Happy 4th of July

We had a great weekend in southern Utah for a family reunion. We all loved spending time with family and enjoying nature.

The girls loved every minute of this trip...

picking flowers,

building forts,

catching a fish in a stream,

and their and VERY favorite.....Riding 4-Wheelers! They giggled every ride, the whole time.

Pioneer Trek

Would I do it again?

Two days ago, I returned from a pioneer trek with the youth in our stake. I was asked to serve as the nurse on the medical team. We walked 26 miles over 3 1/2 days in the blazing, hot sun. (In fact, everyone keeps on asking me where I got my nice tan...I think they are expecting me to say Hawaii, but are disappointed to here it was on pioneer trek!) It was hard, but such a great experience. Our medical team helped with dehydration, tick removal (one of which was in me), LOTS of blisters, and various other needs.

Over the trek, I would walk up and back along side the youth as they pulled their handcarts(making me feel like I walked double the miles)...and just as we would stop for a water break, I would run around and help everyone and we would be on our way again. Honestly, I felt like the Lord answered my prayers and I felt like I had plenty of strength and energy.

I felt the spirit of our pioneer heritage and learned many life-long lessons. I saw the lives of many of the youth change as they had time to be out in nature and come closer to their Heavenly Father.

Would I do it again? Of course...just give me a little time because I sure missed my girls and husband!

Happy Birthday Emily!

Emily's 4th Birthday... Of course started with our "breakfast in bed" tradition. The little "early riser" woke up too soon, so I had to send her back to bed while I whipped together a peanut butter toast and strawberries. She didn't seem to mind, but she made sure we all had to sit on her bed and watch her eat!

I wasn't planning on a party, two days before her birthday Emily starting inviting all of her friends for her birthday party.

Emily would say, "Come to my house for my party, and don't forget to wear your ballerina costume!" So, then it was official, we were having a...Ballerina Party!

Our "special guest" at the party was Jasmine, Emily's cousin. She wore her ballet costume a taught the girls some ballet dancing. Poor Tanner (our only boy at the party). He did his own "Superman Jumps".

Savannah especially loved Jasmine in her "toe shoes".

When Jasmine did a turn, Savannah said, "BEAUTIFUL."

Savannah practiced being up on her tippy toes all day!

My attempt at a ballerina cake....

We ended the day with a visit from Rick's parents. We love Grandma June and Grandpa!

A trip to Sun Valley

We recently had a short, but fun Family Reunion in Sun Valley. I forgot how beautiful it is there...I haven't been there in about 15 years.

All of my family came...even Scott from Washington D.C.! Of course, we missed Brian who is on his mission in California.

We did some hiking, biking, swimming, and of course...(the family favorite) eating!

Our Ireland Adventure...

Dental Select took us on a trip to Ireland at the beginning of this month. Ireland was so beautiful...I didn't know that there were so many shades of green until I saw this country!

On May 6th, Rick's birthday, we drove all around the Dingle Peninsula. I was just amazed with all the gorgeous views. Ireland has lots of farmland with sheep and cow. The Irish people were so nice and hospitable.
That evening (in Killarney) we rented bikes and went on a fun hike up to the Torc Waterfalls. I think Rick would agree that this 31st birthday was his best ever.

We also got a boat tour of Killarney Lake and to see the Ross Castle.

On May 8th, we visited the Blarney Castle. Rick had fun searching in every room of the castle:

National Geographic says kissing the Blarney Stone is one of the top 100 things to do in your life...we only have 99 more to go! (The nurse in me tried not to think of the many germs it has!)The AMAZING Cliffs of Mohor (or also known as "The Cliffs of Insanity" in Princess Bride).

These cliffs are 650 feet out of the sea (a straight drop-off) and extend for 5 miles.

Dromoland Castle built in the 16th century.... (now functioning as a 5 star hotel). We're so grateful that Dental Select arranged the accommodations because we probably would have been in a Motel 6! We stayed in the very top room of this tower ...I felt like Rapunzel! It was so fun.
We had to dress up in formal attire to dine in the castle...and we thought prom days were over! Welcome home and back to reality:

Although the trip was amazing...there is no place like home with our two little sweethearts. Thank you, Grandma & Grandpa for taking such good care of them while we were away!

A blog at last!

I have finally decided to blog! I'm hoping to better keep in touch with friends and family and have our own little family's "journal".