Family Time

We took a much needed weekend away with my family at the cabin in Fairview. It was wonderful to spend time together and just relax after our very stressful month! Unfortunately, I left my camera home, so I'm waiting for my siblings to post some pics on their blogs or send me some so I can post them. Hurry it up already! Here are a few that I got from Shawn:

Kimberly, Jake, and Kaiden on the four-wheelers:

Shawn and Adrian:
Scott on the rope swing:

Garrett

My brother Garrett passed away on August 3rd. He was only 31-years-old. It has been a rough month for our family- actually a rough year. We've watched him struggle- trying to find his place in this world, but never quite figuring it all out. He was such a kind and loving person. He was generous to a fault and was always very thoughtful. It breaks my heart to know that he often felt like he didn't fit in. I've gone back and forth feeling angry and sad about his death, but I am thankful for the knowledge I have that I will see him again. I know he is happier now and hopefully he will discover how very much our Heavenly Father loves him. I love you too Garrett.

Mackay '09

We travelled to Mackay, Idaho for the annual Neilson Family Reunion. I was more than a little apprehensive about camping with Deacon this year. If all the motels hadn't been booked we would have stayed in one- without a doubt! Luckily, our awesome friends the Moaks let us borrow their super nice trailer, so it was a little more bearable! Deacon of course had a ball playing with his cousins and getting filthy dirty! I had a few nervous break downs trying to keep him away from the road, the river, and the campfire.

But isn't he so cute?

Some of the gang:
Fun at the river:




Fun at the campfire:
Playing cards:

Aunt Ede and Uncle Ron:

Cari and Uncle Bud

Uncle Preston caught a deer! Actually he helped it out of a fence it was caught in, but I'm surprised he hung on to it for as long as he did!
The cute little kitten Steven brought was quite popular::
This tricycle was also a hot commodity:


Deacon thought he was pretty big stuff in this chair that was just his size (look at that dirty mug- who is his mother?):
We had a great time even though I decided camping is more work than it is worth and I don't get care how much I get mocked- next year I'm moteling it up!

15 Years!

Believe it or not it was my fifteen year class reunion this past July! (No cracks about my age please!) I had such a fun time! It's always a little scary to think about seeing people you haven't seen in years and wonder if you will have anything in common or be able to find things to talk about, but I really had a good time. It was a very laid back event and it was great to talk to people that I haven't seen since graduation! I wish I could have talked to more people, but I guess there is always the next one!

Some of my very best friends from highschool! Thank heavens we see each other at least once a month. Once every five years would just not cut it!
Jamie, Charmay, Adrienne, Michelle, Dawn, Me, and Val
Me and Adrienne:

This is my best friend from Jr. High- Robyn with her Hubby Matt:

This is my great friend April with her Hubby and sweet boy Caleb:

Jamie and Zak:

Dawn, Michelle, Candace, Abbie, me, Val, and Julie

Scott was a good sport even if he was tired and sunburned from playing softball all day and a little anti-social for the first little while...

Me and my Sweetie:

Fiesta Days

We had a wonderful time at the Fiesta Days Parade this year. We sat in our usual spot at the park with my family.


Deacon even stayed in his stroller for most of the time- it's always nice when I don't have to chase him around!

He of course had to try on grandpa's cowboy hat, but that didn't last long.

Whitney and Shawn managed to get Carly to sleep until Deacon stepped on her...
Afterwards we had a barbeque with the family and Deacon got to ride on the horse with grandpa!