Beautiful Mountain Retreat

The Sorensen kids were able to get together and did little camping up in our mountains.  Ammon and Jamie found a beautiful spot just east of Ferron Res.  We've never camped over the Skyline before, but it was a beautiful spot. We had a gorgeous view of the "Supermoon" as it came up in the evenings. It's probably my new favorite place ever!!  It was so incredibly green up there this year and the weather was ideal after the first rainstorm on Thursday night.  We were surrounded by these beautiful green mountains and a lake close enough to roll out of bed and get in some fishing time. (Isaac's requirement!)

The kids found lots of room to play, throw a frizbee or ball around, hike, explore the woods, make huts, fish with or without water, and even some 4 wheeler rides.  We also got in some board games, fishing, horseshoes, an exhausting game of Friball. We had a wonderful pile of cut wood making for some good times talking around the campfire. We made some yummy cobbler, home made raspberry ice cream and smores!

There were a couple trips out to Willow and Duckfork, but most of the time I think we just spent it at camp together.  The weather was wonderful, I think we all got some sun, some a little more than others, right LynDee!!

Family Matters

We've had a couple very nice weeks with our families this summer.  It's been very special this year because we have been together will all our siblings on both sides of the family.  The Markers had a nice weekend with all of us together at the same time. Dennis was able to spend some time on the green with a couple of his brothers and then some of us met at the historic Moyle family park as well.  Then on Sunday we were all together (minus one husband). It won't be long before the family is spread out again, but for now it's been great having everyone so close, and spending time together.

The Sorensen's were all together as well for a couple weeks. The Hackwell's make their journey out to Utah in July.  When Ammon and Jamie blessed their baby in church on July 6th, we spent some time playing in Fayette and the town hall and park with everyone.

27 of us all together!

Puppy and Kittens

Bonnie and Khora finally picked up their kittens.  They have been waiting for weeks and weeks for them to be weened.  Khora picked out the only girl in the liter.  This pretty orange tabby is named Pumpkin.  She is the dominate one and knows her way around the food dish.  She's very playful and calm and very sweet.  Bonnie picked out the black and white guy and at first named him Muffins, but we soon found out that it didn't fit at all.  He's quite the little rascal!  He likes to get into mischief.  About a week ago his curiosity led him into the return air vent and he ended up falling about 5 feet to the bottom.  He hurt his foot, but is doing much better now.  It kind of put him out of commission for a few days and he seams to have mellowed from the experience.  So whether it's his temperament or the black and white coloring he has been dubbed Stinker!  It fits.

And now we introduce to you Buddy.  Yes Isaac's work finally paid off.  While the boys were away at their week long scout camp, I found out about a liter of puppies right here in Santaquin.  I made contact with the owners and the day Isaac got back he went over and picked out the one he wanted.  While he was playing with all the puppies this big guy came over, laid on his lap and didn't move.  Isaac said that's the one. Buddy picked Isaac.  A week later he brought him home.  He's a mixed black lab, the oldest in the liter as well as the chunkiest!  He's very docile and sweet.  He's calm and does really well with the kittens.  So now the adventure begins.  He's already shown that puppies are a lot of work, but Isaac is willing and excited to train him and work with him.  

First Tooth

Khora finally lost her first tooth!  What an adorable smile!!  Isn't she beautiful!

Trek 2014

Jacob was able to have a wonderful trek experience this year.  Our stake went to Martin's Cove June 11-14th, 2014. The only negative experience was the wind and the issues with the bus breaking down.

Jacob was one of three boys in his family group.  His Ma and Pa were Brother and Sister Barnes.  They were the best parents!! The best part was doing the Hokey Pokey! It was a little tradition that there family had.  After everything was loaded and ready to go they did the hokey pokey.

For FHE Jacob shared some experiences with us that he had.  It was very spiritual for him and he felt the spirit.  He even took the opportunity to bear his testimony not only on trek but to our family.  It was a great experience.

Taylor's Farm

Afton's 4H group went on a field trip out to the Taylor farm Thursday night. I drove with them out to Genola and brought Khora and Bonnie with us. The Taylor's just started raising some mini herefords about a year ago and he was giving us the rundown on showing and raising these smaller sized cows. They got them for their grandchildren to show, since they aren't as intimidating. Apparently they are more docile and even tempered and you can raise 3 of them for the same price as 1 regular sized hereford.  But he said when it comes to selling them there is only about a 10% difference in price. He bought some Dexter's (some black cows) to use as segregate mothers while they were building up their herd. So these $800 cows could have $1,500 calf's. It was interesting! We loved it out there!  You should have seen Bonnie, that girl was in heaven! She got to sit on top of one of the cows they were showing us and thought that was pretty neat! They were feeding a cow some hay and one of them licked her hand with its really long tongue.  She wasn't too sure she like that though. On the ride home the girls and I were fantasizing about living out there with just enough space and land for horses and chickens and a dog! And then if there was a little fishing pond close enough Isaac would be in as well.  I was actually getting really excited about it.  Their farm was beautiful! A girl can dream.  You can take the girl out of the country but you can't take the country out of the girl.

These miniature herefords are very gentle by nature.

Just the right size for this little cow girl!

These guys won't get much taller than this just wider.  These girls were 1-2 years old.

Feeding regular sized hereford cows.  This one had a small calf.  He was a little shy.

Bonnie loved feeding them. . . until she got slimmed by her big tongue.

At 2 years they are required to put a ring in the bull's nose so they can control them.

The big guy! Regular size hereford.

Beautiful day at the farm.

Khora's Day

Khora turned 7 years old this year.  She is a beautiful, sweet, tenderhearted, funny, intense girl! I love watching her develop her talents and skills.  She has become quite the reader over the past year.  She has discovered that she has an amazing talent for gymnastics and tumbling.  She is the peacemaker and likes to make people laugh. She can get pretty intense at times, and is a very sweet thoughtful girl as well.  Her best friends are her sisters.  We love Khora so much and are so glad that she is a part of our family.

Afton wanted to make Khora cupcakes.  She did a great job all by herself.  They were yummy.  Happy birthday Khora!!