Through the Woods and over the Mountains...

...a hiking we will go!

I really wanted to get outside this Summer and check out the beauty we have right in our own backyard. Since I have gotten really out of shape and pretty overweight, I knew we had to start out easy. So I called up my sister since she has lots of little ones with very short legs and thought they might be at about my hiking level. My sister Julie, is a hiking beast and has hiked the likes of Half Dome and Timpanogos...but lucky for me she has recently had a baby that she now has to pack. So on Monday, we tackled Battle Creek Falls for our first hike. It was just perfect! It was a hot day and the falls were a nice reward.

 All good hikes require a proper walking stick!

 Wish I could hike in such style (Sinjin & Julie)

 Some of our hikers - Zachary, Julie, Braxton & Brooklynn

 The kids found a fun little cave to crawl into

(L-R: Braxton, Ivy, Zachary, McKenna & Brooklynn)

 

 Finally the falls...it was so cool and misty, very refreshing

 

The beautiful view from the top

A little photo op on the bridge on the way back down 

(L-R: McKenna, Ivy, Brooklynn, Braxton & Zachary)

Thursday we drove up Provo canyon and attempted to find Buffalo Peak. It was a slow start as we took the wrong trail initially and had to head up a little higher to find the trail-head. But boy, was it worth it! It was a pretty short hike but the last 1/2 is straight up so that was a little grueling, but once you got to the top, the views were stunning! And the scenery the whole way was just beautiful. It was so nice to be out in nature and enjoying all that God has created. The kids did fantastic! We took Harley this time and he was a trooper as well. I can't wait to go again! And, it has been so fun to hike with Julie and her kids too.

 Most of our hikers...on the right trail

 

We saw some wildlife along the way. If you look really hard you can spot the head of a wild turky. Ok, maybe not, but I promise it is there. There were a few but I was near the end of our group and they had mostly run away by the time I got up there. We also spotted a deer and a bunny, lots of butterflies and tons of insects.

Beautiful meadows and flowers...EVERYWHERE!

 

 McKenna and Ivy picked some flowers and made a little bouquet for the next group to pass by.

We finally made it to the top

Some of the spectacular views from the top. 360 degrees of mountains, meadows, Utah Lake and the city below. 

This little pup was pretty pooped by the time we got home

I smile because we are family...

...I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!

Since my parents and sister Kirsten, and my sister Lisa and her familiy were here for Tyler and Quintin's graduations, we took some time to take some family pictures. It's been a little while...4 years for my family. Our awesome niece Pene was so gracious to come and take them for us. We were missing my brothers and their families and were sad that they weren't able to make it. They plan on taking more pictures when they all get together this Summer for my grandma's 90th birthday.

 My Parents and Sisters

(L-R: Julie, Dad, Mom, Lisa, Me and Kirsten in front)

 With our Spouses

(L-R: Bob & Julie, Dad & Mom, Chris & I, Jordan & Lisa, and Kirsten)

All the Grandkids

(L-R: Back Row-Zachary, Lauren, Tyler & Brynnly; Middle Row-McKenna, Grandpa, Grandma, Quintin & Brooklynn; Front Row-Adelaide, Braxton, Ivy, Sinjin, LaRue & Matilda)

 The Whole Gang

 Our Family - May 2016

 Lauren - 16 years old

The one of the left was taken in April 2016. She hates it, but I love it!

 Brooklynn - 10 years old

McKenna - 13 years old & LaRue - 12 years old

(We didn't get one of just McKenna)

And, we didn't take any of Tyler because we had just taken his Senior Pictures. But just so he doesn't feel left out...here is the official yearbook picture.

Bump, Set, Spike!

McKenna wanted to try something new this year, Volleyball! We signed her up for a rec team and things didn't start off too great. The rec center wasn't very organized (as usual...grrr) and the person they had as the coach didn't know she was the coach. However, she stepped up to the plate and took on the challenge. We didn't even meet the coach or the team until a few minutes before our first game! But these kids came together and killed it! They were a rag tag bunch of kids that didn't have much experience. I think only a couple of them had ever played before. As the season continued, they  just kept winning games and ended up winning the whole tournament at the end of the season!! McKenna learned a lot and really enjoyed it! She is looking forward to playing again in the Fall. The first half of the season she couldn't serve the ball over the net and by the end she was pretty consistent. We are proud of the effort she made and how much she improved!

McKenna serving...but I have to figure out why my video is so crummy.

Spring Break 2014!

First Day of School 2013-2014

And just like that, BAM!, summer is over and school has begun! School started on August 20th and because I had already started working, all the first day rituals and photography responsibilities fell to Chris.

Tyler started the 10th grade and is officially at the High School now. Unfortunately, this is also the year they decided to eliminate bus service. We tried to fight it but lost. Bummer.

Lauren is now an 8th grader and is so happy not to be a "Sevy" anymore. Luckily she still gets to ride a bus...which she really hates because everyone is sooo immature now! :0)

McKenna is a 5th grader and has Mr. Crandall. We are super excited because he is one of the best teachers EVER! Side Note - He has been teaching for 34 years and used to teach some of these kids parents!

 

Brooklynn is in the 2nd grade this year with Mrs. Almberg who is an amazing teacher and all of our kids have had her. After this year she can quit if she wants to. I'm out of kids!

And, it wasn't my first day at work but I guess I had to have a picture taken too...thanks a lot KT! This year I am working at the front desk at McKenna and Brooklynn's school. It's perfect and I love working there. I love our school and everyone I get to work with.

One thing I really do miss though now that I am working is my morning walks. I don't get to walk the girls to school and get my daily exercise in. I miss the socializing time with friends too. Roxy doesn't get walked either and she really misses it.

 

Our traditional shot with McKenna and her friends. 

 

(L-R: Morgan, Katelin & McKenna)

 

McKenna and Brooklynn.

Some lost Summer Pictures

I forgot about all the pictures I had on my phone and missed a few fun things we did this summer. Brooklynn took a Karate class and LOVED it!!

 

 

Lauren attended a Volleyball camp at the high school and absolutely LOVED it. She can't wait for volleyball season. She also had band camp during the month of June and is looking forward to playing the flute this year.

Um, I totally forgot that McKenna had a birthday way back in May. Oops! She turned 10 and we celebrated up in Malad with lots of family over Memorial day. She requested a "Hobbit" cake. She also got a real bow and arrow set that she had been wanting for a while...so she could be like Legolas from Lord of the Rings.

Tyler has been busy with football all summer long. I was at girls camp when they had their scrimmage but Chris said he did awesome! This video is of an interception he had. He is in blue and is the outside linebacker towards the top of the video.

Oh, and he finally got a haircut while I was gone!

BEFORE:

 AFTER:

Brooklynn and McKenna also took swimming lessons. They loved it and were sad that we only took one session.

Brooklynn (in the green skirt) above and pink goggles on her forehead below. She absolutely loved her teacher. She even wrote him a cute note telling him he was the best swim teacher ever!

McKenna is on the side just to the left of the lifeguard stand (in pink) getting ready to dive from a kneeling position. She really should have been at least another level higher because she was quite a bit more advanced than the rest of her class. My mistake. I just never know how much they will forget from year to year. McKenna is my little fish. Next year we'll do swim team for sure.

There has definitely been lots of other fun things going on but this covered some of the bigger things I forgot.