Trek

Taylor had the opportunity to go on the handcart trek this year, and we were pretty excited.  We spent a lot of time getting ready.  We made her pioneer clothes, read books, and researched our handcart ancestors.  She trekked for her Grandmother Charlotte Priscilla TAYLOR Richins.  We thought the name thing was pretty cool.  She was quite the lady.  She lost a daughter, gave birth to a son, had her hair frozen to the ground and subsequently cut off, and arrived in the valley with frostbitten feet.  Taylor wore a necklace with her picture on it and it provided a lot of opportunity for discussion.

The family had the "opportunity" to drive to Wyoming and pick her up.  Jake and Torey saw their first buffalo, so that was exciting.  They trekked at a place called "Muddy Creek" which is along the actual trail.  The landmarks included pioneer graves, wheel indentations, and "Brigham's Arrow" which is a rock formation Brigham Young created to point the way to Zion.

We welcomed the weary travelers in by waving the white handkerchiefs.  Some of the kids looked tired and dirty but we were met with a smile!

We were so happy to see our baby after a long three day absence.  We discovered that she does about 95% of the talking in our house, and we couldn't stand the silence any more.  We were unable to get a trek family picture because as I gave her a welcoming hug, she clearly stated she needed a hamburger now.  We happily obliged and made it to McDonald's before the crowd.  Some of her trek highlights included the women's pull, and a special outdoor Sacrament Meeting.  She was a little disappointed that they wouldn't let them cross the creek, which was at flood stage, and also that "all they did was walk."  Turns out that is exactly what the pioneers did too!

Yankees

This year Jake and Reed were fortunate enough to be on the Yankees.  Jake as Center Fielder and Reed as Coach.  We had a great time, and it was a good way to get to know other people.  The baseball is a little different here, not as competitive or political, but we had a great time.  The highlight was probably when Jake hit a triple, which he wanted to stretch into a home run.  He rounded the corner on third only to be met with a clothesline from the base coach and loud instruction to stay put.  

On another note Taylor also played softball this year.  We decided to try a rec league, something that didn't require our whole summer, our whole paycheck, and our very souls.  She did well, and even learned how to play third base, which is like first base except exactly the opposite.  It was a lot for our lefty to wrap her brain around.  As our coach did not draft any pitchers we kind of had a struggle, but even then we had a good time.  Taylor likes things a little more competitive though, so maybe next year she will be on a better team.

Sixth Grade Party

Our new school does not do an official sixth grade graduation, but they do know how to throw a party filled with fun and snacks.  Torey had a struggle at the beginning of the year, with the move and making new friends, but by the end of the year she was having a lot of fun, getting good grades, and even talked us into a boy/girl party.  I'm guessing it won't be the last!