Back to school

School has started again! I didn't get a picture of David I guess because he just went off to the bus like he did every day last year. I did get a picture of the girls because Caroline is starting at Orem High and is pretty excited to be with her big sister. What fun! Nelson started school again also, teaching Business Law at BYU this semester. I should sneak in and take a picture of his classroom, huh?

Scouts boating

We took 9 scouts boating on Saturday. It was a lot of fun and we could have stayed all day. We blew up the tube wars tubes and had some fun leisurely rides and some WAR rides!

Nelson got out on the tubes with them and he and David showed them how it's done. Later that day we went to Salt Lake City for a Harward reunion with Nelson's side of the family. It is always fun to see his cousins and aunts and uncles. I am grateful to have them around since I don't get to see my own family very often.

Lagoon!

The last time we went to Lagoon David was 5 and he doesn't really even remember going. It was the last hurrah before school starts! The only thing is, I think everyone else had the same idea. It was pretty crowded. Seven Peaks is a much bigger water park so I think next time we need that we will stay closer to home but it was still fun.

It was a really hot day so we were so glad to get wet. After dinner we went on a wet ride to stay a little cooled off, got ice-cream, wandered around Pioneer village and then went on some classic Lagoon rides. Nelson, David and Caroline had arrived before me and Katie so they went home and we stayed to have more fun! I admit, I was a little worried because my head and stomach don't do as well as they used to at amusement parks. When we went to Six Flags last Spring I only went on about 1 in 4 rides so I could recover in between. The pressure was on because I was Katie's ride buddy! We went on the old white coaster, the wild mouse and Colossus. I actually made it and was fine. It was super fun, we laughed and laughed on the mouse and Katie laughed at me I think on the others. When it was time to go, we decided to have fun in the photo booth. It was a great day!

Sundance summer fun

Nelson's parents invited us to join them and some other family at Sundance for the outdoor theater. They did Sound of Music this summer. That is one of my all time favorite movies/soundtracks. On the way up we were joking about how it was going to be hard to control ourselves and not sing since these songs just scream sing along. When we arrived and were browsing the program we saw the lyrics printed out for some of the songs with instructions about when to sing. It was a sing along! How exciting for us. Before the play started, we noticed one of Nelson's oldest (that sounds bad, is longest known better?) friends there with his wife. Nelson went over to visit with Merrill. I commented that, wow, they are both sure going grey and I wished I had my camera. After some stand-up-in-the-audience-and-do-hand-motions to Andrea, Merrill's wife, I figured out that she did have a camera and would take a picture. She sent them to me so I had to share, along with...

...a blast from the past. This is Nelson and Merrill at our wedding. Merrill was Nelson's best man so yes, we go WAY back, just kidding. Thanks for the pictures Andrea!

David's scout troop hikes Timp

All packed up and ready to go!

Here's David and his scout troop in the parking lot ready to hike Mt. Timpanogas. They left on a Friday afternoon, hiked about halfway and spent the night. The next day they hiked to the top and then all the way back down. We did this 2 years ago and it is a tough hike. Once is enough in my lifetime.

Stopping for a rest with scout falls in the background.

They went to the top in a couple of different groups and David's group didn't take pictures. Sorry, no proof but I believe them!

This is a view of what's to come from the meadow near camp.

Taking a rest in the snow on the way down.

Great job!

Moving forward and moving back

I am pretty behind on my blog. Katie even posted about how much of a slacker I have been in this department. She failed to expound on what a crazy woman I have been while getting a whole lot of other things done. Please check in and read back in time as I try to catch up. I decided to start from the most recent activity I have pictures of so I am at least caught up, sort of.

We went on our ward campout at a neighbor's family property in Mt. Pleasant. It is around an hour, hour and a half from home. We took the Jack and Mike, our exchange students, for a real American experience. We took the motorhome so maybe a tent would've been more rustic but much more comfortable.

On the property is the old family cabin built in 1873. The lady who lives in a newer big house on the property actually lived in this house as a child. She told us some stories and history about her family and the house. It was very interesting.

Mike and Jack had never roasted marshmallows before. I showed Jack the marshmallows and he said no, no and started to walk away. I said too bad if you don't like marshmallows ( I am so nice, huh) this was an American experience they had to participate in. I get the feeling the Chinese don't like sweets so I guess that's why. Jack doesn't like chocolate. I believe he is the only person I have ever met in my entire life who has this dislike. I don't understand, not at all.

They ate the whole s'more so I guess it wasn't horrible. Mike said they were okay. Jack didn't comment but at least I have done my job.

Here we are in front of such a picturesque scene. It was so beautiful and peaceful. Today was also our 24th anniversary. We will get to celebrate later next week when life calms down a bit.

Boating with the Chinese students

It's hard to tell if these boys had or had not ever been on a boat before. They spoke English fairly well but sometimes we just didn't push the issue when it seemed they weren't understanding what we were asking. This was one of those times. I am pretty sure they have never tubed before, though.

Here is Jack and David. Nelson went pretty easy with them on the tube. I was worried about injuries being halfway around the world from mom and dad and all. Besides, they would be out for a couple of minutes and yell to come in because their arms were dying and they needed a break.

Here is David and Mike. Mike was a bit more worried about things in general while here and this was no exception. He did willingly participate and that was without exception also. Mike was always willing to try anything new which was just about everything while Jack seemed like he really didn't want to experience things, happy to just watch Mike eat whatever we served or anything else we suggested.

Jack was much more daring and playful, though.

Could someone explain the whole peace-sign-is-mandatory-for-every-picture thing? Our Japanese students were the same. I really would like an explanation.

Mike and Jack together.