Erika's baptism

Erika's baptism was a very special day for our family.   It was an exciting thing for Aaron to be able to baptize his oldest child.  We were all really excited for Erika's big day.   She has been anticipating this day for a very long time;  I think for as long as she has been able to talk she's been talking about it.   She has spent the last year preparing for her baptism, and taking it very seriously.  She read the Book of Mormon and we have been reading other books together.   

There were 8 children getting baptized that day from different wards in the stake.  Two other children were from our ward and are some of Erika's friends.  We headed over to the stake center where they had a short meeting beforehand and then we waited for our turn to go to the baptismal font.  Two funny things that happened were:  1.  I forgot to bring towels- I guess I just thought they had them there for us and didn't really think about it before.  So, I had to run home and get them right before we left the chapel and when I got back (and mind you, I was VERY FAST!  We live less than a mile away) they were all waiting for me.  2. Another memorable thing was that part of Erika's baptismal dress was sticking up when Erika went under the water so Aaron had to perform the ordinance again.  

After the baptism we had a small luncheon at our house with everyone who came.  We are so grateful to everyone who was there to support Erika.  We recognize that it was a big sacrifice for many of them.  We were very touched by the support we received.  We love our family so much!!  

I hope that this will be a day that Erika will always remember.  I know she felt the spirit that day as many of us did.  On the way home from the baptism while we were in the van,  Erika said to me and Aaron, "When daddy had his hands on my head and he said, 'receive the Holy Ghost', I felt all warm and tingly inside.  I don't think Erika would have made this up.  I'm glad it was such a special day for her.

Erika wearing the white dress grandma Parkinson got for her.  

Holka Polka

Erika dressed up as "Ezzy", a snotty, over-done step-sister.  

August 1st-3rd, Erika had the chance to perform with the Garland Children's Theatre for the second year in a row now.  We are so grateful for this great opportunity!!  All of the directors over the play are volunteers.  All we have to pay is a $15 fee and then we help with the costume if needed.  (And with anything else we are able to help with).  The money goes toward a T-shirt and the cast party at the end.   I am just amazed at the generosity and talent of the great people who spend their time every year to put this together!!   I am hoping that someday I will have a little more time to help and return the favor.  

I think Erika has found something she really loves.  She LOVES acting!!  When we watched her up there on the stage, Aaron and I were just thrilled.  She walks up there with no fear and she just shines as she plays her part.   This year the play was "Oliver Twist" but since it required so many more boys than girls,  they did a pre-show called "Holka Polka" which was a spoof on a bunch of fairy tales, witches and princesses and it was a really cute story.   The kids audition and then get assigned a part based on that.  Erika ended up being "Ezzy", who was one of the step-sisters to "Cindy" (Cinderella).  She got turned into a pig by a "good witch".  She really played the part!   

Erika waving to us from the Garland Theatre float

The Saturday after the play, we celebrated Garland "Wheat and Beet Days" and Erika was excited to get to be in the parade.   She got to ride on the float with the rest of the cast from the play.   We are so proud of her and excited to watch her develop her talents.  

Cabin trip with the Olsens

Eating lunch up on the mountain after a long four-wheeler ride.
  L-R  Kyle, Erika & Erika, Owen

We took another trip up to the cabin at Strawberry reservoir with our good friends the Olsens the weekend of July 28-30th.  It was a lot of fun!!   One of the highlights of the trip was a 4-hour fourwheeler ride up the mountain.  The Olsen's oldest daughter Jessica had just gotten her wisdom teeth out and was not quite up to the trip so she stayed back at the cabin and watched Jared for us.  The mountain was so beautiful- blossoming with wildflowers which were so fragrant!   And, the views were spectacular.   

We loved this spot- I just wished Jared could have been in the picture.  

Erika's 8th birthday

We celebrated Erika's eighth birthday on July 24th.  She had a great day.  It was a Sunday and we had just spent the whole weekend prior camping.  She got a nice new bike and helmet.   

Oma and Opa got her a set of new scriptures with her name on it.   They were able to watch her open her present over the internet on skype (they are on their mission in Vietnam).  



I thought some of these pictures were so funny- the kids were trying so hard!

Since this is a big birthday for her, we had a party with a bunch of friends.  Now, I don't mean to brag, but Aaron and I are dang good party planners.   We don't let the kids have a party every year, just at the landmark ages- 5, 8, 12, 16.  (That's the plan, anyway).   I put a lot of work into getting ready for the party and I think it was a success. 

Erika wanted her party to be a water party, and we had the perfect weather for it.  We had a slip 'n slide, waterslide (on the swingset), and jumping on the trampoline with the sprinkler under it.  After this, we had a bucket relay race with water.  Then, we had a treasure hunt around the yard and the kids ended up each getting a prize at the end.  We had some water balloon games with a toss and then a huge water fight. 

After the water fun, we had a pinata.  Don't ask about the signifigance of the chinese girl for a pinata, because there is none.  We were in a rush at the store and they only had 5 to choose from and I let Erika choose.  (I had started to think I would have to make one myself and that could have been kind of crazy).  The kids had a blast hitting the pinata and then scrambling around for candy. 



I made this "book cake" at Erika's request because she LOVES, LOVES, LOVES  to read!!!  If I don't know where Erika is, I can usually find her on the couch in the living room reading a book. 



What a fun dad- he wasn't afraid to get out there and get wet with the kids. 

Overall, I think Erika had a great birthday and it was a lot of fun.  We are so thankful for the good friends she has been able to make in such a wonderful neighborhood.   After the party was over, Aaron and I were both  exhausted!!   Doing a party takes a lot of work, especially with 15 energetic kids.  We're glad they all had fun!

Camping in St. Charles Canyon

We had a great time camping in St. Charles canyon from July 21-23rd.  It was fun to explore a new place we have never been to.   St. Charles canyon is just to the East of St. Charles, Idaho, which is located on the North East side of Bear Lake.  

We went with some friends in our ward, the Fowles family.  We were glad our kids had such a great time together!   

One memorable event was the first morning when we went to the Minnetonka cave.  This is at the end of the canyon, about 10 miles in.   It was a really neat place!    We enjoyed seeing all kinds of formations in the cave.   There were over 800 steps to go up or down during the tour, which was a lot for Heidi, but Aaron helped her along.  Jared got to ride with me.  

The kids waiting to go into the cave.  

Standing in front of the "seven dwarfs" stalamites.   So cool! 

Later that evening, we went down to Bear Lake and found a spot on the beach.  It was a beautiful day- not a cloud in the sky.   The water was so high at the lake that there is a lot less beach.  The advantage was that we didn't have to walk very far to get down to the water, and the beach was nice and sandy, not full of weeds.  But, it was quite crowded.

Heidi making a castle.  Can you tell she enjoyed the licorice?

Jared enjoyed playing in the sand, a new discovery of late.  

Erika and Emilyanne building.  

It was with mixed emotions that we decided this would probably be the last trip with the tent trailer.  This trailer is one I slept in growing up and it has been great for our family.  We have used it for over 5 years, now.  It is very roomy and in good shape.  The only problem is that the chain broke on one side just after we got it and so we have had to "jimmy-rig" it and put boards on the side to hold it up.  Then, on our last  campout we realized that the chain on the working side is starting to go and we were worried it may not go up this time.  Fortunately, it did go up.  It has been a great trailer- good memories!!  

The kids just chillin'

I guess Jared decided not to start walking until AFTER camping season- just my luck.  
He likes crawling in the dirt way too much!

Some of my favorite memories from the trip were:   Sitting around the campfire with the adults after the kids had gone to bed,  playing games with the kids,  having the kids do a "show" for the adults, which turned out being a husband-wife gameshow,  the kids having scooter races around the loop,  doing a treasure hunt with the kids.  

Our new temple!!

On July 12th,  the angel Moroni was placed on the spire of the new Brigham City Temple.   This was a big event for the people of this area.  We are so excited to have a new temple only 20 min. away from our home.  We have been so blessed to have the Logan temple only about 35 min.  away.  

Aaron took Erika and Kyle over to Brigham City on his lunch break to see the big event.  It was announced that it would happen at 12:00 but due to strong winds, it was cancelled.  Aaron and the kids were able to see the temple at the stage of completion it is now in, and see the angel Moroni from a distance.  There was a big crowd gathered there.  When they heard it was cancelled, Aaron and the kids were disappointed and headed back home.  When they arrived home, they found out that the winds had stopped a while later and they had finally placed the angel Moroni around 1:30 pm.  

We hope our children will always know how important the temple is to us, and be grateful for the blessings of having a temple nearby.  It is such an amazing sight to see this work moving forward.   You can now see the Brigham City temple as you are driving by on the freeway, but it will still be awhile until it is finally completed- a year from now I am told.  We are excited to watch OUR temple being built!  

I celebrated my 32nd birthday on July 17th and had a wonderful day with my family.   We also enjoyed a nice dinner with my brothers and sister in law who drove up from Sandy.  Thanks you guys, for making me feel so loved  :)