Lucy's logic . . .

Mom: "Why did you do that?"
Lucy: "Because I did."

Mom: "Why did you spill that?"
Lucy: "Because I spilled it."

Mom: "Why didn't you take a nap?"
Lucy: "Because I didn't sleep."

Mom: "Why did you hit David."
Lucy: "Because I hit his arm."

Mom: "Why are you afraid of the trampoline?"
Lucy: "Because the trampoline scares me."

You get the idea. And I really haven't figured out a very good rebuttal ;)

When did they grow-up?

Mammouth Creek July 9-12

Sampson Reunion 2010

This was the first thing my husband and sister-in-law decided to do upon arriving at the cabin and seeing the creek:

My oldest brother, David with the first catch . . .

The ladies made bows while the men cleaned the fish

Jennifer was the dog whisperer (Kevin offered support)

Lucy fishing with Grandpa in the morning

Daddy with his fishing buddy

Fishing buddy #2

Lucy helping Aunt Tiff and Grandma make breakfast

Going for a little stroll

Lucy with her cousin Sydney

Sittin' on the dock of the bay . . .

The ladies . . .

Uncle David helping Lucy catch a fish (or was it seaweed?)

A very bumpy car ride with some very giggly girls

Our little lady

With their four older girl cousins, I barely had to lift a finger the whole time I was there!

Then our little family was the only one left to stay for the last night. I took hardly any pictures, because we were having so much fun making memories of long walks, smores, camp fires, listening to the water, and laying around doing nothing more than just being with each other! It was incredible.

4th of July

4th of July traditions include:
-Running a 5k or 10k (1st annual this year)
-Watching the Parade
-Waffles at our house afterward
-BBQ with red, white & blue jello
-Fireworks

Ready for the parade

Getting ready for the fun. (The people behind us were from a certain university that shall remain nameless to protect the innocent. But they booed every BYU float and I just might have had to inform them they were obnoxious).

More parade goers

and a little dance . . .

From my front porch looking in . . .

Happy Summer!

Our new puppy

He is a cockapoo (cocker spaniel and standard poodle mix) and although we liked Lucy's suggestions of "Gunny" and "Tuesday" for a name, we have decided he looks like a Howard. We really like him and he doesn't shed! Welcome to the family pup.

Lost & Found

Many of you know my computer crashed in November and we lost EVERYTHING! I mean it when I say EVERYTHING. The tech guys in Arizona (where my computer was sent to try and revive it) said it was the worst case they had ever seen!

Luckily my photo albums were current so we had hard copies of most of the treasured pictures. I was still, however, missing the electronic pictures. Then I remembered that I am always sending my Mom pictures via email and I looked up what I had sent her. Below is a sampling. I was so happy to have these precious pictures back:

Engagement photo shoot summer 2006

Getting ready for the big day summer 2006

Lucy's blessing December 2007

Lucy December 2007

Lucy summer 2008

David on his BIRTHday

One happy family-we have a BROTHER!

Halloween 2009

June 2009

Cute kids before church one day

Priceless . . .

The Grotto

We did a great little hike that even Lucy was able to do all on her own. If you head up towards Payson Lake, on your way up look for a sign that says The Grotto and a dirt parking lot. The trail was gorgeous with lots of little bridges to cross and within 15 minutes you are at a beautiful waterfall. Amazing!

The End

This is the result of . . .

an all night tummy ache that resulted in more showers, sheet changes and showings of Elmo I care to count. I HOPE we're on the mend.

Political Activist

I haven't been shy about my involvement in politics (a subject I know puts many of you to sleep-which make me sad). At any rate, it was very energizing to be a part of a very grass roots level of trying to help Tim Bridgewater get elected to the senate.

Below are some of my dear campaigning friends: Jodie, Me, Heidi and Leslie. These ladies are awesome and it was great to talk with them about things I feel so passionately about.
I know this picture is dark, but it represents the night so well. We went to the Bridgewater result party and while many were up in the front watching the results come in on a projector-we huddled around a little computer we had hijacked from somebody so we could refresh the page as often as our anxious selves wanted to . . .
The night was full of a lot of excitement and opportunities to meet some great people. To me, the hardest part of the night was seeing so many well informed individuals that I really respect there backing this great candidate and he still didn't win! I know I am biased (but my thoughts have been backed by numerous journalist as well), but I just felt like the other candidate was full of great philosophical ideas that people jumped on board about but they they were lacking real solutions while Tim was full of great solutions that really could have turned our country and Utah around.
In the end, we were left disappointed. Disappointed that our candidate didn't win. Disappointed that negative/dishonest campaigning won over a campaign of high integrity. And most of all, disappointed that only about 15% of Utahans cared enough to vote to elect their next senator.

The following quote best describes how I feel:

"Are there any of us who could not have done more in the last several elections to ensure choices on election day between truly honest candidates of high ideals to administer our government at all levels—from the precinct to the national? In the final analysis, don’t we pretty much get the kind of . . . politicians in office we deserve?" -Lorentz C. Pearson (Ensign June, 1977)

Oh, but I am proud to say, I did not swear once the entire night (not something many of those around me could claim ;)