First Day of School

 Brea was excited to start 1st grade and go to school ALL Day.  She gets to eat lunch at school this year, and have three recesses!  She picked out the pinkest/sparkliest book bag and wanted a picture of it.  Here shoes this year are also very sparkly, which suits her personality.

 The four students are a bit varied in their schooling this year.  Brea and Dallin our at a charter school and both are doing great there.  Jackie is being homeschooled this year, but does go to a school once a week for extra enrichment.  That leaves Alyssa who is still young enough to enjoy the pure pleasure of play all day!

Dallin is ready for his first day.  He is a great big brother.  He helped Brea find her class and find her way around.  He answered her concerns, in a nice manner, and helped ease her into the new school.  Last year she was in a different building for just Kindergartners.  Dallin and her are in the same building this year.

Union Falls Hike

 The crew at 7am ready to hike Union Falls on a beautiful August morning.

 We were able to get a babysitter to watch all four kids all day, which I was a little nervous about, but it worked out.  Jeff and I both had a great time and enjoyed the whole day.

 We crossed three rivers, and hiked and hiked.  Pure bliss!

 Mom and Dad show off the gorgeous scenery we enjoyed all day.

 We made it - Union Falls.  This falls is a hidden wonder, it always amazes me when I see it, even though I have seen it many times.  It proves to me that God is in charge and made this Earth for us.

 Then...the second destination - a warm swimming hole.  It felt so good after hiking 7 miles.  We swam and jumped off the rocks and just relaxed.  Then we did it all again on the way back.

M.E.P. 2013

 M.E.P  (Marylou & Earls Posterity) was held in Newdale this year.  We were so glad we could make it, we all had a great time.

 Brea caught up with her friend Logan, they were a bit shy with each other at first, but it didn't take long to become fast friends again.  She has been talking about him ever since MEP last year!

 Matt and Susie brought this awesome HUGE camp chair.  It was a favorite spot for photo shoots.  They both fit in there pretty easily.  In fact they fit their whole family in for a family picture.

 The two that started it all.  I have such fond memories that include these two.  I am glad that my children are able to know who they are, and visit them.

 The Six "Extreme" Sisters - the "Extremes" never let us down, they came again this year with music, dancing and silly faces.  We are get a good tummy rumbling laugh from these crazy fun Sisters.

 It wouldn't be MEP without the Extremes!

 Brea did a number on the talents show, the little singer/stage performer.

 Our Ricks family was in charge of breakfast, and Tony was asked to cut the watermelon.  He couldn't  help himself, when he was finished we had a MEP watermelon and a beautiful bowl to put the watermelon chunks.  Way to be creative Tony.  Everyone was impressed, my kids couldn't believe that Uncle Tony had done that, they were impressed.

 The Meppers wait on the grass for our big family photo.

 The best part for Jackie - going to the Hickory!  They have delicious food.  I think we might have overwhelmed them with about 30 of us Meppers coming unannounced.

I love the cousins pictures on Grandmas front porch.  This one is as they enjoy popsicles.

Now moving up a generation....the M.E.P. grandkids with Grandma and Grandpa Jensen kissing!

Cramer Reunion 2013

 We were able to go to Boise, on our Idaho trip, and see all of Jeffs family.  One day we went to this neat natural circular current we could ride along.

 The kids played in the sand, the water, and on the tubes.

 Jeff got to ride a lot, because it was over the kids heads out in the center.  He was good to always go with them.  It was hot, so it felt really good to cool of in the water.

 Lilly was ready for a swim with her lifejacket, arm preservers, and noodle and a huge SMILE.....So Cute!

 Audrey was excited to try it as well, so Jeff again took to the water!

 We were also able to go camping up in the mountains of Boise.  Gaylene got some great shots of us, which I need to get and add here....

 Tired Brea cuddles up to Grandpa Calvin in front of the toasty fire.

 The campground was great because of this little stream that was right in our area.  The kids played here everyday, and as such, they weren't as dirty as the usually are when we go camping.  It was a win-win for both kids and Parents.  Jeff and I decided that in the future we always want to camp my water!

 Helen and Calving enjoy the shade while they watch the kids splash and play in the water.

 Doesn't this look fun, and beach, water, and camping all in one - and in Boise, not California!

 We were able to borrow my parents pop-up trailer, which made camping very nice.  The girls wanted to stay in there and play.  We had to keep encouraging them to come out and play.

 The two Bros enjoy a mallow by the fire.  Camp fires are the best.  They somehow relax and slow down life.  I could sit by a campfire for hours.

Brea enjoys a bedtime snack before heading in for the night!

Virgil & Raquels Wedding

 My amazing Mother made all of her Granddaughters these beautiful yellow and white dresses for the wedding.  The girls were all excited to get a new dress, and they all matched so well.

 We really tried to get a good family picture....but the boys were as cooperative as the girls.  So we have a nice Cramer Gals picture and "not looking at the camera" family picture.

 Somehow we always end up with really good Grandpa pictures with our kids.  I love how this one turned out.  Such a sweet photo.

Now the Ricks Gals.  I love these ladies, we have a great time together.

 This was our attempt at a Granddaughter picture.  They all had the coordinating dresses, and then I made each of them a mini-daisy head wreath for the reception. It was fun watching them skip and hop around during the reception.  The older ones enjoyed helping take presents and serving food.

 Aunt Elly with little Alyssa!

 This is my niece Suzanna and I think it is so cute!

 Uncle Virgil was so nice to dance with Brea, she loved it.  She was so happy to be at the reception and Wedding, and to see everyone so fancy.

 Not to be outdone, Alyssa had to have a dance with the Groom as well!

 The happy, gorgeous couple!

 The picture doesn't do it justice, but....the guys all put on mustaches (to match Virgil) and came out for their picture.  It was pretty hilarious.

 Alyssa wanted to try one on as well....not really her style.

 The whole group.  The reception was at my parents house, in the front yard. The weather was perfect, it was a really fun evening.

 The next day we headed to Logan for the wedding.  Since Dallin wouldn't get in any pictures the night before, he decided to let us take one.  He sat right in between Elly and I and smiled BIG, silly boy.

 We had been sitting on that bench for a while, so we decided to make some silly faces at the camera!

 I love this pose, so I snapped a shot.  Obviously I don't have the best camera, but you get the idea - Happy Married Couple!

 Grandpa with Jackie and Brea at the Wedding Breakfast afterward.

 Grandma with Jackie and Jaxine at the Breakfast.