Memorable MondayCamping at Woods Canyon Lake

In the summer of 2005, my family went camping near Woods Canyon at the Spillway Campground.  We camped near Woods Canyon lake and walked to the store and amphitheater.  Emily was still young and we brought lots of baby equipment and blankets to keep her off the ground.  I love camping and to be able to share this with my kids make my momma heart happy.  I also remember vising the rim lookout before heading to the campground. Here are some of the pictures of that camping trip. 

Kids camping

Jim with the kids

Kids in the amphitheater

Jim and the kids in the amphitheater

My kids and I

My kids

Kids at the lake

My kids and I at the lake

It's fun to look at all the equipment we used.

Jim and the kids on the trail to the store.

Big Lake Camping Trip

Lisa and I planned a camping trip up to Big Lake.  Each member of our family was able to come at some point.  It was great to get together among the aspens and cooler weather.  

There were a few memorable moments from the trip

*Having my whole family there was awesome including Manny.  Manny was so fun to go camping with.

* The scenery was AMAZING - I really liked the way the aspen tree top made tunnels over the roads.  

* We took a day to go to the Pop Shop.  The drive to and from was longer than expected, but the drinks and cookies were yummy.  The drive was really pretty too.

*One night we had a murder mystery night.  It was a super fun game and the Clawsons really added flair to the characters we had to play.

*Making popcorn on the fire - it never worked out, but it made for some great memories.

*Jim brought his trailer - our first camping trip with his trailer.  

*There was a skunk on the last night and Angela and I almost walked close to it, luckily Josh got us in time.

My kids and I

Manny and I

Back to Church

After 6 months of having home church, we attended Sacrament Meeting as a ward.  Half of our ward met at 9 and the other half met at 11.  It was so weird being back and following the new protocol.  Due to COVID, we were unable to sing hymns, so we skipped the opening and closing song and went immediately to the Sacrament.  We had some ward business and stake business to take care of.  The counselors of the Bishopric were released, so we were able to hear their testimonies.  It was good to hear from the old leaders and meet our new leaders one more time.  Our Stake President was there and let us know that after General Conference, we could meet as a complete ward on a weekly basis.  We will still follow the same protocol as today - social distancing,  and masks.  We were able to attend church as a family and it was great to attend services with my family.  It brought the spirit to our Sunday.

My girls

Jim and I

Josh

Danni and Manny

Angela

Emmy

Happy 2nd Birthday Manny!!

Add caption

Manny turned 2 years old  today.  Danni threw him a truck construction party last night and it turned out so cute.  Danni asked Natalie Gardner to make a construction cake and brought over one of Manny's tractor to put on top of the cake.  Natalie even included trend marks. so cute.  The day of the party, I made chicken salad sandwiches, made a veggie platter, and label the water bottles.  Danni had to wirk, so we had to wait to decorated, which is the best idea for a 2 year old.  We went to Party City to buy balloons and I accidentally popped an orange balloon.  I felt so bad, but it all worked out.  We got the decorations up in time and it looked great for a 2 year old birthday party.  

Manny's cute cake

Decor

Manny took a quick nap and wasn't thrilled about pics at the
 beginning of his party, but he started to warm up.

The party was a great success.  Jim and I gave Manny a Harley Davidson tricycle which he totally loves.  We gave him the tricycle at the beginning of the party, so he was willing to share his other toys.

The Clawsons came to support Danni and Manny and well as the  Malmberg girls.  We mostly talked among each other and played with Manny and Britt's kids.  We did all the traditional birthday stuff - dinner, cake, presents.  Everything turned out perfect.  

Manny's tricycle

Manny with his balloons

Jay and Manny

Danni, Joc, and Manny

A couple of days before his party, Danni and Britt took Jay and Manny to Uptown Jungle.  The boys had a blast.  I say a few videos of the boys jumping and having a bast,  I love that Danni took time out of her busy schedule to have a play date with Manny.

Manny on a surf board

I made a collage of Danni at age 2 and Manny at age 2 to see if Manny looks like his mom.  I see a strong resemblance.  Danni's birthday cake was a simple one that I made, but it also had a number 2 birthday candle.  

Danni and Manny

Danni' birthday cake

For Danni's 2nd birthday, we got her a Little People school bus.  Manny plays with that exact school bus a lot.  How fun is it that Manny plays with one of Danni's old toys.  

Danni playing with her toy.

First Day of Modified In-Person School

Emily had her first day of school attending Mesa High.  Due to COVID, the kids having during remote learning since Spring Break of last year.  She finished 9th grade via remote learning and started 10th grade remote, so we are so excited that she can step on Mesa High grounds again.

Here is her schedule for her sophomore year

A hr. - Biology

1st - English
2nd - Geometry
3rd - Symphony Orchestra
4th- Seminary
5th- Lunch
6th- Drawing
7th- Complete Fitness

Memorable Monday Danni at Taylor Junior High

Danni started working at Taylor Junior High.  It doesn't seem that long ago that she started Taylor in 7th Grade.  She is working with Special Education kids.  She seems to do real well working with kids with disabilities.  She has patience and sees them for who they really are.  I'm so impressed with her and all the hard work she does to support herself and Manny.

When Danni attended Taylor as a 7th Grader, she overhears someone threaten another student.  She reported the incident and I talked to a vice principal.  Because of the actions Danni and I took, the xchool established a tip hotline where students can report situations like that without having to attend the principal's office like Danni did.  Danni is such a great girl and Taylor is so lucky to have had her as a student and now as an employee.

Memorable MondayMy kids at 2 years old

Manny's 2nd birthday is approaching and I wanted to take a look back at my kids at the age of 2.  I don't have many memories of my kid's toddler years, so looking at their pics is good for me. 

Josh - 2 years old

Danni - 2 years

Danni - 2 years

Angela - 2 years

Emily - 2 years

Photo ShootDanni and Manny

I took Danni and Manny's pics at Nichol's Park.  Danni wanted some pics of Manny for his 2nd Birthday.  I was in awe that the grass was so green.  The pictures turned out so good and Danni liked them, so it was perfect to me.