August

Cam as usual has had a great month- even though he's been working a lot at the pool lifeguarding and teaching, he still manages to have lots of fun with his friends.  Two of his friends, Chase and Tyson, received their mission calls this month- both to Argentina (but different missions) leaving the same day in December.  Cam decided he wanted to make his cool bedroom even cooler, so he talked us into letting him put some bolts in the wall to hang his hammock from, and string Christmas lights up around the room.  I have to admit, even I think it's an awesome room!  I hope his older siblings aren't too bummed that they weren't allowed to make such drastic changes to their bedrooms growing up...

I always like to include a couple pictures that Jake has sent me.  His new companion is Elder Boyd (pictured on top left) and his companion before that was Elder Beals (top right).  He liked both of them a lot. He's sure gotten lucky in the good companion department.

We tended Lydia one evening and then she spent the night.  She entertained herself very well- with me there to play with her.  We played magnet roll and memory, then she colored, hung out with Cam, ate dinner, and had her favorite graham crackers and milk for a treat before bed.  We loved having her spend time with us.

What post would be complete without some recent pictures of Evan?  Ky and Brody sent me this awesome pillowcase as a thank you for helping when Evan was born.  So now I get to sleep with this angel every night. I LOVE it.  Isn't he just the cutest thing ever?

Every year at this time, I always post a picture of the kids (or kid as the case has been the past 2 years) standing on the front porch on their first day of school. This year however, no one was there to pose for me....:( :( :(  It is so weird to be out of that stage of life.  Hopefully I'll get used to it one day.
 
 We had a lovely cookout in the canyon with Mom, Skeens, Bundys and Alsups.  I loved that Emma and Lydia brought their barbies, tents and sleeping bags and made them a real fire.  Haha.  That was great.

What's this?  More pictures of Evan?  Well, lucky you--- you get to look at his smiling, adorable face some more!

I had a busy two weeks helping people move.  I was very happy to help the Skeens move from
Paradise to Logan, but I was very sad to help my BFF of 15 years Janae move from Logan to Washington :( 

I don't have any pictures of Janae's move, but these are pics we took of their last weekend here.  We invited her and Ken and our friend Kathy and her daughter Arie over for dinner, then after dinner I hosted a going away party for friends in the stake for 2 1/2 hours.  They had a great turnout, and it was a nice way to send them off.

Over Labor Day weekend, we planned a fun get-away to Winter Park, Colorado.  On Friday morning, me, Jess and Cam left and drove 8 hours to get to the fun 3 bedroom condo we rented for 3 nights.  Kylee, Brody, Evan and Brad (who had left Texas 2 days earlier and had been hanging out w/ the Hatch's) joined us soon after.  It was wonderful to see everyone, especially Evan. He's changed a lot in the month since I've seen him and it was so great to hold and love on him.  We just hung out that evening enjoying our surroundings, eating, and playing cards. It was fun to see Cam in his new role of Uncle. 

The next morning the 3 boys went rock climbing, and we three girls and Evan went on a beautiful hike/walk.  Winter Park is gorgeous.  Evan slept the whole time in his sling.

The Bundy's and Mike arrived around 1:00.  It was so fun to see everyone seeing Evan for the first time.  I just loved it. 

Here's a picture of everyone holding the babe.

We ate lunch, took some pictures, then went to the ski resort literally across the street from our condo to walk around, play a little bean bag toss, and ride the alpine slide.  I chose to walk around with a sleeping Evan in the stroller while everyone else went, and I was happy with that.  They all said it was fun, but a bit overpriced at $15 per person. 

That night we went out to dinner at a delicious Mexican Restaurant and played games. 

On Sunday we hung out in the morning in the condo since it was raining, then after lunch we decided to take our chances on the weather and go for a hike/walk (the same one the girls and I did the day before).  It was great until it started hailing!  Luckily it only lasted for a couple of minutes. I don't think I've ever been caught outside before during a hailstorm.  It's painful!

We wandered around the area for a few hour checking out different things and having a great time.

On Monday I joined the 5 boys on a memorable 9-10 mile hike to James Peak.  I will never forget this hike because it was FREEZING for the 2nd half of the hike and none of us were dressed appropriately.  It was well below freezing with the wind chill, and you can see the way we were dressed below.  Bundy didn't even have a jacket!  And we all had shorts on.  It was rather miserable, but beautiful still.  Brody, being the endurance athlete that he's become, ran the whole way, came back and met up with us, went back to the top with us, ran back to the car, then ran back to us and walked back the rest of the way.  Whew!  What a guy. 

It was divine- divine I tell you- to come back to the condo and warm up and relax our muscles in the hot tub.  Then we had to hurry and eat lunch and pack up so we could get checked out by 2:00.  (Below are some more pictures of us skipping rocks in the pond on Sunday and of the adorable Evan)

It was such a fun three days and I'm so glad we could all be together.  In closing, enjoy another collage of the cutest baby on the planet!

July

The fun continued with the Lakes in town the entire first week of July. On July 4th, we all gathered at the Skeens for breakfast, followed by a patriotic program.  It was a lovely morning.

We then journeyed to Bountiful to spend the rest of the day and evening at the Call's Casa.  You will not find a more beautiful and fun backyard in the world than this one of Teresa and Brad's!  I absolutely love spending time there.  And now with the addition of the tennis and basketball court, it's definitely top notch.  A huge thank you to them for allowing us to invade their yard (luckily for them they were in Star Valley at another one of their magnificent properties).  It's always a highlight of the summer for all of us to be able to spend a day here (Ky- being 8 1/2 months pregnant, especially enjoyed being somewhere cool and relaxing...).

Brody and Bundy joined us half way through the day after taking a 4 hour ride on the Skeens razor.  They came straight to Bountiful afterwards- hence the dusty look in the top right picture.  Cam came at the very end of the evening after getting dropped off by his friends from spending a week in Lake Powell.  Look at his tan body compared to Griffin and Tanner!  Haha.  It looks like an oreo sandwich in reverse. 

I was so happy Ky and Brody decided to stay an extra 4 days.  It was so great having them all to ourselves.  Several nights were spent playing Rook outside on the patio, we went on walks, had cookouts, watched the fireworks and just enjoyed being together.  We sure miss Jess and Brad every summer when they leave for Texas for Brad's job, and I can't wait for the day when they get to be around all summer.

We all gathered at the Skeens the Sunday after the 4th for a delicious turkey dinner, and the sharing of our acts of service we had done since Christmas.  It was a wonderful evening.
The next day we spent at Lava Hot Springs.  We had a great time playing in the pool, waterslides and platforms, and floating down the nearby river.  


Cam has had a great summer- as usual, although this summer he's had to juggle a full-time job amongst all the fun times with friends...He has been working as a lifeguard at the Aquatic Center, as well as teaching swimming lessons every morning for 2 1/2 hours.   His friend Steve got his mission call to Canada.  He and his friends got into playing soccer while watching the World Cup.

He had a great week at Lake Powell with his friend Steve and his family, and his friends Tyson and Chase. 

Jake's been plugging away in Issaquah still--- he's been 6 months in the same area, but he's loving it.  Here he is with his companion Elder Beals, and on exchange with Elder Pulini.

 At a ward BBQ, and having treats at a members house.
I saved the best for last.....I became a grandma when
Evan Timothy Hatch made his appearance into the world on Tuesday, July 22 at 2:32 am.  I can't even begin to describe how excited I am and how in love with this baby I am.  I mean- just look at him! Ky had a hard and long 14 hours of labor, but it was all worth is to have this sweet little angel come into their home.  I was lucky enough to spend 10 days with him and Ky and Brody and I loved every second of my time there.

These were taken the first few days after getting home from the hospital.  That face!  I just want to stare at him all day long.

He spent so much time sleeping the first few days, that it was so fun when he started staying awake a bit longer.

I was so happy to be able to help Ky celebrate her golden birthday on the 27th as she turned 27.  I made dinner and they invited their friends over to eat, play games, and love on Evan.   I absolutely loved watching his parents love and take care of him and have an instant love for him.  What an awesome thing that was to witness.     I'm in love with Evan's nursery!  Ky (with a little help from me, Jess and Grandma Freda and her friend Chelsey) did such a great job of making it all come together.

Of course I'm counting the days until I see him again... 19 days from today!  We're going to spend Labor Day weekend with them.  Cam and Mike are very anxious to meet little Evan, but they're going to have to fight me for him... and Jessica will be there- the baby fanatic, so he's definitely going to get a lot of attention.  Ky and Brody should plan now to have a 3 day break from him (not that they need or want it...;). 

June

BIRTHDAYS-
I love that Mike and I celebrate our birthdays so close together.  His fell on a Sunday, and it just happened that his 2 sisters were in Utah and able to come with their families and help us celebrate.  We had a cookout followed by a rousing game of beach volleyball.  It was great fun.  I love when Teresa and Brad's kids are around because they're always up for games.

For my birthday, I started off the day with a hike to the windcaves with a new friend in my ward- Millie, then I prepared lunch for 4 friends (I count Lindsey as not only a niece, but also a friend!) and enjoyed that on the backyard patio.  It was lovely. Cam and I then went to the matinee of "Captain America- Winter Soldier" since he hadn't seen it yet, then Mike and Mom joined us for dinner at Olive Garden.  When we got home, Bundy was over working on our sprinkler system, so Cam played with the girls for awhile while I enjoyed sitting on the swing chatting w/ Kylee.  It was a wonderful way to turn 53. 

MISSION CALL!
Cam submitted his mission papers on June 5 and has his call on June 18th!  It was like a dream because we didn't expect it so soon, so only checked the mail as an afterthought on the 18th as he and I were ready to drive to SLC for him to drop me off at the airport for me to go to Ft. Collins to stay with Kylee for 6 days.  When we made the shocking discovery, we changed our plans for shopping and lunch on the way to the airport and instead assembled those we could in 1/2 hour and opened the call.
                                                                                    (These were his mission application photos)
I was so nervous that I couldn't even imagine how he felt.  The anticipation was so fun and it was so exciting when he read the words "Illinois, Chicago mission, Spanish speaking."  He doesn't leave until November 5, so our hopes of him leaving in time to get back into fall semester 2016 were dashed, but that's OK- everything happens for a reason.  He was very happy to discover he'll report to the Mexico MTC so will get to experience living in Mexico for 6 weeks.  It was a great, great event, and I'm so happy that his friends Tyson and Parker, my friend Janae, Mom, the Skeens and Bundy's were able to be there for the occasion- as well as Brody on Skype from Switzerland, Ky on speaker phone from Ft. Collins, and Jess on facetime from Lubbock (or so I thought at the time....)

 (the photo in the bottom right is perhaps hard to read--- it's just all our guesses for where he would go- no one guessed it right!)

FT. COLLINS-
The excitement continued for the rest of the day as Cam, Tyson and Parker dropped me off at the airport, and although I was scheduled to arrive in Denver at 7:20, I actually didn't get there until 10:30!  There was a big rain storm in Denver, so our plane had to land in Colorado Springs and wait for it to pass.  Imagine my surprise when Kylee finally picked me up (and there's a lot more to this story- if you haven't heard what it is, I'll be happy to tell you in person... it's too long to go into here) and after we drove off, being surprised by Jessica who had been hiding in the back of Ky's Subaru.  I swore I wouldn't allow myself to be surprised by her this year, but she did it again!  I was completely shocked, but so happy that she could join us for 6 days of girl time in Ft. Collins, then come to Logan with us for another 4 days.  We had such a productive and fun time and I feel so blessed for the time spent with my 2 wonderful daughters.  We helped Ky organize her nursery as she hadn't taken the time to go through and put away everything she had gotten from 2 baby showers.  She had made a "little" chart full of stuff she wanted to get done before the baby comes, and we helped her get through a lot of them.

Of course much of our time was spent shopping for, thinking about, talking about, and eating what we all love--- food! It was even more intensified with an 8 month pregnant woman in the mix!  Ky treated us to some decadent desserts at The Chocolate Cafe one night in Old Town, and another morning we ate out for breakfast at a cool place in Old Town. 

Two of Ky's best friends, and a girl from her ward threw her a darling shower one night that was very well attended.  She has certainly been spoiled by her many friends, family and co-workers.  What a great thing showers are for first time mothers!

We did some shopping, went to a movie, watched a couple movies at home, went on many walks and a hike (not Ky) and did some deep cleaning and organizing.  We tried to be at Ky's beck and call!

BACK IN LOGAN-
We drove to Logan on Tuesday the 24th, and enjoyed a cookout at Second Dam w/ the Bundy's that evening.

The next night we helped celebrate cute Lydia's 5th birthday.  Lindsey went all out (no surprise there) for her Phantom of the Opera themed party. 

Other things we did before Jess had to leave to go back to Texas were:  going out to lunch with Freda and Stacie, worked out, went to the temple, did some shopping, watched a movie, had several cook outs, and played Rook.  I also helped Mike do some yard work all day on Saturday.  I planted flowers, spread bark, and cleaned the patio.  Our yard is finally looking amazing!

Another bit of excitement resulted from the lure and capture of a squirrel that had been destroying some items out on our back patio.  First he chewed a huge hole in a blanket, then a beach towel, then finally a pillow.  I didn't know for sure what was causing the damage, until I saw him (or her?) sitting on top of the pillow chewing away.  So with the help of the Skeens cage, we caught the critter (after several failed attempts where he somehow got to the food but didn't get caught) and humanely (although I really didn't want to because I was so mad at my ruined things) released him into the wild. 
                    (The bottom left pic is some delicious snowcones me and the girls got at Daysie's snowcone shack.  Delicious!)

Monday night we had the Lakes, (who had just arrived in town for their summer visit) Mom, Skeens and Searles over for dinner, kickball, and beach VB.  It was a great evening.  What's better than family, summertime, good food and beach VB?

ELDER JENSEN-
I'm ending the month the best way possible... with pictures of my missionary!  From top left around:  Jake and Elder DeMille on P-day- Jake burning a shirt on hump day- the hump day shirt Grandma Freda sent him- doing service at a members... it involved a leaf blower... (was any work accomplished??)
I asked Jake for a vertical picture of him to put in a frame and this is what I got.... he cracks me up.

Happily I got this one as well... I sure miss this boy.

MISC-
I did a makeover on the cushions and pillows on this swing we've had forever.  I've been ready to get rid of it at several times over the years.  It's found the perfect home now, and I couldn't love it more!
Before...

and after!

My BFF Janae went to London and brought me (among other things) this delicious bar of chocolate.

Cam was following me home from a store one day on Jake's scooter, so I took this picture.