Brynn turns 7!

My cutie-patootie Brynnie turned 7 this month! Funny story: As we were shopping for her birthday supplies, people would ask her if it was her birthday we were shopping for. She would reply "yes" and then they would ask her if she was turning 5. She would get all sad and say "no, 7" and then the people would try not to act surprised and say, "wow, you're going to be so big!" She's such a runt! :( She wanted to have a beach birthday party. This was the cake she designed.
We just barely had got this pool up the night before! The only bad thing, was that the water was freezing cold from just filling it up. The girls didn't last long in it.

Brynn and her friends! Aren't they cute?

The Trek

Our stake recently reenacted a Pioneer Trek. The kids dressed in authentic pioneer clothes and reenacted several real events that happened along the way. It was a huge testimony builder for Kelton and Avory to attend. They both came home saying that it was the hardest, yet best thing they've ever done.
Avory and two of her best friends, Emmalyn and Susie.
Kelton and his possy of friends.
(I didn't know how to turn this picture? But isn't it cute of Kelton?)
Kelton and Avory before leaving on the trek.

Backpacking

Dave and I, and some of our closest friends, decided we needed an adventure. We decided on backpacking. We headed out to Eastern Oregon to the Umatilla Wilderness. (All the cool places we wanted to go were still under a lot of snow.) This picture is us just getting ready to start on the trip. I know my pack looks bigger then Daves. It's not really. I just couldn't fit my sleeping bag into my pack.
This is some of us taking a break. It was really hot and we had ticks jumping on us. Yes, my crazy friend Kati took her 3 month along. She couldn't handle us going without her.
Here's Dave and I on the second day. We were climbing to the ridge of these mountain ranges. It was a beautiful view. All the spring wildflowers were out too. You have to see it in person to really get how beautiful it was.
This picture is intitled "My Oregon Granola Picture." I would fit into SE Portland really well wearing this outfit.
On the last day of our 5 day adventure, we came to a great watering hole. We swam all day. This is me teasing Dave's farmer tan. Isn't he cute despite the ugly tan lines?

Anyway...we had a blast. Thanks to Mom and Dad Harris for watching our crew so we could get out! It's been awhile!

Avory turns 12!

This is a catch up blog entry. I have been going like crazy! But I didn't want to miss telling everyone that my oldest daughter has turned 12, which is a rather big birthday! Isn't she cute! We went to the Mac cosmedic store and had make overs. She now gets to wear make-up. She is good about not wearing to much most days.
We rented out the roller rink for her birthday. She had about 13 friends come to her party. We had a blast! (I'm surprised that most kids these days don't know how to roller skate! Let's just say they were schooled by this "old lady!") This is a picture of Avory's best friend Rylie Spencer and of Miss Kylee Bolinger!

Avory as graduated from 6th grade and entered into YWs! I must be getting old to have children this old!