Frog Hunting

Our kids have been bugging us to take them frog hunting back behind the Marriot Slaterville City offices.  We had gone a few times in the day, but didn't have much luck catching anything.  We did a little bit of research and found that it is best to go at night and shine a light in their eyes. It paralyzes them and allows you to catch them easier. We had success with that method and caught some super quick. No we didn't let the kids keep them but they thought it was pretty fun.  Always an adventure of some sort going on at our house
Asher (11) Passion (12)

Backpacking in Bechler River & Dunanda Falls

Nelsons good friend Tyler Dixon invited him last minute to go hiking up by Island Park.  nelson does not need to be asked twice to go backpacking, he is all over that.  The two guys loaded up 7 kids and headed out for an adventure.  They loved every minute of it, playing in the water, fishing, hiking with friends and most of all sleeping in their hammocks out in the mountains. They definitely could do without all the bugs, but enjoyed being out in the nature enjoying it's beauty. We definitely have some tough kids.

Crossing the River (Cort, Max, Gretel & other kids)

Fishing and hanging out on the logs (the group)

I am sure the water was freezing and Max & nelson loved it all.

Bear Lake Trips

It has been tradition since I was very little to spend some of our Summer up in Bear Lake.  My mom grew up on the Idaho side and my dad in Lake town.  I loved it up there and spending so much time around family.  The same is said for our kids.  We continue each year to spend time in Bear Lake with the Weston family and the Bowen Family.  With the Bowen family we always camp, ride paddle boards and Uncle Curts Sail boat. Totally different experience with each family.  This year Nelson's Aunt Darla brought up a foam machine to do on the beach. Everyone absolutely loved it.  Can never replace the memories and fun we have with our cousins and family.

Lot of the Bowen Family playing in the bubbles

Lily, Max, Asher & Passion 

Max, Brinley, Skyler, Passion & Crew

The day before the Weston Trip my family attended the funeral of our Cousin Tamie.  She was one of my favorite, whom I learned so much from.  While in bear lake my brother Mike shared something with me.  He said that while Tamie was fighting her cancer they made a pact to have more pictures with them in it. She had realized that she had a lot of pictures but nothing with her in them.  That totally hit me and made me realize I do want to capture all the moments with my family so we have the memories.  After he said this I made every single one of my siblings and my parents take a picture with me so I had it for the future.  Sure love the family time we are able to enjoy.

Nelson & I Running while max was doing the 5k

Max with Reagan & Casidy (they are 4 months apart)

Max High Adventure

For some reason Max got the chance to go on two High Adventures this year. Something that kid will never say no to .  He was able to go with our ward and a ward from Plain City.  With our Ward he went to Grand Teton and went mountain biking. Our young men's group is pretty small, but fun group of kids.  They had a great time exploring all the mountain ranges.

Logan, Weston, Gage & Max

These boys were on top of the world

For the second high adventure this was a lot more physical for the boys. They started at the bottom of Wheeler Canyon and ran to snowbasin.  From Snowbasin they jumped on bikes and road them to East Canyon.  They spent the night there and then the next day road into Wyoming. At each stop they were able to be uplifted and fed physically and spiritually. These boys had been training most the Spring to do this and Max hadn't because he was asked last minute to go.  Luckily he was in shape enough to do well and enjoy it all.

In Wyoming they were able to stay at Elder Petersens house and hear from two general authorities. They went fishing the next day.  Max said it was one of the most spiritual High Adventures he has been on. Grateful he was able to have both of these experiences.

21 Pilot Concert

This year for Christmas the kids got tickets to their first concert ever. Kind of stunk for them that they had to wait 7 months to get to use their gift, but they didn't mind. They were so excited to go with their cousins and to their favorite band.  To say they loved it is an understatement. 

Kids with their cousins

Daughters of Faith camp

This year I was called in my our stake president John Watson. He asked me to be in charge of a three stake daughters of faith camp. What the what😝???i definitely did not feel fit for the call. I felt completely inadequate to set up a camp for the amazing youth of today. The youth today are so valiant and so strong. What did I have to offer these amazing girls.
I can honestly say it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. So many different opportunities for growth and feeling the spirit. My natural self had already pre thought how things should go but nothing happened that way at all. I received gentle whisperings from the spirit all the time guiding me and directing me to the things that were truly meant to be. I know I was guided by the spirit of who was suppose to be part of the planning and preparing. It was amazing the talents each person brought and added to the camp.
The temple was An amazing blessing to me. I spent at least two times a week in the temple trying to be still and listen to the Holy Ghost. So many unanswered questions were answered in the quietness of the temple.
Our overall goal was to have a camp where the girls were the ones conducting and leading everything. Our goal was that people would not even know we were the leaders as we knew the girls were capable of leading and directing. This happened and we know this only happened through and because of our loving savior who was aware and had his hand in all things.

Spring Break (Heber)

This year for Spring Break we ended up staying close and doing things that we had never done before in Utah. We went with my sister lisa and got a hotel in Heber.  First off we went hiking, unfortunately for max he spent the whole time sleeping in the back of the car with a barf bin.  Luckily he made it without barfing.  We then we to the crator in Heber and swam there. It was a fun adventure and something we had never done before. 
We also scheduled to go to the ropes course in Park city. What an adventure that was.  I have never done anything like that and was scared to death. I felt like my legs were going to fall off from all the shaking they were doing (I was so scared). I finally warmed up and I even did the 60 ft ropes course (but didn't love it). I realized these were not things that we were really exposed to when we were kids. Never had anything like this to get us out of our comfort zone.  My kids rocked it. They are used to pushing themselves and doing hard things.  Lily was the biggest rock start she just goes like it is no big deal. She has always had no fear.  Fun way to spend our time as a family. We loved every minute of it.
 
Nelson, Laura, Lily          Bowen & Burton Family

 
My kids on the rope course       Nelson & Passion

The gang at the ropes course