Horsetail Falls

So my baby sister Jennie and I had a rare day off together. We decided to go hike Horsetail Falls here in the beautiful mountains behind us. Loving called Horsetail Falls, Pooptail Trail. The falls form what looks like a horse tail. Hopefully, the pictures show that. And the trail is open to horses-thus Pooptail Trail. Hopefully the picture DON'T show that! Anyway, we had a great time! Thanks for going with me, Jen! By the way, this is great hike for your families! Not too hard, not too long, a little water to cross, a few boulders to climb, and lots of beautiful scenery! What more could you ask for?!

I figured something out about my camera...I had a cool little video clip, but I can't "flip it" so that it's right side up...Hmmm....

Antelope Island

A few days before school ended, the fourth grade got to go to Antelope Island. I wasn't able to go, but Hannah took her own pictures. In her own words..."My favorite things were playing in the sand, playing in the water and watching the seagulls. There were a million of them. But people kept throwing rocks at them...it was sad!" She told me they did see the bison, but they were far away. She was also very excited about the buses. She was extra excited about the footrests...even though their feet couldn't reach. You will see it in a few pictures. When we pulled up to the school I jokingly said, "What the?" (In reference to the buses.) She replied, "Oh, yeah! Oh, yeah! Those are for us!" Too funny! It looks like they had a great time. And I think she did a pretty good job with the photography!

Memorial Day Rafting

So, again, I am delayed in posting, but...

My brother Jayson bought a raft and started a tradition a few years ago...rafting the Snake on Memorial Day. We float the part of the Snake between Alpine and Jackson, Wyoming. It's COLD. And this year was really, really COLD. And it poured. BUT...we always, always have a blast! And it is so beautiful. We are so lucky that he calls us every year. I was a little sad though. This was the first year Hannah opted to stay with Aunt Christy and the girls. Hmmmm...I wonder why. She was cute-she was still reconsidering the night before. I think I talked her out of it, but she would have killed me! It sounds like they had a great time going to the Church History Museum and making cookies. Hannah loves, loves, loves those girls! And someone has to stay home with Jayson's girls while he takes us! Thanks Christy! Anyway, Shelly, a friend from work came with her husband, Jonathan. They have never been before! WOW! What troopers! When no one else would ride the bull, Shelly did! They even turned around the next morning and hauled their girls to Disneyland! I think they had a great time-I hope they did! I did! Honestly though, I am trying to decide if I am getting too old for this trip. I'm all for the Southern Utah/middle of July trips! Jays is only 13 months younger than I am, so I guess as long as he is going...I'm in. A guide on the river asked if we were from Utah. We replied yes. "I thought so...Only people from Utah are crazy enough to do this is this weather!" Turns out he was from Utah too! The pictures say it all! Thanks brother! You are sooo great! Thanks for always thinking of us! We love you!

Timp Blast Champs!

So, I am a little delayed in this post...but, here goes! Hannah's soccer team took 1st place in their district level! Super cool! And, I know I have said this before, but...they played so great! They looked like champs! Isn't it funny how practice works?

There was a bit of bad news that came along with the high...her coaches have decided to step down and coach their sons. :( We are soooo sad! They have been the best...I mean, THE BEST coaches ever. And not because we won-we didn't have the winning season last year like we did this year. But these two men love our girls. I remember someone, I think my mom, saying, "I love those who love my children." It's true. They have been so kind, gentle and patient with these girls. Not to mention I think we had the best parents on our side. We played a few teams...I was glad when the game was over. Anyway, we have had a super great season. Because of this, I have been a little, ummmmmmm, befuddled. I have been considering our options. If we switch teams, will we regret it? Maybe we should go out on a high note, yada-yada... Hannah thought about retiring...at the age of 10. But she still has a few good years in her. So I had a conversation with her coach about these concerns,etc. To make a long story short...guess who may be the next Timp Blast co-coach? I'm not sure what happened in that phone call. Anyway, I'll keep you posted. And much to my surprise, I have Hannah's approval. Here are a few shots from the tourney. Way to go girls!

I found out how difficult it is to get just the right clip in soccer. This is as good as it got. And try to ignore the cheerleader...that same weirdo always turns up!

Lagoon-Clogging Competition

This is the update I promised you all about the last clogging competition of the season which was held at Lagoon. Hannah did very well! All of the girls did very well. In fact, she and her partner were named to the Jr. All-American Team. At this age, I don't think it means much other than they had one of the high scores for their duet performance...WHICH IS AWESOME! That's what it means! Her team also did very well...1st place in both dances! Way to go girls! Also, try to ignore the crazy mom screaming in the background...Weirdo! (Don't forget to pause the music player at the bottom.)

99 Summer Fun Ideas

Every Wednesday during the summer, my family and I volunteer at Moyle Park here in Alpine. Here's the scoop. My great, great, great-grandfather John Rowe Moyle was one of the first pioneers to settle Alpine. He built a little rock house not far from where I live now. In fact, they recently made a short film about him-Only A Stonecutter. If any of you are interested, I have it. It's short, but very well done. Anyway, ten or more years ago, my mother and sister Jennie started volunteering at This Is The Place Park. Each year when the grandkids turned 5, grandma would take them the village with her. A few years ago, my mom realized she needed help. (Jessica has 7!) So, we all jumped on the band wagon. We have sooo many fond memories of that park. Especially of the baby animals. But between getting so many kids dressed in layers of clothes, hair braided, lunches made, the drive to Salt Lake, and some changes in the village, we decided it was too much. We even made all of our dresses. Jodi, another sister, suggested we should talk to the city about letting us go down and do "our thing" at Moyle Park. It is close, it is our family, and we could do "our thing". And even though "our thing" is on a smaller scale, we are pretty good at it! Anyway, the city said, "Great!" So that is how we ended up at Moyle Park. Why the post? In the May/June issue of the Utah Valley Magazine, there is an article titled "99 Summer Fun Ideas". Drum roll...Moyle Park is 50! So come see us! We have lots of fun churning butter, making candles, jumping rope, doing laundry(this is actually one of the kids favorites), and my favorite, dancing! Our kids love, love, love going to the village every year! And most of all, they get a little reminder about someone whom they have never met, because of his choices, has had a direct impact on their lives. And if you ask them, they are happy to share it! We are grateful for John Rowe Moyle. Below are pictures from last year. And because his 200th birthday is being commerated this year, I'm sure this won't be the last post about Moyle Park!