4 Years Went By Quickly!

Yikes, how did the last four years go by so quickly??  We changed computers and it became harder to access my pictures for blog.  Then I got an iPhone and never figured out how to get them from my phone or the cloud to a blog post.  Somehow I let that turn into 4 years of not blogging.  I have a lot of catching up to do!  I am hoping to start blogging on Sundays and even try to go back and catch up those years that I missed.  Hopefully I can make that audacious goal a reality.  The kids love to look at the blog and the blog books that I have published.  So I want to make sure that I continue to keep a good record of our family happenings.

  

I am currently serving as an Activity Days Leader.  I get to serve with the best ladies, my mom, Ali Mack and Jessica Dunlap.  They are so great and the girls are so much fun.  I love that Naomi and Ella are in there as well and so I get to spend the time with them.

Beautiful Spokane

Mountain Biking

It was so much fun and I didn't even crash!

Hiking

Manitou Gardens

We rode in style

Ever since my dear friend Muffin moved to Spokane four years ago, I planned to visit.  I decided this was the perfect year.  All my kids are in school so I could leave them for a few days during the week.  My amazing parents picked them up from school and watched them until Keith got home from work.  They drove kids all  over town and took such great care of them.  Keith played Mom and Dad and did an amazing job!! I am so grateful they all helped me to make it possible.    I flew out Wednesday evening and flew home late Saturday afternoon. I had such a great time.  Spokane is so beautiful, I love the trees and mountains  They are not as tall as the Rockies, but they have a beauty all their own.  We went mountain biking twice and it was such a blast.  Muffin was super patient with my beginner skills.  We also did a gorgeous hike with amazing views of the valley.  We went out to dinner and ate the best food.  We also had an amazing brunch at a danish restaurant.  It was so yummy! Muffin has great taste in food, so I always know I'm in for a treat when she picks a restaurant.  We saw the movie "Unbroken; Path to Redemption" and we loved it so much.  It had such an inspiring message. We also went to try Huckleberry ice cream, huckleberries are huge in Washington. It did not disappoint, it was delicious.  I would describe them as a cross between a blueberry and a blackberry.  We also got to drive around in style in the jeep.  We kept the top off and it was heavenly.  The best part was getting to spend quality time with Muff and to see her life there.  Her home is so beautiful and peaceful and her family is so great.  Muff and I got to talk and talk and talk some more.  No matter how much time we spend apart, we just pick up right where we left off.  We have insightful conversations and we we share our challenges and our joys.  She is the best kind of friend you could hope for, kind, loyal and true.  I am so grateful for our 31 years of friendship! My life is definitely better for having her in it.

Naomi's Baptism

Naomi Tracey was baptized today by her father.  It was a very wonderful day.  Lauren was able to play the piano.  I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.  Ella gave a closing prayer.  Both sets of grandparents were able to come as well as Aunt Jana and her kids.  We were so happy to have family there.  Her friend Hudson from the ward also got baptized so it was a really neat day.  We are so grateful for Naomi and that she is part of our family.  She is super funny and makes the best faces.  She is also an amazing big sister to her brother Spencer.  They are the best of friends!  This girl does not usually like to get dressed up, but she was willing to put on a fancy dress and have Aunt Hilary take some pictures.

Halloween 2015

We took our usual picture of the kids in front of the house.  Spencer was an alien, Naomi a Ninja Turtle, Lauren was Tangled. Ella was the Queen of Hearts, Caleb was a Star Wars guy and Eli was a CIA (Candy Inspector Agent).  We did a lot of trick or treating around the neighborhood.  The kids got way too much candy.  Overall I would say a good time was had by all!

Camping in the Jemez

We went on a short camping trip up in the Jemez.  It is only about an hour from the house, so it is perfect.  It is so great to get out of the city and enjoy some nature.  I love watching my kids camp and play where I used to camp when I was their age.  They love playing in the water and digging in the mud, roasting marshmallows in the fire and just enjoying the great outdoors!

San Diego With My Sweetheart

Keith had a trip to San Diego so I decided to tag a long.  We had so much fun hanging out together when he wasn't in meetings.  We toured the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier and it was so cool.  We saw fighter jets and all different kinds of airplanes, Keith was in heaven. We rented a speedboat and drove around Mission Bay.  It was such a blast! I also got to spend time with Nicki and it was so great to see her. We went to the renovated Mormon Battalion and it is amazing.  It was so neat to show Keith all the places that I served and that are so special to me.

State Fair & A Cute Boy

Cute Spencer in his Sunday clothes

September means State Fair Time.  I took the little kids during the school day.  We and we had so much fun.  We went to the farm area for kids and got to play with all of the hands on exhibits.  The kids loved to ride the tractors and sit on the saddle.  Naomi even wanted to try the "Pee Wee Stampede"  She got to wear a hat and ride a stick pony, it was too cute.