Summer hike

School has not been out very long, but we are ready to get out and do a little exploring. I took Gracie and Jake with me up Logan canyon while Emilee did a photo shoot there. While we waited for her to finish up, we went and enjoyed everything this time of year has to offer. Every time I am up in the mountains with my family it reminds me of growing up and makes me grateful I had parents who helped me appreciate the beauty around me...

 Hiking buddies

 They actually got along...

Relaxing by the water  

It was so beautiful and green up there

End of Year program

Jake is always pretty excited to get up in front of everyone and show us what he's learned. They always do the most clever songs and skits...and I love watching my kids come out of their shell.

 Let the show begin

 Finally got him to look at me

A little end of year gift from his teacher

Relay

Riley was the top in his class for running the mile this year. He's very competitive and wanted to win again with this being his last year at Lewiston. All of the students from the school district meet at the high school for the last deciding race. Riley participated in the relay and did awesome.

 All of the Lewiston competitors

 The home stretch and hand off...

 Riley and his friend Whitt

My little runner

14th Birthday

I still can't believe that two of my children are teenagers. It's a bittersweet feeling, knowing that they're growing and learning and becoming young adults...but a little sad knowing one day, they'll be off on their own without a second thought of what I'm doing or where I am.

I'm very proud of Haydn and excited to see what he does with the talents he's been given. He is a very smart and imaginative kid...one after my own heart ;)

Happy Birthday Haydn, we love you!!

Birthday Banner 

 Lighting his own candles

Oh, the love....

Dance Review

It's that time of year again. Gracie has really enjoyed being a part of Lapetites. The conventions, the competitions, and the social part of it all is something Gracie has really loved. She has made some good friends this year and has grown as a dancer. We are very proud of her and were excited to have her show us everything she has learned.

Grandma and Grandpa Hillesheim were not able to make it this year and we missed them. They have some the last couple years with Diana and her family. It's always fun to have family around.

Until next time...

Getting ready backstage

 Tap dance

 That's a wrap!

 So proud of Gracie

Back home after a very long day

Family Pics

This year we kept family pictures pretty simple. It was nice to have my sister Natalie come up from Salt Lake and take them. The weekend they were here, we were able to hang out with her and her husband Wes. The boys even did a little golfing.

Pictures are always a chore for me, but I love to have them taken almost every year. Here are a few...enjoy!

Family History

Last fall, I started to do a little indexing and dabbling around in my family history.  I was a little leery to do work on my side because my grandmother and her sisters had already done so much. So I assumed there wasn't much to do.

Little did I know...I have a neighbor who is very involved in family history and he gave me a little info to make it easier when finding names that needed work. The next thing I knew, I had a total of almost 200 names from both sides of the family. I also found out more about those ancestors that have already had their work done. Several of my ancestors came to the Cache Valley and played an important part in the building of the Logan temple and settling the area. 

Once I had the names printed, I took Emilee and Haydn to the temple so they could be a part of the whole process. It was a great day. And I'm grateful for those who came before me and sacrificed so much. But most importantly, those who had faith and were obedient to the gospel. 

 Grave site by USU campus in Logan, UT

Lars C. Larsen ....3 x's Great Grandfather

Baptisms for the dead....all finished!

Year of Dance...

Gracie has gone from one thing to the next with dance this year, especially this spring. One convention or competition after another.

This time the convention was held in Sandy where most of my family lives...so a few cousins came to watch.

Lily and Gracie waiting backstage 

The whole crew...Ramsi, Raegan,  Gracie and Lily

Dance Convention

Gracie has danced in a competitive dance group this year and she has LOVED it!  She always works so hard and does so well. She has made many friends this year...it has really made her happy.

This was a convention she attended here in Logan at the high school. They did great...it's so much fun to watch her dance!

 La Petites 

Tiny dancer...

Spring Break - Grand Canyon

We decided at the last minute, which quite frankly happens to be the way we do most trips around here, to go to the Grand Canyon for Spring Break.  I found it strange that at the age of 38, I still had not been to the Grand Canyon. I have gone around it and over it, but it was time to see it in person.

Now this was a very short and sweet trip, most of which was accomplished in the one day we spent walking around the entire south rim. It was still early, so some areas were closed off. 

This place is spectacular...beautiful and really amazing. The colors, the views and the history behind it all. The family had a great time and we were able to get some great pictures and spend some much needed together time. 

I have to say, I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be. Leading up to the time we left, I kept having those awful nightmares where your child goes flying off the edge of something and you're left helpless to watch them fall in slow motion...

Luckily, that never actually happened.

On a lighter note, the trip was successful and I think my children have in some small way become more appreciative of the world around them...especially if it's a sheer drop a mile down.

Good times!!

Beautiful colors...

Monument Valley

Vermillion Cliffs

Colorado River

I love this shot with the shadows

A little close to the edge

Sisters monument

Grand Canyon selfie

Living on the edge...