Primary Hike

Our kids are blessed with amazing Primary leaders and teachers. The learn so much from them and truly feel loved. The Primary had a family activity to hike Ensign peak. The kids and I did a trial run with Julie to make sure they could survive. They loved it. The activity was just as enjoyable. Nothing like enjoying the beautiful outdoors.

Lion King at Capital Theater

Amazing costumes, beautiful music, a great night out with our kids.

See-You-Later Stephanie...and Dave and Dexter

Stephanie, Dave and Dexter moved to Chicago for school in August. Dave actually drove out with their stuff a week ahead of Steph and Dexter. They got to stay to go to a family reunion, finish up her classes, and say her farewells. It started to sound a little funny talking about her leaving, as if we would never see her again. Not the case, fortunately.

We loved having her with us during her last week here. My kids became even more attached than they already were. They fought over who got to hold Dexter all day long. Parker spent so much time holding him that they even took naps together.And apparently from the pictures on my camera, they couldn't leave Steph alone even while she was sleeping either.The trip to the airport was full of excitement and sadness. I am sure Steph was dying to see her husband and her new place, and although we were excited for her, we were very sad to have her go. Thankfully she was in a rush and we gave quick hugs at security and left her to make it to her plane with her overstuffed carry-on and a new baby.

By the time we reached the car Gabby was crying silently and Joshua had decided that we needed to move too so we could live by Stephanie.

Reunite at the Reunion

At the end of July we had our annual Cooper reunion. We did the hard core camping this year at Duck Creek up above Cedar City. I was a little nervous about the three days with out a shower, but I sucked it up and jumped in.

The kids and I drove down with Stephanie and her sweet new baby Dexter. It was their last shin-dig before fleeing the state for podiatry school. Dexter was a champ in the car, and Gabby enjoyed snapping pictures of his cute sleeping face throughout the trip.

Another fear of mine was preparing food for our large group (80ish) over camp fire. Thankfully others are much more equipped with camping gear. We ate amazingly well.We spent much of our time hanging out chatting (all of the Cooper's are good at that).Sometimes finding an actual chair was difficult, but there was always some place to rest from our lack of sleep. And, the conversation, no matter who it was with, was always enticing.

No one else will find value in this, but even the serving spoons were welcoming. I love Santa even more when he dishes up a big spoon of beans!Some conversations made us down right weep,but others made us laugh out loud. Mostly it was a great time for bounding. And sharing the love we have for each other!The kids enjoyed the bounding as well,but also stayed busy with crafts,

limbo, jump rope, and many other physical activities. Much of this resulted in additional dirt coated on their already filthy bodies."I told you mom, I don't need to wash my face."

It was a great reunion, even without showers. I would do it again. I do love to catch up with everyone even if it is sometimes only once a year.