Summer time in Bennington

We took  a quick trip to Bennington for  a couple of days in August.  It was before my moms knee surgery and before we went to Steamboat Springs, Co.  We just chilled.  We went to Bear Lake swimming one afternoon with Aunt Courtney and her cute boys.  We went to the good 'ole county fair.  I saw some friends I haven't seen forever and some good 'ole town folks.  We ate donuts and watched a tractor pull at the rodeo grounds.  I love going home in the summer time.  I like the way it smells.  I like how dark it gets at night and I LOVE all the stars.  I like to listen to my brother,  Reed, tell stories.  I love going to Bear Lake and playing in the sand and water with my kids.  I love the quiet.  I love to see the animals there.  There is no place like home.  Here are some pictures I took while I was there.  I didn't have my camera at the fair, and for that I am truly sorry.  There is nothing like the county fair.  Anyway, we had a great trip to Bennington.  Did I mention that Chad rode his bicycle from our house in Cottonwood Heights all the way to my mom and dads house in Idaho.  Yes, it took him about 11 hours and it was just a little over 200 miles.  No, I don't have any pictures of that.  Sorry!

My mom teaching Sami and Alex how to make whistles out of leaves!

The cousins riding Tate's tractor!

Nap time on Sunday afternoon!

Tate and Zach at the beach!

Courtney and he cute boys!!!



We buried Alex in the sand...



Rinsing off in the lake!

Now, it is Sami's turn...

On the railroad tracks by my moms house!

Just dancin' on the tracks!

I love Bennington. I also LOVE this little boy!  Look at the fun colors in this picture.  The world is beautiful!

This is what makes my world go round!

Are we really Thankful????

I talked on the phone tonight with a dear friend of mine, whose son is in the NICU up at Primary Childrens with heart issues.  Did I mention he is only 6 weeks old?  That he has already had open heart surgery!  Did ya know that my mom had her knee partially replaced this morning and is laying in hospital bed as sick as a dog tonight?  Did I tell you about my cute aunt who has a terminal malignant brain tumor and has 2 months to live?  I have a friend who has an addiction to drugs and alcohol and is really struggling.  I have a cousin whose daughter is going to have a kidney transplant.  She has mitochondrial disease and suffers from seizures etc..etc..  That is what my niece, Torri, died of.  Do we really understand how vital and precious life is? I sit here tonight and feel my heart bleeding for all of the heartache of the people I love around me.  I am anxious and I worry.  It seems like they are always in the back of my head, constantly!  I am reading my scriptures waiting for Zach to go to sleep.  And all of a sudden, there is a beautiful warm calm that envelopes me.   I just wanted to share my testimony.  That I know the Lord loves us.  I weep as I think about the Plan of Salvation and how precious each one of us it to God!   I think about small tender mercies that let us know that He is there and carrying us through our trials.  I find comfort in the Holy Ghost and know that with his help we can do anything.  I am so thankful for the Atonement.  To know that Christ didn't "just" take care of our sins, but ALL of our heartache and sadness.  I know that through the Atonement all things can be healed and made better and I KNOW that Jesus is the Savior.  I am thankful so so thankful for this Knowledge!  I am thankful for the power of prayer.  I am thankful for the comforter!  I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father.....

Random Summer shots....

Summer is crazy busy.... Summer is fun... It is exciting and boring.... It is hot... It is exhausting... It is so so special.... Here are a couple random shots of things we have done this summer. 

Pie night for Relief Society.... One of the funnest things I did this summer.... The RS presidency invite you for your birthday to "Pie night."  It was so so so so so good...

Alex made this cute sign for my front flower bed!  Man is he cute and creative.  I am so proud of Alex and how thoughtful he is.  I mean look at the freakin sign.  When I think of sweet little Alex, my heart simply purrs with love and pride for him.

Sami and some of her friends at a birthday party.  Each of the kids have been to several parties and that always gives us more  fun exciting things to do in the summer....

Zach and Peter getting ready to watch fireworks on the 24th.  What a magical evening spent with friends in the cool summer air and a great firework show...

Zach and Mason wrestling on  the trampoline.  We have spent endless hours outside in the evenings on the trampoline. 

I know, I know this is a great shot, but it was the only one of all three of them.   Pops and Sans came to watch fireworks on the 24th with us.  They are so fun and spunky.  I LOVE them and spending time with them.

Still in their jammies getting ready for breakfast in the morning.... I love lazy summer mornings...

We have eaten a lot of meals outside this summer.  We have cooked a  lot with our little fire pit.  This one evening we did smores.  Look at their faces.  I think they enjoyed them!

Parades, Summer and Friends

We went to the Murray parade on the 4th of July!  The Bunkers invited us to go with their family.  Notice the adults in the background.  It was a hot parade.  There were even some Zombies in this parade.  The kids got a lot of candy and loved it.

I love this picture!  Sami and Lincoln at the parade on the 4th.  They have been great friends since they were 2.  I love how opposite they are.  I love that they are friends.  I love that they are both holding the American flag!

Alex just chillin waiting for the parade to start.  This was the Cottonwood Heights parade on the 24th!

Alex and da boyz, Ethan and Lincoln, just waiting for the parade to start!

I LOVE this picture.  These ladies are some of the greatest ladies I know.  We decided to get a picture of all of the moms.  It was pretty funny.  This is the best shot I got. 

Just a little action shot.  This is the Cottonwood Heights parade.  I know and love all the people in this picture...

Sticker anyone?

Chad, Abby and Sarah... We were teasing Chad because he was the only husband/dad.  There were a bunch of us ladies and we said that we looked like sister wives with Chad.  I love my friends... I am so blessed to have them in my life!

Just another action shot of our group!

4th of July parade...

Sami and some of the ladies... and little Mason.  This is not the best picture of any of them!

Sami and Syd.... just chillin at the parade!


So we have had a great time going to parades and hanging out with friends this summer.