TREK FAMILY PICTURES

Here are our

"HALE FAMILY"

portraits...

Kip & I are on the left, then towards the right across the back is- Austin, Caitlyn, in the handcart- Cassie, & Julie, then across front left to right- Ethan, Tyler, Matt, and Hollan...

and here is our "smiling family portrait"

THAT'S HOW WE ROLL!!!

Group photo...

YEAH!!!!

We all made it to Zion!!!

Prescott Stake Pioneer Hancart Trek- 2007

Trail of Confidence, Trust in God
(our Theme, picture of custom brand on our possibles bags.)

Kip and I had the opportunity to get involved in a
Pioneer Handcart Trek with our Stake Youth.
It was one of the HARDEST yet most REWARDING things I have ever done.

Here are a few pictures of our AMAZING pictures that our trek photographers took, Kerrianne Burch & Kim Draper. They took over 2000 pictures. If anyone is interested you can check out their mad skills HERE.

They took some great pictures, the password is: carry on to access the pictures. Enjoy!!

We went as a Ma & Pa "Hale" (Hale- is an ancestor of Kip's who actually crossed the plains) Throughout the week we shared information about Areot Lucious Hale from his Diary. Also we included some great information about one of my own ancestors Julia Sophia McKee (Raymond.) This was one of the coolest experiences we had- to read, and learn all about their lives on the plains, then to walk in their shoes.

We had 9 children who we just fell in love with: Julie, Ethan, Austin, Cassi, Kat, Hollan, Matt, Tyler and our "Baby William" who died along the trek. We had a moment with our kids to have a testimony meeting along the trail, where we then had to dig a hole, and bury our baby. That was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. All I could see was my young sons little face, and could not bear to even watch it fill with dirt. It made me sick to my stomach, that I had to go up the hill where I could not stop crying, and try and regain my composure.

We were out in the mountains for four days, we hiked about 30 miles, pulled our handcarts, cooked dinner, and did without much to eat, we endured hardships, and excitements. And still could not ever get close to what the Pioneers had to go through. We learned alot, and learned from each other. We even were humbled quite a bit, but those McDonald's french fries sure tasted good on our drive home from Williams, it took a close second to a nice long shower.

We learned about helping each other, putting our trust in God, recognizingthe spirit, a greater respect for our Pioneer heritage, compassion, and to just enjoy the little things we miss in our day-to-day lives. As I studied Julia Sophia McKee's journal she spoke about how wonderful everything was especially when she said, how grateful she was one day when they were moving at a slow pace- how she took in the beauty of the earth around her. I can say I just focused on walking one more mile, staying hydrated, and watching my feet so I didn't trip. Until the last day I finally stepped back a bit and took it all in...

Luckily our "PIORAZZI" captured exactly how it felt to be out in the beauty of our earth. We slept under this beautiful sight, but we were too worried about getting things done to really take it in. As glad as I am to be back in my "comfort zone." I kinda want to go back and just bask in God's wonderful creation. We loved being a part of this Trek and have fell in love with the Youth we worked with, and it helped us gain a greater respect for our Sunday school class of 14-16 year olds, there is 12 of them. Who we just love being around. Definitely a highlight of our week now- Sunday! We love you guys!!hank you for being AWESOME!!

Come, Come ye Saints
By: William Clayton 1814-1879

I have such a greater respect for this song, and can no longer get through it without crying through the whole thing. If you click on the title you can listen and read the lyrics to this song from http://www.lds.org/

Pioneer Trek 2007
2 Timothy 4: 7-8
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…
…Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness!!”

I made some crowns for my kids at the end of the trek- that had this scripture on it, and I am SO grateful for my ancestors who travelled across the plains so long ago, who were faithful members of the church at such a hard time in the history of the Church, who were strong, and obedient, who have received their Crowns of Righteousness in heaven, and hope that I may continue to follow in their footsteps. THANK YOU!!

*Hale Family Cheers:*

*"HALE FAMILY: THAT'S HOW WE ROLL!!"

*WE MADE IT... "HALE" YEAH!!!

Finally!!

BRODY'S FIRST DAY OF NURSERY!!!

He did it, and actually LOVED it! Yeah what a relief!!

Thanks to the little toy CARS...

Next on the list... BEAUTY SCHOOL!!

Since I was a little girl my dreams and aspirations were focused solely on being a Cosmetologist, or a Pediatric Nurse. My love of doing hair, and nails continued through my life and still brings me joy. From doing my friends hair in High School for Homecoming, and Prom to even a wedding party for a friend. I am now reaching for my goals, and dreams. Finally, starting Monday- I will be one day closer to realizing dreams do come true. I am so excited to start school. And thanks to my biggest fan, and supporter for letting pursue one of my many dreams... Thanks Honey!!! I love you!

*COSMETOLOGY: HAIR, NAILS, FACIALS, & MASSAGE*

Man vs. Wild for dUmMiEs....

**Here's to you Alan,**

my cooky brother-in-law,

he's quite the blogger too, check him out!

Well Kip & I, and our friends the Young's met at Cabela's Saturday afternoon for a fun wilderness adventure. Kip the "Amateur Fisherman" he is, was so excited to see the Bass and Trout he wish he could catch- but hey I did say Amateur right? No, he actually really enjoys it and I am glad he has found a fun hobby for himself.

Kip showing off his fishing skills at our FHE @ Lynx Lake Monday

Brody copying his Daddy, checkout that face.
Seriously though, he carried this stick and copied Kip all night.

So we saw all the animals, guns, too much fishing stuff, and even found a couple of lures (a spook, and a popper... who names these anyways?) to catch trout supposedly?? Hasn't worked yet, but he's determined to make it work. You will find him at Lynx Lake eagerly awake before the sun comes up most Saturdays. Which is totally fine with me, just means he won't be eagerly awake and bugging me to wake up! (just for your info. Brody and I are usually "eagerly" still asleep when he gets back- and that is just the way I like it!!) So on to the story- we bought some fudge and then were off on our exploration through the rest of the gigantic "Costco-sized" store, when we came across these...

You'd think I was making this stuff up- but it's TOTALLY SERIOUS!!

Okay, I am not a totally outdoorsy gal, but if I can pee in the woods, there is no excuse why someone (a guy of all people) would spend $10.00 on something to pee in, then carry around- come on people are you serious! (*note- the wordage on the package, I'm utterly speechless.) And the "Luggable Loo" key word "luggable" sorry I am not about to "lug" around my own or anyone else's fecal matter SORRY, don't get me started... I just want to know who is behind this crap and call themselves "inventors" some sorry, too pampered individuals. What happened to the "ruffing it lifestyle," even I, who call myself pampered most of the time- have ruffed it enough to pee in a stream and dig myself a hole and call it a day!!! What is next an inflatable mansion equipped with all major appliances and amenities?

Seriously a 5- gallon bucket with a toilet seat on it!! Some may call it genius- but I for one am not close to spending $$$ on something so called innovative.

Coming soon...

I have gathered pictures from the trek, and am still trying to gather pictures from the Rudd Family Reunion- so if you have pics, send them my way.

**Blogs Coming soon:**

Coverwear 101

Girl's Camp 2007

Pioneer Trek 2007

Rudd Family Reunion

and one just for you Alan: Man vs. Wild for Dummies?? -Our trip to Cabela's

So keep checking us out.

Huston Family Reunion

We had the privilege to go to Idaho Falls, a week ago for Kip's family Reunion. Where I got the opportunity to meet some of his wacky, kooky, cackling relatives. We saw alot of buffalo, a bald eagle, some antelope, a beaver, lots of elk, and two "mooses" (or however you plurize it...) We cramed 7 adults, and a carseat into a Honda Pilot for a grand trip to Yellowstone. It was alot of fun to be in a huge cabin, on a lake, in the middle of no where. And to watch the sun go down on a quad, with my son Brody, in the middle of a field over looking a canyon, all alone (jealous yet- Carla, you would have loved it;) Even though it was quite a haul:

Wed-10 hours to Alpine, where we stayed with my Aunt,

Thur- then another 5 hours to Idaho Falls,

Fri- 6 hour round trip to Yellowstone National Park,

Sat- then another 5 hours back to Alpine, Utah,

Sun- and another 10 hours back home- just in time for the Trek Fireside at 6:30

All in all: 36 hours in a car!! And Brody is now terrified of his carseat- hopefully that'll pass soon!!

Mom, "I am so bored, so I am not going to look at you."