A New Year

I have put off blogging for too long. There have been many, many things to blog about but the task just seems to be too much for me, physically and emotionally. I've been reading my Mom's journals and have felt the need to be recording our happenings so that my kids will have something to look back on and remember the fun times we've had (and the not so fun, too). These past 4 months have been quite a roller coaster. It's hard to believe that it's been 4 months already. We've had lots of emotions and adjusting to not having Grandma around-- mixed with all the fun of the holidays and being with family! I have loved being with my family--they are such a strength to me.

So here is the beginning of trying to recapture the past 5 months.

Camping -Labor Day

We went camping over labor day weekend with Wayne's family just south of Flagstaff. It was beautiful--one of our favorite spots and we brought the motorcycles this time!! Wahoo!
Jeremy, Josh, Leah, Sam, Matthew

Playing chess is a must when we go camping.
I think there was always someone playing.

Steve was teasing the girls because it was Sunday and we were getting a new YW president in our ward. Since we were out in the woods our dear friend, Carlee, was texting us the play by play to find out who it was going to be. We were so excited to find out that Sis. Butler is the new YW President!!!!

Zac on the 80.
I don't think the bikes ever stopped running. They were going non-stop.

Steve and Wayne playing guitar.
It was so fun to sing songs around the campfire with the guitars.

Another highlight was riding on Wayne's quads.

How many kids can you fit on one quad?

Zac showing off his battle wounds a few days later. He crashed on the motorcycle (slid in some gravel) and got some serious road rash. I didn't want him to feel bad so I crashed, too. Silly kids! I went over the handlebars when I hit some rocks on our last run down the mountain. I broke a couple ribs and sprained my knee along with lots of pulled muscles and bruises and cuts. It's no fun getting older. We don't bounce back as well as the younger ones. :)
All in all, it was an amazing weekend! Thanks Wayne and Becky!