A Trekking We Will Go...

Tim, Taylor and I had the awesome priviledge of going on a Pioneer Trek with our Stake and the Akron Stake.  Tim and I went as a Ma and Pa to 9 amazing youth.  We had four boys and five girls, three of which were from our stake and we were even lucky enough to have one from our own ward, that is not common.  Taylor was with a family of 8, with Ma and Pa Kremer.  She had a fabulous experience.  We weren't allowed to take our cameras on the trek, so we took Pre-Trek and a few Post-Trek.  The photographer that went on the trek with us took amazing footage and is working on a DVD as we speak, so more pictures will become available soon.  This was truly a life-changing experience for all involved - Wonderful!!!!  We feel so fortunate to have been asked to participate.

So mom, here is what we have so far...

This was before we left.  She helped make her skirts, bonnets, and aprons.  She is clean, that is the big difference from pre-trek, and post-trek.  Everything came home absolutely filthy and smelly!

We sprayed all our clothing with bug and tick repellent before we left, and let them air on the driveway.  Good thing we live in the country and don't have neighbors that could see this craziness!

This is the launch site in Jamestown, Pennsylvannia.  We were a company of 17 handcarts.  We either looked  amazing or crazy to on-lookers.

Empty, these hand carts weigh between 250 and 300 pounds.  Completely loaded they weigh between 800 and 1,000 pounds.  I'm sure mom and dad will get the opportunity to view a few youth conferences passing through Winter Quarters and the Mormon Trail during their stay in Nebraska.

We broke a number of these during our three-day journey!  And they went through a lot of mud and water and definitely weren't this clean by the time we finished our 20 mile excursion.

Isn't she the cutest pioneer you have ever seen?  Mom, notice the fabric we used for her apron.  She brought a little of you on the trek too!



And the only post-trek picture we dare post.  We were all disgustingly dirty, I mean dirt from head to toe!!!!  Here is one of the many blisters Taylor endured.  Notice the dirt ring where her sock had been......

More to follow of this wonderful event when we receive them.  We learned a lot about ourselves.  Things must have been bad for the pioneers to make that trek so far.  They had such faith and endurance.

Vacation Day to Cedar Point

Dallin and Tim rode this monster, they only had to wait for 2 hours in line.  Mark can appreciate this engineering fact, this thing went from 0 to 120 mph in just 4 seconds.  What a beast!  If the lines hadn't been so unbearable, Taylor would have riden this too and the boys would have done it multiple times.  Carley and I were content to watch, it really was fascinating.

Carley in her smokin' hot Corvette.  She proved to her dad what a good driver she has the potential of being.  We pretty much opened the park at 10:00am and closed it at 10:00pm.  We only had to pause briefly for nourishment and hydration  
...and a rotten thunder storm!

I Have No Idea Where My Camera Cord Is...

We have all these great pictures just waiting to be put on our blog, but I can't remember the safe place that I have stored my camera cord.  Why does that happen?  I distinctly remember putting it in a certain place that was so perfect, I told myself I would never have to look for it again...good job Laurie!!!!  So here are a few older pictures that I think are pretty cute...I will visit Target tomorrow and buy a few extra cords to put in more safe places!

These two cute cousins showed up in the exact same dress.  They didn't even plan it, but just picture their delight when they saw each other.

Carley and Tim went to the Princess Ball for Daddy's and their daughters.  She looked forward to this date with her dad for weeks.  It was a magical night for her.  She is allowed to date her dad exclusively until she is 30.  She is OK with that, so I had to document it before she gets too close to 16!