We had a couple of fun trips up to Idaho these last couple of weeks. First, we went to Malad to celebrate the 4th with the Alder fam and Todd & Jacki. We arrived just in time to see the tail end of the parade... we were informed that we just about saw the whole thing.. given that the parade was quite short. We spent the day at the Alder ranch, hanging out with each other, Shauna joining us later and then swimming in Jeni's cool new pool. Uncle Jeff had just bought a HUGE trough for Jeni and then he could use it in the fall as an actually trough. Double bonus right? It's a brilliant idea really, in fact, I told Uncle Jeff that I'll be purchasing one for my yard someday. It was the perfect size, height, and you never have to worry about holes... that Uncle Jeff is a thinker! Once it was dark we headed over to watch the Malad fireworks show. We had our very own spot on a private gravel road, where we could see the fireworks perfectly. Nothing beats a small town fireworks show! The next day we just hung out, the boys played on the farm some and I got to spend LOTS of time with little Quinnalee! She is adorable with such a fun personality. It was also fun to see Jeni and Quinn play together. They fell in love with each other and they entertained themselves for hours.

Later in the day, Jay & I headed back to Salt lake. Our good friends Guy & Allison Hill were visiting from Texas and we wanted to spend time with them while they were in town. We hung out with the Hills and Radfords that night and stayed up way too late...but it was definitely worth it. It was fun to see them and see little Brayden again. Thanks for the fun Radfords and Hills!

Sunday Todd, Jacki & Quinn came to Salt Lake and we were able to spend more time with them. Again, we stayed up Way too late but had so much fun hanging with them. Thanks for coming to Salt Lake guys! We can't wait until we move home and see you guys all the time.

Okay, so the next weekend we (Me, Jay & Shauna) made a trip up to Bear Lake. The Widmers were having a reunion and we wanted to join the fun (well, not the actually reunion... but everything else) We are so glad we went! Our good friends, Dave & Erin came with us to spend a day on the lake. We spent the first night with Grandma Arnell and had a good visit with her that night and the next morning. We then met Jenn & T at the Lake and we spent a good part of the day on the Lake. It was so much fun! Dave & Erin had to get back to Salt Lake so they left (thanks for coming guys), and we stayed for a bit longer then headed over to the Widmer fun. We spent the night with them and they were kind enough to invite us stay in their cool cabin they had rented. The next day we just hung out, then went over to Geneva Idaho (Where the Widmers grew up). It was a crazy small valley with a church and a school. I will never make fun of Malad again for being so small :) It was fun to see the house that Grant Widmer and his family grew up in and to be able to learn a few things about their family! Thanks Widmers for letting us be a part of your fun weekend!

Wow! that was a long entry... sorry for those who just want photos....

Quinn & I in Malad... Quinn is about to go swimming


Uncle Jeff bought this brand new trough for Jeni to swim in...
it was huge, sturdy and a great idea.


Quinn loving the pool


Adam, Josie, Todd and Jeni hanging by the pool


Quinn LOVED Jeni!


Todd & Jay playing on the farm


The Malad fireworks


The bunch watching the fireworks


A. Wendy & U. Jeff


Jathan & I


Jeni reading to Quinn... they were pretty darn cute


Guy & Allison.... with Coleman & Amanda in the mirror
(Jay being creative with the mirror bit)


Brayden and Isaac being buddies


The boys played ping pong for about an hour or so


Guy, Coleman and Jay
(They have been best friends since age 5 or something)


Quinn... being the cutest and
wearing the dress Jay and I got her in Guatemala


Jay & I arriving to Bear Lake


The Stewarts and Shauna playing on the lake


Bentley looking freaking adorable!


Jay, Dave, Roy and Erin on the lake


The Rickters and Linthorsts


The boys....


Sista's


Todd taking Quinn for a fun ride


Fun on the teeter totter


Prima (Krista), Bob and Jackson... so cute!


The cute Anderson kids, Quinn and Hailey (Jacki's sister)
Adorable!!!


Bob,Kim, Prima and I
Getting a bite to eat in Garden City


Shauna, me, Kim and Monica
at the Widmer house in Geneva Idaho


Jay taking Ashlyn for a ride


Cute Kai and Brody in Geneva


We had such a good time in both Malad and Bear Lake. We surely need to head up there more often... hopefully again before summer ends! Thank you Alders, Grandma and Widmers for your hospitality and FUN! We love you!

Take care, Heather & Jathan

Oregon... there's just something about home

Last weekend we went home to Oregon for the annual Barton camp out and had a fabulous time. We left Thursday after work and drove through the night. Everyone ventured their way out to Barton on Friday, but before we made it out, we went and had lunch with Lauren. We spent hours talking and laughing and had a great time. It was great to see you Lauren!!! We were super excited to have the Anderson family join us this year (Jacki's sister, Monica and their family) and hope they make this an annual camping trip as well. We had a great weekend full of relaxing, frolfing, family and friends. Who could ask for more? We just wished we had a few more days. Anyway, we had a such a fun time, and want to thank both of our fams for taking such good care of us. We love you!

 Anyway, onto the pictures....



Lauren and I


Sawyer trying to walk wiener


Jacki & Quinn


Sawyer & Jordan
Sawyer.... wondering what the heck is on his face, petting him like a puppy


Jordan & Shana came out one night


The boys fishing... Jay took the picture


The Ricker boys out playing a game of frolf
Ricker (Josh), Jathan, Jordan, John man, Jade and Jared
(only missing Jeff and Chummy)


Frolfin with the fam


Jay & I campin out in our Subi


Here's a video of Sawyer walking wiener.... dang this kid is cute!


We're back to our regular schedules here in SL . Jay started a new job about a month ago (Teaching Drivers Ed) and he seems to be really enjoying it. He gets to speak Spanish everyday... so you all know he's in heaven   The last day of school for my kids is this Thursday, pretty exciting. My 6th graders are pretty much checked out... and have been for over a month. I totally disagree with 6th graders in an elementary setting. They're too big of punks to be around so many some-what innocent little ones. Anyway, we're putting on a summer program for some of the kids, and it should be a lot of fun this year. We have tons of events and fun things planned... so it should be pretty sweet. Anyway, I hope all is well. Take care all.