Smore's and Lightning

A couple weeks ago we were able to go out South of town and build a fire and roast marshmallows and make smore's. We got together with Clint's family, and Andy and Annalee with their son Trey. It was lots of fun. We didn't get to stay out there long due to a little rain, and a lot of lightning. It was just nice to get out though.

A Brief Overview

Here is a little overview of what you have missed while I have failed to post about my wonderful and adorable family.

Avery and Emmabelle just love to play outside together. They both don't like wearing shoes and so Avery always says before she goes out, "Mom I want to burn my feet", meaning I don't want to put my shoes on before I go outside.The girls helped Dad clean the car.

Then they played in the rain.

And the mud.

We keep track of the progress of the Temple although we haven't been there in a couple of weeks I am sure it has changed a lot. I know that they have put some glass in.

We have played with our friends. (Corrin Mortensen)

Visited Grandpa and Grandma Mortensen in Animas.

Emmabelle road a Hee Haw as she calls them.

Taught Emmabelle how to paint.

Wrestled with our Daddy.

Went for a hike at Discovery Park. It was very pretty down there.

Had a picnic at the river with my brother's family, Lori and her friend, and my parents.

July Overview

The last month was very nice. We were able to spend a lot of time with family. The weekend of the 18th we went to Animas to spend some time with my sister Lynna and her family, minus Clint. Joyce and Danny Bott were also staying with my parents so it was a house full. We ended up spending Saturday in the mountains with the Botts, she is part of the Richins family and it was their Roost weekend (that's what they call their family reunion). It was very hot and kids came home filthy and exhausted. They had a blast playing and that is really all that matters. We ended up coming home late on Sunday night. We just had to stay for popcorn and ice cream, and old family tradition.

On the Tuesday after Lynna came over and did a pampered chef show at my home. It was lots of fun and we actually had a good turn out. She stayed the night and it was fun to be able to spend that extra time with her and her kids.

Thursday was the beginning of our long weekend and man were we looking forward to it. We left around three o'clock for the white mountains. The kids didn't sleep near long enough on the ride up, but once we got there everything was fine. Dave's parents also decided to go up there for the weekend so we stopped to say hi to them at Luna Lake where they were staying. We went to the cabin and unloaded a few things then went back to the lake to have dinner with Clay and Mary. When we got back to the cabin we were able to set everything up and finally get to bed later than planned.Friday we just enjoyed hanging around the cabin. We all went up there for the Arvin and Emma Mortensen family reunion to be held on Saturday. It was nice to get to see a lot of our family. Dave actually did the meat for the reunion so after a morning of fishing and playing at the lake he got busy smoking the meat. I did decide while we were at the lake that I will never buy anything but and LG phone. We were down by the lake while the kids were catching craw dads and I had pulled my phone out of my pocket to check the time and when I went back to put it in my pocket it slipped and yep you guessed it right into the lake. I just sat there stunned. It was in there a good minute or two while Dave was waiting for the net to fish it out. Once he did I dried it off and it never even turned off. It is still working to this day. I was sure I was going to have to buy a new phone. Anyways, Dave stayed up all night cooking the meat. The girls and I got to move into a bedroom in the house which was so much better than freezing in the tent. The reunion started at 12:00, since Rosanne had been put in charge we went and helped set up around 10:00 or so. The food was great and it was good to get see extended family members. We had a small talent show and I ended up signing "When He Comes Again" while my niece Joslynn sang. We spent the rest of the afternoon at the cabin enjoying the good weather. We got a couple of good rain storms. The kids enjoyed riding mules and on the pony cart and we all enjoyed a good trip to the Lollipop shop.

Sunday we were able to go through some of the stuff that belonged to my grandparents and the kids got to pick out the things that they liked. I was able to get some more things from my Great Grandma, Emmabelle's namesake so she will have things from her and then we also got some nice things from my grandma. We got home Sunday evening and realized that we just really didn't want to be home. It was a really good weekend though and I cherish all the time I get to spend with my family.

I must admit I haven't been very good at taking pictures lately, but I hope you enjoy the ones I got at the cabin.

The meat. Dave did Brisquet and Pork.

Cutting and pulling the meat.

Kids playing on the piano waiting patiently for lunch.

Emmabelle must have been really tired she rarely just passes out like this.

Marley Binnie and Avery

Joslynn, Merry, Nicole, Marshall, and Marcy

Lynna, Riley, Johnny, and Trina

Avery and Emmabelle

Such a cute girl.

Her Cheese Face. She is really good at saying Cheese.

Guy and Trina's pony Sonny. Emmabelle really enjoyed it.

Avery would only go with Grandma. She did have a smile on her face on the return trip I just didn't get it captured.

Emmabelle eating her Lollipop Shop buy.

She just loves her daddy.(don't tell, but she loves me more, I'm just behind the camera)

4th of July

We ended up going to Flagstaff this 4th to spend some time with Dave's family and enjoy some cooler weather. We left on Friday morning and stayed through Sunday mid morning. We had a really good visit with his family. Avery and Emmabelle got to play with their cousins which they just love. We went to the park on Saturday morning and then Saturday evening we went out to the amphitheater and listened to the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. It was raining that afternoon and so we weren't sure if we were going to be able to make it, but there was a short break in the storm so we gave it a try. Just as we got there another storm rolled in and we got a little wet. It died down enought for us to sit on the grass and enjoy the music. We were a little disappointed that they didn't play more patriotic songs, but they did a good job anyways. The kids had a blast running around and dancing to the music. We decided it would be to difficult to go and watch fireworks, so we just watched the programs on TV that had fireworks. It was a good weekend with lots of family to celebrate with and lots of good food to eat. What more could you ask for.

Lightning Strike

Last night there was a pretty good thunder storm that rolled through town. We decided to go and sit on the front porch and watch. Emmabelle had gone to bed so it was just Dave, Avery and I. We were out there for about 30 seconds thinking that it was probably dying down and we missed most of it when all of the sudden, BAM. There was this big flash of lightning right across the street from our house. I swear I heard to boom before I saw the lightning. That is how close it was. One of the trees at the church ball fields got struck. It was a big pine tree and you could see a piece of it on the ground burning. Dave decided to go check it out and make sure it wasn't burning to bad. He ended up calling 911 because the tree was in fact on fire. He said that it split the tree in half. Avery was scared out of her mind, and wouldn't go back outside or hardly even look out the window. I think she will forever have a fear of lightning now. About 15-20 mins later two fire engines and three or four cops showed up. They got the fire out and ended up cutting the tree down. It was quite an eventful evening.

"I Still Love You"

Avery is very much a Daddy's girl. It has always been the routine that Dave puts her to bed. Just recently we decided to start taking turns taking her to bed. So every night that it isn't Dave's turn it becomes a huge fight to get her to let me take her. There are tears and yelling along with I want Daddy to take me. We proceed to remind her that we are taking turns now and it is mommy's turn to take her and eventually she gives in. The other night we were discussing whose turn it was to take her and if you ask her of course it is always Daddy's turn. I put on my pouty face and told her that I wanted to take her. She told me that it was Dad's turn. Then she just looked at me and said in a matter of fact tone, "but I still love you mom." As much as it makes me sad sometimes to always be shunned by her this just made me feel so good. Dave and I just laughed.

Happy Father's Day!

I just wanted to say Happy Fathers Day to all the wonderful fathers in my life. I have truly been blessed in the category of Fathers.

I have the most amazing Dad who has always stood behind me and has seen me through the thick and thin of my life. He is also an awesome grandpa and we love him very much.


I have an awesome husband who is such a great father to my children I don't know what we would do without our daddy.

My father in law is so wonderful. He is always so excited to see and talk with his grandchildren. I have greatly appreciated his love and support to our family.

I am grateful to my grandpa who is no longer with us but who's memory will always be treasured. He was an amazing man and I always felt his love.

Dave's grandpa is so special to me. He is so full of life. He is always quick to bring a smile to your face.

To all the other dad's out there thanks for being you and all that you do.