Anna visits!

 The best part of living in Utah is being close to family. The second best part is the fact that Utah is a place where a lot of friends either visit their family or bring kids to for summer camps or college. It has been fun to see so many friends this year as they stop by for a quick visit or I get to meet up with them for lunch. This week Anna was in Provo from Arizona to bring her daughter Lydia to EFY Adventure. We met up for a hike and lunch. I gave Anna a couple choices and she picked the Red Pine Lake Trail. Since I had just done the hike with Tammy last week I knew the trail well. It was another beautiful day. We needed a jacket for the start and then it warmed up but didn't get too hot. Afterwards we stopped at Zaxby's and had a salad before saying goodbye. It was SO good to see her! We had a lot to catch up on.

Crazy that last week the spot Anna is standing on was covered with snow that Tammy and I walked across. Now there are just a few tiny spots left.

We had gotten some rain this week and the wild flowers were loving the moisture.

Lots of Shoes Makes Me Happy

 Isaac's birthday present to himself came today. It is a 12-gauge shotgun made to look more like an assault rifle. He was very proud of it and wanted to take a picture to send to Grandpa Thompson. It isn't often he asks me to take a picture of him!

I had to run some errands and when I came home I found lots of shoes by the front door. I love when I see this! 

It makes me so happy to have a house full of "kids". Isaac and Nathan had invited Hannah, Jacob and Parker and Emily (of course Piper too) over to play some games. Justin and I watched our show upstairs as they all talked and laughed playing their games downstairs.

Father's Day and Isaac's Birthday

I was able to sneak in a quick trip to Jerome to meet up with mom, dad and Shayla to go golfing and take dad out to lunch for Father's Day. I drove down Friday night and was able to meet Kayla who was in Jerome helping her mom. Of course we met at Dairy Queen! Where else would we meet? We had a great time golfing and then dad picked Culver's for lunch. It was a perfect post-golf choice. So glad I could go down.

Also, my lily plant didn't die over the winter and is blooming!

On Sunday, Justin and Isaac had to share Father's Day/Birthday. Justin chose Saturday's lunch/dinner which was me picking up Chinese food on the way home from Jerome and Sunday Isaac picked Chicken Parmesan. Isaac also wanted carrot cake for his birthday cake so I make Kendee's recipe. We all love it!

Hannah and Jacob were able to spend the day with us too. They made the frosting for me and Hannah decorated the cake.

We alternated opening presents. Isaac would open one and then Justin and then back again. I cannot believe Isaac is 18!

Isaac's big gift was luggage for his mission.

I commissioned Emily to help out with one of Justin's presents. He loves to think back to all our houses we have had together. I asked her to do a water color of each of them and I will be getting them framed for downstairs. He loved them but quickly asked where our Utah house was. Now I will have to have her paint that as well. I think she did a great job!

We played a couple games and just enjoyed being together as a family before Hannah and Jacob had to leave to go and visit his dad.

Red Pine Lake

My absolute favorite trail Tammy and I hiked last year was the White Pine Lake trail. Today we did Red Pine Lake trail. Both of these have the same trailhead and share the trail for the first mile in to Gloria Falls. Then they split. White Pine is 11 miles and Red Pine is 7. More flowers were out and it was a really pretty hike! I think I still like White Pine Lake better but would definitely do this one again.

The middle of Gloria Falls

The air was a little smoky from the fires in CA but still a great view.

There was still a little snow on the backside of the lake that we had to walk across.

Car Wash

 I thought I was all done with going to girls camp now that I don't have a daughter that age anymore and am not serving in young womens. Nope. I still get to go this year as I was asked to be the assistant camp director. We had a car wash and bake sale today for the girls to earn money for camp. We had just enough people come through to keep them busy but not overwhelmed. People are so generous. We were asking for a $5 donation and hoping to make around $500. People gave way more and we over doubled that!

Sunday Dinner

 Justin and I went over the Goodwin's house last weekend to play games with them and some other neighbors they had invited. While there we played a game called Chameleon. It was a lot of fun and we knew that it was a game Parker would enjoy. We invited Parker and Emily and Hannah and Jacob over for dinner and to play the game. We were right, Parker and everyone else really enjoyed it. We had a great time and also enjoyed the great weather outside with a little cornhole and testing out our firepit.

Pine Hollow Trail

Tammy and I tried out a new trail today. It was about 4.5 miles. It led to a little meadow at the top. The wildflowers are just starting to open up. There were also a bunch of tent caterpillar cocoons which are a little creepy. It was a really pretty trail but definitely one to do early in the morning as there are parts without much shade that could get really hot later on.

Lake Time

 My friend Heidi and I met at the lake this afternoon for our first kayaking of the summer. Heidi's husband is our bishop. He was diagnosed with kidney cancer and is in the middle of his treatment. I have been walking with her every now and then so she can get out, get fresh air and have some time to vent if needed or just enjoy one another's company. We took a nice easy pace around the lake and enjoyed the beautiful day.