Imogene Lake

Ya'll know what a bucket list is, right? It's the list you make of things you want to do before you "kick the bucket". Well, I had never cared to go backpacking, so it wasn't my bucket list - but Brayden wanted Ira and I to go to Imogene Lake with him (since he had gone a couple years ago with relatives). So a couple years ago, I decided I better add this backpacking trip to Imogene Lake, with Brayden, to my bucket list. Well, this year was the year. It had started out as a trip with Ira, Brayden and I. Long story, but Ira ended up not being able to go because of the scouts high adventure trip being rescheduled at the same time. SO...I was booted out of the trip. But the high adventure trip was also changed from it's previous location to Imogene. AND, my relatives (sister, brother in law, nieces, nephews), were all going to Imogene. So I tagged along with them. It so happened that the relative trip was during the same week as the scout trip. The relatives were hiking out as the scouts were hiking in. So Brayden came with me with the relatives, then he stayed there with the his dad and the scouts.

Me and my approximately 32 lb pack. I wasn't sure I was going to make it the 9 miles in - but miracles do happen!

Our whole group on a day hike to the hidden lakes. It was so beautiful - waterfall after waterfall leading to one beautiful lake after another.
Brayden and I

My sister Kelli and their family. Her husband, Derrick was the leader of our pack. He is an avid backpacker, and had to tell us first timers how it's done. Good thing he was there to pack our bags the right way, and give us a light-weight menu, and throw our rope over the tree to hang our food so the bears and chipmunks wouldn't eat it. I'm just glad he was nice enough to let us crash on his party.
My niece and nephew - Tiana and Nathan.
Kelli's family again.
My nephew Travis and his wife, Brittany.
The backpacking girlies.
Kelli and Derrick
Tiana can't take a single picture without pulling some face. So we saw what she did with this one, and we just had to...
take this one!
Skyler, Derrick & Travis
Teenage cousins.
My sis and I
The girlies again...by the waterfall. We're holding the pine branches our fearless leader cut for us to swipe the mosquitos away.
Did I mention the mosquitos? This is Brayden and Tiana
Another of the beautiful waterfalls on our way through the hidden lakes.
Me and my buddy boy, Brayden. I'm so glad he was my inspiration to go on this trip. If he hadn't told me I HAD to go to this place, I would have never had this breathtaking experience (breathtaking in more than one way!).

On Wednesday we headed out, and the scouts headed in. I wished Ira and I could have had this trip together - but I'm glad we each got to experience it, and experience it with our son.
Ira and Brayden (far left) with the scouts.

They swam out to this little island in the lake. And that water was C.O.L.D!

For Time and All Eternity

I am so proud of this cute little family. This is my nephew, Travis and his wife and daughters. They have been down a very long and rough road in life. There have been many prayers offered on their behalf and many tears shed. When they both realized that they were in the fast lane to nowhere - they made some drastic changes. I know the road back has been difficult- but they have been strong. They have been an inspiration to me that it's never too late to become who the Lord intends for us to be. And that we are never "lost" in the eyes of our Savior. And that prayers are always answered - even if sometimes it's years later.

I have to add this one more comment. I remember when Trav was a little boy, and he had such life and a sparkle in his eyes. That life and sparkle has been gone for a long time. But when I walked into the temple, and saw him sitting there, he looked like that little boy I used to know. He was so full of life with a sparkle that didn't just twinkle in his eyes - but radiated throughout his whole soul.

Summer Birthdays

Jarin and Kamden both have July birthdays. For those of you who can plan your families - I highly recommend summer birthdays. We have so much fun celebrating their birthdays.

Kamden turned 3 years old. I had a hard time with his birthday. I absolutely love the "terrible two's and three's". I will be sad when my last baby is out of this stage. Yes, he tests his limits (and our patience) - but he is so teachable and lovable. And dang - he says the CUTEST things!

Grandpa and Kam. They came to celebrate his birthday with him. Kam didn't remember his grandparents from before their mission - but it hasn't taken him long to love them all over again. (It's so nice to have them home for all these big and little events).

Jarin turned 6. He got to have his first birthday party with friends. He saw this transformers Pinata at the store several months earlier, and it was decided that that's the birthday party theme he wanted. He's never seen transformers, but they do look cool! He even has a transformers shirt.

We had 13 little boys splashing in the water and sprinklers at our house. Ira and Brayden were on a scout trip - so it was Emilie and I. I couldn't handle that by myself - so I recruited my mom. Have I mentioned how glad I am to have my parents home?

Fourth of July

We went on a camping trip to Palisades Lake for the Fourth of July weekend.

Before our trip, we invested in these way fun Kayaks. They have been so much fun!

We went on a "hike" - more like a 100 ft walk - to these waterfalls. Ira and Brayden did go on a bigger hike to the Upper Palisades Lake (about 6 miles each way). They left at 3 am, and just after they left, this really big thunder/lightning storm rolled in. So I didn't sleep the rest of that night, worried that they were somewhere in the mountains struck by lightning. But the storm had passed them somehow. It was a very long night for me, but they loved their sunrise hike.
The back side of the Tetons.

We got this (old but new to us) trailer a couple of years ago, and it has been such a great investment. We have taken our "home away from home" on several outings - and have so much family fun everytime we go. It's just nice to decide at the last minute that we want to go camping, and most of what we need is already packed...LUV IT!
On our way home, we went to Kelli and Derricks house for our traditional BBQ and firework show. They outdid themselves this year with the BBQ they did. I'm not even sure what the meat is, but they cut it into sandwiches - and MMMmmmmmmmm...they were fabulous!

Our firework show while we waited for the BIG show to begin. Love how they have their ears plugged for those loud whistles.

Kam and his cousin Ryan.

best friends from the past

SURPRISE!!!

Ira's birthday isn't until August - but his brother's family from Alaska was coming for a visit in June. So unknown to Ira, I invited their best friend, Jason Smullin and his family for a visit and to surprise Ira for his 40th birthday. So we had 22 people at my house for 3 days. It was quite the PARTY!

While we celebrated Fathers Day at my dads house, Alisha Smullin was at my house decorating for our Luau. When Ira opened the door to our house, and they yelled surprise - he thought there was someone in the house robbing us. It was such a fun week with friends and family.

Jason Crawford, Jason Smullin and Ira. They were a threesome in their younger years - and it was fun to have them all together again.

While they were here, we went 4-wheeling. This is the Smullin family ready to ride.
We also went on a hike to the windcaves in the Logan Canyon. Ira had to be at work this day. Beckie was 8 months pregnant, so she stayed back with the littlest people of the group.

It was a beautiful hike.

This is the Smullin family.
Me with three of my kidlets.

The teeny bops (teenagers) of the group.
The kids sitting on one of the arches to the caves. They were a bit nervous - but as I told them, "it will make a great picture - and it's all about the picture!" :)

After Smullins went home (to Boise). We spent a day at Bear Lake. Jason and Ira were made into sand people. I had to laugh that Jason's household is mostly made up of girls (7 daughters). And when they were making them into sand people, they gave them boobs. I guess that's what girls do. ha ha. My boys were a bit confused by the whole thing.
swimming and water fights

Beckie makes us pj's every year for Christmas - and these are our matching pj's from the Christmas before. They had 8 children at the time, and have since had their newest little girl. I'm kinda jealous of the bigger family...kinda not. I'm confident that the Lord just knew what I could handle - and it wasn't more than 4. But I do love being from a big family, and had so much fun with this big family for the week.

All of the Crawfords on our last night.