Sydney lost her 1st tooth!

While we were in St. George for the Tate family reunion in July, Sydney lost her first tooth! Sydney and Hunter both had a loose tooth with the new tooth growing in behind it. Crazy! Both were afraid to wiggle and pull the loose one out. I understand it is a little scarey, but the new one was almost as tall as the loose one. One night Sydney was brushing her teeth and her first tooth came out while brushing! Yeah! Hunter, whose tooth had been loose over a year, went up to Jonathan and said, "Dad, just pull it out!" He was determined to get his out since Sydney got hers out! Great motivation! He took some deep calming breaths and Jonathan yanked it out. FINALLY! Now, if I can get them both to get their other very wiggily teeth out!

Tate Reunion July 2011

This year for the Tate annual Reunion we went to St. George! It was hot, being mid-July, but we always find ways to cool down. We started the trip by heading up to Quail Creek Lake. This is always a huge hit! The kids love playing in the water and building sand castles in the sand! I guess Grandpa Tate's "molecule" got stolen the previous week at girls camp in Bear Lake. So sad! He replaced it with the "radar".


As usual...I couldn't get enough skiing in. Sure, I can wakeboard, but I stick to good old skiing. I skiied so hard the first day I could barley ski again on Thursday.

Grandpa and Grandma Tate are just amazing. I won't divulge their ages...most of you already know...but Grandpa is doing amazing at the "air chair", they both love whipping grandkids on the "radar", swimming, driving boats, hiking, etc. I hope that I can be as energetic, outgoing and in such great shape as them when I get older. What amazing examples they are!

Jonathan

Grandpa Tate doing the Air Chair

Grandma Tate

Granpa Tate and Sydney

Jonathan and Sydney

It averaged 104-105 degrees every day we were in St. George! To cool off we swam in the lake, went swimming at the club house and headed to the movies!

Sydney

Hunter

McKay

Grandma Tate with Browning Kids

Rachel and Sydney

We found a great hike in Ivins. There we hiked a 3.5 mile hike, finding every shortcut possible to shorten it for the kids. Sydney is only 6 and it was too hot at 10am. At the end we found some cool petroglyphs and rock formations. I think the hike would have been much better in the spring and fall when it is cooler. The kids were troopers and did a great job. At the top there is also fun paths to get down into the rocks.

Grandma and Grandpa Tate with Brownings

Eagle and Dinosaur rock formations

Ivins Petroglyphs

Grandma Tate with Petroglyphs

There is no greater thing than spending time with family! It is not easy to get away with Jonathan being Bishop, but it is amazing when we do! I love being able to leave everything at home, ie: work, callings, phones, internet, video games, and just be together. It is what life is all about!

Spencer Schmidt (Jon Schmidts Son)

There is nothing better than a guitar, piano and a great voice! I have to get the music for McKay!

Boy Scout Rap - Thirty100 (Kesha Tik Tok Parody)

Family Picture

I haven't had the chance to add the photo that we took as a whole family. I am having it printed and then am using PoppySeed Projects to finish them. I will post it when I am finished. Here is a sample of the picture.

Fun Photos

Jontathan and I have been busy attending wedding receptions! We have been to four in four weeks! One we attended was the Daughter of a teacher that works with Jonathan. At the wedding they had a photo booth where all those that attended had their pictures taken. Then, while waiting in line, we attached them to a scrapbook page and wrote a message to the couple. Fun idea and great way for the couple to remember who attended their reception. Here are the photos Jonathan and I took.

Deseret News Article on Families of Missing Persons

This morning a wonderful article on Families of Missing Persons came out. Here is the link: DN-Shattered This article includes the feelings and experiences of several families with missing siblings, children and spouses from Utah. My Mom's family included due to the disappearance of Reed, her brother, at age 15 over 45 years ago. I will never fully understand their grief, confusion or what-ifs. Over the years my mom and her siblings have shared stories of how much fun their brother was and how much they love him. Obviously I never knew Reed, but I know that myself along with many other of his "nieces and nephews" feel a connection to him because of the stories and family bond. We, as well as his siblings, wonder if he were alive today what his profession would be, if he would have kids and grandkids our ages. I am amazed and have learned from his 10 living siblings the importance of families loving and supporting one another no matter what. We can use our trials and tribulations in this life to form stronger bonds with family, friends,and our Father in Heaven. I hope and pray that the information in this article will touch peoples hearts, help them understand how these families feel and know how to help them.