Handcart Trek 2011

Can I just say that I love going on a Handcart Trek?  This year makes #4.  I got to go as an aunt again and I was part of the Schmidt family.

There was Ma and Pa Schmidt and then most of us got our names from the song John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt.  So we had John, Jacob, Jean, Jill, Hyrum and then Mary Lou, Sarah and Winnie (me), too.

We walked......

 And walked.......

Uphill.......

And uphill.....

We got a little (understatement of the year) wet....

and had a lot of fun.

 Our fearless leaders, Los Tres Amigos.

 That's one way of supporting the bishop....we couldn't let that cranium get fried. After all, it was in charge of getting us all to the end safely.

Our wonderful support staff....cooks, wood choppers, latrine drivers, water haulers, all round fun bunch.

A Little Southern Comfort

My cousin, Darla, came to Utah all the way from Finland for the McAllister Reunion this year.  She used to live close when we were younger and we loved spending time at each other's houses and getting up to all kinds of shenanigans.  Here is a picture when we were about 13 or 14.

 Here we are, a little older and much wiser?  On the left is our cousin Shelly who used to join in on the shenanigans once in a while. The three of us took a road trip with Grandma Eleanor one summer that was quite action-packed.  Funny thing is these two ladies are actually my dad's cousins due to the very large family my grandma came from.  Shelly's dad and my dad were just months apart in age and Darla's mom was Shelly's dad's older sister.  My Grandma Eleanor was an older sister to both of them.  It was good to see Darla again.  The last time we saw each other was when her daughter, Sarah was a baby.  Sarah is now 6 or 7.

 Before heading to the reunion we took a side trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  I think I had been there when I was younger but I really don't remember.  I want to go again when we can stay longer and do some hiking.

Just one of the many pictures I took.  It was a beautiful day and we were jealous of all of the motorcycle groups we saw.  I think that next time we may just trailer the bikes to St. George and make the trip on them.

They had a bunch of these little "shelters" so Camryn and I took advantage of a great place to have our picture taken.

Byron opted for a sunnier spot outside onside on the observation deck at the lodge.

This is a statue of Brighty who is a pretty historic part of the Grand Canyon.  I remember reading a book about him when I was younger because it was written by an author who wrote about horses and I had a serious horse addiction as a girl.

These are just some cool things I saw in the lodge.

 Why, yes, that IS a life-sized Kachina Doll.

 This is a picture of one of the chandeliers in the lodge.

Now to be a little irreverent......We didn't have any of these pies but the signs are good for a giggle.

Summer Hijinks

This is an awesome picture of Ashton and Becky with Skyler (left) and Dallon
(right).  I asked for recent family pictures for Mother's Day.  I wish that I could post all of the ones that were on the camera.  I could tell they had a lot of fun posing.

This is Sammy, the wonder dog. She looks grumpy in this picture but she is super sweet.

February Birthdays

Here are the birthday girls!  This was the year that Camryn turned 18 and we officially became a house of adults, or so our ages would say, but our actions are another matter.

Yummy treats.  On the right are chocolate wafers layered with whipped cream-cream cheese frosting.  You make them the day ahead and the cookies get soft and it is just about the most delicious evil you can put in your mouth.  Becky was craving some Oreo Cheescake and it was awfully good as well! 

Kellee made a collage of Ashton and Becky's wedding pictures for Becky to keep at her desk.

 Meghan made Camryn a hat and a scarf that look like the characters from a cartoon called "Adventure Time" that Camryn loves.

iTunes card and a Zebra wallet

 

Pink Zebra sweater, yes, Camryn is all about the Zebra and the Hot Pink

January Birthday Bash

January is Birthday Bonanza month. First is Byron's and then Kellee and then Ashton. We have added two grandsons to the fun as well. You can see one of them in the corner of the picture. Not sure what Ashton has the giggles about but I am sure that Byron is at the bottom of it.

Byron got some cool signs to hang on the wall of his "Man Cave".

Ashton got a new iPod! This boy loves and lives music! He is so very talented and amazes me all of the time at what he comes up with either on the guitar or the piano.

Among the things that Kellee got was a beautiful scarf from her sister, Meghan.

This is Payten (on the left) and Skyler (right). They are exactly two years apart and good buddies.

Newest Family Member

This is my son, Ashton, and his new bride, Becky. This was taken just after they were married on the beach in Santa Barbara. It was supposed to be a secret but when Ashton called me before he left town I all of a sudden got 'mother's intuition' and asked him if they were running away to get married. After an awkward silence, awkward conversation that ended with him hanging up on me he called back and confirmed my suspicions. To get the record straight, however, they were not running away, they had been planning since October but just hadn't told any family, they were going to surprise us at the monthly family dinner this month. That was supposed to be next Sunday and I had it all planned out where I would have a cute single-layer wedding cake made by a friend and I would bring it out as dessert and then they would make their announcement. Well, they couldn't wait so I had a day to throw together the cake. Below is the result:

Scary, I know. At least the ducks are cute and they appreciated it so much! We are so glad to have Becky as a part of our family. She is a sweet girl and has really helped Ashton get on top of taking care of his health and many other events that have spelled out a not so hot year for him.

Fun for Free!

For the past couple of months I have been substituting in one of the three nurseries in my ward. I have a couple of more months left and I am really having the time of my life. I wanted to post some pictures of some of the little cuties I get to hang out with but after the Relief Society meeting we had last night about safe use of the internet I vow never to post pictures of anyone's children without their consent. So....you are just gonna have to take my word for it, these kids are adorable. They have gotten used to having me around now so they are talking more and watching them sing during singing time is a hoot! They know the actions for all of the songs but getting them to match up with the verse that is being sung at the time can get a little tricky and can provide a lot of entertainment. This past Sunday we had finished up singing time but had not sung one of the 'regulars' so while we were putting up chairs and getting toys out, one of the little boys sat on the adult chair and led everyone through Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star...with all of the actions. This is the same little guy who will come over and rub the top of my head if he thinks that I need some love. What a sweet experience to be a part of these kids' first step in Primary. I used to think that Young Women's was the best (secretly still do) and then I really got a kick out of being Cubmaster. I never thought that I could really love Nursery but I had a short stint a few years ago that came at a point in my life that made my time there very healing. Now I'm hooked. BTW, for those of you who have kids in my Nursery class, I will be giving you the pictures of your little ones rather than putting them here.