Monday, August 24, 2009

The Annual Tradition Continues: Exploring South Fork

One fun afternoon, I took the kids to my favorite park in Provo Canyon, South Fork. I admit I got a little carried away taking pictures but I love watching and documenting them exploring nature and this is one of my favorite nature spots. We visit the park every summer and the children love wading and wandering through the clear, crystal stream.

Sweet sisters
Spencer gets acclimated to the very cold water in the stream

Caitlin loved her wading adventure!

Look how clear the water is! I love the golden hue of the rocks with the sun-dappled water dancing around them.
It's the perfect depth for cooling off on a hot summer day!

If I asked her, Rachel would pose for me for hours. I was trying out my new camera and she obliged by letting me take lots of pictures of her.

What natural beauty Rachel has!


She looks very model-like here, don't you think?

I took about six pictures of all four kids and none of them was any good. Sadly, this one was the best of the bunch.
Too bad I waited to take pictures until after Caitlin got a drink from the spigot.

Courtney's expression couldn't be cuter!

A kissy from sissy
I love this shot of Courtney
Rachel's a beautiful daughter, inside and out!

Check out Caitlin's backside--it's a little dirty. By the end of the afternoon, it was filthy.

Spencer is busy examining the flora, fauna, rocks and water around him.He picked some enormous leaves and had all the kids race them down the river. I wish I would have taken a picture of it but I was too busy trying to keep up with the kids as they chased their leaves to the waterfall.

The views from the park are stunning in every direction.

The kids love to find interesting rocks in the crystal clear water
I can't help it! I enjoy taking pictures of my kids. They are so adorable!

Spencer and Rachel love every minute of their adventure.

Wading is the best!

Look who came to have an afternoon drink just as we were leaving!
Look at those views! This is why I love Utah so much.

Taking a Dip at Olivia's pool









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My cousin, Olivia invited us to her pool to swim while we were in Utah. The kids had a great time and I enjoyed it because I could watch all of them at once and not worry like I did at the Scera Pool (way too big and crowded.) Afterwards, my Aunt Diane fed us a delicious dinner. It was a fun night with my cousins, Livi, Erin, Richard, his new wife, Laurie and and my Aunt Diane and Uncle Greg.

Spencer being Spencer

Yesterday, Spencer was painting a wooden airplane and one of the girls wanted to paint it with him. He said, "No, you can't paint the Red Baron. That's a man's job." Paul and I had to laugh.

We also noticed a hole in Spencer's Sunday pants and Paul said, "Maybe I just need to buy you a new suit." Spencer replied: "Yeah, I want a tuxquito." We loved how he said tuxedo like it rhymed with mosquito.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Madsen Family Fun

Another day of vacation in Utah found us in Sandy visiting Paul's side of the family at a shower thrown for our nephew, Andrew, and his bride-to-be, Erin. The whole family was invited to attend (not just the womenfolk) so that made it so much more fun! Unfortunately, Paul had already left to go back to work but it was a joy visiting with my brothers and sisters-in-law as well as my nieces and nephews.

Me with my cute niece, Erin
More nieces. . . Anna (in the green) and Julie (in the black)

Another niece, Abby with adopted sister-in-law, Laura

Here's the happy couple holding up their Manti Temple picture. We (the uncles and aunts) always give our nieces and nephews a picture of the temple where they are getting married as a wedding gift.
The proud mother of the groom--my sister-in-law, Annette

My adopted brother-in-law, Kevin with his daughter, Shayla

Here's Laura, Kevin's wife
Carlos and Jo's family in a crazy moment. We rarely see Carlos do anything so silly which made it all the more funny for all of us! He's holding Spencer (my nephew, not my son)

Here's my niece, Bethany, sister-in-law, Heidi, brother-in-law, Clay, and sister-in-law, Lynda

My gorgeous nephews, Scott and Brett

Niece, Clari and her brother, James

Paul's brother, Earl and his wife, Nena

My brother-in-law, Greg with his sweet wife, Laurel

Cousins Jovian, Lexi and Rachel

Andrew and Erin--the cute couple

Best cousins, Rachel and Lexi

Chris and Melissa (our nephew and niece) love to play with Courtney

So does her Uncle Dave

Music Corner


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