August 18, 2009 our trip with the youth to Freemont lookout/sunrise hike at mount rainier. It was so awesome. I love this hike. It was a great birthday trip for me, even though it was a bit early.

next August activity was the Ames Family Reunion. We held it at the Church camp in Nisqually. It was so great to see some cousins that have not been around for quite some time.

Me and Eden

Mostly the Chipman clan

Janet, Calvin, Mona, Theon, Bud

Terry Stinger, Calvin Stinger, Terry's granddaughter Cadance

Leslie and Mona

Theon, Janet Stinger Dixon, her son John Dixon

Kevin, Peggy Stinger Crofts, her son Rell Dixon

the three remaining Ames children, Mona, Theon, and Bud

The reason we got to actually get together. Thanks Cliff

August 2009 started with a trip to Utah for my nephew Derek's wedding. I went down with my parents. It was a good trip. Got to see lots of family and some old friends. We stayed with Phil and Rene Razee. Just a few pics from the wedding:

Derek and Lizzy's party

the mom's

Kim and Raleigh's clan

the money dance

the cake

helping out at the luncheon

I am always getting my shoes stuck or knocked off somehow.

The newly weds

the stormy weather at bountiful after the endowment

wow has it been a long time since I posted anything or even looked at my kiddo's blogs. Lots of catching up to do.
Our Birthday's, family reunion, fair, deck, canning. better get catching up.

I can't get this picture to come out the right direction, but i love this flower. It has blossomed so nicely and the color is so vibrant. I love seeing it each day. OK, so I guess several of them are not the right direction. sorry.

With the move of the mailboxes came the need for a change in the yard. It was a hot day, but I got it done anyway. Hopefully it will work ok when the rains come and bring a soggy bottom.

More changes

With a call into the bishopric as 2nd counselor this last Sunday, July 19, came
The end of another era....... Some of our children have never seen their Dad without a moustache. they are anxious to see the after, so I have skipped ahead a bit in my journal.

before
after [the pencil is still there though]

Brothers

I found these pics while looking for something else and just had to share. Check out the evil look on Charlie as he goes for the kill. this was right after Dan's return home from his mission last March.

What a handsome bunch of boys. Who do they belong to anyway?
Loe you guys. Thanks for being friends as well as brothers.
And no, that isn't a halo above JD's head, just the curtain holder.

Dan, Jimby, JD, and Chucky

Domino Blessing Day

We made it out to Eatonville on time today. Charlie gave a nice blessing to Domino.

4th of July

This years celebration was different than others for us. Less people went to the Eatonville fireworks on the third. Then, we went to JD and Ann's for the 4th. It is the first time we have gone there for the fourth. He threw a good party, but because of Domino's blessing the next morning at 9:30am many of us left early. sorry JD.
The brothers went early to play at the beach. We got there around lunch time and had just the right amount of time to play in the dirty water for a few minutes with some of the kids and head up to the house for lunch. It was a beautiful hot day. The kids all had fun and it was fun to watch the dad's play with the little fireworks with their kids. Thanks for a fun day JD.
We went home at about 9pm so it was still too light to even watch fireworks on the way home. Once home I decided to water the plants and it sounded like we were at war here. There were fireworks going off on every side. The field out front looked like Halloween with a smoke haze instead of a fog haze. Talking to Dan this morning on the way to the blessing, he commented on the fact that Brown's Point has outlawed fireworks because they make it sound like a war zone. Funny he says, isn't that a good thing to help us be reminded of why we have this celebration in the first place? I know it made me remember when I was out watering plants and thought of those that currently are out fighting and living with those sounds everyday. I am so thankful for where I live. thank you to those that have made my life possible.