Our Summer Vacation in the Black Hills of South Dakota

A few weeks ago Clint and I took the family on a road trip vacation and explored a part of the world that we had never seen... This was a different kind of vacation ~ no long lines or too many crowds ~ and LOTS of time to talk, relax, and just enjoy being together. I loved it!!! (And I got to stare at this cute driver for hours on end! ;)

We stayed in a little town called Lead in South Dakota ~ where we rented a cabin for the week up on Terry Mountain ~ and the minute we started driving up the mountain , we rolled down our windows and took in the fresh mountain air...I thought it was hilarious that just as I started thinking about how good it smelled, Kierra shouted out, "It smells like Christmas!!!" It's true! The fresh smell of pine was everywhere...I loved it!!!

One of the fun things that we got to do was go on a few cave tours which our family has always loved... But we find the more caves we go and see, the more we HAVEN'T seen! Each cave we went in seemed to get only bigger and better than the last one we had seen!

We went through Wind Cave and then had a picnic lunch at one of the picnic areas and then headed on to Jewel Cave which was the largest of all of the caves we have been to so far...

One of the coolest parts of Jewel Cave is the fact that there are certain areas that you can go in where the opening is only 7 1/2" tall and 24" wide... so they have this cement cube that you can crawl in just outside the visitor's center to see if you would "fit" through the tour... as you can see, we did fit, BUT you couldn't PAY me to go through that part of the cave!!! Just this little block made me feel claustrophobic!!!

~After our fun filled day of exploration, we headed home just as it started raining and we encountered THE most beautiful double rainbow that stretched across the ENTIRE sky!!! It was as if Heavenly Father was saying, "Here you go...here's one more beautiful sight for you to see!"

We also went to see the famous Mt. Rushmore which to me almost felt like we were walking on sacred ground. There was such a feeling of gratitude and patriotism that I felt and I was reminded how lucky I am to be an American and live in freedom in this great nation...

You can see how "Puppy Child" had to go with us everywhere we went! ;)

After we enjoyed the view of Mt. Rushmore, we HAD to take a ride on the President's Slide...where my suspicions were correct...my "competitive" children HAD to see who could make it down the mountain the fastest...I KNOW they get it from their dad! (And I think Kambriella has it the worst!;)

We also went to see the Crazy Horse Monument which is another amazing thing to see! It is SOOOO big that all of Mt. Rushmore's Presidents could fit in the head of the Indian "Crazy Horse..."

They have been working on the mountain for about 60 years, and estimate they will probably be completed with the project in another 40-60 years...maybe one day my children will get to see it completed...

This white statue is what the mountain will look like when it is all completed...

We also got to go through some neat mines and see how they used to mine for gold...we even got to do a little gold panning ourselves! Clint seemed to be the "Pro" at finding the gold...

Despite all of the fun places we went and all of the neat things that we got to see, I still think that some of my most favorite memories of this vacation will be the fun that we had as we would

"wind down" at the end of the day back at the cabin...

The kids each had a room they could relax in and call their own, there was even quiet time where Clint and I cuddled up on the bed and read a book out loud to each other...

We had fun playing darts and air hockey together...

but the best part of the night was...

The Hot Tub!!! 

At the end of each day, we would all get our swim suits on and go relax in the hot tub!

 We would all go around the circle and let each person tell what their favorite part of the day was...

Little Gavin would always say, "all of it!" ~every night his answer was the same!!!!

Also, Kambriella's response was the same each night...her favorite part..."the hot tub!!!"

We would turn off the lights in the hot tub and look at the big sky FULL of stars...even LOTS of shooting stars!!! We would also take turns sharing scary stories...Kambriella's was again the same each night, always about scary "spiders and snakes and bears..."

I have said it before and I will say it again, it doesn't really matter what we are doing with our family, but creating these memories together is one of my very favorite things. Time with these loved ones is so precious to me, and I only hope that these loving memories will be a firm foundation for a "bank" full of love that each of them will take with them when they head out into the world on their own one day. I am so blessed...I am so happy...I am the luckiest girl alive... 

Running through life ~ "uphill AND downhill"

I consider myself to be a pretty passionate person with a looonnnggg list of things that I love and things that make me feel happy and enjoy this life to the fullest. One of those passions is running.

Recently I had found myself in a little bit of a predicament. 

 I had fallen and sprained my wrist, (which still didn't affect my running ;) but then, I took another spill at aerobics class and sprained my ankle AND re-sprained the same wrist I had already hurt as I tried to catch my fall with that same wrist!

 After not having had any injuries in a long time I was a little overwhelmed at the "bad luck" that I had seemed to encounter. But after only about a month, the day came where I felt confident that I was healed enough to head out on my beloved run.

I took it very slow the first time out and only ran 2 miles. I am still wearing my brace and wanted to be sure it felt right and that my footing was sure, and that there wouldn't be any signs of swelling or  soreness both immediately or the next morning.

I was SO pleased to find that the run felt great AND I wasn't sore at all! I was so excited when I announced to Clint, 

"Tomorrow I am starting running again!"

When my alarm sounded at 5:30 a.m. I was so excited to lace up my brace and my shoes and feel the wind in my face...

As I started down the road I settled into a pretty quick pace and my breathing was in rhythm with the beat of my heart and my feet.

 I ~ felt ~ wonderful! I ~ was on a run!

Now, anyone who knows me knows how competitive I can become with myself and my run...I always think I can go "a little faster" or improve my time a little more...So as I rounded the corner and started down a slight hill, I lengthened my stride and felt the breeze blow harder on my face. I was moving fast!

Then, within the next couple of bends in the road I found myself waving hello to a couple that was out running too. They were running the opposite direction of me and so the passing by was quick and I was focused on what lie ahead...

It's funny how in my mind I thought to myself how good it felt to be out running, and how lovely it felt to feel the wind in my face, AND to be able to pass other runners so quickly! I reprimanded myself rather sharply as I conversed in my mind,

"Calm down Miss Competitive! You aren't even going THAT fast! Besides, you were running DOWNHILL!!!"

And so here lies another sweet "life's lesson" for me as I was out on a run.

~ There is no need to try to run "faster" or to try to run "farther" than anyone else around you. Life's road is long and it's hard and it's "hilly" and "curvy" even when you are trying hard to stay on that "straight and narrow" path.

~ As long as we each do our best to move forward on our own path, it DOES NOT MATTER how fast we are traveling or how many people we pass along the way. What DOES MATTER is that we do our best to keep moving forward whatever life's road may bring.

~ I felt very grateful and humbled as I ran a different route this morning and ended up running the same direction as the couple I had passed the day before. I was too lost in myself the other morning to realize that they had been running UPHILL! We were both running on the same road, but we were encountering two completely different experiences.

Such is life.

We are all here to learn, to grow, and to be tested. Not to try to "keep up with" or even "pass" anyone up. And whether we are learning faith through a personal or family trial, or simply from walking next to a friend that you help through the trial, we are not here to judge or be judged, or to be better than anyone else. Only to learn, grow, and improve ourselves a little each day. Besides, who knows, that couple may have been out running everyday for the whole month that I was not, and it would have been very easy for them to look at me and say,

"Oh, she finally made it out! It's about time she quit being lazy!"

Do you see what I mean? It would be so unfair for any of us to try to think we can judge another when we are never in the same shoes at the same time. Just as I was silly to think I was running "faster" than another, it would be silly for anyone to think that they can judge another.

Please don't get me wrong. I don't go around trying to "run faster" than everyone I see...but I DO try hard to improve each run...

It's a weakness of mine that I always want to improve myself, but not so much in a bad way...

I just want to try to be more Christ like in all I do - I want to be more like the Savior. I know I will never be perfect, I know that I have a lot of "life's lessons" yet to learn, BUT I know that if I continue learning and growing and pushing myself, I will make it to the "finish line" ~ and hopefully I will have become what my Heavenly Father wants me to be ~ the Daughter of God I know I can be,

 ~and most definitely~

 that I positively and quite simply was able to "enjoy the run!"

Angels among us...

Have you ever met someone that you did not know, but felt as if you had literally met an angel? There have been many times in my life where my path has crossed that of another, and from that moment on, my life had been changed for good...the other day was one of those moments...

    Little Miss Kambriella and I were out doing some shopping together, having a fun "girls afternoon out" when we stopped into Seagull Book to buy a framed picture of the Savior as part of a bridal shower gift that we were putting together. We made our way around the store admiring everything that was "eye level" with a 3 year old ;) ...Books, jewelry, stickers, and stuffed animals...

   Now, let me tell you ~ Kambriella has somehow acquired the "youngest child syndrome" where she simply melts our hearts and somehow ends up getting almost anything she wants...

BUT ~ wanting to do my best NOT to spoil her too terribly, I have been working on NOT giving in to my every whim to lavish her with anything and everything she might happen to set her eyes on!

   So, as we looked around the store I was feeling very accomplished as we looked and enjoyed but did not feel the need to buy her anything... until with her sweet little voice she asked,

 "Mommy, are these stickers too much? Do you have one dollar?"

   When I looked down at the stickers I saw that the ones she was holding were shiny metallic and had a princess crown on them that said

 "Daughter of God"

  NOW...what good mother would tell her little princess that she could NOT have these stickers that she was ASKING for, that so simply reinforced everything GOOD that I have been trying to teach her about who she is??!!

 I thought to myself with a smile on my face..." I HAVE to buy these stickers for her! She is ASKING for stickers that tell her WHO she is!!!"

I could just picture her walking around with her stickers and telling every girl that she would see...

"I'm a Daughter of God, and so are you! Do you want one?"

 ~ and then she would share her stickers and she would feel happy because she would know that she IS a Princess ~ a true Daughter of a Heavenly King, and she would also feel the joy of sharing her knowledge AND her stickers with others...

In my mother's eye this would be a "win ~ win" situation for me, teaching my little Kambriella a PRICELESS lesson while only spending $1!!!!!

Now, back to the story of angels...

As Kambriella happily held her stickers we continued looking around the store, AND at all of the other things that little 3 year old girls love...namely the little stuffed animals...

Kambriella picked up and hugged every different animal she could find and then happily placed each one back where she got it from, still content with "her stickers."

Little did I know that we had been being watched from a distance by this woman who could no longer just watch, but had to come over and talk to us...

"Those stuffed animals are really a good price!" she said very informatively...

"I know! Aren't they so cute?" I responded politely.

"Yes! You know that they are normally TRIPLE that price anywhere else..." said this woman that I did not know but I got the feel that she WANTED me to buy one for Kambriella!

We smiled and chatted for a minute before finishing up our shopping, and then went up to the counter to pay..(.Little did I know that we were STILL being watched...)

We made our purchase and the lady behind the counter handed Kambriella her stickers when Kambriella proceeded to tell me,

 "I'm a daughter of God mommy AND a child of God!"

 I was so tickled by her enthusiasm and excitement that I giggled to myself as she started covering my wrists and arms with stickers...

Just as we were ready to leave, the woman that I had spoken to earlier tapped me on the shoulder and said,

"I'm so sorry to bother you, but she is so cute and, well, would it be OK if I bought her one of those stuffed animals? It would just make me so happy to be able to give her one! Would it be OK if she could come back and pick out the one she wants?"

I giggled again at the thought of my little Princess NOT getting spoiled and said,

 "Sure! That is so sweet of you! What a kind thing to do!"

From that moment on I felt so happy and so touched at how this complete stranger would be so kind to MY little girl, and put forth such a simple request but with such Christ like love...

Who knew that one stuffed animal puppy later, my little Kambriella, myself, and this complete stranger would be sharing "tear-filled-eyed" hugs?

I'm sure that she had no idea what an effect she was having on our little lives...

As Kambriella hugged her new little puppy, she said "thank-you," took her new stickers, and put one on the hand of the woman that bought her the puppy...

The kind woman stood and said with delight,

"Oh thank you! I feel like a PRINCESS!"

I drove home with a smile on my lips and in my heart as I said a prayer of gratitude for kind and loving people in the world and small acts of kindness...

...and then I giggled as Kambriella announced the name of her new stuffed animal...

"Puppy Child"

So, I am happy to introduce the newest addition to our family... Puppy Child...

Princess Kambriella just loves her sooooooo much!

I pray that simple joy will bless the heart of that kind woman that we met that day, and that some measure of happiness will fill her heart in the same way that she filled ours :)

Thank you Heavenly Father for the angels that are among us...

Days of '47 Youth Parade

A couple of months ago, our Primary received an invitation to participate in a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to walk along side our stake float in the Days of '47 Youth Parade. This was quite a logistical undertaking, but with lots of willing and helping hands, we walked the parade and had a fabulous time! Our Stake's float even won 1st place and is now going to be in the BIG Days of '47 Parade that will be on the 24th of July! Yay!!!!

The theme of the float was "Just Imagine, Building Dreams, Friendships, and Making Memories."

I thought it was a perfect float for such a theme...the Madagascar friends visiting our "Tithing Hill" which is a historical landmark right here in our stake! The committee who built the float did an amazing job...You would have thought they were professionals! But they had never even done this before! Way to go Summerhill Stake!

Here we are lining up to begin walking in the Parade! There were about 350 Primary children and parents that walked behind the float! It was a blast jumping and dancing around with the kids behind the float as we sang a "pepped up" version of "Give Said the Little Stream" as we walked along the parade route. Times like these are really fun to be a Primary President...you just naturally feel so proud of your kids! ~And so EXCITED for them to have an amazing opportunity like this!!! :)

I just HAD to add this picture of Jeff Moore and Dave Taterita... 2 very nice dads walking with their little 4 year old girls in the parade...but WAY too cool to wear their bandanna's like a pioneer...more like a "bank robber!" ~(AND these 2 friends of ours are also our Home Teachers!!! :)

At the end of the Parade route there were all kinds of free activities for the kids to do...face painting was DEFINITELY the biggest hit!!!! There was also blow up slides and bouncy houses and Home Depot was there with thousands of little wooden kits and hammers for the children to create something for themselves... It was super fun!

Here are some of the kids (and Dallin's little friend Annie) sporting their fresh new look! ~And do you think that they will want to sport the new look at church tomorrow? You betcha!!!
Thanks so much for being the cutest kids in the primary!!! (Sorry, the mother in me just came out ;)

We ARE Family...and it's wonderful!

It was about 4:15 a.m. when I was awoken by the familiar little patter of Kambriella's feet coming down the hall and into my bedroom.. as she got closer and closer I knew what her words to me would be, "Mom is it morning time yet?" This was a moment that I don't ever want to forget...
Such an excitement for life! So excited for each new day!
I have marveled lately and been amazed at how thankful I am for all the moments when I feel love, joy, and gratitude in my life because life is good... and Heavenly Father is so good... I have felt it in abundance in my life lately and I have spent much time reflecting on my blessings... For example, a few weeks ago we were out hiking and as we walked up the mountain I was having a discussion with Dallin and I smiled as we talked of all of the beautiful things that we saw. As  a mother I recognized the opportunity to teach him again about who it was that made all of these wondrous creations...As we talked, I asked Dallin, "Isn't it amazing all of the beautiful creations that are here on the earth? Could you imagine being so creative to make everything we see here?" Dallin in response said, "No way mom, I could never imagine that... I can barely even make Top Ramen!"
It was such a silly but innocent response and I smiled and laughed to myself as we held hands and walked together on our way...
Life is good, and Heavenly Father is so good...:)
There have been many opportunities lately for me to count my blessings and as I have done so, I have found that most of them have to do with FAMILY...
Thank you Heavenly Father for everything that is good in my life...

At the top of our hike to Timponogos...

My sister-in-law's baby shower...

16 silly cousins spending the night togeher in Logan...

A day with my brother Kelly's kids...

Everyday really does hold moments and memories that we can cherish and hold on to... these are just a few that I have had lately that I don't want to forget...But I'm sure there will be another one tomorrow...:)Right?...:)

Happy 18th Anniversary!

With this busy summer in full swing it was so nice to have one more reason to escape with just my sweet hubby... We have been on the go having too much fun with the kids and all of our family so far, but we managed to sneak away just for the weekend to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary, and what can I say... Clint is my favorite!!!

After dropping the kids off with their good friends and heading up past Bear Lake, we arrived at the Minnetonka Cave which we have always wanted to go to but never seemed to fit it in... Well this time we made it work! We arrived and were able to get into a tour only an hour later. It was absolutely breathtaking...I think the largest natural openings that we have been in of all the different caves we have been to.

I know I caught Clint at the beginning of a blink, but this picture shows just a glimpse of some of the beautiful things we saw inside of the cave...

I know it is hard to see, but if you look closely you can see all the different stalagmites that represented Snow White's 7 dwarfs behind me...

This room we are standing in is called the wedding chamber which I thought very appropriate since we were there visiting for our wedding anniversary! I also thought it was sweet that there was a private tour scheduled for that evening where someone was planning on proposing there too!

After we were finished with our tour it was time to head back to Logan where we had a night reserved at the Anniversary Inn. Clint's main concern though at this point was to actually get me back through the canyon without getting me car sick! I felt so woozy on the way there, so we devised a fool proof plan to get me back without getting sick...

Bear Lake's famous Raspberry shakes and salty fries!!! I told him that if we ate them slowly through the canyon I would be fine...and I was!

We checked in to our room, got cleaned up and headed out to a nice dinner and a date to the temple!

Here we are at the same place we were married 18 years ago!!! What a meaningful way to remember the promises that we made each other...I just love it!

I remember when I was a little girl sitting in my sister's house and waiting for everyone to go to bed when I would sneak out into the living room and sit in the window in the dark and stare at the Light on the hill... That light was the Logan temple and I would dream of the day when I would meet my Prince and he would take me there...
My Prince DID come and we ARE living happily ever after.. I love you baby!! Happy Anniversary!!

A Date With a View...Mesa Verde & Arches National Park

On June 14th, Clint and I were able to get away for a few days and drive just a few hours from home to enjoy some time together while visiting some beautiful places. It's really amazing to me that we live in such an amazing area because we literally can drive just a few hours in any direction and be on vacation in what seems like a whole new world. This place was definitely no exception! While we had visited Mesa Verde before, this was the first time we were able to go and enjoy the breathtaking views without the worry of a little one falling down or even OFF of some dangerous edge! It was fun, relaxing, and enjoyable! ...And while I love taking my children fun places, Clint is really my favorite one to go with :) and it's nice to take it all in with my all of my senses instead of reserving a few of the most important ones for worrying about the safety of the little ones. Needless to say we had a wonderful time together and can't wait for our next trip together:)

Mesa Verde is a place where the Anasazi Indians used to live in cliff dwellings. And although they have been gone for a long time, when you are there you really get a feel of what their everyday life used to be like...This place that Clint is standing is called The Long House.

Here we are standing together in what was called The Balcony House...

Climbing up the ladder to the "balcony" at Balcony House...

Not too shabby for a girl who is terribly afraid of heights!

Nearing the top of the tour... This was the most secure of all of the places that the Indians lived... being up on that cliff with only a small crack to squeeze through made it very difficult for enemies to attack!!!

This was one of the only entrances into the living space...the park ranger made us all laugh as she explained that most everyone can fit through because all of the squishy parts seem to squish right where they need to!! (I told Clint to crawl in and look out for a picture and this was what I got!!! Silly boy;)

As you can see, not a whole lot of room to squeeze through!!!

This little "throne" was on our way out of Cliff Palace...fit for a King!;)

We also took a day and went into Arches National Park and saw some awesome views...

Here we are at Balanced Rock...but I really wonder just how much longer that rock will really stay balanced?

More inspiring views...

Here is Clint in front of Landscape Arch...You wouldn't know it from the picture but the actual width of the arch is as much as 3 football fields!!!

...And here I stand in a little crevace that gradually closed in on itself...

And the Pinnacle of the hike... Delicate Arch!

I figured it was about time we made it to see one of Utah's greatest sights! This Arch is on some of Utah's lisence plates AND we only live about 3 hours away from it!!! Isn't it about time?!

Isn't it beautiful? It was a breathtaking view! ~And so happy to have made it with my Sweetie Pie!!!

Thanks so much for all of the fun memories Clint!

I will go anywhere in this world as long as I can go with you...

I love you so much!!!