Pretty

Josh and I had a chance to drive up Cedar Mountain today to drop off some girls for girls camp.  We took our time coming home.  I was able to capture this picture and I just love it.  So pretty!

Cool, Climby thing

Not sure what to call this cool net thing, but my kids had a blast. Especially Tyson, who LOVES to climb!

He's cute!

This was the first time in years that we haven't been home to Marysvale for the 24th of July.  It was super sad and it felt all wrong.  Ivins has got nothing on Marysvale.  But the kids enjoyed it.  We watched the parade and played at the park.  All in all a good day!

Party in the Park

 We got together to celebrate Jd, Logan, Rowland and Becky's birthdays at the park.  The old people decided it would be a good idea to play extreme Frisbee golf.  Seriously, who told the old people that was ok?  It was hilarious though! We had a great time.

JD's Harry Potter birthday continued.  Pink cake and all.  Heather gave him the coolest wand made out of an antler and a spell book.  He got Hedwig as well.  Pipers face when he opened up the spell book is priceless.  It was a great way to end the weekend.

Birthday boy

 This is the first year we haven't done a party for JD.  We opted in stead to head up the mountain to the cabin and spend the weekend at Kolob. He was ecstatic with his gifts.  He got a co2 pellet gun and a fly pole.

 We spent the day fishing and hanging out at the cabin.  Piper hid in the truck because she hates the bug and the crawdads and the fish.  I have her on tape, crying her eyes out because crawdads exist.  It was pretty funny.  She did love playing in the disgusting mud, though.  YUCK!

We went for a walk when we got back to the cabin thta afternoon and this was one of the pictures that I captured. I love it.  Such a fun shot.

So proud that JD belongs to me. He's a dang kid. Other than the fact that he loves to shoot birds and squirrels.  It makes me sad, but he is, his dads kid.

Hogwarts Letter

 Somebody turned 11, somebody turned 11 and got his letter from Hogwarts!

 Special Owl Post delivery to Mr. J Doty!!

He was so excited!  How many kids really get their letter?

Tired

Josh went to check on Piper and this was what he found.  Her fast asleep, toothbrush in hand.  What a tired little gal!

Lake Powell and Home Again

 On the way home from Blanding we drove through Monument Valley and home through Lake Powell.  At this point though, we were just ready to come home, so we didn't stop much.  We did stop to check out the Glen Canyon Dam.  it's pretty cool and really high.  I was super dizzy! The best part was when I looked over to see Piper spitting off the dam and laughing her head off.  Yep, she has brothers.

 We went down to the lake to let the kids dip their toes in the water.

 It was pretty cold, considering it was July and really low.  The people around us were catching fish, left and right.  Of course JD wants to go back!!!

And this was the sunset as we pulled into St. George!  So glad to be home again!

Mr. & Mrs. Kartchner

 July 6, 2013 ~ Sarah and Talon got married!  The first group of pictures is from the wedding brunch, prior to the temple sealing.

 Pouring rain!  It rained and rained and we were all wet and that was fun!  But don't they look so happy? The pictures above are from random snap shots.  The ones below are a little more staged.  Such a fun, beautiful couple.  We certainly love them to pieces.

Three years ago, I could have never imaged us being at this point.  That is what Spring kept saying to me in the temple.  We have been through so much. Being able to be present in the temple and to sit behind Talon, so I could watch Sarah was such a special experience.  And now we have Talon!  God works in mysterious ways indeed, but I am certain He knows what He is doing and He has a plan for us.  I am so grateful for a "daughter" that came to me in the most unconventional way.  I'm grateful for the trials we have been through together.  Josh and I are both so grateful that Jared and Spring are willing to share her with us.  I can't imagine life without her in it.  She is such a blessing to us and I am so grateful for her.  We love her so much!

We spent the afternoon getting the reception ready.  The Berretts yard is amazing!  We had everything set up and it was so beautiful and then the rain came down.  All of us in our fancy clothes, standing out in the rain, trying to hold down the canopies.  It was awesome.  I wish I had the pictures. But we were all kinda busy. We ended up moving everything inside and it worked out great!  We just were a little closer than we planned and learned to love each other more.  Isn't the cake gorgeous?  Spring made it.  She is super talented. 

I love this picture.  He sure does love her!

Road Trip

Happy 4th of July

We spent the 4th of July in Marysvale this year. Well in Richfield really.  We went to the parade.

The boys made beards out of bags!

Tyson was cute as ever!

Nothing say's the 4th of July like a small town parade.

After the parade we went swimming at the pool.

Piper jumped off the diving board for the very first time.

Piper loved this pool.  So much fun!

JD taking a dive.

They had this awesome rock wall that Tyson loved.  He climbed it all afternoon.