Camping 2011- The Hike

I took the majority of my photos on this lovely hike. It's still kind of an overload for one post, but you can handle it. :) And because I couldn't get Blogger to cooperate, the pictures are in no particular order. Scenery and people I love:


I have a particular inexplicable fondness for this photo-
The Log. Kaien, Emmy, Morgan, Anna and Matthias getting ready for fun pictures.

I like photos when the sun comes through the trees. So I took one.
The silly log photo. Look, all the good positions were taken by other photographers, okay!! Ammon, Kaien, Emmy (Chris's kids), Morgan (Melanie's son), Matthias and Anna.
My cute cute cute kids!!!
Blurry but still cute.
Matthias looks like a Turley here I think. Anna showing off her walking stick.
I can't get enough of these kids.
Melanie and baby Lydia peeking around! I was glad I wasn't the one who had to haul a chubby baby on a hike.
A stream! Always a child's delight. All the kids taking off their shoes; Uncle Chris helping everyone in; Grandpa in the background taking real photos.
The heads of Kaien, Morgan, and Anna. And Matthias so excited to get in the water.
I think he was the 1st one in. Maybe not. But he was the first one to fall in. He said "I'm okay!"

Uncle Chris taking video.
My dad, the (camp) resident photographer.
We did these braids the day before we left. Well, most of them anyway. I finished it the morning we left. She loved them.

My brother Chris and my cute cute nephew Ammon! He's almost 2.


I was mostly trying to get that there mountain-top-rock. It was awesome.
Matthias and Kaien on the return. They ran way ahead of everyone. Look how pretty it is!
Matthias, Kaien and Emmy. And pretty.
My princess!

More pretty.
My cute niece Emmy perched upon a log, waiting for the rest to come.
Matthias on a log, waiting for the rest to come. And beautiful trees.

I loved the color of the bark on that tree.

A sea of trees! my camera failed to bring justice to the beauty here.

I'm Not Fat

Actually, my body is covered in fat. I carry several unwanted, unneeded, unhealthy pounds on my frame. I could lose a LOT of weight, to be sure. And I want to. And, I will. I do have to buy XL clothing, sometimes bigger. Due to my size, I'm limited by certain activities. It's awkward and embarrassing sometimes being my size. But, I'm not fat.

I'm a woman; I'm not fat.
I'm creative; I'm not fat.
I'm a hard worker. Not fat.
I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Not fat.
I'm a soul. Not fat.
I'm a Christian. Not fat.
Do you get it? I'm NOT fat.

I'm a mother; I'm not fat
I'm a daughter, a sister, a neighbor; I'm not fat.
I'm a friend,
I'm a learner
I'm a daughter of God.
I'm not fat.

But I AM human
I AM imperfect
I AM respectful, respectable, worthy of love.
I AM intelligent
I AM compassionate
I AM important
I AM special, valuable, meaningful.
Don't you see?
I'm not fat.
I AM NOT fat.

Fat is not who I am. Fat does not define me. Fat doesn't matter. I matter. I'm not fat. I'm not fat. I'm me!

Matthias' Kindergarten graduation!

On May 24, 2011, Matthias graduated from Kindergarten! He was soooo cute. I remembered to bring my camera, but forgot to put the battery in it after it had charged, so I had to use my iPhone and got some really lousy shots. But they're better than nothing! Here he is before we went inside, standing outside the school and looking cute and goofy:



Matthias's dad said he'd be there, but he says that a lot and doesn't show up. So I was trying to, as politely as possible, tell Matthias that his Dad might get busy and don't be too upset if he doesn't show. Well his dad DID come! I was floored! How wonderful! I was so happy for Matthias. I got this shot of Matthias as he was walking in with his class. This is him saying "Daddy really DID come, Mom!"

The program was super cute. The Kindergarten Graduates sang patriotic songs and did a great job. Matthias really loves to sing. But when his class was waiting for the other classes to get their certificates, he was restless and noisy. I LOVE this shot of him talking intently to the suuuper cute girl who was sitting next to him. Of course, you can barely see him, but it's still adorable.
Matthias' class was actually the first class to "walk." Here he is (horrible shot!!!! Dang camera! Plus my iPhone camera skillz are lousy) receiving his certificate from his teacher, Mrs. Glasco:
And posing for photos afterward. Kicking myself for leaving my camera battery home. Grrr.
After the ceremony, parents were invited into Mrs. Glassco's classroom to gather their kids' belongings and get pictures. Here's Matthias sitting for the last time at his table:


And with his awesome teacher, Mrs. Glassco:
Proof that his daddy really DID come!


Also present were: my mother (she left before I could get a picture with her), Matthias's grandpa EJ and Matthias's stepsister, Shelbi. After the graduation, I took Matthias out for icecream. But first, we came home and I got some shots of him in our backyard with a real camera. For your viewing pleasure, the many faces of Matthias:










Doesn't his cuteness make you love him? I LOVE HIM!

More pictures

Atticus Finch and Anna at bedtime. Anna loves when he sleeps with her. He usually starts out there but always comes to bed with me when I go to bed. Awww.At the park on, like, the first and one of the few warm days this Spring! Anna making friends, as usual, with everyone.
I can't stand how cute he is.
Little poser. And I only mean that in the literal sense.
Ahh! He's soooo cute!