Clara and Daddy...

How he loves her :)

Look who's eight!

This was such a happy day for Jonah. He finally turned eight and was baptized by his dad. We had a great turn-out, lots of family and friends. I know that always makes things more special. Everything ran smoothly and the day was perfect. Great job, Jonah!


Mom, Dad, and Jonah

Dad and Jonah

In front of the picture of Christ...doesn't everyone have this picture?

Jonah with his little brothers and cousin Kate

Jonah and one of his best friends, Justin

The Oquirrh Mountain Temple

This is a GORGEOUS temple, probably one of my favorites. I loved all of the stairs, the height, and the old-fashioned feel it had to it. Caleb loved the stairs too, just ask him :) We ended up having our own private tour after Caleb sliced open his chin (on the stairs), which actually was pretty cool. We were able to just wander the temple, in and out of rooms, completely on our own. We were both surprised to find vending machines in the worker training area. Who knew the temple had vending machines?



The family, minus Chris who wasn't able to go...




Poor guy!

PARK CITY

I have to lead this post with this picture just because it makes me smile EVERY time I see it. Isn't summer the greatest? Summer, family, vacations, laughter...


This has to be one of my favorite pictures EVER. The FOUR man tower!

When Casey returned home from his mission, we headed up to Park City for an over-nighter. We had an awesome condo, a bath-tub temperature pool, lots of family to play with, game-night, and an overall great time. Yes, my son left the trip with a staple in his head, but that didn't make the trip any less enjoyable. Getting away from home was just what the Call kids needed. Next year we all agreed to do it again, but this time for much longer. A tradition!


The trolley. Can you really visit Main St. without taking a ride?


Love this kiddo


Ice cream with Grandma


My favorite park city cow, and some stinking cute kids


Love




She was a brave little fish


Eli's head wound...here's his staple. A tiny wound, but boy did it bleed!

The dads took the kiddos home and the girls SHOPPED. A great time had by all. I thought I was pretty under control until I hit the awesome sales at Old Navy and Children's Place. Those are normally not my favorite stores, but dangit, I loved every single thing I got. The kids will be oh-so-stylish this year :)


Look at all those bags. Ridiculous!



Family is the best.

Baptism post coming soon...

Happy 4th!

Have I ever mentioned that I love the 4th of July? Because, dangit, I do. We've kind of made it tradition to have our great friends, the William's and the Bouck's, over for a BBQ. The kids cruise around on bikes and play, play, play until we head off to Eaglewood fireworks. I'm telling you, this is the best place ever for fireworks. We sit right by a sandtrap, so the kids are completely occupied and happy while we wait for it to get dark. The show is very good too. This year the finale was lacking a bit, but times are tough, right? I will not complain. It was another awesome summer night with great friends! Happy 4th indeed!


Eli and Nick

Zac and Jonah

Clara and Lucy

Hailey and Abram

Isabelle, Whitney, and Baylee

Viva Las Vegas!

Isabelle at Nationals in Las Vegas

We had a blast in Las Vegas with Isabelle. She had a big dance competition and four days of conventions and classes. She was worn out by the end of each day, but we all had such a great time. Our week consisted of the following: awesome shows (Mystere and LOVE), lots of swimming, yummy restaurants, exploring the city and laughing at the crazy people who flock there, and some shopping.
I think I remembered something I have sadly forgotten: one-on-one time with your children is THE BEST! I rarely take the time to make sure my kids get that. I am so convinced we should be doing everything "as a family", that I forget how amazing their little personalities are one-on-one. This was a much needed reminder for me. It was so delightful to spend a week with Isabelle!
Enjoy the pictures!


Holy Huge statues!

With Mom

The Girlies

Oh Baby!

Riding the tram

What babes

We spent lots of time at the pool!

The city

The Bellagio water show

My hippie chick

At the Beatles' LOVE show...our favorite!!!

Everyone should see this show. We absolutely loved LOVE!

At our hotel, the Mirage

We walked clear down to the New York, NY. It was a LONG, hot walk

Look how cute we are!

Isabelle

Chris quite liked that green M&M

At the M&M movie

The Wasatch Back

Okay, so this was my awesome team for the big Wasatch Back Race. Our team name was "Chasing Chocolate" and I'd say we were one of the more popular vans...passing out candy and cruising around with posters of chocolate pie on our car. Who wouldn't love us?


Melissa

Brittany and Mary (forgive me for that top)

Rose of Sharon

Patty

Kristi

It's hard to put into words how incredible this race was for me. First and foremost, I accomplished something I had no idea I was even capable of. I pretty much stink at running and had some moments where I felt like I could NOT go on...but guess what??! I DID. I did not walk a single time. I ran. And dangit, I may have been the absolute slowest person on the team, but who the heck cares? I ran it and therefore I am freaking awesome.

Second, I absolutely loved the dynamics of our fun little van (or suburban if you will). We couldn't have been six more different ladies and we had the greatest time. Not many of us knew eachother before this race and now I feel like I have several new friends. I guess this was just a bonding experience that I needed. Sometimes I forget how much I love meeting new people. Good times, amazing ladies.

Third, I got lots of praying in and I am telling you...running in the dark and having a moment to myself was incredible. It was a good thinking/meditating/praying time. I loved it.

Fourth, laughter and extreme fatigue is great for the soul every once in a while, especially combined. We were loopy and silly and dangit, those honeybuckets were hilarious. We were six grown women acting like giddy school girls, and probably obnoxious ones at that. It was wonderfully fun.

I am telling you, this is an experience everyone should have. If you enjoy running at all (or even if you don't), you should run the Wasatch Back. It will always be one of my favorite memories ever. I'm hooked!

And by the way, somebody should have let me know just how chubby and yucky I looked in my first running outfit. I realized the shirt was a bit snug, but those pictures...! If anyone else tags me in a facebook photo wearing my man shorts and teeny green shirt...friendship over.