"Smile, Breathe and go Slowly"

Smile . . . Breathe . . . and go Slowly . . .

Just taking a deep breath and hope that things slow down just a bit . . .

Life is so full

I want to

savor every moment . . .


I'm going to jump ahead from all the summer activities that haven't been blogged, recorded or knocked out of the endless photo stream on my hard drive - to something I just returned from recently.

I was so fortunate to enjoy 10 days in the Northeastern United States with Norm and parents.  We had some amazing experiences, and I'm not necessarily blogging about the most incredible experiences right now . . . I'm still savoring those for another time and frame of mind

But . . . I just have to mention how awesome Niagara falls is!

I've never been to Niagara falls . . . never thought I would go there . . .

It was an incredible experience, I've never experienced something quite as majestic and overwhelming to the senses as the amount of water that flows over the falls each day.   These photos will never do it justice.

I highly recommend it if anyone is making family vacation plans!












"Maid of the Mist"boat tourA pretty spectacular of the American and Canadian Falls (Horseshoe Falls)This was so much fun and pretty amazing!















The challenge was trying to take photos without ruining my camera!
I should have thought to bring a zipper baggie or something to shoot through,but I think it's still working . . .





So hilarious . . .We kind of found the Canadian side to be a crossbetween Las Vegas and Disneyland . . .
We much preferred the parklike atmosphere of the American Sidealthough the better views are on the Canadian side.
Be sure to bring your passport!!





There are some pretty fascinating stories about survivors going over the falls . . .
The most fantastic were of an 11 year old boy in a life jacketand a 60 year old school teacher in a barrel(oh! and her cat! poor thing!)




Looking at the Canadian Skyline












I think we picked the best time of year to visit, no crowds and the leaves were amazing.  Oh and of course the falls were incredible!

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Summer days Makes me feel Fine . . .

With Autumn coming on rapidly around here - I better get a move on and share some of our summer adventures!

In fact I've got the  "Endless Summer" music going on around here just to reminisce a little . . .

Believe me, I'm not quite ready to put away the shorts, T-shirts, swimsuits and flipflops . . .



The Lake Powell gang for Summer of 2011
Norm's brother Wayne and his wife Shauna, their kids Megan, Spencer and Matt & Caroline.  Norm's sisters Sonja, her husband Jordon, and Ian & Alejandra, Lexi and Sydney.  Kristin and Norm, Karianne & Greg and little three week old baby Addison, and Kelsie and Kristin's niece Cierra.





Even the first night which we spend on the buoy field was gorgeous!
There's just nothing like spending a night out on the lake - all the lights and sun reflecting off the waters are beautiful!




We always find the most delightful little creatures . .





There's no doubt . . . on this trip . . . the girls rule :D





Plenty of time for rest and relaxation





Grandpa Norm enjoying a little baby Addi time . . .




I don't know what she's going to think when she has to actually start wearing clothes.  So far she loved being a naked baby!




Lots of fun and games all around . . .




The kids wore themselves totally out riding the tubes everyday.




The wore their elbows right out from the rough rides on the tubes.  The bandaids and neosporin were always in great demand.




Pretty cute little sun baby - nothing better than a nap at Lake Powell not matter how old you are . . .




Just me :D




Gorgeous . . . Gorgeous . . . Gorgeous
Always love the still water reflections of the early morning.







Sydney even managed to catch one fish . . .





And until next summer - we'll treasure our Lake Powell memories!

Definitely feeling those "good vibrations" dooo bop bop . . .  good vibrations bop bop"

╔══╗♫ *´”)
║██║ ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) ♫ ♪
║(O)║ (¸.•´ (¸.• ♫ ♪
╚══╝Lake Powell - it's the way to go!  ;)

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A Conference thought or two . . .

For the next several months I'm going to be participating in the

This week we're reviewing Elder Richard G. Scotts talk entitled:

  The Power of Scripture

I'm taking his words to heart and beginning to memorize!  Something I haven't done for ages and ages.  I didn't really know where to start, but thought I'd start with the exact scriptures he shared in his address.  They were some of my favorites . . .

“To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship,” he said. “It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort and be a source of motivation for needed change.”

“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

“For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

“Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?

“He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

“He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation”

(Psalm 24:1–5)

Loved hearing these words roll from the tongue of Elder 

Richard G. Scott

at our most recent

General Conference . . .

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