November

We started off the month of November with a trip to Albuquerque for Mary Dodd’s baptism.

We stopped for a picnic at the arch on the way.

On November 9&10th We camped out at Tonto Basin and hiked to the very highest peak of Four Peaks. I could say it was an “amazing experience for me”,  but I’d be lying. I’ll be honest, I was on the verge of tears for the entire last 1/4 mile of rock climbing to the top. There were times my family waited patiently while I clung to the side of a large jagged boulder, trembling and literally paralyzed with fear. Then I’d hear hear Adam gently guide me...”put your right hand on this grip, bring your left foot over just a bit...” and from the kids “We love you mom! You got this, you’re doing great,  you’re doing it!!!” 

I hated this hike. But I love my family and there’s nobody else in this world I would rather have a panic attack on a mountain with! 

We spend Thanksgiving with the Gurrs in Florence this year. I wish I would’ve taken more pictures, but here are a couple from the buggy ride.

For my moms Birthday this year, we all surprised her with a “Backyard clean up”! It was so much fun working with all my siblings and their spouses and children. We hauled off a lot of old trash and stacked and moved around a lot of My dads woodworking logs.

October

We loved having Travis and Becky’s family here for a fun conference weekend! 

The Trio had another awesome Choir concert. 

(Not sure what happened to the picture of Caleb’s choir) 

We are super proud of Caleb, he auditioned for and made it into the Honor choir at Snowflake high School!

We loved our Surprise visit from Ben and Suzi’s family! It was such a beautiful day and we all had so much fun together! 

Sad day....Adam’s Dodge decided it was time to retire. 

September

The girls both worked so hard and they both made the Varsity soccer team!! 

They are awesome both on and off the field!

We had a fun overnight camping trip with Tyler and his boys

Caleb Joined the high school cross country team this year. He worked and trained so hard. We are so proud of him!

Adam went on a trip with his Parents and Heather and Jewelana. Jewelana just got her mission call to  the Spokane Washington  mission. Before she left she wanted to go to Colorado. They also went to Blanding Utah and saw lots of cool Ruins. The rest of us had school, so we couldn’t go, but we are glad Adam was able to go and that he had an awesome trip.

August

First day of 10th grade!!

The Three Amigos! (At goodwill)

Fun visit with cousins!

July

We had a wonderful Reunion at Green’s Peak! 

A couple of sad things happened though, first of all my mom left camp after just one day because her mom, Grandma Burk was on hospice, and took a turn for the worse. We got word on Tuesday night that she passed away. The second sad thing that happened is, while target practicing, My brother Ben accidentally shot himself in the leg. He was rushed to the hospital, and has since made a full recovery, but it was still really sad. 

Some Fun things that happened were, lots of Kick the can games, “mountain games” and fun nights of singing and visiting around the campfire.

Kaden won the Kick the Can trophy for having the most heart and best sportsmanship while playing. 

We left camp with a motorhome full of cousins, all headed to our place! 

We spend a week with some of Ben’s kids so Suzi could help Ben with his recovery.

The kids and cousins had fun jumping off of the scissor lift onto the trampoline. Adam has some pretty fun (and crazy) ideas sometimes. 

My Beautiful Grandma Burk passes away on July 17th. 

Have you ever had someone in your life who, when you were around them, made you feel like you had absolutely no flaws? Someone who made you feel so completely safe, and wonderful? 

My Grandma Burk was that person for me. Spending a week or even a day with her felt like winning the lottery.  She made me feel like I deserved to spoiled. She wasn’t wealthy. She didn’t shower me with gifts. It was always the little things, like letting me pick out my favorite cereal and cookies when I came to visit, or sewing me a pioneer skirt at the last minute so I could fit in at a primary activity day.  Letting me stay up late to play games and having complete control over the television remote. Never shushing me, but listening intently to me as though every word I said was the most brilliant, clever thing she’s heard.

She would drive three hours, just to watch me preform in a school play...

When my grandma passed away it made a hole my heart that won’t be filled until that glorious day when I get to hug her again. 

I consider my grandma to be one of the greatest blessings in my life and will love her forever!

We were “finally able to get to clear creak this summer! We took some new friends, the Jensen’s with us. Everyone had a great time.