And she is off. . . .

 This past week-end, we moved Natalie to Vancouver, WA.

Such bitter sweet emotions going on.

I am so proud of Natalie.  I think it would be so hard

to leave everything I'm familiar with and go hundred of miles away.

What a brave girl and what a great time she is going to have.

So glad Wynn and I helped her move.  It all went very smoothly

and everything just felt so right.

Natalie has a mission companion that lives in Battle Ground.

We stayed at her home and they were very hospitable.

Natalie will at least have them there to help her as needed.

At least a support if she needs it.  

Then, we got to meet her new roommate.  She seemed wonderful.

Our Brooke went to school with her and gave her a two thumbs up

review.  It just all felt good.  It was hard to leave her but

I really felt we left her in a good place.  

Can't believe she is gone but yet so proud.

She will be going to Portland State University and getting a

masters degree in Social Work.

She will be awesome!!!!

(but she will be missed)

 We had to get her a bed. . . 

 Put together her new dresser. . . 

(so much easier said than done, this puppy took hours to put together.)

 But isn't it beautiful?

 and a desk. .  

 Nat at her new apartment!

 Wynn and I had a beautiful ride home as you can tell by the photo's.

We took the Washington side of the Columbia rive to drive on.

Such beautiful sights!

 We stopped at the Bonneville Dam and views the fish ladders.

So interesting. . . 

Even a cruise ship!

(we tried to get on but it was full :(  )

It just seems there has been so  much change in our world this summer.

I'm ready for a nice quiet fall with NO change.

Looking forward to Christmas when all my kids will be home!

Labor Day

For Labor Day this year, we wanted to something special, something for our

last hurrah with Natalie.  This is what we came up with. . . .

 After a picnic of fried chicken at Green Canyon, Dad and Steven went on a motor bike ride.

 The rest of us went swimming!

The kids had a ball.  

The water was so nice and warm.  

Tyson enjoyed it so much along with Camden and Emily.

Tyson just laid on his back with his head on my shoulder.

He kicked and kicked. 

Oh, so much quality time with Aunt Nat.  

 Look at Em's float!

 After our swim, we went on a hike.

When the guys got back, we drove to Rexburg and enjoyed

pizza and salad for dinner.

It was a fun day.  So glad Nat got to spend time with us.

She will be missed greatly.

Lion's Back trail up by West Yellowstone

 On August 28th, Wynn and I drove up where Mike and Karen were camping.

We joined them and Doug and Carolyn for a RZ ride.

It was simply beautiful and the company was totally awesome!

 After our ride, we went to their camp and on our way,

we saw a huge grizzly bear running across the road.

It was so cool.  I loved it.

We then went to their camp and enjoyed dinner and a campfire.

We enjoyed just sitting around the fire and visiting. 

A selfie!

Saturday fun. . .

 Flowers for my Mom't 82nd birthday party.

 Camden and Tyson at Mom's birthday luncheon at the Hong Kong.

I just want to squeeze those little cheeks. . . 

 Wynn and Steven worked on the club house at Steven's house.

It's coming along quit nicely.

The kids can't wait to play and have their first club meeting.  :)

 Cuties!

We celebrated my Mom's birthday by having a cook out

for her on Sunday afternoon.  Lucky us, Mike and Charissa

were staying with Mom and so they got to come too.

So fun seeing them and getting caught up.

I gave Mom a copy of my favorite book.

Refuge and Reality by Groberg

Simply love this book.  

Hope she likes it as much as I did.

Random cuteness. . .

 Camdon hit the jackpot at Leo's!

 Jenna in her Minnie Mouse shirt that I sent her.

Isn't it so cute with her polk-a-dot skirt?

 I grew this sunflower in my garden from a seed I got in Relief Society.

I love sunflowers, they just make me happy.  

 Emily and Camden enjoying a hot dog lunch at Sam's Club.

 Flowers from Tricia for let her and Kimber stay at our  home.

So beautiful.  It has been a long since since I have gotten flowers,

made my day!

 Emily and Camden making ice cream on a hot Sunday afternoon.  

My favorite photo of all times.

I snagged this from Brooke's Facebook page.

I simply love it!  

Tour guide Barbie. . .

In August, Matt's sister-in-law, Kimber and her friend Tricia brought

their teenage daughters to EFY at BYU-I. 

They asked me to be their tour guide.

We had a ball.

 We rode our bikes about 15 miles and toured Idaho falls.

 We visited the local quilt store, the Ribbon Retreat.

 We attended the temple and ate lunch at the McKinzie Grill.

So much fun.

Then, on Thursday, Wynn was taking his ward on a road trip up to

Yellowstone.  Tricia, Kimber, and I were planning on going with.

Thursday morning I didn't feel very well but I proceeded to go.

Come to find out, Tricia was sick too.  She didn't come.

We got to Ashton and I felt really horrible.

I asked Wynn to just drop me off and I would have my Mom

come and pick me up.  Nope, he wouldn't hear of it.

They drove me all the way back to Rexburg and then

I drove my car home.  Kimber never did get sick and so

she enjoyed a day of fun with my husband and some

cute BYU-I kids.