Summer Carnival

The other night the kids enjoyed their selves at a rare treat in Panguitch. A little small town carnival. The girls and I went over for a few rides while Garrett and two friends spent a belated birthday bash for Garrett at the carnival. Following the carnival they walked home (just a field away), started a small fire and roasted weiners, marshmallows and starbursts. Seriously, if you have never roasted a starburst you are in for a treat. They get nice and crispy on the outside and warm and gooey on the inside. Yum!

First Day of School

The first day of school family photo shoot. I think their faces say it all - "Do we really have to do this again? Where'd the summer go?" McKenna is starting 9th grade and had to wear her uniform for the opening assembly. Garrett is starting 6th grade with Mr. Barney as his teacher. Kimber is now in 3rd grade and is in Miss Chidester's class. Addison will start preschool in a couple of more weeks. All in all, they each had a great start to a new school year. Way to go guys!

Tumor Free!

The first part of August found us up a Primary Children's for follow up testing from McKenna's brain tumor last year. This is her getting all the electrodes hooked up for her sleep deprived EEG. I seriously think they must put about twenty of these all over her head. For each one they have to scrub a little bit of soap on the area and then a little bit of glue. After they are all attached and working properly, they wrap her head up in a ton of gauze to keep any of the electrodes from slipping. Then they say, "OK, you can go to sleep now." I don't know about you but just the thought of having all that wrapped around my head and down by my neck makes me feel sure that sleep would be a long way off. Just wanting to tear all those off would drive me crazy! But McKenna is a trooper and pulled off enough sleep for them to call the test all done. The Dr. said it was normal! We also followed up with an MRI a few days later. The doctors (3) had a hard time even telling where the tumor had been last year! She is off all medications now even! We are so fortunate that she came through with flying colors. Just walking down the halls of Primary's you know that you could be in a whole different boat. We are grateful she got the thumbs up and we don't have to return until next year. Prayers and fasting truly played an incredible part in our lives last year and we are grateful for all the family and friends who supported our family during her diagnosis and surgery. Thank You!

Kimber and Addison taking a break after following McKenna around all day shopping for school clothes!

"Whew, I'm beat!"

Shelby (cousin), Kimber, and Addison, just hanging around!

After all the testing and Dr. appointments, we relaxed one afternoon at a park in Provo. The best part was watching Grandpa and Grandma get into the action playing on the playground equipment! A great day to follow up all the great news from the doctors!

The Priesthood Blessings in our Home

One of the highlights for our whole family was when Garrett turned twelve and received the Priesthood. I am so grateful for him and for his worthiness to hold such a wonderful gift. The bishop asked him during his interview what the priesthood was. He was expecting an answer like "the power to act in God's name", but Garrett simply and wisely said "the best thing the the whole world." I love this son of ours and count myself incredible blessed to be his mom. We love you Garrett and look forward to all the wonderful things you will be able to do with this "best thing"!

Finch Family Reunion

This year for the Finch Family Reunion we all loaded up in cars and went to the Oquirhh Temple Openhouse. I forgot the camera at the temple, just know that it was beautiful inside and out! After the openhouse we spent the rest of the afternoon at the Bingham Copper Mine. Here are our two beautiful girls trying to stay out of the heat in the shadow of this gigantic tire!

The trucks all looked like little toys. Hard to believe the tire from the first picture is from one of those things!

Some of the cousings investigation an old mining cart.

A family picture in front of the tire. Looks like we weren't as smart as the girls to get out of the sun. McKenna missed out on the whole reunion as she was at cheer camp in SLC. As much as we missed her and much to her dismay, we still have plenty of fun without her.

Smile!

Every person in this photo is a member of the family except the 2-3 in the hot tub at the back. It only happens about once a year that all these cousins get to spend some time with each other.

The pool was the kids' favorite part of the whole vacation. If we just would have hung out at the motel for a couple of days just to swim, the kids would have been just as happy, maybe even more so!

This is the beginning of Rick's Spring up Logan Canyon. A shallow cave with water bubbling mysteriously up from near the back.

The caravan of vehicles stopped at Rick's Spring. 5 families, 5 vehicles. Thank goodness for cell phones!

One of the things I truly miss about going to USU and living in Logan is Logan Canyon. So easy to get and get lost in. Jeff and I sure had alot of memories up this canyon. Like the time when I made him pack up all the camping gear at 2 am when a huge lightning and thunderstorm struck. Oh, I wasn't afraid of the rain or lightning. I was afraid of one of those huge pine trees falling on me while we slept!

All in all it was a great reunion. It was wonderful to see all the cousins play together. We had so much fun just hanging out and enjoying each other's company. We look forward to next year!

July 24th

This year we celebrated the 24th Panguitch style, the parade being the main attraction. No parade is complete without the fire department trying to get everyone and their dog (literally) soaked! Garrett (blue shirt with number 3 on back) is in the midst of all the kids trying to get his fill.

Kimber and Addison on the ward float. After the parade the bishop gave each child a one dollar bill. Maybe he was just pleased they all "endured to the end"!

McKenna (back row) in her first parade as a PHS Cheerleader. Notice all the blonds. Maybe a prerequisit for the squad? Go PHS!

Free Fish Day

Jeff and the kids went fishing at Hidden Lake for free fish day. It's somewhere up by Panguitch Lake. When they got there the bugs came out in all their glory. Beautiful scenery, great fishing. Now what to do with all those bugs!

Garrett showing off his awesome casting technique.

What, no room service, no jacuzzi, no masseuse? What kind of trip is this! Actually I was mad that dad was taking a picture of me!