Cliff Bars and Gatorade

On the 30th of July, a small group of adventurers set out to conquer the great Wheeler Peak.

The party started Friday, when Mom, Dad, Janeen, Jen, Riley, and Hyrum arrived in Spring Valley. We had a fun hot dog roast with smores.

Smack that!

The next morning we set out to climb 4 miles (in distance) and 3,000 feet (in elevation).

This was the "easy" part of the hike.

No one really wanted to take pictures at this point.Part of the ranch where Steve works.

Stranger: "Where are you from?"

Steve: "See that house down there?"

Terrific view! And this isn't even the top!

We had so much fun hiking with my family. It is really an incredible experience to be so high. Thank you family for coming with Steve and me. We enjoyed being with you that weekend.

So if anyone wants to feel like a mountaineer one weekend, give us a call.

Pioneer Children Sang As They Walked....

... and Jessica gasps for air as she runs a 5K Fun Run in Enterprise, UT.

Steve and I celebrate Pioneer Day in Enterprise. We get up at the crack of dawn to RUN!!!! (Who does that?!?)

Then we soak up the morning rays to watch the parade.

Then we jump of cliffs (at some ridiculous heights) into some cold water.

Then Steve enjoys a refreshing beverage under the shade at the Pickering BBQ.

Then he decides to wrestle children at least 10 years younger than him.

In a few years, Reese is going to be able to whip up on Steve.

So we might do Pioneer Day a little differently than the actually pioneers, but we sure did have fun!

In Honor of Pioneer Day

Steve and I played pioneers for a week. For most of the week, we couldn't drain or flush any water down our septic line. For the last day of that week, the water was turned off. We had no running water. So we hauled our laundry and dirty dishes to the neighbors in baskets so we could have clean clothes to wear and clean dishes to eat off of. (Mind you, we only did this once. We can live without doing laundry for a week.) I felt like a pioneer using an outhouse when I ran over to Matt and Jenny's at two o'clock in the morning to use their facilities. Of course, there bathroom is NOT like an outhouse, but the distance to my bed to their toilet is. I was ready to stop playing pioneer when I saw my brand new septic tank in my back yard. Who would have ever guessed that this sight would make me so giddy!?! I also came home to a fixed sink and shampooed carpet. I was definately done playing pioneer. I love running water and a working septic tank.

Janelle and Rick's Wedding from the Pickering Camera

After a long drive to Idaho, Steve and I made it to where the party was. We met in Almo, ID, where Steve and I would be staying in our very own little suite. I am pretty sure Mom and Dad gave us the nicest room to get some grandkids out of the deal. Anywho, Almo Inn is fabulous and thanks Mom and Dad for the room.

Steve's feelings about weddings.

Janelle and Rick got married 7/9/11 at Castle Rock. It was a gorgeous morning for a wedding.

Janeen was the official Pippa (the sister that tried to steal the show).

I was the wanna-be-Pippa (I couldn't be one because I'm married).

Riley, the flower girl. We are so proud of her, she didn't drop a single petal. :)

Janelle, Dad, and Rick. The archway was so beautiful, and the day couldn't have been more perfect.

"You may kiss the bride"

The Divas

After the ceremony, we had a delicious luncheon at Almo Inn.

Riley eating lemons. Janeen and I are the BEST aunts.

After the festivies, Steve was ready to go play. We took a ride in the Razor around the farm.

Riley and I share the same taste in flip flops.

Janeen eating. I love taking these pictures.

Steve and I took to Logan like Dobby to socks.

It rained on our parade...

... but we had a blast!

Steve and I took Trace and Maddie to the Ely parade while Matt and Jenny were driving Jenny's dance float. We got there a ten minutes before the parade started, and it down-poured. I felt bad for the paper-mached floats. So Trace, Maddie and I took refuge in the car while Steve went to find his parents and Jeremy.

Right when the Pickerings got us, it stopped raining.

The candy was still wet.

The fire station's float was creative. A cat in a tree.

Jenny's dance group

Oh so fun!

Steve's 24th

On Steve's birthday, we went up to Idaho. He got to play on his motorcycle all afternoon for the motorcross practice. I think he was in heaven. The next day he rode really well in his first moto. For the second moto, his bike broke, so he couldn't compete. But he still had lots of fun.





Because of a traveling birthday, and because I am a horrible wife, Steve had to buy his own birthday cake. But I did put on the candles.


My family was in the Logan area on the 4th, so we had a fun lunch at Big J's.

That afternoon, we had a bridal shower for Janelle. It was a great birthday weekend. Steve and I both got to do some fun things. Happy Birthday Steve!