Sunday photoshoot

July 4th 2014

Middle Fork of the Salmon River Trip

I had the chance to take the trip of a lifetime with Mom, Dad, Jeanette, and Debbie. We floated the Middle Fork of the Salmon River for 5 nights and 6 days. It was a trip we had taken when I was in middle school and dad invited us to join him on another round. We had the most amazing experience. The beauty of the surroundings, the quiet time to reflect, the chance to catch up with sisters and parents....it was a unique experience that I will treasure! I feel so blessed to have had the support of Alan to take the time off from being a mom and go on a wild adventure! 

On the last rapid of the last hour of the trip, we had an experience I will never forget! We were on a paddle boat with six women and a very experienced guide who has never flipped a boat before. As we went into the rapid it was clear that we did not have the man-power to get through it. My dear friend Harriet (65 year old Jewish woman from NYC) and I were in the front of the boat, and before we even had a chance to process what was happening, we were literally swallowed by the rapid. Suddenly, I was UNDER the boat, deciding if I was going to live or die. Fight and swim or just relax and let it happen. It was the scariest moment of my life! I used every once of strength I had to get out from underneath the raft and somehow we all made it out safely. We spent the next hour shaking as we finally made it out of the river-- I was never happier to have the ground underneath my feet! Our dear babysitter Valarie Burnham took care of the boys for me while Alan was working. We sent her off to BYU a few weeks later. She has been the boys second mother and we will miss her SO much!

Baby Nate learns to stand

He's so proud of himself! Eleven months old.

Scout Camp

Alex had an great week at Lake Pleasant day camp! He attended with a group of friends from our ward and he had a great time! He had to be up at 5:15am and didn't get home until 7pm. But he earned 4 merit badges and is off to an great start in Boy Scouts!

Summer San Diego trip

Pinning for gold at the Mormon Batallion Exhibit in old town

Glorious day at Del Mar Beach

Another great day at La Jolla Shores with cousins and the Olsens

Church with the Curtis' 

Pizza dinner with our crazy cousins

We love having cousins in San Diego! 

Alex turns 11!

Alex turned 11!! We had a fun party for him at Flipside. Afterwards all of his buddies came back to our house for pizza and donut cake, water balloons and swimming. It was a great party! 

Since his bday was on a Sunday this year we had the party the day before. For his bday breakfast he requested hash browns and bacon. And even though it's over 100* outside, he wanted chicken noodle soup for dinner! He loves soup just like his dad.

Alex is the most thoughtful, considerate child ever. He constantly asks me-- what can I do for you mom? He always remembers to ask to be excused from the table-- his manners are excellent. Alex takes things very literally-- he is never sarcastic and is always kind. He is my best babysitter for Nate and Jake and is a total homebody-- he loves to be here with the family. 

This morning we looked through all of the pictures from when Alex was born- it really was the most exciting day of my life. I could not have been more blessed than I have been to Alex as my son. He is growing into an amazing young man thati could not be prouder of. We love you Alex!