This summer has been a hectic one for Jon and I; it seems like we've been going non-stop. We were originally blue that we weren't going to Lake Powell this year. I have been going to Powell every year since I was little, but every year guaranteed for the past ten. The very first time Jon went with us he was 18, so he has been with us the past five years that we have gone..anyway point being we're used to going, we love going, and we were sad that we weren't going to make it this year. haha. So we decided to keep busy doing other things-more family time, more camping and quick weekend vacations. I can say that since April we have gone on at least two vacations a month. Now that summer is winding down I am feeling tired of being away from home, but I am so glad that we kept busy and created memories with eachother and our families along the way. Just to share a few of the things we've done:
April: Bear Lake & San Diego
May: Moab & Bear Lake
June: Celebrated 6 yrs together, 2 of those married & Browne Lake
July: Bear Lake & Fish Lake
August: Bear Lake Raspberry Days (geeze you could say we like Bear Lake!)
In September we'll be going to Jackson Hole with Jon's family for four days and that'll be the end of it all. Just in time for the holidays that we love celebrating at home. As you can see we've done a lot of things outdoors this year; no five star hotels or spa-like retreats for us this time. I think that the way both Jon and I were raised adds to how we choose vacations and such. Both of us truly feel in our element when we are outside experiencing nature and all it has to offer. We have seen some really beautiful things in our lifetime-all of which we can thank Mother Earth for. We have also had a lot of BBQ's on our new deck & had friends and family over a lot. :)
Um as for other updates Jon has been gone a lot this summer for work. Starting July 6th he's been gone every week, returning only on the weekends. We are hoping that this week will be the last like that. He's getting tired of being away from home, and I'm tired of having him away from home. Gage was driving the 
neighbors crazy with his barking and we figured it was due to his Dad (Jon) being gone so much and not being able to spend time with him. So Mom (me) has been taking him out on nightly walks, we have really bonded during this time and although we are still trying to smooth out some rough edges he's minding me better and getting more used to me as an authority figure. Attika is still as cute AND as lazy as ever. I can't believe she's 
already five years old. I was out shopping for dog food the other day and Pedigree has food for "seniors" and it said ages 6+ on the bag!!! I was like Atti is going to be considered a senior in a year? No! All I know is that she better live forever or I don't know what I'll do. Both our extended and our immediate family is doing well so we can't really complain. Life is good. Jon and I went to Weber County Fair last Saturday night and that was fun. It's nice having it so close to home. We loved the animals and we were able to steal some glimpses of the derby. I remember going to the fair as a little girl, so it brings back good memories.
Anyway-now that we're all up to date. :) I am a little sad that summer is winding down but I am looking forward to fall and the holidays too. I love this time of year, it's perfect.
I can't believe that I haven't done something like this sooner. We have been in our home for well over two years now, and family has been in and out of our home but I've never had the little girls over just to hang. I was nervous at first, that they'd be bored or wouldn't enjoy it, but it was a blast! They all came so hyper and excited to be there and it made me really happy that they felt so comfortable in our home. I shoveled them with pizza, popcorn, & candy. I took them home at about 11:00p.m.-hyper and giddy for their parents. It was great. Here are a few pictures to share the experience.
