Memorable MondayCamping in Utah

On Monday, I was camping up on the rim with my family. I wanted to post my memories even though I'm away camping, actually I'm just writing this post at home a few days after my trip and posting it on Monday. These Memorable Mondays are bringing back great memories of years past.

I was thinking about when my family went camping when I was a kid. We lived in Sandy Utah at the time and would drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon to a campsite called Spruces. We went to the exact campsite numerous times and it soon became our favorite spot. We camped on the edge of the campground with a creek a few feet from our campsite. We would hike down a few feet to store our water, soda, and watermelon in the creek to keep it cool. I miss that when we camp in AZ. We quickly found our favorite hikes around the campsite, collected our favorite rocks, and rode our bikes around the campground. I have fond memories of camping at Spruces Campground.

Here is a picture of the Spruces campsite and the creek that

runs through the Big Cottonwood Canyon.

My dad bought a "Spring Bar" tent, which was the latest craze in tents in the 80's. It was a great tent and we loved it. We were so excited because it advertised that one person could put up the tent. We reminded my dad of that often when we camped so we didn't have to put up the tent. I remember one night when the tent fell down on me while we were lying down getting ready to sleep. I told my dad that the tent was falling, but he didn't believe me at first. It was a freaky one time event that's fun to remember. I still loved to sleep in that tent. My sister and her family inherited the tent and it's so fun to remember the good times when we camp with the Clawsons.

Here is a picture of the tent a few years ago during a Family Camp out.

Dani's Second Set of Braces

Dani went to the Orthodontist this week to get braces. She really didn't want to get braces on again. She remembered how it felt the first time and was nervous about it the second time. She was very brave while getting them on. When we arrived home, she had one bite of cucumber and one of the braces popped off. We had to go straight to the Orthodontist to get it sealed on. The funny thing is that when before we left the office, Dani expressed concern over that particular brace to the assistant.

Dani before her braces

Dani with her full set of braces

Dani received this cute shirt from the orthodontist. So cute and I love the saying.

Dani has seen the orthodontist since she was 7. She had a bar placed in her mouth to prevent her from sucking her thumb and fix the damage that had been done. After the bar had done it's job, she had braces placed on the top 4 teeth and bottom 3 teeth, there wasn't space for four braces down there. Her teeth looked so good after going through phase I.

Dani before her first set of braces

Dani with her braces on. The pictures show the first and last day of the Phase I braces.

The Orthodontist sang a cute song to Dani and gave her a bucket full of goodies - goodies she couldn't have while wearing braces.

Angela memorized the 13 Articles of Faith

Angela told me on Sunday that she passed off all of the all 13 Articles of Faith. I am so incredibly proud of her and this great accomplishment. Her primary teachers and leaders have really pushed learning the Articles of Faith this year. Her primary teacher, in particular, has helped Angela pass off the Articles of Faith. Congratulations Angela!

Memorable MondayGrandpa Wall

My dad was in Utah during Father's Day. His side of the family had a reunion the day before Father's Day. I've been thinking about a memory of my dad while we lived in Utah. My mind was racing because we had a lot of good times as a family. My dad taught our family through example how important family truly is.

My Grandpa Wall had a major stroke when I was 14 years old, just a couple of years after my Grandma Wall died. He was placed in a rest home near our house. My dad would visit his dad every day on his way home from work. Every weekend, we visited my Grandpa as a family. My Grandpa was unable to talk to us, but his sense of humor came through and we enjoyed visiting with him. My Grandpa was such a big tease and now we know where my dad got it from. My brother did his Eagle project for those residents in the rest home. We visited my Grandpa Wall just about every week. I know that it was hard for my dad to leave AZ and leave my Grandpa behind in Utah. We moved to Arizona when I was 18 years old, just 4 years after my Grandpa's stroke. I know that it was hard for my dad to move to AZ and leave my Grandpa behind in Utah. While in AZ, my dad called his sister often and checked up on his dad. When we visited Utah, we would visit my Grandpa and these are visits the ones I remember the most. I have good memories of my Grandpa before his stroke and they are very sweet memories. After my Grandpa had his stroke, we saw him more often and became closer to him through our visits. I so glad that my dad arranged it so our family would visit my Grandpa often while we lived in Utah. We saw a different side of my Grandpa that we wouldn't have seen otherwise. We know that my dad loved my Grandpa through his actions.

Father's Day

"The father of our home leads our family with wisdom’s light in all that’s right; My father’s good to me. Fathers are so special with a very special love. They watch us and protect us. They guide us and direct us back to our home above."The kids have such an amazing father who loves to hang out with his kids. It' so fun to watch Jim with his kids and interact with them. His sense of humor comes out when he is with them. The kids love to go on dates with Jim and have their dad's attention. I am very grateful for Jim and all that he does for his kids, most of which the kids are unaware of. He supports our family financially and works hard to update his skills needed for his career. He gives the children priesthood blessings when needed and shows his son how to honor his priesthood. I felt it was very important for my children and I to honor Jim on Father's Day and let him know that we appreciate him very much.

"I’m so glad when daddy comes home, glad as I can be; clap my hands and shout for joy, then climb upon his knee, put my arms around his neck, hug him tight like this, pat his cheeks, then give him what? A great big kiss."

Jim and I have wonderful dads and I want to spend some time honoring the both of them. They are great men who have done so much for us and continue to help and bless our lives.

Here is my dad and I during a Father and Daughter dance.

Grandpa swinging Angela in a hammock.

Scout Camp

Josh just finished scout camp at Geronimo on Saturday. It was so good to see him after such a long time. He said that he had a great time and liked his merit badge classes. He took 5 classes and earned 4 merit badges, not bad for a week's worth. His dad went with him for a couple of days and then came home. I thought about Josh all week and hoped that he was having a great time. When he came home, he brought the flu home with him. The boys had the flu bug up there at camp, but it didn't stop them from having a great time. I sent a camera with Josh and he took some great pictures. Moms love to see pictures of their sons while they are away. It's so fun to see what they were doing at camp.

A Day on the Rim

On Friday, we went up to the beautiful rim country to hang out with Jim's parents. Jim's parents were camping just north of Pine and Strawberry on top of the rim. It's always fun to enjoy the cooler weather, pine trees, and great company. Josh was still at scout camp and we missed him while we were there.

A bull came near the campsite and we watched in awe as he walked on by. Grandma's dog was ready to put up a good fight with the bull, which wouldn't have been a pretty sight. There was a herd of cows and their calves nearby. We walked just a little ways and ran into them. It was fun to watch them, until Jim scared them all away. We did his cow imitation and the cows took off and we didn't see them again the rest of the day. Jim did enjoy that!Grandma and Grandpa had a fire going in the morning when we arrived. It's awesome that they had a fire in the middle of June and there were no fire restrictions. That's a first in a really long time. Emily collected rocks and sticks and created her own fire pit. When she was finished, she found a long stick and pretended to roast marshmallows. She is such a cutie with a great imagination.Grandma always comes prepared for many activities for the kids to do. She brought flavored bubbles. Who knew they made flavored bubbles. Angela had a blast blowing bubbles and took her time learning how to make bigger bubbles.
Grandma and Grandpa had a lot of hammocks sent up. It was nice just to kick up your feet and relax. Everyone took a chance to relax in the hammock. It was chilly enough for me to find my jacket and put it on. I could stay in his hammock all day long.

I think Dani explored every inch surrounding the campsite. I rarely saw her because she was on the hunt for the cows and the bulls. It was fun to see her interact with her sisters when she returned from her adventures.

Danni in Dance

Watching Dani dance in her recital reminded me of the first time Dani attended dance. I enrolled her in a summer dance class at Campbell's. After that class, I enrolled Dani in a dance class through the city for the fall season. A year later, she took dance through Campbell's again and have been there ever since. She loves dance and it's so fun to see her throughout the years.

Here is Dani and her dance teacher from the Mesa Arts Center. She attended the dance class with a friend and had a great time. They put on a cute show after the class was over. She did a really great job and wanted to take dance again.

The next year, Dani went to Campbell's and took a tap, ballet, and tumbling class with another friend. She really enjoyed the classes and especially the costumes. She took ballet and gym another year and realized that she likes tap and jazz better. She really enjoys taking dance with her friends and making new friends at dance. It's so fun to watch Dani grow up and reminisce on the times she was younger.

Wedding Ushers

My children were asked to be ushers at a family wedding. They were so cute that I had to show off their pictures.

Josh looked so handsome in his white shirt and tie. Jim and Josh stayed for awhile and then headed off to Camp Geronimo.

Dani was able to walk down the aisle as well as usher in the guests. Her cousin was a bridesmaid and had a beautiful dress made especially for the occasion. They had to switch in the end - I think it was Dani's idea.

Angela is such a cutie. She loved hanging out with Kenzie, dancing with Joey, and eating apples. If you know Angela, you know that she eats apples a lot.

Emily was such a cutie, especially on the dance floor with her cousin. He was such a great dancer and danced the night away.

Dance Recital

Dani had her Dance recital on Saturday. Dani has taken tap dance for several years. It's so fun to watch her dance and watch her expressions. She loves to dance and puts on numerous shows at home and gets her sisters involved. She plans to try Jazz next year and may continue tap dancing. She did such an amazing job and we are so proud of her.

Dani just before the show. She had to wear makeup so her face doesn't wash out. This is the only time of the year she gets to wear makeup. She is a natural beauty and doesn't need makeup except for when she is on the stage.

Memorable MondayWedding Party

My kids have been asked by a family member to be ushers in her wedding. It's been fun to see the excitement in their faces as the wedding date approaches. I have been asked to take some pictures of the wedding events. Taking pictures is so much fun and I'm so excited to do just. It should be a great day.

When my brother was married a few years ago, he asked if Josh and Dani could be apart of their wedding party. Josh was asked to be the ring bearer and stood next to his uncle for the whole ceremony. It was so cute to see Jeff and Josh interact during the ceremony. Josh looked so handsome with his new suit.

Dani was asked to be a flower girl. Dani's cousin Britt was also asked to be a flower girl. They walked down the aisle together and it was so cute to see them.

Angela had a matching dresses as the flower girls and bridesmaids, but stayed close to me for the wedding and reception.