Summer Days. . . July

It's been a crazy busy month, but to be honest, that's they way I like it!  Thought ya'll might enjoy a few pictures (since I got a new phone, I've kinda been a paparazzi mom, but hey--these days are precious!)

Met up with some friends at the Bass Pro Shop.  Besides the huge aquariums and taxidermy, which are always a hit, they had some great things for kids to "beat the heat" this summer.  We practiced our "archery" with nerf arrow of course, got to cast a fishing pole, and they even had a real bibi-gun range set up!  The kids had a blast!

Book club at the Children's Museum--having a lunch break here.  Look at all these cute little boys! 

Clark County Library hosted a "Reading is Magic" show and Jacob got called up to be an assistant!  He was pretty nervous and I'm not sure whether he really enjoyed doing "The Macarena."  Everyone had fun though and were awed by some cool tricks.  At the end the kids got to meet the magician and pet his rabbit.:)

We love to snuggle and read-- esp after we go to the library.

One of the few "cool" days in the 90s instead of triple digits. We love playing with our cousins and friends.  Suzy slept most of the time and was a happy bug the rest. I brought a spray bottle to keep her cool. 

Yep, we're starting solid foods!  She still spits a lot of it out, but we're getting the hang of it.  Love the buggy-eyed, funny faces.

This boy loves to make his sister laugh.:)  He was flying his plane over her head and she was watching and giggling.  

Pioneer Day at the Old Mormon Fort

I've lived in downtown Vegas for a little over three years now, and just this year discovered a gem in my backyard!  I remembered it was "Pioneer Day" this past Thursday--July 24, and decided I'd give The Old Mormon Fort a call to see if they were doing anything to celebrate.  It was great!  And the cost--$1.  The fort has a large historical area and a small visitor's center with displays, artifacts, and stories of the first settlers of the Las Vegas valley and how it grew from a tiny frontier fort, to the metropolis it is today.  It's so hot here in July, the festivities were somewhat cramped indoors.  But, they had bonnet and bandana making, coloring, story-telling, and rootbeer floats!  We will definitely be back-- one of the workers told us that in the fall they do a big Halloween/ Harvest event outside with fresh apple cider from the local Gilcrease Orchards, a pumpkin patch, and all kinds of good ol' fashioned family fun.  Excited!

Remi's girls so pretty in their bonnets!

Brook was so cute-- holding so still so the lady could finish sewing her bonnet together!

We love to color!

Ridin' the cow with our friend Addison Bell.  

The kids were enraptured listening to the story-teller talk about her pioneer ancestry and the hardships of walking across the plains, pulling handcarts, and living off so little.  Makes me grateful for the bounteous times we live in now--wow were those people strong!  

Rubber Face

This is what happens when Jacob gets ahold of my phone. Haha! 

TREK! July 31 and August 1

THURSDAY, JULY 31

It's a beautiful morning!  Time to pack up camp for the last time and load the bus.  We're headed for Utah!

We're on our way to Temple Square in SLC.

Our ward had a little fun on the bus as we traveled ... our traditional "Fashion Show."  Here are a few of the best!

Our Emcee, Jason Wilhelmsen.

Everyone who wanted to participate had to come up with a costume and a brief bio of his/her new persona, and then walk the aisle to model their new look.  At least 20 kids took part.  It was hilarious!

"Ginger Unicorn" aka Cady Wilhelmsen.  She put a water bottle on top of her head and wrapped her hair around it!

"Mrs. Hulk" aka Aubrey Wilhelmsen.  "I am REALLY out of my comfort zone!"  She stuffed her shirt sleeves with bags.

"Rachelly Gorgeous" aka Rachel Wood.  She is ALWAYS smiling!

And the best:   "Emperor Suhm Tingh Wong"  aka Chance Royce.  There are no words.

Everyone finally settled down for the remainder of the bus ride to SLC.

After checking into the hotel, getting showered and dressed in CLEAN clothes, and eating at a restaurant, each Trek Family visited Temple Square for the evening.  Here's some photos of our family's visit to Temple Square.

Posing like the statue!

Melissa Freeman

Kristy Patterson, our "Ma"

Rachel Wood

Chance Royce

Emily Hatch

Alex Wood, our "Pa"

Robert Parent

"Pinkie Promise" to marry in the Temple!  Awwww!

Sweethearts!

 FRIDAY, AUGUST 1

Dressed in Sunday clothes, we're back on the bus to travel to the Draper Temple to do baptisms for the dead.

To keep the kids entertained, Steve had a spool of string that he portioned out, and everyone was playing Cat's Cradle and making Jacob's Ladder.  Fun times!

Our Ward was assigned to the Draper Temple.  Our Stake President, President Christensen, maintained that we were "going on a temple trip via Wyoming."  This temple is beautiful.

Caldwell 11th Ward Youth

One last time on the bus, heading home.

All in all, if we were asked to do it again, we WOULD!  In a heartbeat!  This was one of the most wonderful trips we have ever done.  We had the best trek family - each one did their part - and then some - and kept a positive attitude the entire week.  This is an experience we will never forget.