Bear Lake

Sunday Night we drove up to Bear Lake with the Lynns.  We spent time there until Wednesday afternoon.  We stayed at the Lynn's lake house.  We had such a good time.  We really enjoyed hanging out with them.  James loved having other kids to tube and board with.  They all tried it.  It was fun.  James got up on the wake board.  I was able to ski again.  It took me many tries. I am out of practice. It has been a few years since I have had shoulder and rib injuries.  I also did the knee board.  Dad did the knee board and had a lot of fun.    Anna and I planned the meals and menu.  We absolutely loved bear Lake and we are so happy we were able to go.  It is so beautiful.  The water was so gorgeous.  It wasn't as cold as we thought it was going to be.  

 We had the missionaries over for dinner tonight.

James went to the temple for the first time.  There was only one other family there so there was no waiting.  We tried and tried all month long to get James to the temple with Dad and Me but then Friday I just decided I needed to get him there even if Dad couldn't go.  Dad will have to go with him next time or another time.  James friends, Tyson Olsen, Adam Lynn and Tyler Hansen went with us.  James is ready to go again next week.  

 I went to pick up Charlotte for half a day so Shanna could finish her homework and finals and everything.  This is Charlotte so excited and clapping.  She is so fun. I cant wait for you to meet her.
Jacob and I spent the last 3 days driving up to park city for his soccer tournament.  His team played very well and won the first 2 games.  Then they lost the 3rd game.  Then we came home.  I guess I didn't get any pictures.  Jacob hurt his back about a month ago during a game in a tournament.  He has had a hard time getting back up to playing well.  He played really well in this tournament and is feeling a lot better.

James the Deacon

It has been another adventurous week! We are so thankful for the wonderful blessings that we enjoy everyday from a loving Heavenly Father.  I know we are blessed and that he watches over us during easy times and hard times.
James passed the sacrament for the first time last Sunday and the 2nd time today! He did so great! We are so proud of him. He likes to get ready and get to church early.

Last Sunday this is what the cupcake refreshments looked like! I made 4 different kinds of cupcakes and 4 different frostings and fruit and sprinkles etc. 

Shanna and Christian and Charlotte

Bridal shower flowers

James went to BYU soccer camp. He really loved it.

This is his dorm room he stayed in. He didn’t have a roommate.  He had the whole room to himself. He was so exhausted when he came home!

I bought this cute little seat so I could feed Charlotte more easily! Buddy is helping her clean up her fingers.

Feeding Charlotte! It is so fun to have Charlotte come over and spend a few hours with us! The boys are so sweet with her.

I introduced Charlotte to big dog and little dog! She thought it was very tasty!

Serious Charlotte

James with a friend at soccer camp

So this picture is interesting. Aunt Teresa was visiting her mom in Boise and this girl with You is Emily Peterson Teresa’s moms neighbor! Is she in the Baltic Mission? She is Russian speaking!

Christian and Shanna and Charlotte went to Yellowstone.  I dont know if they will write this week or if they have service out there. They sent me this pic.  We are on our way to Bear Lake with the boat. We are going with the Lynn’s and they have a house by the lake.  We will stay with them.  Jacob wouldn’t come with us! Austin and hunter Ramsey gave homecoming and farewell talks today.  Austin made me cry so much. Both of them gave great talks.  Austin’s just really touched me so deeply.  The spirit was so strong in that room. 
I love you so much my sweet girl. One of my favorite pioneer songs is “faith in every footstep” I love that so much. Please remember how much we love you and that we are constantly praying and thinking of you! I am praying for you and your eyes! I also wanted to tell you that we are so thankful for your letters and experiences that you share with us! A few weeks ago I decided to specifically pray for you and Michelle  each to find those who are prepared to receive the gospel. That next week you both had such great reports of finding. Keep up the great work!
Love always and forever
Mom

Summer, Weddings, Flowers & Raspberries

 Charlotte came and hung out at our house for a few hours on Wednesday so Shanna could get some homework done.  We love having Charlotte around.  She is certainly a beautiful bright spot in our world.  The boys are both so cute and gushy with her.

 Shanna and Charlotte in their matching pjs.

Adam and Lindsay are getting married on August 9th and we hosted a wedding shower and invited the Wright's and the Jacobs.  It was really fun.

 We have so many raspberries this year.  I cannot pick them fast enough.  They are so good.  Buddy likes raspberries too.

Shanna, Charlotte  and I went downtown for lunch and temple square.  It was super hot outside so we didn't go outside very long.  

  Nick Burrell gave his farewell talk and Kaden Webb gave his homecoming today.  It was very cool.  We went and visited both of them tonight.

4th of July

Today James was ordained to the office of a Deacon and received the Aaronic priesthood.  We are so thankful for the Priesthood and the opportunity we have to have the priesthood bless our lives. Today, I was released from cub scouts and primary pianist and they have called new people to fill those callings.  Now I will only be doing Primary presidency 1st counselor.  It is quite a relief.   

Friday, I picked up Charlotte from Shanna in the morning and brought her to my house.  Shanna was able to do a few good solid hours of homework.  I pushed Charlotte on our walk with my friends and then I fed her applesauce and she played for a while and then she got fussy.  I took her back home about 12:30.  It was fun!

 Kendra and I taking a break and watching Beauty and the Beast.  Jacob and James were very cute with Kendra, kind of like they are with Charlotte or Buddy the puppy.  One time I came in the dining room and they were coloring with her.  I wished I could take a picture but I knew I couldn't!

 Dad bought some fireworks and we enjoyed watching them.  James helped Dad light the fireworks.

Gloria, Mark & Kendra Small came to visit from Tuesday through Thursday.  Mark and Gloria stayed in your room and I cleaned out the room downstairs by Jacobs room and put a bed in there for Kendra.  Tuesday Night we had a Washington reunion while the Small's were here.  It was so fun to see everyone.  

From left to right, Kindahl & family, Lewis's youngest daughter (red head), Tyler + his little kids in front, Kendra, Nikita + boyfriend, Max, Ivan or Andre (not sure which one), Micah Wise (stocktons brother), Seth & Rachel (cute Huh?) 

James friend birthday party on Monday.  They had Pizzas and Costco cake ( I guess I forgot to take a pic of the cake) Yeah also, I guess the bad thing about having swim birthday parties is that everybody is half clothed in the birthday pics.

 J

Makell Grotepas is getting married.  

Christian, Shanna & Charlotte stayed over last Sunday for James family Birthday party.  We had burgers, home made fries and ice cream cake.  

Charlotte got to have a bath in the kitchen sink.  

Christian got up early on Monday morning and went to work.  He picks up food from grocery stores and takes it to shelters.  Sometimes he picks up from Smiths by our house.  He did on James birthday so we walked down there to see him in the parking lot.  

This was the first glimpse of Charlotte when she woke up when they were sleeping over.  

James 12th Birthday

Wednesday I took james and friends to black ridge reservoir. Shanna and Charlotte came too! We had fun. I put up the shade sports tent for Charlotte. The boys brought all kinds of floatie things like the tubes from the pool etc.  and life jackets.  They had a lot of fun! We had pack meeting that night.

 I was walking around the neighborhood in the evening and I came across these sweet sister missionaries! 

 Shanna sent me this cute pic of Charlotte playing outside! 

This weekend Jacob had a tournament and played in one game and then hurt his back somehow and couldn’t play in the rest of the games! James had 2 football games on Saturday.  One day this past week, I went and helped grandma clean and organize her office.  Austin Ramsey came home on Thursday! I went and visited him at their home on Friday the next day.  He was super tired and had jet lag bad! He seemed really good.  Alex Ramirez was there with him.  He has been back for a while.  They will be roommates in the fall at BYU provo.  

Michelle, I was so happy to get your letter this week in the mail! I have read it a few times! I love that you have been able to clearly plan and define what you would like to do when you get back home! It makes me happy no matter what it is but that you have clarity in the direction that you want to go in schooling etc!  I have been working hard to get things organized in our home and I have been moving furniture around etc! It was just so crowded in the kitchen I wanted to turn the front room into the dining room! There is also so much traffic through our little dining room area that it helps to have no table there. We had James birthday dinner with grandma and grandpa, shanna, Charlotte, Christian here tonight and it was so nice.  Everybody could get in and out of their chairs without affecting anyone else! It was great! I love you so much! I am so thankful for you and all that you are doing! You are amazing! James was so excited to get his birthday letter and snickers! Dad also received his letter!