Best Place on Earth

We just got back from:

While we were there, we camped,

played horseshoes

ate WAY too much (the entire car behind us was filled with food)

went on the traditional Treasure Hunt

caught a squirrel using this

(don't worry, it wasn't harmed)


canoed

and hiked through the meadows


Those are just some of the reasons why its the best place on earth. I think that makes nearly 20 trips to good ol' Marsh Lake.

Best Pictures of the Weekend

90th Birthday Party

Let me introduce you to Max.

He is my soon-to-be 90 year old Grandpa. He is the only Grandpa I have ever known which means he holds quite a big place in my heart. I have so many fond memories with him.

On July 24th, we held an early birthday celebration in his hometown. It was a treat. And when I say treat, I'm not just talking about the delicious strawberry shortcake (his favorite!) we had.

It was a treat to celebrate his life through the pictures and decorations.


It was a treat to see all 5 of his children gathered together, along with many of his grandchildren. We missed all the other cousins who couldn't be there!


It was a treat to celebrate the day with him!!

Down on Grandpa's Farm

Over the weekend I got to take Brandon to my Grandpa's farm in Aberdeen, Idaho. Man, how I love that place. I spent lots of time there as a kids. Memories of tractor rides, harvesting potatoes, riding horses, treasure hunting in the old house, playing hide and seek, working in the garden, being in the Aberdeen Days parade, and four wheeling are just a few of my favorite memories of his farm.

I remember talking to my friends as a child and thinking how much they were missing out if they didn't have a grandpa who lived on a farm. I loved all the time on the farm! Although the farm has changed quite a bit since then, I was able to capture a few of my favorite things so I can always remember Grandpa's farm.

I love this old truck!

the gas tank we would fill up the four-wheelers with

the famous tractor

the cute little house

the potato cellar where we would stash all the potatoes

I love this pillow and check out the print of the couch!

Max and Ilene

the big mirror that all the girls always use to get ready

the swing

the barn

beautiful serene sunset

Ok, you are probably sick of pictures and reminiscenses. So I'll be done. The end.

The Weekend Begins-Picnics and Poop

Because we had the Friday off for Pioneer Day, we just had to do something fun. We decided to stop at Lava Hot Springs on our way up to Idaho. Justin, Katie, Emme, Sarah, Hollie and Michael all thought that was a pretty good idea too.

Picnic #1-our pre-swim lunch on the back of the car

swimming away

Justin and Brandon had to show off how mocho they are by jumping off the highest platform

the proof

and now, for the grossest part of the entire trip. I was sitting on a towel, basking in the sun. Justin and Brandon were goofing around like they always do when all of a sudden, I felt a sort of water balloon 'pop' on my leg. I was a bit confused because to my knowledge, I didn't think they had any water balloons. I looked down only to discover that a water balloon had not 'popped' on my leg but a seagull had just flown overhead. Enough said. (Warning...Graphic picture below)

I just about lost my lunch over that and had to clean it about 5 times. It was Dis-gus-ting.

After swimming, we cleaned up nicely to head to my cousin's wedding reception. We were starving as swimming makes you feel, so we had picnic #2-on a little grassy spot by the Blackfoot Wal-Mart. Gotta love it.

All of us at my cousin Jason and Heather's wedding reception.

a splash of blue

We have been so busy lately that I really haven't had much time for projects. However, our room was needing a splash of color. Its still a work in progress, but this SPLASH OF BLUE has definitely brightened things up. I didn't want to spend any money on decorating, so this is what I came up with:

framed scrapbook paper

moved the blue end table in to use as my nightstand

made this blue accent pillow out of and old pillow I had and some fabric I got at a thrift store

viola!

things we've enjoyed lately

long summer night walks
sandwiches on the porch
symphony at Abravanel Hall
trip planning
reading good books
dyeing hair
orange dream bars

summer get-togethers

It seems like most of our time lately has been spent getting together with people for one occasion or another. Some of the snapshots...

{The family I nannied for was here. All the nannies got together to reminisce...}

{Me and Nicholas doing karate kicks. He is not little anymore!}

{And him playing his baby violin.}

{Phineas looks out of it in this picture, but I can't believe he is 4 now!}

{Brandon and I at the 4th of July Kaysville water parade. We wore our swimming suits because we knew we would end up being drenched!}

{Justin, Katie, Emmeline at the parade}

{Andrea and Dean are in town from Pennsylvania. we did a session in the Salt Lake temple and had a riot stuffing our faces at dinner and chatting the night away. Can't you live closer??}