Summer Recap #5

We headed North to Beaver, UT for some cooler weather, camping, and more awesome cousins.  We love the Utah McIlnays as demonstrated by the numerous vacations we spend at their home! 

Thanks Travis and Jennifer!

Daddy and Brynlee sharing loves and fishing

All the girls caught multiple fish and we had lots of rain and cool weather.
The trip was a success!

Way to go Shelby!

We took the ATVs out again as there is much riding available there too.
I don't know...do you think the kids had fun??

 After a few days camping, we arrived back in town and learned my Uncle Steve, Papa's brother, had passed away.  We were so glad to be close enough to make it to SLC for the funeral.  I got to see cousins I hadn't seen in 15 years.  My kids all got to experience a priceless Great-Grandma Austin hug too.  Though the circumstances were hard, Uncle Steve's happy presence was felt and we all enjoyed seeing each other again.

After the funeral, we headed back down to Beaver, packed up and headed to Las Vegas for Uncle Todd's wedding to Heather.  It was a great chance to see all the McIlnay's in one place...a very rare occasion.  Todd and Heather were both radiant and such gracious hosts. Hannah and Janessa got to be flower girls and felt so proud and special to be a part of the celebrations.

Callahan was a beautiful maid of Honor and continually surprises us with her love and grace....
so much of it for such a young girl !  

Todd and Heather are so happy and such a loving couple.  Many happy tears and laughs were shed.

After al the fun we were ready to be home again.  What a fun summer! 

Summer Recap #4

Our next stop was MOAB, UT!  We packed up Nana with us and met up with Shawn and Cami's family as well as our good long-time friends, Jeremy and Sara, from Texas and their kids. 

Jeremy took BJ up in his Ultra-Light.
Ever the pilot at heart,
BJ LOVED it!

The red canyons, water and sunset made for a beautiful flight

Back on land, the kids discovered a giant mud hole and stayed happy the entire time

Luckily, the river was close by so the kids could de-slime!

It's Moab so of course we had to do some 4-wheeling! Those hills beckoned to BJ...

Brynlee and Ethan loved the ride

Hmmm....Mom must not have been on this outing!
We took turns with the kids swimming in the hotel while the others rode.

Fun times and tired kids!

Summer Recap #3

After our fun in Albuquerque, we headed off to Beautiful Colorado to visit Nana and Papa.  

While in the barn looking at the horses, Hannah came across a baby bunny. She and BJ caught it and the girls had a pet bunny for a day and a half until I made them let it go.  

It warmed up to the girls rather quickly and they loved caring for  the adorable baby.

We got to ride Cherokee again this year.  He is fast becoming a favorite member of the family.
Thanks to Steve and BJ for allowing us to borrow him.

Steve and BJ showed the girls the chickens as well.  Brynlee was enthralled.
Yes kids.  This is where eggs come from!

We took a day and hiked Devil's Head as is tradition
when I am pregnant or have just had a baby.
I couldn't leave this little one out!

The whole group!  It's amazing how well a hike like this can go when there is one adult per child!
It was so much fun! Nana & Papa were troopers!

"Devil's Head Fire Lookout
143 steps above cabin
Elevation 9,748
Pike National Forest"

I can never get enough of the views.   

"Refrigerator Canyon"
A nice, cool breeze is always blowing
and refreshes our weary hikers!

I LOVE going HOME!  

Summer Recap #2

A Three Week Sabbatical...In July we decided to beat the Arizona heat and headed out on a three week journey to visit family.

Our first stop was NM, where we stayed with Uncle Shawn and Aunt Cami for a couple days.  As usual they were the most gracious hosts and kept us busy seeing and doing all kinds of fun things.

A fun adventure:  Cami and I are pregnant at the same time!
She with a boy and I a girl (a real shocker--NOT)!
We are due the SAME DAY!

We had fun announcing the sexes of our babies over webcam.
Us in NM, Nana and Papa in CO and Scotty joined in from ID.
Gotta love modern technology!

We have the CUTEST nephews!

Uncle BJ taught him how to catch grasshoppers (sorry Cami)!

Ever the outdoorsman, Uncle Shawn took us all rock climbing.
Addie got brave and enjoyed her second shot at it.

Brynlee was happy with her feet on the ground and her hands in the dirt!

Janessa took off and only stopped when she looked down...
Heights!

Hannah was the only one besides the Dads to make it to the top!
Way to go girl!

Does it get any better?!

After climbing we went on a short hike to a river...Photo op!

Shawn and BJ carried everyone (even the Mommas!)
upstream to a rock so we didn't get our shoes wet.

Richard loved the water.  He tried to drown himself several times,
but Daddy was on the job!

I love this little guy!

Ethan and Hannah building

The "Blondies" hanging out!
We LOVE cousin time!

Summer Recap #1

Now that we are getting into Fall, I decided the best way to make up for my lag time in posts the last year was to quickly sum up our summer in a summer recap series. It was full, busy, and so much fun!

We started the summer off with Janessa's baptism...ON her 8th birthday, June 16th!  She had been begging for BJ and I to let her be baptized early but to no avail so it was fortunate she didn't have to wait a day longer!

Hip, Hip Hooray! Let's Get Baptized!

It was fortunate a friend's and talented photographer's daughter shared our day.  She willingly took these 3 monkeys out for a photoshoot one morning and the pics turned out great!

Our Beautiful, Happy 8 year old girl.  

The big day...Janessa was beaming!  

She said she was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. 

Both she and her friend had chattering teeth and enormous smiles!

Of course there was a birthday celebration too, 

complete with Grandma AND Grandpa

Puffing out their feathers

The girls went swimming and then we had caramel brownies

(compliments of Daddy...I am one lucky woman!)

The happy (baptized) beautiful girl!  

We are proud of your choice to follow Jesus!

Love you Forever!

An Exciting Announcement!

Introducing McIlnay Baby #5!  It's another little GIRL!  She is healthy and even has a full, round tummy!  We are all excited to meet her.  She arrives around November 20th.