The Phoenix

Bryson had a house in the Parade of Homes this year. It was down off Carterville Rd in Orem. It was a remodel after a house fire. It was a very rewarding project, particularly because Bry got to work with such great homeowners (Jared and Jessica Connors) during the process. One night during the Parade, I got to take tickets at the door and it was fun to hear the nice comments of the people who walked through the home. I'm married to such a talented, creative guy. I'm very proud of how hard he works to provide for our family. I know it must be a lot of pressure for one person to deal with, but he handles it easily. I love to see his hard work pay off.

This is us in front of the house after the Parade was over.

Jon and Sarah's wedding

Bryson's youngest brother Jon got married this month. He married such a cute girl-Sarah Swain. We love her. They were married by Sarah's brother-in-law, Cody, in her backyard on July 10. Cody did such a great job performing the ceremony. I got choked up a few times. All of the nieces and nephews were wearing matching outfits and they looked SO cute! It was a great day.Bry, me and the happy couple at the wedding dinner the night before. It was at Pizzeria 712, the best restaurant in Utah County!

I love this picture of Bry and his brothers. What handsome boys!

Family vacation to Flaming Gorge

We went camping with Janeen and all of Bryson's brothers and sister towards the end of June. It was pretty hectic getting out of town so we didn't arrive at our campsite until after midnight. It rained on us the whole drive up the mountain but mercifully it stopped right as we rolled into our camp and we were able to set up the tents before the rain started again. Needless to say, after getting very little sleep the night before, waking up to a downpour didn't exactly sweeten my mood. I was very grouchy and ready to turn around and drive home. Instead of just hanging out in our tents, Bryson wisely suggested we drive back down the mountain into Vernal. We took the kids to the dinosaur museum and then went to lunch at Wendy's.





The kids had tons of fun at the dinosaur museum. There were lots of hands-on activities for children. Eleyna is big enough now to interact more with her cousins. It was fun watching her run around and explore with Kyser and Nash.

The clouds were dissapating somewhat by late afternoon so we headed back to Flaming Gorge. Up in the mountains the weather was still rainy. However, after our reprieve from the wet and cold in Vernal everyone was in a better mood. Right before dinner the second half of our group arrived. Tyler and Leigh and Dave and Kim had to work half the day on Friday so they missed our earlier adventures. Together we enjoyed a delicious dinner, sheltered from the rain by the big shade cover we brought.

The next day couldn't have been more opposite from our first day there. We woke up to clear blue skies and warm weather. After breakfast we headed out to the lake! We spent the whole day in the boat except a quick break for lunch on the dock. Eleyna was happy to be able to walk around during our lunch break and I think she walked up and down the dock with Bry about fifty times.



This last picture is of my sister-in-law and I with our sleeping babies. Right before this picture was taken Eleyna had been playing on my lap. She was streched out on her belly across my legs trying to reach the animal crackers. All of the sudden, she was lying perfectly still. I looked down to find her completely zonked. It was hilarious! I have never seen a child fall asleep that fast-and in such a strange position-before.

On Sunday, the last day of our trip, we had a family testimony meeting. It was really special. I felt a lot closer to everyone afterwards. It was a great way to kick off our summer travels.

A visit from Grandpa Brad

Bryson's little sister Jocelyn graduated from high school at the end of May. Bry's dad Brad and his wife Jeanette came up from Vegas for the occassion and stayed at our house. While they were here we took some lunch and went up Provo Canyon together. Brad brought a birthday cake in honor of all of the May birthdays in the family. It was nice to spend the afternoon together since we don't get to see them very often.

Eleyna's 1st birthday

Geez, I forgot how busy summer is. This post is very belated. On May 29th our little 'Leyna turned ONE. The week of her birthday we had a swim party at the Heaton's pool to celebrate. It was so fun! This is a picture of the cake I made. It was so yummy. I'm very proud of how it turned out.
Eleyna was pretty timid when I set her piece of cake on the tray. She didn't really dig in like some kids do. She ate it very daintily.
Cute little chipmunk cheeks full of cake.

We asked everyone to buy her clothes for her presents. Her wardrobe got a full makeover. It was great.

Aunt Dede got Eleyna a blowup princess chair. They are such cute friends.

It was a wonderful party for a wonderful little girl. We just adore Eleyna. I'm so grateful Heavenly Father sent her to our family. She makes us laugh everyday.

Right now Eleyna likes to:

Walk/run everywhere

Squeal in a really girly, high-pitched way

Point to things she's interested in

Use a fork to feed herself-still working on the spoon

Eat-she is such a good eater!

Play the "chase me" game with mom/dad

Bring mom/dad books to read

Hug Hunter

Pull up Hunter's shirt and grab his g-button

Push things around like strollers, Hunter's wheelchair and our trash cans

Ride in her daddy's truck

Be outside

Happy Birthday Bryson!

My eternal companion and best friend had a birthday in May. We went and saw the new Star Trek movie-which to my surprise I loved-and grabbed some food at Terra Mia (yum!) to celebrate. Bryson is such a good man. I'm so lucky to have him.

These Moms Share Special Gifts

These Moms Share Special Gifts
by Erma Bombeck
(with some modifications by me)

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger. "Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecelia. Rudledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint... give her Gerard. He's used to profanity." Finally he speaks the name, Bennett, Emily, to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious, "Why this one, God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," says God. "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But has she patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she will drown in a sea of self pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make him live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, does she truly believe in you?" God smiles, "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness."

The angel gasps, "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"

God nods, "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a spoken word. She will never consider a step ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it! When she describes a tree or a sunset to her blind child, she will see it as few people ever see my creations."

"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice... and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be with her every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing my work as surely as if she were an angel by my side."