Treehouse Museum

Our good friends, the Dzinekus, invited us to join them for a morning at the Treehouse Museum up in Ogden.   We love spending time with them and this occasion proved to be just as fun as in the past!

 Charlotte looked so cute - ready to beat the heat in her little tank top and romper shorts!

 Wyatt loved doing the fossil rubbings

 First Female President?

 Wyatt and Miles made a stop-motion video about dinosaurs that was epic!

 Julia and Carson loved the computers

 Look at Lonni.  Isn't she gorgeous?  She has the most beautiful smile and expressive eyes!

The Ogden Temple is directly north of the museum.  It was fun to get a sneak peek of the new renovations taking place.  GSL is actually doing the electrical work!

Over the Moon for "Down Under"

Our dear friends, Richard and Shanon, from Tasmania, Australia, were able to visit the states again - and fortunately they were also willing to set aside some time for us during their visit.  This is our 3rd year in a row and we hope they continue trekking to the other side of the world EVERY year, as we never tire of them and look forward to their company with great anticipation!  Shakira (their now TEENAGER) of course was with them, but in addition we got a special treat this year...meeting Richard's "mum", Joyce, who was just as lovely, warm, and kind.  And who spoke with the most beautiful Irish brogue!

We wanted them to experience Dutch Oven Cooking, which they do have in Australia but not as commonly as here, and so I asked my favorite in-laws to prepare some delicious food as I have very little (okay, none) experience successfully cooking Dutch Oven!  John prepared the tastiest potatoes and barbecue chicken to go with our dinner, followed by raspberry cobbler so rich you had to have a tall glass of ice water to accompany each bite!  So scrumptious and a lot of hard work on the part of my sweet mother- and father-in-law!

The kids had fun running around the yard playing while we visited.  

Here they are with a giant "human slingshot".

The McKinley's had just heard of S'mores for the first time so 

of course we had to prepare some!  

Shakira said she "liked it" but did not "love it".  

WWWWWHHHHAAAATTTTT?!  :)

Richard and Shanon, it was lovely as always!  

You know you are welcome anytime.  

We just love you and can't wait to see 

pictures of your new granddaughter, 

especially in her new shoes to match her "Shanny"!  

Thank you for stopping in our little neck of the 

woods and spending time with us - 

safe travels and keep in touch!

Batter up!

Thanks to the Langeland's awesome planning skills, 

a friendly neighborhood game of the all-American sport 

was played at Hogan Park.  Thank you, Gerrards, Glasseys, Bodily's, Carters, and Langelands 

for a super-fun night!  Next time I won't take it so easy on you... ;)

Crazy Cooking Gals - what lies in the hearts of 10-year old girls

I love these girls, both of them.

I love that they love each other.

I love that Halle has a best friend who is so kind and funny and creative and GOOD.

I love that they are so silly together.

On this day, making cookies turned into filming a cooking show with crazy accents and LOUD voices.

Enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd9XX_K-SVY

A step back in time...

Last night we visited a live nativity in one of our very most favorite neighborhoods (Harvard & 15th East). It was recommended to us by one of our former bishops, Kevin Pinegar, and I'm so grateful he told us about it. Yes, it was chilly, but we bundled up and for the most part kept warm. I can't believe how much thought and work went into the display. An entire neighborhood and people of several faiths came together to produce one evening of a recreation of the town of Bethlehem, complete with an ancient marketplace, Roman soldiers collecting "taxes" (food donations), shepherds abiding their flocks by night, wise men travelling by camel, and of course, the beautiful stable with the babe lying in a manger. It was a lovely experience shared with some of our dearest friends, the Riches. (Thanks for driving all the way up from Utah County, Troy & Chantelle - we loved spending the evening with you and your fun boys!)

This is Mordecai, the camel.

He smelled REAL good...

* * * * *

The marketplace, where they "sold" fruit & vegetables,

wheat, linens, and animals - like chickens and goats.

silver friends

Last month we enjoyed an evening watching the game with our dear, dear friends, Troy & Chantelle Riches. It had been so long since we'd seen their "baby", only he's becoming less and less like a baby and more and more like a little boy! Jackson keeps growin' and isn't he the cutest?! We love this couple and their wonderful boys.

milestones.

Last month brought the realization of a couple milestones.

One being the fact that Alison and I have been

best friends for 28 years.

I can't say that about too many people.

Syd

Brett, Al, Morgan: 3 of my favorite people ever
-

Another favorite person: Grandma

And the big milestone (the reason we drove to Vernal in the first place)
is the fact that my father has been on this earth for * 80 years *.
So of course we had to celebrate, but because it's DAD, we kept it low-key, just like he'd want it. A family potluck dinner with pie for dessert - because that's what Dad likes: Pie and Family.
For his birthday, everyone in the family submitted their favorite memories of Dad or what they like most about him. We put them in a book and presented at the dinner. Reading the entries brought tears and laughter - the cornerstones of a life thus far well-lived.

Danielle & Eliza

-

Kimball and "Harry Potter"

Halle (with a funny face) and Parker

Mark, Brett, Cassidy, & Kael

-

Fawn, Wendy, Paige, Calvin, & Natalie

Dad, Josh, Cal, & Carson
-

The day before the party, Nicky and Kye welcomed baby #2, sweet Liam.

I told her how thoughtful it was for her to time his birth so perfectly with my visit!

Halle loved the poop.

-

But not as much as holding him.