Kenneth's speech at his school's birthday celebration

Best Friends and the Outdoors

Oh isn't she cute! We went to Silver Lake with our friends and then took a hike up to Lake Solitude, and then hiked up to Doughnut Falls all on the same day! Whew.

Oh she's just adorable, isn't she?

I call this one "Boys on a Log"

Best Friends Forever! Kenneth and Zach.

I call this one "Boys on a Log with a little sister."

My BFF Tara and her yummy baby Josh. Yes I wrote 'yummy'

Family Photo!! I don't think I have a photo where Evan isn't cute.

Boys on Big Rock. They just can't resist.

starting at the left: Zach, Kenneth, Sam, Brent, Mara, Evan, Ben, KC with Josh, and Alex walking around to get a better rock for the sling shot. They loved that sling shot!

This was the river they were sitting by.

We finally made it to Doughnut Falls, and my camera dies. I got a couple of good pics though. After that Evan informed me he had to go poop. So Mara, Evan, and I raced back to the outhouse at the start of the trail. I fell down trying to climb up a rock to the trail. I cut my knee, elbow and hands, so it was a bloody, butt-clenching race that took about a half hour. In the end, Sam had fallen too. When he saw me, he felt better. We had matching cuts and scraps.

It was a wonderful time anyway.

We're going back to Utah as soon as we can.

Family Reunion

Okay, I'm really late putting up these pics. The reunion was a month ago, but I've been preoccupied. I also have to put up Mara's birthday too, but I haven't finished with Utah.

This is the famous Aunt Colleen! I've waited 11 years to meet her and I'm not waiting 11 more to see her again.

This is Uncle Dennis overseeing the big foot race. It was hilarious to watch all those kids run in inflatable feet!

GO!!!

Sam won first place! He loves trophies and was very proud.
Brent put on the feet next and won the adult race.

4 of the 6 Halling kids.

top Reed (who is the spitting image of his dad, Kenneth) and Steve

bottom Gene and Colleen.

A handful of the cousins.

Lori, Charles, Brent, KC, and Robert.

It was a small reunion but we'll try to make it again soon.

Best friends and water.

One of the best things about our vacation was everyone got to hang out with the best friend. I loved watching the kids play together and really make some memories.

Alex with the hose is always a fun combo. Run Kenneth!

This is Evan wondering why the water stopped.

This is Evan after Alex let go of the hose. Hahaha. Good shot.


Oh how they LOVE to be WET!!

Zach wondering if he throws it, will it really come back.

Sam making his escape from the wild hose madness! Our little friend, Ben, wasn't playing this time, but we have other pics to post.

Mara really loved Tara's player piano. Brent really liked it too.

We miss them so much it hurts. It is so rare to find a family that mixes so well with your own. Wives are best friends, husbands are best friends, and the children all claim a best friend among the family. Truly, they were sent from heaven to bless our lives.

Ensign Peak

Hiking up Ensign Peak was our warm-up hike for Friday. I have to give Uncle Don kudos! He was quite a trooper.
They waited so patiently for the rest of us to catch up. Wait where's Kenneth? Oh yeah, he didn't wait.

"I made it"

My kids are so awesome!

Brent loves those mountains! He just got tired of smiling for the camera.

Me and my AWESOME mom-in-law.

"You mean we have to go back down now. Oh my gosh!" Sam had a hard time.

Heber City Railroad

It was exciting to go on an old train ride. The kids we really happy to see all the old trains.
Mara seems a little suspicious of the train. The others don't suspect the danger that lies ahead.

You need sea legs on a train apparently.

OH NO!! WE'RE BEING ROBBED!

Those guns are really loud!

Scary Outlaw!

At least they didn't rob the kids. The actually gave them gold coins.....

......with chocolate inside!!!!

Bye bye bad guys. They took 3 young girls as hostages, but we picked them up on the way back.

It was freezing cold but Kenneth went into that creek. We took a break and got off the train while they turned around for the ride back.

He's gonna make it! He's gonna make it!

Sam found the ride back much more peaceful.

It was a beautiful and scenic ride.

Awesome Grandma Sue!

She loves to play with my jewelry.
I didn't have the best picture but Uncle Don is sitting right next to me.

I love this picture! She's so crazy sometimes. (I DO have a hold of her legs in case you're worrying.)

It was a great ride!

Conference Center and Temple Square.

Together Forever. Craziness.

The waterfall on the conference center is huge. The boys loved all the fountains in this place.

Evan. He's in Heaven. Dancing like a monkey.

This organ is HUGE!!!!!!!

The hall of Apostles. It's a lot bigger than just one hall.

Gordan B Hinkley. I miss him.

I love the Garden on the top of this building. One side is vegetation from the east side of the valley, then you cross over into the vegetation in the valley. Like you're making the pioneer trek.

Boys and water.

The top of the waterfall.

Don't fall in buddy.

Zach, Kenneth, Brent, Mara, Alex, Ben, Tara, Josh, Sue, Don, Evan, Katie, Sam.

What a beautiful group of people!

Tired boys resting in the shade by the temple.

Time for bubbles!