Movie Stars

So while the kids were at Brian's parent's house for a week, his mom helped them to make a movie. The idea came to here earlier this summer and they had a great time carrying out her plan. The kids had such a great time and this weekend we were able to get the digital file. I spent today getting it edited and "just right". So here it is. The Chantry kids' first movie.

PRESENTING

THE TWINKIE SNATCHER

Stake Pioneer Day Celebration

Today was our Stake Primary Pioneer day celebration. They keep it simple, but it is sure fun. It is worth getting up early on a Saturday morning. The children all sang a Primary Pioneer song, and after the prayer, Nathan led the Pledge of Allegiance. Then the children paraded around the Stake Center. It is just the right length of time.

Liz and her friend Taya.

Nathan marching in the parade.

Megan and Eden

Taya and Liz

This was at the end, Michael is doing more running, than marching, but he knows that the fire truck is waiting.

Nathan enjoys this part to the fullest. The fire fighters sprayed into the air and the children loved running around and getting wet. Here are my two favorite pictures of Nathan. You can just tell how much he is enjoying himself.

Michael didn't really want to get wet, but we walked over tot he pumper truck. He loved looking at the controls on the side of the truck. Then a firefighter asked him if he wanted to sit inside. Mike was in heaven.

The fire fighter was pointing out their backpacks and other equipment. This sure made Michael's day.

Mike liked playing in the puddles once the water was turned off. There was a pretty good sized one, perfect for splashing.
The girls preferred eating popsicles and staying dry. They looked so cute in teh bonnets, even though they were a little bit big.

Dry Canyon Hike

So, I really don't love hiking. But I want to love hiking. I figure the best way to love it is to keep doing it. Right now I am in the tolerate stage. I tolerate a hike, but when I have completed it I am ALWAYS glad I did it.

Anyway, Brian is such a sport and yesterday evening we went hiking. The kids are with their Grandma and Grandpa and so we could just go on our schedule. We went up to the Dry Canyon Trail Head and went on a hike I took my webelos scouts on a few weeks ago.

This is part way up, looking back towards where we came from. There are a few really sttep parts near the start of the trail, and just when I thought it would level out again there was another steep stretch, but we made it.
The trail curved around, and this is looking back at Timp. We wanted to do that hike today, but it is still covered in too much snow. Maybe next year.

These aren't great pictures, but this was our destination. There is a bit of a clearing where someone has made a shelter out of old logs and branches. There is a fire pit. (The 10-13 year old boys thought this was pretty cool when we were here before. It wasn't quite as thrilling for Brian.)

There were a few spots on the hike that gave us an amazing view of the valley. This picture does not do it justice. I wish I was better at picking out landmarks from up high..

We saw a deer on the way up, and again on teh way back. We are not sure if it is the same one, but we got a really good shot of it on the way back. It looked right at us. I could kind of see it at the time, but I love pictures because it helps me get a better idea of what Brian (or others) could see. I love the zoom lens for my camera!

OK, so I guess I don't just tolerate hiking. I do enjoy it, especially when I am with Brian and when we can just go at our own pace. It is wonderful to enjoy a bit of nature just a few minutes from our home.

Megan has some new friends

The other day Megan saw a bag of stuffed animals in the top of the boys' closet. They are my Winnie the Pooh characters that I received as gifts in high school and college, and I love them, but don't really have a place for them right now. She wanted to play with them, so I pulled them down. Later on I saw her in the living room. The characters were all lined up and she was singing songs and telling them stories. I even heard her say, "Silly old bear."

So cute! I love this kid!