Remembering the Mormon Pioneers- our heritage

July 24, 1847 was a day of celebration for the Mormon Pioneers as they
arrived in the Salt Lake valley, after a long and difficult covered wagon/hand cart journey across Iowa, Nebraska, and Wyoming. They had endured great hardships and suffered many losses. Some even gave their lives. They may have left behind most of their possessions,
but they came west with dreams and promises of a better life-
a life of freedom and peace.

We are proud of our ancestors who made the journey and honor them at this time.
Utahn's celebrate with parades, rodeos, family gatherings, fire works, and other celebrations to
honor their sacrifices and courage.

Here is a picture of our family pioneers.
(Liz and Robbie- who went on a pioneer trek youth conference a few years ago.)

Liz represented Margaret Ann Griffiths and Robbie took on the role of Jonathan Clegg, actual pioneer relatives who experienced the hardships of coming in a hand cart company.

The trek was quite an experience for Liz and Robbie- blisters, hot sun, sand in their eyes.
They even got in on a terrible wind storm that destroyed their tents.

Living in this beautiful valley, it is hard to imagine arriving here when there were few trees
and nothing else.
Now it is a beautiful place.

We have a lot to be grateful for!

Campfire "tin foil pizza"

"Tin Foil Pizza"

Since we're planning a family camping trip it's time to start thinking about those menus.
One of my favorite lunches from my girls' camp days is "tin foil" pizza.
It is easy, fun, and tasty.
(And each person makes their own- no complaining about topping choices!)

Start with pita bread, cut in half.

Spread a spoon full of pizza sauce inside the pita bread.

Add your favorite pizza toppings.
This is a great way to use up left over things like ham, olives, mushrooms, etc.

Sprinkle some cheese inside.

Wrap up in tin foil.
(If you don't like ashes, make sure it is double wrapped and completely sealed.)

Bake about 15 minutes in warm coals.
(Every camp out has to have a bonfire!)
Delicious!

Beautiful Utah....a day in the mountains

Today my sister Linda, my son Robbie, and I drove up American Fork Canyon,
scouting out camp grounds for a future family outing.
While the mouth of the canyon is less than an hour away, what a different world it is as you
climb up the hills and leave the noise and city heat behind.

We drove through aspens and pines....

Past little water falls beside the road....

The yellow wild flowers were so pretty...

The rugged mountain peaks were amazing...

This mountain lake (a man made reservoir) had people boating and swimming...

This deer was wandering through the camp ground.

We have so many different canyons close by and they are all beautiful.

These wild poppies were in a different canyon, north of Salt Lake.
Linda took these two pictures up by Huntsville.

Don't you agree that Utah is a beautiful state?

Another year older.....

Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!

Happy July birthdays to Heidi (left) and Robbie (right)!
(Katie and Michelle in the middle)


Heidi and Uncle Steve

Robbie and Madison

We have enjoyed the journey with both of you!

(Thanks for being good sports as we
crammed birthday celebrations in between wedding events.)

Hurray!

Yesterday we celebrated the wedding of Andrew and Irene.
It was a great day!
She was a beautiful bride and Andrew looked handsome all dressed up in his tux.
Since we are all too tired today to move (let alone down load pictures)
wedding pics will have to come another day.

Handsome Andrew.... +

Cute Irene.... =

Happy Couple!

(Thanks to everyone who helped with the luncheon and the reception!!!)

Thank you!

"When in doubt about whose turn it is to take out the trash,
go ahead and take it out!"
-Richard Carlson
(Don't Sweat The Small Stuff...and it's all small stuff)

My husband has been picking up a lot of the slack since I have been busy with wedding plans.
I don't usually thank him enough.
I often complain.
I keep creating more jobs for him.



I just wanted to let him know (he reads my blog) that he is appreciated.
Thank you!

This is a picture of him.
Last year our daughter Michelle made this cake recreating an old
Father's Day Card she had drawn in grade school.
(P.S. Do you think he should bring back the mustache?)

How much fun can one weekend hold?

It was a busy (but fun) weekend as we celebrated a bridal shower hosted
by Carolyn, Connie, and Grandma (Naomi).
Thank you! Thank you!
It was fun being with family and friends.
We enjoyed some great food and a lot of visiting time.
Irene got some great gifts, too!
(FYI, Grandma and her sister are 90 and 88 years old. Don't they look amazing? They are on the middle left of the picture.)

We also had a little "bachelorette" party while the guys went out to dinner.
Oh, and Irene now has a back up bridal dress!

Welcome to the family, Irene!