anniversary dates

We went to the Draper Temple. Who knows what the future holds and how much longer we will be in Utah for, so its fun to visit the different temples while we are still here.

Note to self: When its really bright and sunny, don't trust the pics you see on the view finder. Even though they seem way exposed on the view finder, they don't turn out that bad


Sundance's Moon light ski lift: I love how we are both laughing and squinting cuz we know the flash is going to be super bright. (right) least blurry pic taken while coming down the mountain.

Quilt show

The Springville Museum had their annual Quilt Show. I thought it was far better this year, but that is probably because my knowledge of sewing and figuring out how they did that is always growing.

Here is my favorite! Its quite stunning in real life, and crazy difficult to figure out how they did it. Yet I love the symmetry, the colors, everything about it is amazing.

I love the artistic touch of the mural in the middle.

I love how each block, besides the repeater block, is so unique and vibrant. Great use of fabrics & colors

Here are some other great ones:

Kayaking at Payson Lake

Salem Pond was closed this year, so we had to find a new lake to go kayaking in. Through much work of grandpa van der Horst, we finally decided on Payson Lake. It was so beautiful- again reminding me of living in the northwest, had several private little alcoves for families to claim as their base, our base was nice and shady with two rock walls (built in chairs for lunch), and had rocks to keep the kids entertained when they weren't in the kayaks. Overall it was great! Thanks mom and dad vdh!
(left)Amy and Nathan(right) mom and dad

(left) Tim, Laura, Nathan, Jonathan, and Matthew (right) Claire waiving at grandparents

(right) Clarie's first ride on the kayak (left) chasing after ducks with mom

(left) Many of us tried using the kayaks as gondolas. It was fun to have races this way.

I was in love with the surroundings, there is something so peaceful and serene to be surrounded by majestic pines! Its crazy how much I love pine trees. Thank goodness we have Christmas, so that even if we live somewhere where there is no pines nearby, I can still be reminded of their beauty at Christmas time.

Happy 5!

It's crazy, but we have hit the 5 year mark!


A few pics from that most memorable and wonderful day!
I am so glad that I found someone who loves me just the way I am. Who I am can be myself around, and who I feel comfortable telling my deepest darkest secrets and fears, etc. I am so lucky to have you Jason!

And someone I can be goofy with!

Claire update

She's growing up so fast! I compare this pic to some other recent pics, and its crazy how much she has 'grown up' in the last 3 months. I found this adorable dress that my mom made for me, up in the attic while I was visiting my parents. I love how this dress is still so cute today, and doesn't have the uncomfortable lacy stuff that most old dresses have. She even let me braid her hair before church... although it did require her to drink her milk(which we usually save for having at church) and her running around with mom chasing after her trying not to pull her hair :)


Did a toy swap with my friend down the street, and Claire loves this door! And to make it more real, she had to try riding her horse through the door. With mom's help...

..she made it


Helping mom roll out the dough for grilled pizza (love it, you have it try it if you have a grill!)


Love this silly face... its actually a scared face, as the washer machine was getting loud... but its too funny


I am amazed how well she is able to keep these on.

grandma's bday

We celebrated Jason's cute grandma's birthday.

I want to say, "I hope I am as quick witted as she is at her age", but then again I am not as quick witted as her now. (right) guess who got jealous...

cute Jonathan tries to hide from the camera, but the camera focuses right in on him (right) Nathan is too speedy

playdates

Playing with cousins on their trampoline

(center) Neighbor girls pool party (left) Highland's free water park (right across from city offices) You can read more about it here. I guess its called the Splash Pad

My old roommate Aleena, and I met at this water park. It was so much fun! It was cloudy that day, and Aleena said it was the busiest she has ever seen it. They have a river, which is about 40 feet long. (left)Claire is enjoying walking upstream - Here she is being brave and doing it on her own. But probably because of the huge number of people there, she held on tightly to my hand after this. (right) only pic of Aleena's boy, Memphis and Claire... Mr. Memphis is one busy, always going, where does he get the energy boy!!! Aleena- you are AMAZING!

More pics of cutie Memphis

And they also have a fountain that sprays water out of the ground. Can you spot Memphis?

Well the main reason we got together, was so I could give Aleena a little present before she has a baby girl. Well I forgot that at home, so we got together again the next week and played in their kiddie pool.
(left)Claire learned how to do this from watching Memphis

(right) sweet Memphis giving Momma a hug