Bridal Fever

My littlest sister (in law), Elyssa is getting married August 1!! I am so excited for her and couldn't be happier. She asked me to take her Bridal pictures for her and we had so much fun. She is absolutely beautiful and there were so many (200) to choose from, but here are some of my favorites.


I am going to enter one of these into the Eastern Idaho State Fair and I have to turn my entry in by August 1st, so I need some help. I can't figure out which one to submit, so I'm taking a poll, from now until Sunday I'll ask opinions, just let me know which one you like the best and whichever one gets the most votes will win!! Thanks for your help.

A.
B..

C...

D....

E.....

F......

G.......

H........

I.........

J..........

K...........

L.............

Thanks for being so Awesome Elyssa... You are awesome to photograph- I can't wait to do your wedding!!

Youth Conference

As many or most of you know that I have been called as the new Young Women's President in my ward. I am really excited about it and the girls that I have are just amazing. I was grateful for the opportunity to go to Youth Conference with them to get to know them a little better and just to have fun. We went to Driggs, and Jackson Hole. We had a lot of fun, and hopefully created some new friendships. I know I did.

Isn't this place so beautiful. I makes me so grateful for where I live, and to know that my Father in Heaven loves me enough to create such a beautiful place for me to be.

On our way to our campsite we stopped at Palasaides resevoir. Since it has been an incredibly WET summer the resevoir is extremely high, not to mention COLD!! We had fun jumping in, pushing each other in, rafting out to the middle of our area, and just getting wet. It was "lake" water so it was kinda gross, especially to swim with the fish (yuck), but we had such a good time. It was also awesome to start the trip that way because then we all smelt like lake water and had nasty hair.

Kylee caught a dead fish- yes it was dead!! But they were determined to catch something, so there you have it.

Yes, here is proof that I am a big wimp. I am being pushed out of a raft by the Young Men's President. Luckily, I wasn't the first to be dumped-- I was the second!!

There he is Mr. BICEPS himself!! Bro. Anderson is really such a funny little guy- the kids were calling him "fun sized"!! They were right because he is a lot of fun.

We had a race to see who could jump off the dock first--- I won, barely.

Our second day we went rock climbing and repelling. The rock climbing part didn't work out so well because well, It was advanced climbing stuff and we were a bunch of beginners. But we "scrambled" up one side so that we could at least repel down. Yes, I did it!! I was scared to death, but once I got over the side it was awesome. I really want to do that again.

This is our little group in Jackson Hole, WY. We shopped around and got ice cream and basically killed time before we headed to BAR J Wranglers. We had a lot of fun, but we were so tired from the hike that we just ended up back at the park and layed down.



Here we are at the BAR J Wranglers. Its an awesome old country western dinner and a show. We had steaks the size of our heads, with beans, biscuits, cake, and applesauce. The show was hilarious and I think we all enjoyed ourselves.

My Young Women (14 & up) Taylor, Kylee, Katie, and Rylee.

I think the best part about this calling will be getting to do fun things with such awesome girls.

More Holiday Fun!!

The fourth of July Parade. It's an annual tradition to start the morning with a flag raising ceremony and free breakfast! My friend Jeanette and I met up there and then we ended up going to the parade together. We set up on this amazing corner. There was a water fountain there. We thought we'd set up our chairs and then let the kids play while we were waiting. I think that was the best idea, they had so much fun. They all got wet but Timothy was SOAKING!! He wanted to sit in it. Oh well, right? Anyways here are some fun pics from the fountain and the parade!!

Me and the Kidlets...

Just the Kidlets

Jeanette and her kidlets...

Briley

Rendon

All the kidlets together splashing away in the fountain

I don't know how I even managed this picture, but these kids were running up and down this water thing and making a parade of their own. I just happened to snap it at the right moment.
And these too!!

This is the parade. It was pretty short, and hardly any candy- that disappointed the kids and me too, that's the whole point to a parade is to see how much candy you can get!! But we still got to play in the water- and Josh this one is for you!!

I'm so glad this holiday if FINALLY over!!

Garbage Man...

I just thought this was cute. The kids all went to wait for the garbage man so they could make him honk his horn. (He didn't come for several hours after this, but they did actually get him to blow his horn)

Here's a story...

First I want to apologize for these posts being all over the place. I like to keep them in chronological order so that you, the viewer, doesn't get lost and so that I, the creator, can make sure I got everything. That being said, with SOOOOOO much going on and absolutely hardly any time to post I find myself just trying to get these events up. So please forgive me my blogging weakness...

And now for the story....

This weekend (July 3-4) was designated for the Taylor family reunion. On Friday (7/3) the kids and I went to Downata Hot Springs. Its a great pool, very warm, not very big and not very busy. There we met with the EDDIE TAYLOR part of the family. Forgive me for not knowing all the names, but I at least recognized them!! Points for me. Anyways, we went and had a great time swimming and sliding, roasting hot dogs and just visiting with each other. On the way home we drove through a really bad rainstorm. It was pretty crazy.
Saturday started off with a community breakfast at 8, then the annual parade at 10 (i'll post those later) then family reunion from 12-5 then BBQ and Fireworks from 5-??? Sounds crazy right? Well you would be correct. At least we had a good time.
The day started sunny and bright and warm- about 2pm we got hit with a tremendous downpour of rain and HAIL! Yep, its July and we had white stuff on the ground. The storm lasted a little over an hour, we played games under the pavillion and talked and the kids ran outside and got completely soaked. I really hope they don't get sick. After the storm the sun came out and it was beautiful again. We all thought "They better still do the fireworks tonight!" So then we go to Josh's Uncle Mike's house for BBQ and fireworks (they always do the best ones.) We had just barely finished putting tables and chairs away when the storm hit again. TWICE in one day can you believe it?? I couldn't. We all crammed inside and waited for it to pass. Almost 2 hours later it stopped. Thank goodness it dried out and they did do the Fireworks show so the whole day wasn't ruined- but in Chubbuck, and Inkom, and a slew of other places were flooded out and major damage was done. I am grateful that my house, even though the yard was covered, my flowers are non-existant, my garden looks like it has been weed-whacked, and the dirt surrounding my window well has dropped 2 feet, is still standing. We had a tiny bit of water but that was it.

This was an amazing weekend to be with family and friends and enjoy the freedoms this country has to offer. I am so grateful to believe and worship how I want, I am grateful to have so many opportunities to better my life and my family's life. America is truly the BEST place to live on EARTH and I am grateful to be a part of that.
I am grateful for families- they are truly the best stuff on Earth!
Even though the weather was crazy and my schedule has been crazy, I have to admit, I wouldn't change a thing.

What a fourth of July!! I can't even believe it!!

Savana Smiles at Six

Its official- my little girl is growing up. I tried to stop her, I told her she couldn't do it- but she didn't listen, she went ahead and turned SIX anyways!! I can still remember the day she was born, but I guess I always will won't I? Well, it was a fabulously crazy day. But she had fun and all the other kids had fun and that is what matters most, right? Someone tell me if I have it wrong!!
Nanny decided she wanted a slip-n-slide party. She had one last year but no one really got into it. This year was a totally different story. EVERYONE was doing the slide, and my poor grass got beat up!! But again I say, the kids had fun and that's what counts. All 15 or so kids from around the neighborhood and her classes and things played in the water for a couple of hours, then cake and ice cream- all I can say is WOW. Then presents and back outside for the Water. It was so much fun.
Afer many choices we decided on a butterfly cake. I didn't truly decide until I was making it. If any of you are wondering, its not that easy to color fondant. It was my first fondant experience. I had fun and Nanny had fun cutting out the butterflies and licking her fingers. We might try it again someday- There are a couple more birthdays this year!!!
Anyways, there are more pics but I don't have them so enjoy what I have.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE GIRL- I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FOURTH of JULY

Happy Independence Day!

I want to express my gratitude for my freedom. For my country, all my rights and privileges. I'm grateful for my family and friends, and for my life.

I'm grateful for those soldiers who are protecting our way of life. Thank you America!!!

ARCHES

Have you ever been to ARCHES National Park? It is truly amazing. We have driven by so many times but never actually stopped. We thought this would be the year. Although the kids are still small they would enjoy it. As we were driving and looking at all the awesome rock formations we were saying what they looked like. "This one looks like an alligator, or a camel, or a nativity set tommy came up with that one. It was a lot of fun to just enjoy the beauty around us, but also to have the kids join in. One year, when the kids get a little bigger we can spend more time there.

As we were walking through we kept seeing these lizards. Timothy was so excited about them. He would stare, and stare, and stare. We saw a lot. It's interesting all that you can learn about lizards and rocks and what your parents ACTUALLY know when you are on a car trip!!!

We stopped at Double Arches, I think that's what it's called. It was a chance to actually get up into the arches and climb around- plus it wasnt as busy as the other arches. The kids had so much fun. First we had to take a picture, then they all scurried off. They thought the echoing was cool too. The girls high-tailed it up this rock, then couldn't really get down because they all had flip flops on, including me. I was such a help!!

Tommy is my little mountain man. He was all over the place. Especially the big rocks- we couldn't get him down fast enoug. He was jumping and racing all over the place. Good example huh? Yeah Timbo wanted to do everything that Tommy did.

Timothy just loved every second. He was a little scared to wander on his own, but like I said once he saw Tommy out there he was all over it.

I promise they had fun, we all did. Josh was even there- he took some amazing pictures. He even got one of Me!!

Oops I forgot some!!

I know its kinda backwards, but Cabelas was our last stop before we made it home. From the time we left my parents house to the time we pulled in our driveway it was 18 hours. A really long drive, but the kids did great. We had a great time. It was really great to come home and sleep in our own beds.

Four Corners Monument- a place where Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona all meet together in one spot!! Pretty awesome when you can take a picture and have each kid in a different state. Tommy is in Utah, Timbo in Colorado, Siera in New Mexico and Nanny in Arizona!! We enjoyed walking around and looking at all the Indian shops. There was jewelry, arrow heads, pottery and all kinds. According to Josh is was a good once in a lifetime trip!!

We got to see a Hot air balloon on the way back-- I love those things!!

The dogs- Duncan, Dakota and Sherman-- all trying for a taste of Root Beer Float!! I think dad was trying for a taste too!!

If anyone doesn't know my mom and my brother do KUNG-FU!! She was showing us some moves before she went to class.

My best friend from High School, Linsey. She is absolutely wonderful and we had so much fun at her house. The kids just loved each other. She has 5 and I have 4- It was crazy but way too much fun. I can't wait to see you again!!