Jeff's Wedding

My little brother Jeff got engaged and married this summer. My new sister in law is AMAZING and absolutely perfect for my brother. My whole family loves her and couldn't be more happy for them. Here are some pictures from the day. I love that my dad had to wear a HOT pink tie! And aren't they a cute couple. We love you Jeff and Karissa.

A few more pics in Malad

After Jared's family reunion in Rexburg, we headed back to Malad for one last week of summer vacation. We got in all the fun with cousins and grandparents that we could. Plus Mia and I helped make a quilt for my brother and his fiance. Mia was a great help.

Repelling

I was going to title this post "How did I end up marrying Jared?" but I didn't. But that is exactly what I was thinking while doing this 180 foot repel. I am terrified of heights and the only positive thing that can be said of my ruggedness is that I am a good sport and am always good for a laugh. I think people like me to come on these crazy outings of Jareds because I always find the hardest way to do something and I always freak out! I go into it every time knowing that I am going to freak out, but I know my husband loves these things, so I want to go too. Anyway, we hiked/rock climbed up the side of a mountain and then repelled down to a ledge and then repelled the rest of the way to the ground. It was fun being with Jared, Sara, Jeremy and Emily. We would have gotten a picture of Jared, but he always jumps off the cliff so fast that it's impossible to get a picture.

Rexburg

Jared's immediate family all got together for about a week at the end of July. We really look forward to this week because Jared's brother Damon and his family live in Texas and we only see them every other summer. I LOVE Jared's family. There is never a dull moment when we are all together and yet they know how to just chill and relax too. The kids acted like they were best friends from the minute they all got there. We tried to squeeze in as many fun activities as we could. We went to the sand dunes and played in "Hidden Lake". It is a large lake in the middle of the dunes that doesn't get deeper than 3 feet the whole way through. The kids loved it. We also went to the splash park. Maxine did a really fun treasure hunt and care bear party for the kids. She had tons of prizes and surprises for the kids. Add some finger paints and the kids were in heaven. Most of the kids slept in a big heap in the game room it was really cute. Jared's brothers and Dad put new shingles on the roof, so that kept them busy. Emily and I mostly just hung out with the kids and relaxed. It was a perfect vacation. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Family Reunions

The summer wouldn't be complete without family reunions. I didn't get many pictures of the family reunions, but here is one of our family at Jared's Craner family reunion. I also took Mia, Mason and Brant to the Jared's Patterson/Benedict family reunion. Both reunions were a lot of fun. Jared has such an amazing extended family. I LOVE getting together with Jared's relatives....not only are they amazing people, but they are REALLY fun too. I am very lucky to have such fabulous in-laws!

Friends

While we were in Malad, some of our Denver friends that have moved back to Idaho and Utah got together for an afternoon. I've made so many amazing friends while in Denver; but when you live across the hall from them, they feel more like family. So, needless to say it was a wonderful afternoon catching up. I can't believe we didn't get a picture of all us together.....next year we will definitely get a picture (Tifani....start planning cause I want you in that picture). Here is a picture of the kids playing in the water.

Gordon Kelly Bytheway

On July 4th at about 3:30 in the morning my little sister had a little baby boy. They named him Gordon Kelly Bytheway. Gordon is my Grandpa Crowther's middle name and Kelly is my Grandpa Corbridge's middle name. He is very cute and we are so excited to have another baby in the family!

4th of July

We had a wonderful but low-key 4th of July. We spent a few minutes at the cemetary to put flowers on David's gravestone. My parents and Christine's family spent part of the Day in Logan with Becky since baby Gordan was born early that morning. Plus we got in a lot of the usual festivities. We went to the parade and got a life-time supply of taffy. The kids all had a water fight. My dad gave Mia and Mason a ride on Black Beauty. We had a fabulous cook out. We played water balloon volleyball. Then my cousin's husband, Aaron, earned himself a huge gold star with the kids by spending most of the afternoon entertaining them with bottle rockets. Then when it got dark we did some more fireworks and we were all very satisfied and exhausted.