Pictures from Trek

We finally developed the pictures the girls took with their disposable cameras. It's so fun to hear them re-cap stories from their amazing trek experience. 

As I mentioned earlier, we experienced torrents of rain during the time they were gone. (We still are!) I checked weatherchannel.com often to see if they were experiencing the same downpour. The internet verified that indeed the same storms were following them just an hour and a half away in Wyoming. As you can see in the pictures this company experienced quite the opposite. The leaders explained that just as threatening clouds loomed over them, the dark clouds would split and head down opposing canyons. The girls said it rained during the time they had to bury their babies on the trail and just minutes after the closing prayer was said after testimony meeting. Surely, they were watched over and protected during this time.

Sweet Analisa and friend taking a break on their handcart.

Sarah spotted this skull on the trail and pointed it out to Pa. He cleaned it up and wired it to their family flag. It became their family mascot.

Sarah's family

Sarah and her wonderful Ma, Sister Pope.

Ma took this picture of her girls after a lunch break. They were completely knocked out. Even their poor little baby doll laid face down, exhausted.

A little game of baseball.

Our fearless Young Women President, Babbi Hill. We love that lady!

Analisa' family

My pioneer girls fresh off the bus. We told Analisa she looked like Sacagawea. And Sarah who has watched every Little House on the Prairie episode ever made, said there were no "Nelly's" in her family, only Laura's and Mary's.

They loved their entire experience and were edified in the process. Thank you to all the incredible leaders who put in countless hours to make it so positive and memorable.

I'm so glad they're home!

I love to see the Temple...

We drove across the valley last week to attend the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. It was beautiful to share the awe and sacredness of such a place with all the children in tow. Samuel came as well, but he was off pouting to the side somewhere because someone took his spot. 

I have always had a strong love for temples and the peace that I've been able to find within their walls. It's like a little bit of heaven in there.

Last Saturday Brett, Moni and Jody and I witnessed the marriage our cousin Michael in the Salt Lake Temple. The sealer performing the ceremony said that their union was the beginning of an eternity. He shared such insight with us during the sealing that I wanted to take notes. It was beautiful. I loved sitting next to my sister at the front of the alter as we wiped tears away, smiled and glanced over at our handsome husbands. I look forward to sharing similar experiences with all of our children and family someday. 

Rain verses Sunshine

Brett went out on his weekly Sunday walk of pondering and communion and came home looking like this...


It has been raining off and on for DAYS! I feel like I live in Seattle. My three little boys are going stir crazy and my two oldest girls are out pushing handcarts in the middle of Wyoming. That leaves Miss Kate, holding up the fort by spreading her sunshine. Did I ever mention how much she loves rain? She puts on her bright green raincoat and takes Topher on long walks in it. She comes in exhilarated and Topher comes in looking like a big wet rat. I'll have to get a picture of that.

She and a few of her friends put together a fun little dance for the 6th grade talent show. The filming is fuzzy, but it shows miss cutie shaking her booty. Gotta love that girl of mine. Oh, and did I mention she got braces? Here she is...

Trek

The last few days have been a whirlwind collecting aprons, bonnets, mess kits and thermals preparing these two girls for Pioneer Trek. They left to Wyoming this morning. The forecast is predicting rain and severe thunderstorms for the entire 4 day duration. The lows at night are expected to be in the 20's. The mother in me wishes so badly I was there tagging along to make sure they are dry and warm enough. Nothing like extreme weather conditions to re-enact true pioneer conditions.

The girls were asked to chose a family pioneer to study and ponder for this particular experience. They both chose Grandma Mary. A glimpse of her story can be found here. They are wearing leather bracelets with her name engraved on them to remember her and her sacrifices for the gospel. I know she will be near them, cheering them on as they cross those wet, muddy plains. 

Nightingale

In the previous post you heard a little sampling of what we wake up to every morning. Last night at 11:34 p.m., as the Mr. and I were dozing off to sleep, we could hear Miss Sarah singing O Mio Babbino Caro in her room below. It's music round the clock at comfy chaos headquarters, and we like it that way.

O Del Mio Dolce Ardor (O thou my own true love) by Gluck

side note: After she sang this intense Italian Aria she took a bow and bumped her behind on the 9 foot Steinway. It almost sent her flying off the front of the stage. Wish I would have taped it. 

I Feel Pretty by Leonard Bernstein 

Music Matters

I received a wonderful article from my mother-in-law entitled Why Music Matters.

It was originally given to parents of music majors but the insights and truths apply to anyone who supports and loves music as a tool for good. It's a little long but worth taking the time to read.

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On any given morning at our house you can hear a little angel voice singing with the birds. On early weekend morning's you hear, "Matthew, knock it off! Be quite! We're trying to sleep here!" He stops for as long as he can remember and then the chirping begins anew. It's in his blood, the boy just can't help himself. And the plea for silence begins again. Most of us just tune it out. Brett has nick-named him the singing ghost.

Back in December, Matthew attended the Salt Lake Children's Choir Christmas Concert with our good friend Blue. After hearing their beautiful music he knew he wanted to be a part of it. We made a few calls and arranged an audition. Long story short, here he is a few months later debuting as a soloist singing, To Wander by Franz Schubert.

More on his lovely cohort next. Aren't they adorable?

Take me out to the ball game

Most evenings in May were spent watching these two handsome boys play ball. Matthew's games were on Monday's and Friday's and Joseph's were held on Tuesday's and Thursday's. We were there pretty much everyday. We even managed to rally up some fans. There really isn't quite a prettier scene than playing on a field that faces the Wasatch mountains (photo coming soon). I ♥ baseball in Utah in May. It's a beautiful combination.

Side note: You might think that me, being one of five girly girls, that I haven't spent much time on the field. Not true! I spent most of my childhood watching my dear ol' dad play soccer and baseball. And in Texas heat, mind you. From the time I was a baby until about age 12, my sisters and I cheered Papi and his many teams on to victory. I probably even took my first steps at such an event, wouldn't you say Mom? And let's not forget the time he coached Moni and my softball team. They didn't call us the Bombers for nothing! Cheering on the team is something near and dear to my ♥ .