Going to the Zoo zoo zoo, how about you you you

The following three pictures are me trying to get a picture of everyone one the train at the zoo. It didn't work out very well but I loved them all anyway so I am sharing :)

 We only had a few more day's left in Utah and my sister wanted to do something fun with here kids. Since she had been injured in a car accident early in the summer it was very hard to do anything. So we all packed up and went.  Tina and Lincoln and Halley and Ryan and Grandma Young were there also we just didn't spend very much time together. Too many people and we went to the bird show with them and we parted ways.

Amanda (in pink) and Josie (in Yellow)

 It was incredibly hot. I think the car said 107 on our way home so in the middle of the day in the sun it was just yucky!  But we tried to have as much fun as possible.  My Mom and Jackie and Dallin spent a good portion of the time in the restaurant were it was air conditioned.

Sam, Josie and Amanda

 Sam kept trying to dodge all the pictures so I took so many of him that I made him laugh :) I love this picture of him :)

Sam (in Red shirt), Josie and Amanda

 We had  a fun time together.  Had to say our final goodbye's because we were headed for home soon after this.  It is always sad to say goodbye to family.  Love love love family!!

Family Cabin

We went to the cabin this summer.  It has been a few years since I was in Utah when my Mom had the cabin so it was an extra bonus to my time spent with Jackie, Tyler and Dallin.

Tayler, Lora and Emma

 I was so glad Ruth Ann came to the cabin. I don't get to see here nearly as often as I wish I could. We sang songs, put together puzzle's, played games and enjoyed ourselves.

Ruth, Lora, Emma and Grandma 

 A herd of forty or so Elk were close by.   Emma and Tayler had been outside on the deck reading and they came running back into the cabin and said some animal was making really weird noises.  We had seen a couple of Elk the night before so we figured it was them. Not long after that Tayler came running in and grabbed the camera and said there was a whole bunch of Elk out there.  There were :)  They weren't far from the cabin either so it was very very cool. Lot's of little babies, so fun to watch.

 We had a great time. I had fun reminiscing with my Mom.  When my kids were little and we lived in Utah we went every single summer. Something we looked forward to every year and something we have missed since we have moved to Oregon.  We have a lot of memories at the cabin.

Blessing day

July 6th, 2014

 Dallin was blessed today. It was such a great day. Tyler blessed him and it was a sweet and wonderful blessing.  I tell ya Dallin is a lucky lucky boy. Look at the adorable family picture :)

We were so so lucky to have Grandma Young and George there at the same time.  Four generations :)  Family is so wonderful!

George, Jackie, Ada, Dallin, Lora and Don

 I love this picture :) My sisters always go above and beyond for me and my family!

Jackie, Dallin, Ariana, Halley

All the cousins

Tina and Dallin

Marc and Dallin

Marcia, Jackie, Dallin, Tyler and Jonathon

Dallin was surrounded by family from Oregon, Utah, Tennessee and  Maryland. It was a great day!

Bells Canyon Falls

Another hike with Tayler, Emma and my sisters Judy and Noreen.  This hike was a little steeper than the Blanche lake hike.  It wasn't as long though so totally doable. 

The story behind Emma's sad face.  I wanted a picture with the water behind us and there was this big rock out in the creek.  So we were standing out there and I moved Emma to be in front (she said I pushed her but I really didn't) and she fell into the creek. I felt horrible really I did. I offered to wear her wet shoes and socks and everything but she didn't want to, sssoooo she hiked the whole thing in wet shoes and socks.  She is a good girl.

 She did finally smile :)  It took some time but she made it.  The falls were beautiful and it was a fun day.  Another successful hike in Utah :)

Noreen, Lora and Judy

Tayler, Lora and Emma

Blanche Lake

My sister and some of her friends were going on a hike once a week while I was in Utah.  I really wanted to go so Tayler and I went to Blanche Lake.  Judy had never hiked this one before and Liz had only done part of it so we weren't sure what to expect.  It was truly the most spectacular hike I have ever had the privilege of going on. 

Lora and Tayler

 Around every bend or corner there was just so much beauty.  Usually when I am on a hike the destination is the best part. This hike had meadow and mountains and rocky formations.  I was definitely loving it.

Tayler waiting for me patiently :)

 We had read a little about the hike before we went and I am glad we did.  This rocky area looked like the end of the trail, but we had read that if you go to the right then you will find the path.  We played around on the rocks for a bit and then kept on going.

Lora and Judy

 This hike took us around 3 or so hours to hike up the mountain and about another 2 and some coming down. I was definitely slower than Tayler, I think he must be part mountain goat or something but I loved every second of it and would most definitely do it again.

 Look at that!!  It looks fake almost.  Like it was photo shopped in or something. When I am in nature I feel like Heavenly Father is feeding my soul. It lifts me up and makes me feel so much better about everything.  We are so blessed to be surrounded by beautiful areas and beautiful people!  He really does want us to be happy and to find joy.

Judy, Liz, Tayler and Lora

 Cute little flower growing out of a rock. Such and amazing little miracle :)

Judy and Lora

 I just love my sister!  It was a great way to spend the day :)  I hope to have the opportunity to go on many many more adventures with my family :)

Battlecreek falls

While I was at Jackie's house, before Dallin was born, I got the crazy idea in my head to walk to this park that we had been told about. There was a waterfall and I wanted to see it. So I headed up the mountain and by the time I got there I was exhausted but I was so excited that a waterfall was only 5 miles or so from Jackie's house.  It was really pretty and made my major hike for the morning worth it :) I mentioned it to my Dad and he said he would like to go. So on one of his days off my Mom and Dad came and hiked it with me :) Tayler and Emma were there by then and so they came. Noreen and Alyssa came (Alyssa probably had jet lag since she had just got back from China) and Judy too :)  It was way more fun the second time :)

Me, Noreen, Mom and Dad

 I really am impressed with my parents. They just keep on setting the bar higher and higher for me.

Alyssa, Emma, Tayler, Me, Mom and Dad

Noreen, Me, Mom, Dad, Judy

 Fun little hike and not very long :)  Then of course we headed out for some yummy breakfast and some cuddle time with Dallin :)

Grandma and Grandpa Young

June 4th, 2014

Today is THE day! I was heading on a hike with my sister when Jackie called me and said maybe I shouldn't. I zoomed to her house as fast as I could and when I got there she was progressing :)  We waited for about an hour or so and then she decided she wanted to have it confirmed that she really truly was in labor. We got there and they watched her for about an hour and ran a test. Sure enough it was real :)

Jackie feeling good with an epidural :)

They checked her around 12:30 or so and did a "practice" push. Then all the rushing around started.  The Doctor came and Jackie was ready. He was born at 1:13.  Jackie did such an amazing job.

It was such an honor and a privilege to see Dallin be born.  To witness the miracle of life from a Grandmas point of view, I really don't have words for it.

Tyler and Jackie are going to be such amazing parents.  They are so sweet to each other and with each other, Dallin is definitely a lucky little guy. He is very very loved.

George was so excited to be there that he pretty much jumped on the first flight he could get on.  He flew in around 8 and we hurried back to the hospital.

 It really is true!  There is nothing like being a Grandparent :)