California or bust

We're off. Biking around San Francisco with the kids. Windsor/ wine country for Darren's ironman and then lake Tahoe. This is going to be a great vacation!!

Summer summer summer

Tyler loves little kids.  We had some friends over one day and he told me he was in charge of babysitting Penny.  And he did a great job.  He got her toys. and helped her be happy.  When Penny was just learning to walk, Tyler would walk and walk with her as she held his fingers.  

We have done a few more hikes this summer.  I think I should post my hike list.  It is a great list of all the kid friendly hikes in the valley we have done so far.  Julie is having a baby in 3 weeks so we finally only got a few hikes in this summer.  We even went on  hike up to Lake Solitude and I made the group bush wack through weeks to look for Ang's lost ski.  It was in this spot she crashed and the ski took off this last winter.  We didn't find it  :(

Tyler and Ella are great buddies (most of the time).  

I love them! (all of the time)

This picture is hanging at the church museum downtown.  I have searched the web, because I would love to buy a copy of this picture.  This is the mother I want to be.  I need to slow down and make memories, not make beds, take out trash, run from one thing to another.  

We got a free slurpee on 7-11.  My poor kids didn't know what a slurpee was.  

They loved it!

We are taking swim lessons.  Tyler loves learning his hard stuff.  I am so proud of him in the deep end.  

Ella is finally starting to swim.  My big girl!

We were in a parade for the days of '47 youth parade.  

Summer has been a blast and isn't over yet!

Good times with good friends

I have made a lot of friends in my life time.  We moved around so much as kids, it was hard moving, but it was also nice to know I had friends all over the world.  

Here are a few friends... Some of Darren's best buddies from growing up in Logan.  

I love their wives.  and how is it possible that 12 years ago we were all together having good times.  Then we split up.  And for a time Dalls and I were the only ones in Utah.  

How is it that now, after all this time.... Everyone is back.  

AMAZING!

Katie and Rowie

Rowie's parents visiting from Australia

siting is Andy (our mountaineering buddy) and Ang

The four friends

Shawn and Ang who are both amazing

And our crazy kids. crazy and fun.  

The hammock was more beat up then they were.  thankfully!

The Thomas family

Rachel and her family came for a visit.  They came down for my Dad's birthday and a Hatch reunion.  They brought their great family dog, Jolene.  

One day we went up Millcreek Canyon.  We had a great picnic with the whole family.  

We got a couple fun family photos of my sister. 

Tyler was the photographer for part of the hike. 

 I think he loves hearing the sound of the button click as he takes a picture.   

We hiked up to Mnt Timpangoes caves while she was here.  What a hike.  

up and up and up some more.  

Who cares that it is paved--- it is "strenuous"

They got to stay at our house which was the best.  

It is so nice to have the party at our house instead of over at my moms.  

We ate good food all week, went on adventures but also had some quiet relaxing time. 

Jolene is sick and isn't doing well.  She actually has Lymphoma, the same cancer Toby died from.  

I felt like it was my second chance to help Jolene out while she was here.  I know I did good things for Toby while he was in his last days but I wish now I could have done more.  

We miss Toby every day!

Things to remember

I finally got under two hours in a marathon.  I ran the Hobbler Half in Springville with Amber Hansen, Angela Isaacs, and Katie Beasley.  Ang had to push me at the end of the race.  My knee seems to act up on mile 10/11 every race.  And I had forgotten my food in the car and was running on empty.  But I finished.  Chip time. 1:57:23.  Glad I PR'ed it.  Under two hours... finally!

Also, Darren had to do a spotlight on me for the RS monthly newsletter.  I want to remember what he wrote.

The first thing that comes to mind when describing Amy is selfless.  Amy is always thinking of other and doing her best to help others feel loved and included.  She has developed a love of cooking and has become quite good at it. She loves food and eating and has an appetite for all different kinds (except fish).  Amy enjoys being outside and finds it refreshing to work in and improve her yard.  She enjoys traveling and has been to six of the seven continents.  She enjoys cycling, mountaineering, rock climbing, and camping with her family.  Last year she had the opportunity to climb Mnt Rainier.  Amy graduated from Utah State with a dual major in Elementary Ed. and Special Ed.  She taught for 3 years and now enjoys teaching her children at home.

Harston cousins

We did a lot of activities while my brothers family was here.  

Here are a few. In no certain order- just lots of fun events. 

 My nephew Seth learned to ride a bike. We all took turns going on rides with him

We spent three days at the cabin.  One day we went into the Uintas to Mirror lake. Uncle Ben jumped in the freezing cold lake.  We took canoes but the wind was so strong that when Tyler, Ella and I tried to turn around and head back to our picnic spot we couldn't. We had to dock the boat at the opposite end of the lake and walk back. Then Ben, Chad and Seth went and got the boat.  Thanks guys!

We went camping at City of Rocks in Idaho.  City is such a great place to go play around with kids. 

The kids played and invented stories all day on the rocks.

We went rock climbing twice.  Tyler and Ella did so well!

My Dad even went up the wall. 

The cabin time was priceless.  Relaxing.  Food and fun.  

The s'mores and songs were wonderful. 

Tessa got mallows all over her!

Ben, Ruth, Spencer, and Seth

Dad, Ruth, Sophie

My brothers family only eats healthy food (for the most part).  Here Chad cooks a banana and his son makes a s'more.  It was a good laugh. 

Everyone loves the swing. 

Chad and baby Soren

We went to City Creek one night.  Lots of fun cousins. 

Tessa, Jordan, Tyler, Michael, Ella, Beth Spencer, Ruth, Sophie

Ella is in love with Rapunzel right now.  So she and Sophie dressed up every chance they got.  See the pretty flowers in their hair, just like Rupunzel.  And notice the jumprope hanging out of Sophies dress. It drags on the ground like long hair.  At City Creek Ella say a real Rupunzel hair and spent every penny she had on it. 

After city of rocks the girls got cute little slippers from my neighbor.  We laughed looking at them in princess attire with banged up knees/legs.  

Now they are back in Kentucky and Rachel and Jenny's families are here.  

Next week... whit and Jack come with Aunt Nellie.  

PARTY!