Camping

We went camping with Holly and Tyler in August.

We tried fishing at this pretty lake but couldn't catch anything.
Ben and Isaac were pretty upset.

Just kidding. :)

Sammy really enjoyed playing in the dirt and soaking his shoes in the water.

This was probably the noisiest campground ever. After we went to bed, we could hear loud music, people partying, dogs barking, guns shooting, and teenagers shouting in the woods. Gabe had to go tell the partyers to be quiet. Then in the middle of the night we started hearing helicopters circling overhead. Needless to say, we didn't get much sleep that night.

The smores were sure yummy though.
Mmmm, I'm getting hungry.

Summer T-Ball

We signed up Ashlee and Ben for T-Ball this summer.

We want them to try lots of different sports so they can figure out what they like to do. Unfortunately, I don't think T-Ball is it.

But they sure enjoyed the snacks after the games! :)

Epic Relay

7.22.2011-7.23.2011
A friend from church asked if I wanted to join a team to run in the Epic Relay.
It is a race that is run from Colorado Springs to Crested Butte,
a total of 190 miles.
It climbs to an elevation of over 12,000 feet.
It would involve constant running all day and night, and the next day.
It would involve little or no sleep.
Of course my response was, Oh Yeah!

The team consisted of 12 people, and we split up into 2 vans.
Here are the people in my van awake and ready to go at 6AM.
John, Ashley, Ben, me, Jen, Cindy, and our awesome driver, Hyrum.

Our team's name was DNR, or in other words "Do Not Rescuscitate."
And here's some people from our other van.
Cassie, Chantelle, Shawn, Jessica, and Steve.

One person from our team was running at all times.
The rest of us would hang out in the van.

It's my turn!

Gabe volunteered to help out during the race.
It was so fun to see him at one of the exchanges.

At night we had to wear reflective gear, as I was wearing below because I was running next.

Here we are at the summit, an elevation of 12,126 feet.

Wow, what a view!

And running as a team to the finish.

Yay! We made it!
And nobody even needed resuscitating. :)

Now that was Epic.

4th of July...

...under theTetons.

We joined my side of the family to celebrate the 4th this year. My mom and dad were there, Brian and Debbie, Janet and Kelly, and Christa and Joe and their families.

Gabe always makes it fun, with his pyromaniacal tendencies.
(As usual, we spent wayyyyy more on fireworks than I would have liked.)
But it was really great seeing Gabe get into it with the kids,
and sharing his love of fire with them.

And this boy is following right in the footsteps of his Daddy. :)

Ashlee loved the sparklers too. Actually all the kids did.

Christa and Joe, with their boys Harrison and Will.
(It was so fun seeing little baby Will for the first time!)

Kelly and Janet

Just hangin' out on the porch...

And playin' in the kiddie pool...

And as usual, everyone wanted their turn on the four-wheeler.



Even me. :)

Then my mom offered to babysit the kids so we could go out on a date.
Woohoo! Thanks Mom!

It was actually a double date.
We went with Brian and Debbie, and it turned out to be a lot of fun!
We watched a western themed show, while we ate a rib-stickin' meat and potatoes meal based on the kind of meal cattle ranchers would eat.


Oh, Gabe. (rolling eyes)

"I give you smart phone, you let me play with fire."

Anyway, next part of the trip we traveled to Utah, where we got to do more fun stuff.

We visited Salt Lake City, where it all began.


Visited In-n-Out for some tasty burgers.
(Seriously, I love that place.)

Had some fun running through sprinklers and sunshine.


And overall, just had a great time being with my family. I love you guys!

Puerto Vallarta

We went to Puerto Vallarta at the beginning of June with Gabe's family.
I think this is my fourth(?) time going and again it did not disappoint.
I couldn't ask for a better vacation spot; gorgeous weather, beach, and pools, and activities throughout the day as well as lots of time just to relax. Just thinking about it makes me want to go back (sigh).

We brought the whole crew along...

We got plenty of beach time in...


And pool time...

The kids loved this slide.






Volleyball on the beach...

We also got to celebrate Kirsten's birthday while we were there.

And lots of good cousin time.


So fun! I am so glad we got to go!!!