16 years later

It's August 19th.

16 years ago today:

I was 24 years old.
Living in Provo.
In between my 2nd and 3rd year of law school.
Crazy Nervous.

...and right about this time of day...I was just married.

I know everyone always said they married their best friend, but the truth of the matter is...I didn't yet know Troy well enough to call him my best friend.

We dated for just 30 days before becoming engaged.

I know that's crazy short and I'd have a fit if one of my kids decided to do that...but when you know, you know.

And believe me, I KNEW.

After being engaged for a few weeks, Troy left for a study abroad in Russia.

We were apart for almost our entire engagement.

So...on my wedding day I did not marry my best friend.

But...16 years later, i'm so grateful to say that I am married to him now.

The love that we share...it's been tried and tested...and has grown with every trial we have faced together.

And we are both better for it.

So, let me just say Happy Anniversary Troy.

I am ever grateful that we keep working on it...and keep making it better.

So glad that we are on the same page about where we are going and how we want to get there.

i love you!

A-MAZING

I just had to share...

Pioneer Woman...whom I LOVE and ADORE...choose one of my photographs to feature on her blog.

Between this and touching Tim McGraw...my joy is complete.

Instagram Love

I haven't been good about taking my camera with me this summer...but I have just started using instagram and I love the images I have been able to capture.

and even one of me.

Summer at Last

Mikayla finished her last day of summer school today.

She pulled out an A and enjoyed her time in school.

She now starts high school with French I, French II, Algebra, and Health and PE done.

We are so proud of her!

Let the summer begin.

The Whole Story

Look at this sweet face.

It melts the heart. But...doesn't tell the whole story.

Now that's more like it.

Notice how she really got into every nook and cranny of her belly button? 

She's nothing, if not thorough.

Fun in the Sun

When we went up to get Emma from sailing camp, we had the chance to play a little as a family.

We went to the yacht club (uh...never imagined myself at a yacht club!),  went swimming, went boating and tubing. It was a blast.

The kids even talked me into giving it a try.

And totally loved it when i had a major wipeout.

Which, by the way, reaffirms for me that I am well and truly old.

And, poor sweet Becky.

She took a ride with the big kids and had a major wipe out. MAJOR. She was so scared and did not want to ride again.

But, Troy and I got on with her and told her that we would take it nice and slow.

She was terrified of it all. But, she was a trooper and held on. I am so proud of her!

We really appreciate Quoc and Ellen taking Emma for the week and showing us a really good time.

Summer - What's Up with Mikayla?

Mikayla has been slogging her way through summer school. Getting up to catch the bus at 6, riding the bus for an hour, attending class for 5 hours and riding the bus home for an additional hour.

I am amazed to find that she really enjoys it and I am proud of her for working so hard on it.

In addition to Girl's Camp for Mikayla she also attended youth conference.

I was able to go as a chaperon and I have to say,  it was a really wonderful experience.

I really love our youth.

The conference was really great. I especially enjoyed Mikayla's participation in a question and answer panel. She was so nervous, but she really did great!

Youth conference was awesome!

Summer - What's Up With Emma?

Emma had a week at girl's camp - her first one and she had a really good time.

I received glowing reports from all her leaders as well as from a few stake people I ran into.

Everyone tells me she is so happy and bubbly and just so much fun. We have always thought so!

In addition to girl's camp, Emma spent a week at Mary's house attending sailing camp.

We are told that she is a natural and should continue learning to sail.

We went up to get her and were able to watch her crew a Flying Scot in a regatta.  (She's the one in yellow.)

Here they are mid race -- Emma is "hiking out" (learning way out over the edge of the boat).

And here they are crossing the finish line.

This is Mary's cousin Minh sailing a laser, which is the boat Emma actually learned how to sail. Apparently she has gotten quite good at it.

In fact, she received the "Most Improved" sailor of the class.

Emma's sailing class:

Summer - What's Up With Josh?

Josh had cub camp this summer...and I am pretty sure he asked every day between the day that school let out and the first day of scout camp if today was the day.

I was able to go to scout camp this year and had a lot of fun being a camp helper and a walker.

Josh had a blast and they did all kinds of crazy cool things at camp, including making a catapult, making a marshmallow gun...and swimming every day.

I was glad that Jared and Josh got to do a couple of activities together at camp.  I am a firm believer that these two were actually twins in heaven who decided one family couldn't handle them both.

It was really hot during camp, so swimming was a much anticipated activity.

Marshmallow guns.

Josh also had the chance to try out a slingshot. These are super hard to use! Thank goodness the ammo was just marshmallows.

Summer -- What's Up With Joe?

Joe spent two weeks this summer at Scout Camp.

He went the first time with the ward and then a second time with Brother Kunz and Brother Harris.

He had some really great experiences and has done all that he needs to earn his Star (including 18 merit badges!).

Joe is such a hard worker, I am so proud of all that he accomplished.

He especially enjoyed earning his rifling badge (apparently he is a very good shot) and his rocket badge.

Rob was nice enough to take some photos during Joe's 2nd week at camp.

Boys are such clean creatures.

Bottle rockets.

More rockets.

Camping, scout style. Nick, Tyler and Joe all wanted to cram into one tent.

Joe needed a mirror for camp. So he borrowed one from his dad. He was telling the boys how his dad uses this mirror to check his bald spot...so Joe did a little demonstration.

Joe was able to do a little sailing.

 And just a little bit of sleeping.

I am so grateful for really good scout leaders and super good friends who have done so much to help Joe have such a good time this summer.