4th Anniversary

I got home from Salt Lake just in time to celebrate our 4th Anniversary. We had a nice candlelit dinner at home on August 22. 

Then, a week later, a family in our ward graciously took Harrison for two days so we could have some time away! We went to the beach, attended the temple, tried a new restaurant, and relaxed. It was so nice. 

This is the place

Following the Clayton Women Summit, we were all pretty tired. But, on Sunday morning, we got up to attend my parent's new ward. Riley and Harrison were snack pals.

The rest of the week was spent having fun with cousins. We went to the Mormon History Museum. Harrison was personally escorted by his cousins. 

Here he is giving a General Conference talk at an exact replica of the stand in the Conference Center.

We went to Antelope Island on another day. 

The morning of our departure, we all took an early morning hike in the hills above my parent's house. Here are some of the spectacular views.

Later, Uncle Andy and Harrison enjoyed some "tookie time." 

Then we all jumped in the jacuzzi for one last dip before we left.

These cousins were sad to leave each other. Luckily, only a one hour car ride separates them!

The little man was out cold upon landing.

Jonny was waiting for us just outside the Long Beach Airport terminal with a plate full of "tookies!" We were both thrilled to see Dadda after two weeks apart. Two weeks is way too long!

Clayton Women Summit 2013

My mom, M.E., and I raced back to Salt Lake to help get things set up for the first ever Clayton Women Summit. M.E. and Brooke organized it all, a grand invitation to all women who claim roots to Whit and Betty Clayton with the grand theme of "What Matters Most;" a 24 hour getaway to share testimony, insights, and reconnect. We had almost all of our aunts and girl cousins get together at my parent's house - 15 total. Here are Harrison and Riley helping us get ready for it at Costco.

M.E. opened up the evening by introducing our first activity: Our Favorite Things. We were instructed to bring an item that represents our family culture.

We all brought three of our items to share. I loved seeing what everyone brought!

Sidenote: Little man was on the struggle bus that night. He learned how to climb out of his pac 'n play in Jackson and was practicing his skills on us all night long. By consequence, he partied with the ladies until 10:30. Oh my dear heavens.

Grandma then shared treasured memories of her life. We loved listening and asking the matriarch of our family questions about child raising, the gospel, and marriage. 

Clayton Women

Then off we went to the shave ice stand down the street that our second cousins are running for the summer. So delicious. We then stayed up talking until 1:30.

 The following morning schedule had us going on a hike at 7:30AM, but no one got up until 8:00. It was probably the first time in a long time for most of us to sleep in that late. It felt great! So, we took a very quick walk, ate breakfast, and then Aunt Kathy started off our morning session by teaching us about being creative with our dreams and aspirations, but to allow heaven to guide us in the journey. Her eloquence and perspective is truly noteworthy. We loved listening.

 I then gave a presentation on body image and I think it went well. Catherine (bottom left) spoke on choosing happiness and we all got to share which scriptures mean the most to us, songs that make us happy, and people we look up to. Aunt Elaine (bottom right) first started off her presentation with a little Sally O'Malley impersonation and then gave a beautiful discourse on the sanctity of family and the plan of salvation. She is a very brave and courageous woman.

Abby gifted her knowledge of psychology to us and shared why family is so important. She, the youngest of the group that was in attendance, had such poise and insight!

My mom finished off the day discussing how Heavenly Father wants to speak with us and that this doctrinal truth is theologically unique to other religions. It was beautiful.

The grand finale to our cherished time together was at the Deer Valley amphitheater listening to Lyle Lovett sing with the Utah Symphony. We found a way to turn it into a dance party #ifihadapony #somanyhashtagssolittletime. This quick weekend was really restorative for me. All of us grew up together and now are raising our families in various places throughout the country. We all felt a little piece of heaven was with us as we shared, laughed, and cried together. I love these women.

Jackson Hole 2013

Harrison and I arrived to Jackson Hole after our eventful reunion in Oregon and the party continued! Our first stop was Phelps Lake. 

Harrison and Riley reunited

The babies in their bubble bath later that day.

The next morning, we took the river trail to see the Snake. I love this place.

We are trying to teach Harrison boundaries...

Collecting rocks in his little pockets

The Wallys arrived later that afternoon and we went off to see the dam behind the house. 

The kids went down to the basement to pick out their cowboy boots and Clayton helped teach Harrison that this bear was indeed not real. It took a while.

 Then we had to try out the swing that Uncle John installed earlier in the summer.

It was then time for the mini Snake where the little ones floated. 

Harrison enjoyed pushing Eliza all the way back to the car.

We then had a campfire in the corral. 

A few of us did the Granite Canyon hike from the tram on top of Jackson Hole ski resort. It was 12 miles down the backside of the mountain and through the canyon. We saw fossils and animal scat, ate wild blueberries and raspberries, traversed through creeks and fields, and survived an impressive hail storm! Here we are on top of the mountain.

The rain!

And the hail...

 Later that day, we got our tired bodies dressed for another campfire. Mandy and I didn't have shoes to wear (mud and water from the hike) and so we improvised.

Learning yoga from the best.

Totem pole fire drill

Chasers and his Auntie E

The next morning we had a real cowboy photo shoot next to the corral. 

Harrison got his very own Junior Ranger vest from Nona and loved it! Here we are at Dornan's eating breakfast and getting ready for our hike to Taggart Lake. 

Our view on the hike up to the lake. The Grand in all of her majesty.

That majesty put this little guy straight to sleep while grandpa carried him.

Taggart Lake at the base of the Grand Tetons.

It took a little while for Harrison to wake up.

Someone wanted to follow his cousins into the water.

Grandpa took a much needed rest 

Clayton jumped in at least ten times!

Harrison's pants were wet and so he hiked back without them.

The next day proved to be perfect for dancing in the rain. So, dance we did.

And then snuggled up for some cousin time.

Our last day in Jackson was spent at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Grandma and grandpa helped raised money for the museum before it was built many years ago.

The children's corner is pretty fun.

My favorite painting in the whole museum entitled "Chief." It takes my breath away every time I see it.

Later that afternoon, we put the babies in the car and drove southwest to Salt Lake City. These two held hands and were a delight.