this country are good and decent. While it's a bit cliche, I am proud to be an American.

Frankie and Jack

I love these two teenagers

Is there a cuter group of kids?

Ky, Nana, and Jen

Shannon and Whitt

guy and mom

Lets blow some stuff up

Frank really love the USA!

Lava Fun!

We had another great trip to Lava Hot Springs this year. It is always a highlight of the summer, and it is so nice to be with family for a few days. We did all our usual fun things like run the river, swim at the pool, go to the hot pools, and eat yummy food.

THE RIVER

That is a lot of people on one tube!

Cute girls

Henry soloing it!

Lydia rides with dad

 THE HOT POOLS

Eating ice-cream in the hot pools

Ky photo bombs Lydias ice-cream pic

THE POOL

She finally loves the pool!

So brave on the water slide

Jeff on the speed slide

Frankie on the speed slide

Henry on the speed slide

Just jumping in

love these faces

 JUST HAVING FUN

Having pizza enjoying the river

Rhett was super sleepy

Waiting their turn

Spin us Eli

Having breakfast

Baby Cy

Myla wearing one of her ten swim suits

Eating a snack in a tube

These girls love to get a snow cone

Best buddies

Cutest faces

I love this cute man of mine

Everyone loves uncle Ky

We are so blessed to have such an amazing family. We always have such a fun time being together. The kids love being with their cousins and the adults love each others company. The summer just wouldn't be the same without our annual trip to Lava!

Grandpa and Grandma with their cute kiddos!