"The Trek"

Our stories are in the posts below, but here are some favorite pictures from our awesome journey.

Our cute little family on the first day of Trekking. We didn't quite know what was in store for us.

This is Dan in Martin's Cove. It was a beautiful piece of land, besides being Hallowed Ground.

Pioneer children (or teenagers) sang as they walked, and walked, and walked, and walked...

The Sweetwater Crossing. One of our sons helped carry our group across.

Handsome man, in't he? We celebrated our 11th anniversary on the third day of the Trek. And you know what? I think I still would have married him if we really had to live like that.

Me turning away from a picture at the top of the Women's Pull because I was hysterical. Even though I got after him, I'm pretty glad Dan took this.

The "hot party bus." We had no AC, and thought we might pass out on the ride home.

Our eldest son...

All sparkly and clean before we set off.  We said goodbye to our two little sweeties to go be Ma & Pa to another great group of kids. It was awesome!

Ma & Pa Pence.

My precious Young Women.

All the Trekkies from our ward. Can't imagine a better, funner, sweeter group of kids. They are the best!!!

            I'm here to talk about something called "the Trek." Dan and I got to go on the Trek a few weeks ago with the Young Women and YM from our stake. We served as Ma & Pa to a little family. The Trek is essentially a reenactment of the trek the early Latter Day Saints made across the plains to reach the Salt Lake Valley.  The original Trek happened more than 150 years ago. Most of the saints crossing were converts to the church from Europe. They were seeking religious freedom, and an escape from lots of persecution happening at the time. These Saints were after Zion.

            At the beginning, the pioneers crossed the plains in wagons with oxen. It was a long journey of over 1000 miles.  It became apparent, as time passed, that this long journey was far too expensive to many of the saints to make. The Prophet Brigham Young, inspired by God, came up with a plan to have them cross using handcarts. With a handcart, you didn't need oxen, because the people would pull the cart. It was much less expensive, and ended up being faster and actually safer than traveling by wagon. Ten handcart companies crossed the plains, all of which were successful.  However, the fourth and fifth companies, called the Willie and the Martin companies, were held up and didn't leave until into July. They didn't find food at the usual forts, and they were also hit by an early, cold winter. They struggled and almost perished. These were the Saints that we were learning about and Trekking in honor of.

            We got to go to the actual place that the Willie and Martin companies travelled, camped and finally were rescued. It was a beautiful, powerful experience. The ground we walked on is hallowed ground, which means that the Savior himself walked there. We were walking in the very footsteps of Jesus Christ as He stood by and walked alongside the Saints in their desperate condition. The Spirit was so strong as we remembered and experienced some of their trials ourselves.

            The first day, we spent our time in a place called Martin's Cove. Martin's Cove is where the Martin Company, the latest company, totally out of food, so exhausted that they could not even set up tents, finally came to a stop. They set up camp with the small hope that there was relief on the way. More than 20 people died in this area and were buried in unmarked graves. This is also the site that the Martin company was rescued. After a week of camping in blizzard-like conditions, a relief group from Salt Lake arrived. They had food, clothing and shelter for these poor Saints. We walked around Martin's Cove in silence. The youth thought about this situation and what it would be like. It was moving to be there.

            After the Cove, we came upon a small river called the Sweetwater River. River crossings were especially treacherous for the pioneers. We didn't think it was a big deal - the water wasn't deep, and it was 90 degrees outside, so it felt great. However, when the Martin Company came upon the Sweetwater River, it was about zero degrees out, with blowing snow around. They had crossed another river before stopping, and lost many in their company to it. They had no spare clothing to change into, no way to warm or dry clothes, and they simply froze to death.

            When the Martin Company came to the Sweetwater River, athough they had been rescued, they still had to cross the river. There was no other way for them to continue. Knowing this, many of them fell to the ground and wept. They knew they could not endure crossing. So, four brave young men from the rescue party started carrying the Saints across. They kept going, back into the icy river time and again, breaking the ice on the surface, until every single person was across the river and able to carry on. These young brave men sacrificed their bodies in order to help strangers that they had never met.

            Four young men from were called forward and asked to carry the rest of our group across the river. We did this in silence and felt much power behind the sacrifice others make on our behalf.

            We finished Trekking that day around dinner, and then got to have a little free time to play in the river and go to a square dance. Then, after a late night (how do you get teens to go to bed?), we were ready for another day of Trekking, in sun, with no shade. It was hot.

            That second day, after we stopped for lunch, I started to look forward to something I had been told about called the Women's Pull. At that point, I knew that the women would be in charge of pulling the cart up a hill with no help. I was a little nervous but really thought we would be okay.

            As we came to the base of a mountain (it was no mere hill). We stopped for a drink break, and then the men were called away. They headed up the mountain, and as soon as I watched my husband walk away, I was overwhelmed. He and I had not spent one second apart on the Trek so far. He had always been there to pull the cart for me, to help me drink and find shade, and just to be my best friend. As I watched him turn away, I couldn't even imagine being a pioneer watching her husband leave, or having to carry on after her husband's death. And so the tears began.

            I was crying as I listened to Sister Leis give a beautiful talk to our Young Women about how amazing they all are, and how they are all divine. It was perfect, and I couldn't help but feel so moved as I looked around the circle and saw all of my beautiful Young Women from church who I love so much and long for them to know how special they are.

             I did manage to pull myself together toward the end of her talk and as we got ready to climb the hill. I gave my little daughters a pep talk, and then we started. We began to trudge up the hill, and we were doing pretty good for a few minutes. Then we started struggling. We had to stop twice to move positions. I started in the back, then moved to the front to pull, and finally went to the back again. We put all our strength into it, muscles burning, and finally made it over the crest of a hill, only to look up and realize that there was a whole tier or the mountain left. We were only half way and we had spent all of our strength getting that far. We kept going, little bursts of energy coming out every once in a while, but about halfway up that second portion, my feet started slipping. Our cart came to a stop and I knew we weren't going to make it. At this point, I was crying and having a hard time catching my breath, so I'm sure we looked like a pretty pathetic sight. As it happened, the cart behind us was doing really well, so one of the girls jumped up to help us push, and we ended up making it up the mountain.

            Finally, we made it to the top where the men were waiting for us. I was pretty fatigued at this point, so I'll let Dan share the rest. All I know is that we made it, and I felt so strong and empowered. It was amazing.

            Right after the women's pull (after a little rest and recovery), we trekked to another sight to honor a couple named Jens and Elsie Nelson. This was the story from the trek that affected me the very most. Jens and Elsie were were traveling with their one little boy, Jens. They were also caring for a good friend's daughter, named Bodil. Jens was a big man. He was over six feet tall, and had been caring for many families beside his own. He had pulled his cart, carried children and sacrificed his food and shelter for others. His wife, Elsie, was a tiny lady. She was just 5 feet tall, but strong and brave as could be. After the Saints were rescued, they had received new clothing and some food, but they still had to finish the trek to Utah in the snow. There was one particular climb called Rocky Ridge, that was especially difficult. There was no way around it, though, so they set out to climb it. It started blizzarding as they set off, so the little girl Bodil was put in charge of little Jens, but soon became separated from their mom and dad. Now, most of the group had gotten new boots to walk in, but Jens' feet were so big that none could be found for him, so he was still walking with rags around his feet. As he climbed Rocky Ridge, his feet got frostbitten and frozen so badly that he no longer could walk. He begged his wife to leave him behind and continue to Zion. Elsie, however, knew that was not God's plan. She got her husband (somehow) into their cart, and then, this amazing woman, climbed to the top of Rocky Ridge all by herself. Jens was alive when they got to the top, however, when they found their children, they found that Bodil had gotten little Jens to the top of the mountain, then sat to take a rest and passed away. Later that night, their son also died. The two children were buried along with 13 others at the top of Rocky Ridge. Elsie and Jens made it to Salt Lake and were sealed together in the temple. They never regretted making the journey that had cost them so much, and bore powerful testimony of the truthfullness of the gospel until the end.

            We were told this story at the top of a hill, and then Bishop Kimball and his wife reenacted it for us. She pulled him up the mountain for a little way. She really struggled though, and it became apparent that there was no way Elsie would have made it up the mountain unless she had had help from somewhere. As we watched, our group inched down the mountain, longing to be close to and help Sister Kimball. Finally, though they were called back, there were some who could not stand it any longer, and ran down to help. All of us moved down the mountain and cheered and pushed, and in my case cried and cried as we reached the top together. It was amazing.

            The top of Rocky Ridge, where 15 people were buried, was where we spent the last day. We got to have a testimony meeting up there, and many beautiful testimonies were borne. It was a perfect ending to a wonderful experience. And then, it was time to say goodbye. I sincerely hope that all those who were there will write down and remember their experiences.

            That was a long play by play, and I hope I didn't lose you too badly. The Trek means something different to everyone, and everyone learns something different (kind of like reading the Book of Mormon). I'd like to share one of my biggest lessons, though. As we were trekking around, I started feeling overwhelmed by the hardships these pioneers went through. They were tested to their very limits, and I had a terrible feeling that if I was ever put through that, I would not make it (I didn't make it to the top of the Women's Pull). I was frustrated because I was absolutely sure that I would not be able to keep my precious babies safe, and I knew for sure that I would never be able to pull my husband up a hill. I felt like I was being faced with unreasonable challenges, and not feeling inspired at all. It actually felt like I was carrying a heavy burden on my shoulders, and I struggled a lot at the end of the first day.

            Until, the thought finally came to me to remember the Sweetwater Crossing. Obviously it was the Spirit trying to teach me something. So I pondered it, and the "rescue" portion of the Trek became more and more significant in my mind. This story would have had a very different ending if the rescue had not come. Like me, none of those Saints could have made it without the help that came from Salt Lake. And yet, they didn't give up. They had faith that the Rescue was coming. And it did. The rescue I'm thinking about is both a physical, and a spiritual rescue, and there are two ends to it.

            First, we can learn that there are people all around us all the time in need of rescue, and that sometimes, like the four young men at the river, Heavenly Father needs brave people who will be His rescuers.

            Second, as we think about the rescue of the Saints, we should learn and remember that there is always going to be a rescue. No matter what trial or sadness we might be going through, there is always a rescue. For some of the Saints, their rescue was a safe crossing across the Sweetwater River, for some, their rescue was in a full belly and new clothing, for others, their rescue was death. For all of them, their rescue was Christ. They all found peace, comfort and strength to carry on in Him. The scripture Matthew 10:27 kept coming to me, as I Trekked on and felt my burden become lightened as I depended more on God than myself. It says "And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."  I know that with God, we can be happy with anything we are given. We can be strong and brave and face any trial or tribulation with faith and hope.

            As Marianne has told you, we are lucky today to talk about our experience on the Trek a few weeks ago. We were blessed to be able to participate with our youth in this, feel an amazing spirit, and walk where the Savior walked.

            We spent lots of time planning for the Trek. One of the things we were asked to do was find a name of someone who went on the Trek and walk for, or in honor of, that person. The person I chose was a man named Levi Savage. Levi was returning from a mission to England, and a well known frontiersmen, so he was asked to help lead one of the last hand cart companies to Salt Lake. When they were setting out from Iowa, Levi knew that it was too late in the year to go, and that the companies were not equipped or strong enough (there were many more women and children to men than other companies). He actually spoke up at one meeting against going, telling people strongly that they were going to suffer if they decided to go. I sympathized with this. I didn't understand, at first, why these people would head out on a trek that seemed so ill-advised. However, as I learned more about the circumstances these people were in - many were completely destitute and had no way to survive the winter unless they were in Salt Lake, I realized that the only option they had was to press forward and have faith that it would be okay.

            Though Levi Savage was against the Trek, he realized the importance of it and told the people that he would go with them, help them, and even die with them if that was what was asked. He did accompany the Willie handcart company the entire way, helping and saving lives. I admire his faith, and would like to think I would have been strong enough to make the same decision if I were in his shoes.

            One part that Marianne left out is our transportation to and from the Trek site. When Trek stories are told, this part is not really a highlight. The same for the original trek - we focus on the trek over the plains, and don't think much about how they came to be gathered in Iowa and ready to cross the plains. Most of these people hoping to find Zion, were converts from Europe. So, by the time they were ready to start pushing their handcarts over the plains, they had already been traveling for months by sea and train to get there. They had spent lots of money, their life savings for many of them. They endured cramped, hot and stuffy conditions just to get to the point to walk 1000 miles. Our bus ride was nothing like this, but we did get a small glimpse of it, because our bus ended up not having a working air conditioner. Let me tell you, this modern convenience is incredible! The ride back was especially bad - we had to stop at gas stations to buy ice for the kids to put on their heads and necks. The bus was a great time to get to know each other better, and to catch up on several years of Mormon Cinema. It was actually tons of fun.

            Obviously, the women's pull was a powerful experience for many who went on the Trek. Both Marianne and I were very moved as we participated in it. I'd like to share some of my thoughts and perspective. But first, I need to set the stage a bit. As we were preparing for the Trek, many people who had gone before, President Gage in particular, had warned us that this would be one of the most spiritual experiences we had ever had. He even went as far as to warn us that we would cry, more than once...  I listened to this with a bit of skepticism. I knew it would be great, and that I would probably feel the spirit, but we had done some church history tours before, and so I thought I knew what was in store for us. Let me tell you: he was right. There was not one dry eye as we participated in the women's pull, including mine.

            So, the women's pull happened rather late in the day. We had been treking for several hours in the hot sun, with very little relief.  Our family had four strong, older boys, so we hadn't had to exert much effort to keep our cart rolling and running smooth.  However, we only had three young women in our family, and one of them was sick for most of the time we were there and actually rode on a cart most of the way. We had just finished lunch (and refilled our water so that we were carrying a nice heavy load) and could see a big hill in the distance. At that point, the very first, small cloud of the whole trip, covered the sun. I thought it was a "Trek Miracle" (which our family had been watching for - a little in jest, but also finding the hand of God many times), but the cloud quickly passed. As we came closer to this "hill" it became apparent that it was more than just a hill. We were heading for a small mountain. I dismissed the thought that it would be the site of the Women's Pull because it was just too big. I was wrong. When we came to the base of the hill, we stopped for a water break, and then they called the men away. I frantically tried to make sure my girls were prepared. I made them drink some water and find their gloves. And then, half jokingly, gave my wife a good luck kiss. Then said goodbye. I knew it was going to be difficult, but the spirit of the moment had not hit me in full yet. But then, after just two or three steps away from my wife and my daughters, I started crying for no reason. So I quickly pushed my sunglasses closer to my face to cover the tears and save face a little bit, but the tears just kept coming. As I kept hiking up this hill (by far the steepest and longest we climbed),  I kept thinking about how, at one point in the Saint's history, 500 men were called away from their families, and then far, far more got called away to serve missions.  I kept thinking how incredibly difficult that would be - whether in Salt Lake, in Nauvoo, or on the plains, because you would have no idea what was going to happen or if they would be okay. Life is unpredictable, children grow, illnesses happen, and a man called away from his family for years at a time would have no guarantee that he was leaving them safely. I imagined it felt as though one would be leaving with the realization that they could die, especially if he must leave while they were crossing the plains.  As I kept climbing, the realization that Marianne and the girls would not make it up the hill overwhelmed me. Three (because of our sick daughter, who did, by the way, walk up the hill - but definitely didn't push) were not enough to push that heavy cart up the hill.

            We kept walking and walking. The hill had a saddle in it, or a spot that it leveled out a little. I thought that we would stop there, wait for the ladies and help them the rest of the way. But, we just kept climbing. I tried to spot the top, thought I did, but as we came to that spot, it became apparent that there was yet another tier to climb. Still, our leaders kept going. At this point, I was feeling some frustration and anger at the leaders guiding us up the hill. I thought that they could have made their point, and then let us help the women get our carts up the hill. I'm sure there were some members at that time of the pioneers that felt those very same feelings. Why would the Lord ask such a difficult thing? Many of us feel those feelings now. However, the reason the Women's Pull was so huge and powerful was because it was difficult. If it was easy, it wouldn't have meant nearly as much.

            Finally, we made it to the top of the mountain. I turned around and could not even see the women. I could only imagine what they were doing or how they were faring. I could picture my wife and girls inching their way up the mountain.

            While we waited for the women to climb the mountain, President Leis talked to us about the divine roll of women. These beautiful, strong, faithful women that we are so lucky to associate with and to cling to. Then, we waited silently for what seemed like forever. Finally, the first handcart came over the ridge. It was the leader cart, and they seemed to be doing fine with their lighter cart.  But then, there was a big gap to the next cart that was being pulled by young women. As they passed, we removed our hats and stood on either side of the trail, and had to just watch as they struggled up the last portion of the mountain. After a few carts passed, my family finally came into view. I noticed immediately that there was an extra person pushing our cart. No, not an angel, but a angelic helper. I realized, when I saw that, that we aren't meant to be alone and struggling. The church has organizations and resources to help us as we climb our mountains. Our works alone may not always be enough, but there is help. Like my wife talked about, the Lord with provide. Sometimes, an angel will push us along, but far more often, help comes to us from the people around us.

            After all the women made it to the top of the hill, the men gathered and sang the song Emma just sang, Army of Helamen. I love the power this song gives to all of us, to know that we have God behind us that we can do whatever he asks. After the song, we got to be with our families again. I hurried to Marianne and gave her a big hug and tried to tell her how much I love her. She was sobbing, which made me cry even more. It took a while before we were all calmed down enough to drink and rest, and then finally, unbelievably, we were able to carry on.

            The last day of the Trek was something unique to Marianne and I. It was our 11th anniversary. What a way to celebrate! Although maybe not the most romantic thing, being on our third day without a shower, it was certainly inspiring. One of the reasons the early saints were so anxious to find Zion was because of their conviction about the temple. They longed to be able to go to the temple, make covenants with God, and be sealed to their loved ones. As Marianne and I celebrated, I was very grateful for the covenants we had made together, 11 years earlier, and so glad we will be together forever. The temple is worth every sacrifice.

            I'd like to turn from sharing experiences now to a thought I have pondered. That thought begins with a question: Why?  Why, if these people were being faithful, did God let such tragedy happen? First, the obvious answer was that it strengthened those who endured it. The trek to Utah changed lives. Those who suffered knew their Savior and never lost their faith.  Second, I believe that the church as a whole was strengthened because of the trials of the Willie and Martin Handcart companies. As soon as Brigham Young and the members in Salt Lake heard the news that there were two other handcart companies still on their way, they had a rescue party prepared the next day. The members in Salt Lake sacrificed possessions and family members to go out into stormy, cold weather to help strangers who they knew needed them. And finally, I believe it happened for our sake, so that we can read their stories and have these experiences to help our own testimonies grow.

            So, why do we go on the Trek? Why is it so important to remember the challenges our pioneer forefathers endured?  I especially wondered if it really meant so much to me, without any related ancestors on the Trek, as it did to Marianne, who has a whole book of pioneer stories on both sides of her family. There are many answers to this question, but let me use some of President Hinckley's words to put my thoughts together.

            "Can a generation that lives with central heating and air conditioning, with the automobile and the airplane, with the miracle of television and the magic of the computer understand, appreciate, and learn from the lives and motives of those who had none of these and yet accomplished much of tremendous consequence?

            In the environment in which many of us live, there is need for reminders of lessons learned in the past. In our times of abundance, it is good occasionally to be taken back to earlier days, to have our minds refocused on the struggles of the early Latter-day Saints.  Oh, how much is faith needed in each of our lives—faith in ourselves, faith in our associates, and faith in the living God."

            We need and can find faith in ourselves as we learn about the pioneers. They had traveled from the Missouri River, taking three months to cover the distance we cover in two hours by airplane.   We can find faith in ourselves as we do difficult things in a creative, positive way with our eyes on God.

            We need and can find faith in others as we learn about the pioneers. Our pioneer forebears worked together for the common good. I am profoundly grateful for the essence of that spirit of helpfulness which has come down through the generations.

            And finally, we need and can find faith in the living God as we learn about the pioneers. They  regarded their coming west as a blessing divinely given.  The power that moved our gospel forebears was the power of faith in God. It was the same power which made possible the exodus from Egypt, the passage through the Red Sea, the long journey through the wilderness, and the establishment of Israel in the Promised Land. It was by this power that our gospel forebears left Nauvoo and the beautiful lands of the Mississippi to travel to the shores of the Great Salt Lake.

            Theirs was a vision, transcendent and overriding all other considerations. When they came west they were a thousand miles, a thousand tedious miles, from the nearest settlements to the east and eight hundred miles from those to the west. A personal and individual recognition of God their Eternal Father to whom they could look in faith was of the very essence of their strength.

            I know the faith the pioneers had can be ours. I bear witness that I felt the spirit and power of God. I know He loves us and I know He lives.

Seventh heaven!

Happy Birthday to our seven year old!  She's getting so big and mature.  We are so blessed to have such a sweetie in our family.  Emma is one of the happiest, good-natured people I know.  She gets along with most people so well, and I never have to worry about her behavior at school, and I know she's always going to be sweet to her brother.  One look at her smile, and I think we can see all that sweetness leaking out.  She loves to play with her American Girl dolls, and she still has a soft spot for Barbies.  My little angel is starting to grow out of her dress-ups though.  We finally gave most of them away, and it was a sad day for me.  I remember all the endless days that she wouldn't wear anything except a princess dress.  Luckily, she knows it doesn't take a pretty dress to make a princess - she is very confident that she is princess all the time.  Though the dress ups are gone, we still do lots of "dressing up."  She has play makeup that she loves to wear (oh great).  It's been so fun to watch Emma as she has learned to read.  It's magical to see the way it has increased her independence to be able to understand the world around her.  We sure love our little Emma!

Emma got to celebrate her birthday for about the whole month of July.  We started with a friend party a few weeks before the actual day.  She had a Minnie Mouse party, and it was so much fun!

This is the only cake she got this year.  We were traveling on her real birthday, so we made do with a small treat.  The Minnie Mouse cupcakes turned out darling.

And a Minnie themed lunch!

What fun friends!

And a spoiled little girl with her spoils.  Two days before her birthday, we left her bike at the park.  So she got an extra bonus gift - a cool big bike, with gears and all!

We love you, little sweetheart!!!  And always will.

A random bit of summer

As previously mentioned, our summer was full of fun, but scarce on pictures.  Turns out, my kids are much better at capturing moments than me.  Look at this cute picture Seth took of Emma!

And I did get a couple of shots from out Utah trip after all.  Grandma has a "motorcycle" that the kids loved. We spent several hours riding it up and down the hill by their house.

Emma lost a tooth.  She talks with a little whistle.  It's pretty darling.

And how about a little contribution from Emma.  She took these pictures of Seth.  Cute!

Going back a ways... These are the gifts Emma took to school on the last day.  We bought her teacher some S'mores supplies, and I made a really cute card that said "We need S'more teachers like you."  Emma liked it, but thought she could do better, so she wrote this cute note that said "The never had a S'more like you.  I love you."  It was darling.  And then, out of the blue, she asked to giver her principle some Cheetos.  Apparently all the kids know he loves Cheetos.  So, taking a cue from the note for her teacher, she wrote him a note that says "There never had a cheetos prinsubol.  I love you."  It was so cute!  I wish I had been there when she gave them to him.

We have a fun Jacuzzi tub in our house.  It's always quite an adventure (read: mess) when the kids get in.  They love, love, love it!  I went a little crazy with the bubbles a few weeks ago.  Oops.  They were squeaky clean!! 

And finally, one last shot from girl's camp, cause I loved it and totally came home with some new skills.  I shot a gun for the first time in my life (and beat all my girls for accuracy, I just have to add).  I also got to try out some archery.  It was rather fun.  And now I know I could win the Hunger Games if it ever comes down to that.

A precious 3 year old

We have a darling three year old in our family now. Seth is the sweetest thing ever, and we thank our lucky stars that he is our little guy.  He's so much fun to have around.  He is still absolutely obsessed with cars of any kind, and the love spreads to airplanes, motorcycles, boats, you name it!  He is also a little water baby.  He swims like a pro at the pool, and seems to love having his head under the water.  It's a hoot watching him in the tub!  He also potty-trained this spring.  We thought it was going to be a disaster, but he ended up doing great with it.  I think that being diaper free and naked was what sealed the deal.  We are still working on getting him back into undies and pants after he goes potty.  He's talking like a little human now, and getting ready for pre-school.  He asks every day if it's time for pre-school yet.  Can't believe he's so excited. He loves having kids around and is a very social child.  We just love our little Sether-doodle to death!!!

Seth's love of anything motorized has recently developed into a love of rocket-ships and "space guys."  And so, the Star Wars craze that every little boy goes through has begun.

He's also a wild child out on the scooters and bikes.  He got a balance bike for his birthday.  He loves taking in down hills, but doesn't have a whole lot of patience to push it around on the flat group.  We'll see if he gets any better at it.

What a little sweetie pie.  I think his smile is magical.

And here's a little of his goofy personality.  He's got an adorable sense of humor!

The beauty of this cake is that it is supposed to look like a construction site!  Muddy mess and all.  Do you love it how we have another family's family picture in the background?  We celebrate his birthday at a friend's house.  And it looks like it was getting a little late - we missed the smiles at this point.

We love our precious little buddy.  And a birthday post would never be complete without mentioning our beautiful birth-mom, who we think about all the time.  We love her more than we could have imagined, and we tell Seth about her often.  She is an angel to us and we are so thankful for the selfless choice she made three years ago.

Fun fun fun in the sun sun sun

We've had a crazy busy summer!  But, not many pictures to show for it.  Now that I'm sitting here, trying to blog about our summer, I realize that I missed some very important parts of summer 2012, such as: swimming three times a week at the local pool - Emma does laps with ease and Seth swims like a fish with some hilarious goggles, our entire trip to Utah is missing (maybe I can steal some Aggie family pictures from mom), we've been biking a ton again this year and Seth gets to ride that tag-a-long and he loves it, Emma played tennis again and did very well, and much, much more.  Oh well, here are a few little things that I did remember to pull my camera out for.

We got to go to Glacier again this summer.  This time, my parents and Yo-yo and Heri got to come.  Seth had a ball with his grandpa.  Here he is holding a caterpillar!  Emma is pretty excited, but not at all willing to touch the thing.

Our funny family in Glacier.  Check out those smiles!

The kiddos (yes, that include Heri!).  A little shelter in a tree.

BOYS!  My boys!  And I love 'em!

My favorite Glacier picture.  Angels.

Or goofballs?  You decide!

Another highlight of the summer is our new swing set.  We made a big investment at the beginning of the summer on this thing, and I will tell you, it has definitely paid off!!  Both kids have spent hours on it, swinging.  This picture is of it in the process of being set up.  

And finally, a huge moment for me, Young Women's Girls Camp.  What an adventure!  I hope they don't mind me putting their pictures up.  I had a great time at camp this year.  And got to experience the whole planning process, packing up process, gathering up process, camping process, and finally unpacking process.  Holy cow!  And my energy-filled young women kept me up well past midnight every single night.  I was so exhausted I just laid in bed for a few days after.  It was wild!

I love my Young Women to death!  And even though camp was absolutely exhausting, it was one of the best things in the summer for me.  It was so much fun to spend camp with such wonderful girls, and to spend time with the other leaders in the stake.  It was great!

And last, but not least, a very old picture from Father's Day.  Do you love the gift we gave Dan?  We do!