"Y" I love this hike

On Saturday we hiked the "Y" for the fourth year.  It is our annual tradition and one of my favorite traditions of all!  This year we invited Jeff's parents to do it with us.  I told his dad that he could not call himself a "True Blue" BYU fan if he had never hiked the "Y".  His mom had been sick off and on earlier in the moth and then it snowed the night before so I was worried that they would back out- heck I just knew they would and even though I said we didn't care either way- I would have been disappointed.  I really wanted to share this with them.  The beauty, the sense of accomplishment, the exercise benefits and the fun.  The morning came and it was beautiful- no snow and full of sunshine so we were on our way.  We started out at 9 AM.  It was pretty cold so I had brought some hand warmers.  We decided that we would take it very slow and steady so that they would be able to do it.  Jeff's mom is less than active so I was really worried that it would be too much for her.  They did amazing!  We stopped for a few minutes at each turn, but they never complained and kept on plugging along.  It took us about an hour to make it to the top.  I think I might have been the most excited for them.  I was so proud.  I kept saying "You did it- You made it- Look where you are-You are at the top!"  Going down was actually harder for his Dad on his knees.  His mom will be mad if she finds out I am posting these pictures because she thought she looked too sweaty at the top- but I have to remember this day forever because I am pretty sure they will never do this again.  Afterward we went to the park and ate lunch and played baseball.  Then we went to the campus bookstore and then on to the creamery for some ice cream.  It was a really really great day!  

Denver

I got to go and visit my Grandma Hughes for five days the beginning of this month.  She is 93 years old and I knew that time would not wait for me to get around to seeing her and I really wanted to see her happy and spunky and full of life before it was too late.  Of all my grandparents I am the closet to her.  Not because I love her more than any of the others, but I think because I've been able to get to know her the best.  We write letters almost every week.  When she use to live in Utah I could talk to her on the phone and visit her when ever I wanted to.  She even got to stay at my house for about two months a few years ago.  She is way more than just a Grandma to me.  I love everything about her- but mostly her zest for life.  She is so full of energy and wants to go go go.  She can't do that any more and is in a wheel chair most of the time- but her mind is still so sharp.  She gathers friends where ever she goes.  She is always positive and upbeat.  She LOVES everything.  She is passionate about life and her family.  Every thing is "So GOOD" to her.  I got to spend most of the day with her while I was there.  We went to lunch every day and shopping and just sat and talked.  I told my aunt who I was staying with that I think I am the 93 year old lady inside and she is the 35 year old because she never stops.  When I left her place for the last time I knew it may be the last time I ever see her alive in this life and that is really hard for me.  I will miss her like crazy when she is gone.  I love her to pieces!!!

15 YEARS

I have the BEST husband.  I adore everything about him.  This year in August we celebrated our 15th anniversary.  We said that the trip to Hawaii counted as our celebration and that we weren't going to get each other anything- but we both fooled each other.  I made a poster in the shape of a 15 with pictures from the last 15 years. He gave me the most beautiful roses.  That evening we went to dinner at Saffron Valley.  We both love Indian food.  Before we went in I presented him with a little gift.  A white silicone watch.  He has been wanting one forever and a watch is actually listed as a modern gift to give for a 15th anniversary.  I was feeling so proud of myself because he always surprises me on our anniversary when we say we aren't getting gifts and gets me the most thoughtful and perfect gift, so I was excited that for once I was one step ahead of him. Little did I know that he would really surprise me later on.   After dinner he suggested we go on a little walk on the Jordan River Parkway.  We came to a little picnic table and he wanted to sit down and talk.  When we sat down he told me to close my eyes and hold onto a little string.  Then something hit my hand.  When I opened my eyes there was a diamond ring.  It was an anniversary band.  It was white gold with nine round diamonds.  It goes perfectly with my wedding ring.  I could not believe my eyes and asked him if he was serious and if it was real.  He laughed and said "Of course it is".  He told me that he wanted to get me something really special to celebrate the last 15 years.  I of course burst into tears.  This is exactly who he is- thoughtful and caring and truly amazing.  He is my best friend and  I can't stand to be away from him for one minute.  I call him my charger because just the sound of his voice or the touch of his hand makes all right in the world for me.  I am so lucky to be his wife.  Happy Anniversary Babe!

Happy Birthday Whitney and First Day of School

Two more fun July events were Whit's birthday and the first day of Elementary School for Whitney and Ethan.  Whitney turned 11 on the 9th.  She got her prized IPOD she had been wanting.  We went to Jump On It and spent the day bouncing around and she got to go to dinner with dad at the Olive Garden.  Here are 11 things about her:

1.  She is so so sweet.
2.  She loves to tumble.
3.  She is so helpful.
4.  She loves to be active and run around outside with her friend's.
5.  She wants to be an Olympian one day.
6.  She studies her scriptures every night.
7.  She is learning to cook and makes great dinners.
8.  She is a friend to everyone.
9.  She loves to cuddle with me.
10.  She is quick to apologize.
11.  She is as beautiful inside as she is outside.

Whitney and Ethan also started school this month.  Whitney is in 6th grade and Ethan in 4th.

Idaho

One of my very best friend's lives in Rexburg.  We had never seen her house so we decided to take a little weekend trip North at the end of May.  I am so glad we did.  She has the most darling family.  Her six kids are some of the most well behaved kids you'll ever meet.  I loved being able to see her and catch up on our crazy lives.  We got to sit and watch her kids shoot starlings in their back yard- if we didn't have neighbors so close I'm sure this would become a Shaw activity too.  Ashtyn and her oldest daughter McCall went to do baptism's for the dead in the Rexburg temple.  We celebrated National Donut Day.  We went hiking.  It was the best.  Love you to death Lindsey!  Thanks Dewey family for a great trip.

Welcome Home and Mesquite

Jeff's parents are finally home.  For the last five years they have been serving missions for our church.  Most recently they were the mission presidents in the Marshall Islands- hence the trip of a lifetime:)  They returned the beginning of July and a few weeks later we all went to Mesquite.  It was so fun to all be together again.  We golfed, swam, tie dyed shirts with the kids, played minute to win it games, ate, relaxed, went to the spa, celebrated Whitney and Maddie's birthdays and had so much fun.  This year I took it upon myself to make a schedule of meals and activities to make the most of our time together.  It was a great trip.