Symphony Lake

We didn't make it to the lake. . . we didn't even make it 1/2 a mile.
. . but we got out of the house and had a little fun as a family. the
kids probably enjoyed the dirt pile in the parking lot more than the
hike itself. we also found some trees that were climbable. . .
something pretty rare here in the land of aspen and birch trees.

hiking

My parents love to hike.  I can remember being dragged all over the state to hike this and to hike that with promises that the saddle, summit, waterfall, etc. were "just over the next ridge."  I remember, in an attempt to pass time, singing Dona Nobes Pacem for hours with my sisters.  I remember climbing to the top of timp several times:  once with only Capri Suns to drink, once with a date that didn't say more than three words the entire time, and once when I lost my breakfast about a mile in.  Stewart Falls was always a favorite right along side Angel's Landing and the Narrows.  

As a kid I wondered what magic my parents found in walking.  It wasn't until I was a young adult that I discovered a beauty in the outdoors that was contagious and invigorating.  I now crave to be outside, to be climbing, to be breathing in the fresh air and scanning in the beauty of God's creations.  

I recently found this amazing quote in our Alaskan hiking book:

You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down . . . so why bother in the first place?  Just this: what is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above.  One climbs, one sees.  One decends, one sees no longer, but one has seen.  There is an art of conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up.  When one can no longer see, one can at least still know.

--Rene Daumel, Mount Analogue

Fwd: blacktail hike

Fwd: blacktail hike

Fwd: blacktail hike

Sam is blessed with all sorts of great friends.  By far his favorite three people right now are Asher Speaks, Gavin Speaks, and Dallin Holt.  They race down the street together on plasma cars, build legos, draw comics together, and play pokemon.  He is so blessed to have such good, kind, thoughtful, creative, and fun boys to hang out with.  

Dallin's dad is a huge hiker and is often brave enough to invite a few friends along on their adventures.  Last week he took the boys on a 8 mile roundtrip hike to Black Tail (a fairly trecherous trail).  

Fwd: DC

Steph,

I had a great time with your boys today at the WWII memorial!

Thanks for sending the boys.

Bryan

Winner Creek Gorge

Yes, the baby has a misquito on his face.

And yes, the kids are all dipping their heads in the ice cold river.

Sam sure enjoyed having his cousin and good friend Eric here for a
week. What a treat.

Birthday Boy

Talmage celebrated his 3rd birthday by hiking 4 1/2 miles. What a
little trooper.

Garden Harvest

I've been enjoying a little of my garden's harvest.

My little H's

Hyrum loves that he and Holland share the same first letter of their
names. He is always begging to hold the baby.

Holland's current nicknames:
Holls
Dutch (hometeachers gave him that one)
and the boys favorite "Double L 7" (similiar to 007--James Bond)

South Fork Falls

South Fork Falls.

Cub Scout Camp

Sam just finished cub scout day camp. He looks forward to this week
all summer long. Could it be the archery? pellet guns? swimming?
capture the flag?

This year his group of 7 won 2nd place in the dodgebal tournament. Sam
was selected MVP. This was the first year that they had to complete a
100 yard swim test to go out in the canoe. Sam failed the first test
but came home all smiles when he completed it on his second attempt a
few days later.

Green Thumb

My first EVER fruit yeilding attempt at gardening

Hoilland Bednar's Blessing Day

Last week we were going to bless Holland. I got up early. I got
ready. Eric and I made a wonderful breakfast for the boys. The boys
headed downstairs to get ready. Hy couldn't find his church pants and
when he finally did we noticed that there was an enormous hole in the
knee. Then he couldn't find his belt. And finally he realized he had
misplaced his shoes. We looked and looked and looked as the minutes
raced on. Finally, a completely embarassed Hyrum--wearing some too
short and too wide church pants barely staying on with the recently
found belt--was thrown into the van along with his summer flip flops.
Just close your eyes and imagine the screaming we enjoyed for the next
10 minutes on our way to our church buildinmg. Wailing. Screaming.
Outbursts. Begging. (in that order).

By the time we wiped the scream induced scowls off our faces and
sprinted into the church we were too late. It was a frustrating end
to an already frustrating morning.

Yesterdays attempt met with success. The kids were up, completely
dressed from head to toe, and ready to go an hour before church.
Everyone was happy and we were even thrilled that not only our friends
the Speaks were there WITH Jared who was home on R&R from Afganistan,
but also our cousins the Fishers from South Anchorage joined us for
the day.

After church we had those two families over to our house for a meal.
It was such a good day with so many reasons to celebrate.

Blessing Highlights for Holland Bednar Bacon

[Named after Elder Jeffrey R. Holland & Elder David A. Bednar]

Be like namesakes. Look to them as models and guides for decisions
and choices. Blessed to be a Spirit-led teacher with gifts of
tenderness and wisdom. Blessed to humbly lead, to motivate others
with messages of truth & light. Blessed to be a student of the
scriptures; to be creative, innovative, immovable in all good works.

Brothers

My big boys sure love my littlest boy. You should have seen us on
Sunday passing this little one up and down the aisle. . . a family in
constant motion even when we are trying our hardest to sit still.

life as number 7

doctor

I woke up the other morning and found three of my boys playing doctor.

lunch

Greg, while this may feed you for a month. . . this is what feeds our
family for just one meal. An array of sandwiches for an average day
of eating. Our kids were recently introduced to grilled PB&J. . .
yum.