Jayden's Eagle Scout

It was an amazing weekend as we welcomed family and friends to help celebrate Jayden and his accomplishment in receiving his Eagle Scout!!! It was wonderful to have his best friend Shawn Stallings being recognized with him. The boys worked tirelessly to finish before their 18th birthdays...ha!

Grandma & Grandpa drove up and shared some quality time with us. It was so moving to have them share in this with Jayden. It's a cherished memory. We asked Kevin Olsen to MC the event as we felt he's been such a friend over the years; never missing the Priesthood Session with our boys! Dad was surprised when Shawn gave him the Mentor pin. What an honor!

Final Camping Trip of the Season

For our final camping trip of the season, we booked a cabin at Zarahemla near White Pass at Mt. Rainier. Karen and Travis came with us so we all stayed together in the cabin. It was a blast!! We arrived Friday early evening and set up (which wasn't much, considering) then had dinner. There's just a wonderful feeling when you're crammed into a little cabin playing games and laughing with your kids and grand-kids.  Saturday, after breakfast Grandpa took Colby fishing, then we all grabbed a canoe and went out on the lake. Imagine a beautiful Autumn day, a pristine lake and the laughter of your family all around you. It was just so relaxing. It was a prelude to Christmas!

Mackenzie & Jayden hanging out

The lake at sunset

John, up early to go fishing

Colby hanging out with Grandpa

We had all the canoes we could handle

Everyone scrambling for breakfast

Tracen teasing his mommy

Yes, we had to bring the bird

Jayden and Colby, having a moment

Marlee, riding in style

Youth Night - Ropes Course

It's awesome having the whole family involved in mutual night. I arranged to have a friend of mine, Andi lead us in a ropes / obstacle course event. It was a blast!!!  The theme was "Experiences" and how to deal with whatever comes in life. After a BBQ of hot dogs and corn on the cob, the Crestview Ward youth participated in the activity, then we took Kenz and Shy back to our house for a fire and ghost stories. It was a fun evening!!

Dinner with the Olsen's

We finally got to meet Jonbrock's beautiful new son, Blaise. Kevin, Cindy and the kids were all over for dinner including Shannon (Jonbrock's girlfriend) and her little guy, Malix. Malix was quite taken with Marley ~ our new Morning Dove. What a fun Sunday afternoon we had. I made Sloppy Joe's with macaroni salad and cherry crisp. We set up tables out back and just relaxed to good conversation and friends. Love it!

 Grandpa showing Malix how to hold the bird

 Shannon, Jonbrock and Malix

 Jovi and Cindy

 Dad, Jayden and Blaise

 Jovi and Marley

 Jayden having a conversation with Lindsie and Leslie

Leslie trying the bird on 

Camping with the grandkids!

We had a much needed mini-vacation as we went camping up at Lake Jubilee with Travis, Karen and the kids. Grandpa had such a fun time teaching the kids how to fish. He was so relaxed and after the ordeal he's been through these past several months...he deserved it! 

Thursday was just a fun night of laughing and sitting by the fire telling stories and eating smores. Friday was spent fishing in the morning but we had to hurry back to camp as by late afternoon, we had a torrential downpour. The thunder was incredibly deafening but we were loving the experience! Grandpa, Travis and Jayden were quickly putting up a huge tarp to keep us out of the elements. Saturday was an incredibly beautiful day filled with fishing, swimming and canoeing. We also did a little hiking until Grandpa ran into a log and cut his shin pretty bad. I had to use my nursing skills to clean and wrap! Camping wouldn't be the same without Grandpa getting hurt! Geez...

Travis and Karen kept us fed with good food while Colby and little Travis kept us in firewood. Boys and their hatchets! I was busy keeping our new bird fed and secure.

It was a wonderful time!

 Awesome campsite!

 Colby & Travis Jr. getting firewood

 John and Katrina getting their new baby (a morning dove)

Travis and Karen ramming into us with their new canoe 

 Grandpa helping Kiersten bring in her fish!

 Grandpa with Colby, Travis Jr., Tracen and Kiersten

 Tracen helping Grandpa with the tarp

 Kenz, Karen, Kiersten and Shyane

 Travis and John getting the tarp up

Jayden caught the biggest of the season

 Travis braiding Karen's hair! Good husband...

 

Kenz, Jayden and Shyane

Father's Day Weekend

We had a fun Father's Day weekend in Bonner's Ferry with the grand kids. John really wanted to go up to let the kids see that Papa was well. The last time they saw him he was going in for surgery. Mackenzie came with us. Shawnte' and Cameron brought the kids too so we were all together! It rained most of the weekend but time spent with family was relaxing and just what we needed! Saturday evening, Owen took us to see Kaelynn and Makenna perform in their dance recital! So precious....

 Papa with his princesses

 Shasta with Makenna and Kaelynn

 Colson...what a face!

 John and Katrina...forever

Monday morning, Shasta and the kids went with us to find a "ghost town" up in the mountains. Not much left of the town but the kids loved looking for treasure. It's always a fun adventure with Papa!!