Heber Hiking and Happy Valley...

While in Utah we stayed with Heather.  Heber feels like a town from the fifties and the air is so fresh and crisp.  I would love to retire there someday.

Eli and James were recharging their superhero powers in a play toaster oven.

Reading before naps.  I can already tell this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.  

Hotdog roast up the canyon.  My kids were in heaven.  

I love it when I happen to have my camera and capture candid moments like the ones below.  This was James's first self-made s'more. He shared his second with his little sister.

We also took our kids on a tour of our old stomping ground.  We are trying to brainwash our kids into going to BYU.  "This is where you will go to meet your spouse someday."

We hiked to the Y.  I love the view from the top.  We have so many happy memories in the valley below!

A trip down memory lane...the BYU bowling lane.  John and I had our first date here.  Nine years later and we have three kids...one the size of a bowling ball.  James really loved it.  It was one of his highlights of our Utah trip and possibly the entire summer.

One of my highlights was hiking with my dear friend Abbie.  She is a friend who makes me want to be a better mama.  

I am still on cloud nine from our nice time in Utah.  We saw several more friends and family but didn't get photos.  Good thing we will be back before we know it.  I would love to take James spring skiing!    XOXO, Jess

Life on New Hope Drive...

I love that John and I both come from big families.  When we visit Oklahoma and Utah there is an endless supply of aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.  My kids are lucky to be so loved.  And they are lucky to have grandmas with houses that rival a Great Wolf Lodge.

The whole fam damily got together for the first time for dinner in three and a half years.

Me with my six siblings. 

Tommy with his second cousin who was born on the exact same day.  Look at all that baby chub!

I always look forward to "Derby Girl" time,

Four generations picture with Grandma Witzke.

Craft Time.  My mom bought me a Gelli roller for my birthday.  We had a fun afternoon with Aunt Cheryl, my cousin Daniel, and my mom.  Painting, eating, and passing around babies. 

Tommy with his name's sake,  Grandpa Steven Lane.

 My kids are going to have the best childhood memories of Nana and Grandpa's house.  Thanks again for the nice stay at the New Hope Hotel.

Timp and Temple

 John joined us in Utah the second week we were there.  We woke up early and spontaneously decided to hike to the Timpanogos caves.  James was spending the night at the Sullivan's so it was just the four of us.  Rissy walked almost the whole 1000-foot climb to the top by herself.  Very impressive, especially for someone not quite two years old!  

 Rissy loves her daddy...and lovingly calls him mama.

 Rissy loved the inside of the cave.  She is obsessed with going on a make-believe bear hunt that ends in a dark cave, so this was right up her alley.  

The next day James joined the family for a tour of Temple square.  So fun to spend quality time with our growing family in our old stomping grounds:)