{eliminating the ghetto-ness}

A couple months ago Soph started climbing out of her crib. We weren't prepared for that so the best solution we could come up with was stacking 2 crib mattresses on the floor. (ghetto)

At least we knew she wouldn't hurt herself if she fell out.

I have been feeling bad because of the ghetto-ness of her situation and decided that I might feel a little better if she had a comforter of some kind.

My Mom has made a few duvet covers in her day so I thought I might be able to figure it out. Let's just say, there better not be an inspection on my sewing job because it's pretty nasty.

I used a sheet for the top and a super soft comfy blanket for the underneath side. I think it turned out alright and now even though the poor girl doesn't have an actual bed, at least she has a comforter, right?

{The proud new owner}

{It's just like. . . riding a bike}

Last fall our neighbors were cleaning out their basement and gave us this little bike they kept from when their sons were little. We finally got it out and without too much effort, were able to fix the tires and put some training wheels on for Aydo.

Today was his first biking experience and he's definitely a natural!

These 2 boys are inseparable these days.

{Jack J}

That's right people. . . Jack Johnson has finally returned and we were fortunate enough to make it to the concert! We bought the tickets back in February and have been waiting (not so patiently) for the night to finally arrive!

We went with Craig and Whit (Logan's sister, if you can't tell) and they are huge fans as well. We started the way all good night should start. . . with a delicious Cafe Rio burrito and then headed off to the show at Usana Amphitheater.

Of course it seems like forever until Jack comes out so we took that time as an opportunity to take a few photos...

Jack was phenomenal, as usual, and the whole night was a success!
We love you Jack!

{She's hitched!}

I'm still reeling over the fact that my little sister is
MARRIED!

The whole time they were engaged I obviously knew this day was coming... but it wasn't until the morning of the big day, when I was getting her ready that I realize the significance of this day. It was her wedding day! What a huge thing!

Everything went so smoothly, you couldn't have asked for a better day. Their ceremony was at 11 in the Salt Lake Temple.

I got to follow her down to the bride's room after. . . one of the huge payoffs for being the stylist.

They were both glowing. They are a great couple and I know they'll be so happy together.

{Seesters}

My dad was in Korea when I got married and he was unable to come home for the wedding. It was painful then, but really hit home when I saw Jenny and my Dad having a special moment together. I pretty much lost it and started sobbing like a baby. I love my dad so much, he is a great man.



Logan and I always love to take picture together when we are at the Salt Lake Temple. It's so great to go there and remember our special day.


Their luncheon was at a restaurant called Caffe Molise. It was just a block away from temple square which was very convenient since we were short on time.

Then we headed down to Riverside Country Club (where I had my reception) and I was in charge of making sure everyone was beautiful again. It's a tough job. . . but definitely one that I love.


{my big/ little sister}

{Sophie and Abby playing ring around the rosies}


So congratulations to the bride and groom! We are SOOOOO happy for you guys!

{more fun. . . }

Our next event on the calendar was to go swimming with the Hammer clan! That's right, all 19 children and 14 adults hit up the Murray Park Swimming Pool. We are quite the parade. Our kids had a great time...(aside from the hurt feet).

{Codye, Matt, and Ayden}

{Sophie and Clara}

{Elsie, Brammy, and Soph}

{Daddy's little guy}

I guess the bottom of the pool was really rough and they tore their feet up pretty bad by walking on it for so many hours straight.

{the worst part is what's under the bandaid :( }

After swimming we had a BBQ as our farewell to Hammer Family Fun Week. My kids and I had so much fun this week. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful family and also to have them so close by! Love you guys!

{the madness that is . . . August}

We have had a relatively mild summer. Not much going on. . . lots of swimming and hanging out with friends. All the while full well knowing that we were going to be cramming as much as we possibly can into the month of August.

We started out with Trek. (refer to previous post)

After that we spent a few days with my cousins who were in town from Texas. We went to the Bean Museum down at BYU and then had lunch at a place for kids called Max n' cheese.

{Sophie and Chloe}

Then we had a fun cousin sleepover with Connor!!


They picked out movies and had kids meals. . . what more could a kid ask for?!

{Best buds!}

Last night "Hammer Family Fun Week" started off with a bang. . . dinner at Brammy and Bapa's followed by a huge cousin sleepover. (We took our kids home because we wouldn't wish a night with the Hammer kids on our worst enemy)

Today we stared out with a delicious breakfast and then headed to Heritage Park, this is the place monument. Laura has been wanting to get together with my sister-in-laws since they are all blogging friends so she decided to join us! The kids had a great time!

{Abi and Sophie holding hands}

{Connor and Ayden beating the rugs}

The kids even got to go on a pony ride!



{The train!}

There is so much for fun stuff to come this month. . . this is only the beginning!

{the experience of a lifetime}

From the time we were called in February. . . I have been non-stop stressing, worrying, and most of the time dreading. . .going on
TREK!

When we moved up here to Layton, I always knew there was a chance that we would be called to be a Ma and Pa on the pioneer trek. Our stake has the opportunity to go every 4 years.

Considering the fact that I hate bugs and I don't really like dirt all that much, spending 3 days roughing it in the wilderness didn't sound appealing to me. But as the time grew closer. . . my dread just turned to anxiousness.

Thursday morning bright and early we met at the stake center to begin our adventure. When you are a Ma and Pa, you are responsible for the needs of your "family" which consists of about 8 youth and a couple of adults. We had to be very prepared with all our gear to make sure your family would have everything they needed.


{so clean and ready to WALK!}


{the young women in our ward getting ready to go}

When we got to Wyoming they seperated us into our new families for the duration of the trek. We had a few minutes to get to know each other, packed our handcart, and got ready to head out. They tell us not to tell the kids how far we are walking the first day in hopes to keep their spirits high as long as possible.

{Our family!}


{the girls: Mattie, Ma, Kimberly, Crystal, Shannon}


{the boys: Lynn, Brian, Pa, Jacob, Travis, Michael}

We started on a dirt road that was pretty level without many hills. I think the purpose of this is just to give everyone a chance to talk a little and get comfortable in our families.

12 miles later we stopped for a long break at the river. The kids were thrilled to get their shoes off and walk around in the cold water. This break was the last stop before we moved on to the original handcart trail and began our true pioneer experience.


Once on the trail, we were in silent mode. No one was allowed to speak which wasn't a problem since they were all so exhausted. As we walked in silence, there were some pioneer scenes set up for us to watch and think about . The first was 2 women carrying another woman with an injured foot and no shoes. The second was a woman hugging a man dressed in a uniform, heading off to war. The third (the kicker) was a woman holding a baby wrapped in a blanket and a man digging where the child was to be buried. As we walked past these scenes, you could see how much we were all affected by this.

A few miles later we started what is called the "woman's pull". As we started up a steep hill covered in sagebrush and pot holes, they begin to pull the boys off one by one. They are told that they are no longer able to touch the cart.



Pulling and pushing that cart up the hill was physically the hardest thing I've ever done. The carts were so heavy and there were so many obstacles in our path. We were on silent mode again so the only communication we had was through our eyes and we could see the pain that we all were feeling. But as we reached the top, there was such a strong feeling of accomplishment as well as humility and admiration for the women that did that day in and day out while their husbands were away.

Once the boys were back on the carts we continued up the hill until we reached the top. We then walked along the top of the hill for another mile or so. By the time we could see the camp at the bottom of the hill it was completely dark. We pulled our carts down the long, steep hill towards the camp with excitement building because we knew how close we were to being done. When we arrived at camp we set up our shelter and had some stew that was prepared for us. That first day we totaled 19 miles. It was hot in the day, but during the night it reached 30 degrees.

{our shelter was nicknamed the Taj Mahal because it was by far the nicest of all the shelters in our camp}

The next morning we did some fun activities as a group and then packed up our handcarts and started walking again. That day we only walked 5 miles but it was over some hard terrain and it was much hotter than the day before.

We reached our base camp in the early afternoon and the kids were thrilled that they were done walking for the day. We set up our incredible shelter once more and then headed off to the workshops.


{First we got to wash our hair!}


{Then we made homemade ice cream. (with Kirk and Texie)}

That evening we made our dutch oven dinners and had a hoedown. We were all in such good spirits, dancing and having a great time. We finished off the second day with a short fireside.


{recreating the hoedown}

Saturday morning we ate breakfast before gathering for another short fireside. Then we headed out to solo time. They give each person a packet with 3 stories to read and a piece of paper with an envelope. We were asked to read the stories, write in our journals, write a letter to ourselves, and pray allowed about 3 things we have learned and 3 things we want to change in our lives. That's when I realized that I don't have enough solo time in my life. It was so incredible to be out there in the middle of nowhere and just be able to think. Once solo time was up we came together as a family and shared the things we learned. The kids were so great and it was really wonderful to see their minds opening up and the things they had learned.


{Our final shot before we packed up. We are doing our stoic pioneer faces}

Finally we packed everything up and headed out, only 3 short miles (up hill and back down again) until we reached the end of our journey.


There were some cool landmarks along the way that showed where the pioneers had past. We passed the mountain range called the needles where Brigham Young got sick with rocky mountain fever and stayed for a few weeks while he recovered. It was a humbling experience to walk where those great people walked and gave their lives so we could live in this beautiful valley. What an incredible gift.


{We had to cross this little river as we reached our destination}


As we were waiting for the buses we got a shot of all the members of our ward that were there.

As much as I whined and complained about having to go on trek. . . it was truly one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. I formed life long bonds there as well as had spiritual experiences that were life changing.