The Many Looks of Mei

Don't know how long she'll let me keep this post up. But I couldn't resist blogging these pictures of my girl. I found them while deleting pictures from my camera. I suspect she and Ya were goofing around the other day. The first shot is especially poignant, seeing as she just got her braces off today. Guess I'd better post a braces-free picture.

Fat Lip

Ana had some dental procedures a couple weeks ago. She was numb for several hours afterward and gave herself this fat lip from chewing on her unfeeling mouth. I was so horrified! Anyway, she looks much better now.

Camp Snapshots

Hiking the Abish Trail

Beautiful scenery and an easy hike, especially for the group that turned back halfway. That would include me. :)

Heber Valley Camp

We had a great Walter Family reunion at Heber Valley Camp. Ana and I went up ahead and met up with most of my dad's family (including my dad-- yea!!) The first activity: tie-dye shirts. I worked on Ana's and put Steve & Debbie in charge of Meili & Eliah's. The shirts all turned out A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!

Katie Has a Birthday

Katie had a big birthday about a week ago. I'm so happy she was born. I have a selfish habit of believing it was all for me. She's just the best, to put it simply. After many years of being the recipients of hers and Dave's creative cakes, my kids took a turn to create one for her. Turned out adorable!

Last Cousin Pic

Just an example of a lazy moment on our deck. I loved that the kids all got along for a week and enjoyed just being together. Family is the best.

Cougar Hall of Fame

Eliah had fun with Matt & Adam exploring the athlete's hall of fame at BYU.

'Les Mis' with Meili

. . . and Katie & Dave. We drove down to St. George on the 14th to see "Les Miserable" at Tuacahn. I'd heard so much about this outdoor amphitheater and was excited to see it for myself. With the red rock backdrop and live bats flying through the stage lights, it's a truly unique experience. We had a great time and can't wait to go again. We're still listening to the soundtrack: "Can You Hear the People Sing," "Castle on a Cloud," "On My Own," etc. etc. We're all in love with Marius. We'll, I guess Dave wouldn't be.

Dinner at Katie's

Katie made delicious enchiladas one night for everyone. She has the ability to effortlessly pull any meal together and make it wonderful. Last picture shows our ongoing addiction to the Olympic games & Michael Phelps.

A Visit From Uncle Brad

Brad & Melissa & kids came out for the best visit ever! We kicked off the week with a trip to Seven Peaks. Here are Camille & Ana on our way to the waterpark.

Merit Badge Camp

Seeing as it's September and I've found my camera, I thought I'd blog some our family's August activities. Eliah earned about 8 merit badges and hiked about a hundred miles up and down this campsite. And I learned an important lesson: Moms have no place at Scout camp.

A Direct Line

I've got a bunch of end-of-summer photos to blog. I will get to them whenever I find my camera. :(

In the meantime I have a funny Ana story. She was in the basement office with me earlier today. I was working on a document and she was typing away randomly on the computer next to me. Well, I tried to send her upstairs to play with something else (because, technically, she's not supposed to be on the computers). She kept typing away and then said, "No, mommy. Jesus sent me an email and I've got to type this. I know his email."

According to Meili, Ana also goes to "HeavenlyFather.com" on her pink vtech computer.

Target Practice

Ana Oakley

We got out the family BB gun and set it up for Eliah. Here's Dave helping the kids take a couple shots.

Swimming Lessons!

Ana loved everything about this except jumping into the water. She is a good, brave swimmer. Her instructors were wonderful. The woman on the far right is Eliah's adorable 2nd grade teacher. We're hoping Ana can get her in a few years. Her mom (in the hat) runs the swimming lessons out of her home.

Scout's "Purple"

Debbie bought this adorable headband and the bracelets for Scout. She love, love, loves the color purple right now. You don't know cute until you've heard her say, "My purple."

Thank You, Pioneers

This was a really hot & sunny day. Here we are taking refuge under a tent while listening to some fiddlers and other variety acts. I tore into the cotton candy!

Quick Recovery

There's nothing cotton candy can't fix.

Going for a Dunk

At our town's Pioneer Day celebration, Lincoln was all for doing the dunk tank. Here's Stephen helping him onto the platform.













Here's Lincoln at the moment the platform released.













He only cried for a couple minutes afterward. What a brave boy!