Kitchen helpers

Kevin's chocolate chip cookies are pretty famous around these parts.  The kids often try to replicate his or create their own version in order to be deemed "best chocolate chip cookie maker."

My mom came over one night for FHE to teach the kids how to make some food from her childhood.

Mini apple pies

MJ helped herself with some raw bread dough covered in butter and cinnamon sugar....mmmmm.

Tea party time with Grandma!  She might go a little overboard on treats.

Diamond Fork Hike a.k.a. the coolest destination spot ever!

Late in summer, we met one of my best friends, Wynnie, and her family (who recently moved to Utah) at this hike.  It ended up being probably too long of a hike with our kids-5 miles RT- (especially in the summer heat), but it ended at the coolest spot ever- natural hot springs!  It was well worth it!

The going got tough.  Many meltdowns.  Taryn was the one screaming and crying, but MJ plopped down next to her to empathize. ;)

Lake fun

My friend, Jayna, and her kids were in town, so we got together and met our friend Becky and her kids at the local reservoir.  It was so fun catching up and letting the kids play in the sand and kayak.

They caught a fish (when they were being added to the reservoir)and wanted to hold it.  We'll pretend that isn't gross.

Brodericks, Wilsons, Steeds

(We've been friends since before we had kids!)

Pine Hollow Hike

Grandma (and dad) came with us on this hike.  It was a big help, because it was a little more difficult than some of the other hikes we've been on.  There were quite a few dropoffs that made us a bit nervous.

MJ and Corbin love carrying the hydration pack.  MJ would allow Corbin frequent drink breaks.

Curiosity Museum

Our kids love the Curiosity Museum and one time when we went, they had this fun little exhibit about human bodies.

Soft pretzels

One day we had some friends over to attempt our hand at soft pretzels.  They were fun to make and I thought they tasted really good, but the kids barely ate them.  Apparently kids these days don't appreciate a good soft pretzel when they taste one.

 

Buffalo Peak and Cecret Lake Hike

Buffalo Peak: Short and sweet with a overlook.  If we would've timed it better, we would have caught the flowers in bloom.

(Sadly, all the flowers had died when we went.  But this open field was covered in them!)

Cecret Lake: Our most successful hike of the year.  All the kids were great hikers, the weather was great, and we went at the perfect time to catch the wildflowers!  It was SO awesome!  I couldn't stop taking pictures.

It's no fair that boys can just drop their drawers and go.  Not as easy when he had to poop on a hike.

Some of my most favorite sibling pictures....

 

I think I died and went to heaven!

The hiking crew- us and the Sebresos