Mirror Lake

Matt and the boys went on an overnight hike with their friends the Simons. Matt and Rich took them to a place called Mirror Lake. It was a mile and a half hike in to the Lake and then they unpacked everything and enjoyed playing games and telling crazy stories. When Carter got home he said, "Mom we told about our most embarrassing moment and I can't tell you what I told them". Well, as long as he didn't embarrass the whole family!! No, I am kidding. He can embarrass us. Anyway, they had a great time and enjoyed the beauty around them.

Mirror Lake

Packed up and all ready to go.

Crossing the bridge that leads to Mirror Lake.

Carter hiking on the trail.

Hayden thinking that he needed a break from this looooooonnnnnnnggggggg 1.5 mile hike.

A plant that the boys thought was so awesome. It is called Devil's Claw.

Matt helping Carter get things ready to set up their tent.

Carter and Hayden setting up their tent.

Rich, Jack, Ethan, Matt, Carter and Hayden.

Matt with 2 of his boys. Mt. Hood is in the background.

Looking for Crawdads.

Rich pumping water for the boys to drink. Nifty little invention.

Getting some more water.

Time to get everything packed up and ready to go. A great 24 hour trip.

Sitting by the fire as they are getting ready to go home.

Leaving camp. Final group photo. They left it better than they found it!

Carter and Ethan on the trail.

My adorable son Carter.

My adorable son Hayden.

Cub Scout Day Camp!

Carter and Hayden spent a great week at cub scout day camp. They couldn't wait for the next day to arrive so that they could be back building, shooting, climbing, drawing, creating, and being with their buddies. Matt was able to go for one day and he took these pictures of the boys enjoying their time.

The 3rd day of cub camp. This was Hayden's first year and he was truly in his element.

Hayden carrying the den's flag.

Building a bug house.
Matt told me that his hammer went everywhere but straight!

Sanding down their bug houses. Carter was called the Russian Toy Maker.

Oh to Boomerangs.

Watch out everybody Hayden is throwing his boomerang.

INSANITY

I am not sure if my husband is insane or partially crazy. This last weekend, Matt competed in a Cascade Lakes relay run. It was a 12 man team with 2 vans of 6 people in each van. It was a 216 mile run and lasted all day and all night into the next day. 150 teams participated from all over the place. Most of the people on Matt's team work with him. They planned to participate in this run months ago. He began training 2 months ago and was very excited to get everything underway. He spent all day packing his food and gear. I could tell that he was anxious and excited to get started. Matt was in the 2nd van with 4 other teammates. One of the people on his team canceled last minute. Matt ran the first leg for his van in the early afternoon. He had 5.5 miles to go and it was in the heat of Central Oregon sun. He told me that it was the hardest run he has done. His 2nd run was at 1am in the morning. It was 7+miles and he enjoyed this run very much. Everything was quiet and cool outside and he wore a headlamp to light his path. His 3rd run was around 6am and it was a 6 miler. One of their teammates was taken to the hospital in an ambulance with heat exhaustion. Her mother was on the team too so she left in the ambulance with her daughter. That left Matt with 2 other teammates. His 4th and final run was at 2pm in the afternoon and it was 3 miles. He came home dead tired and ready to do another one in 1 year. I say that is insanity.

Matt preparing for his first fun of the day. Look at that physique.

Team 2 van.

Matt was getting ready to pass off the wrist band to his next teammate, after his hardest run of all 4 legs. This was his 1st leg and 3 more to go.

Handing off the wristband.

This is Matt running his last leg at the foot of Mt. Bachelor.

3 more legs to go and this Cascade Lakes run is over.

VAN #2

Gannon's blessing.

This was a very special weekend for our family. Gannon was blessed at church. Our family members arrived from Washington, Arizona, Roseburg, Reedsport, Eugene, Portland, and Hillsboro. Church started early in the morning and so most of the family went to the ward bldg. to meet us. It was a beautiful blessing given by Matt. Gannon didn't cry, thank heavens! After church was over we all came to our house and ate lunch and talked. It was a wonderful day that I am very grateful we had. We love our Gannon.

The night before, I bathed Gannon in our sink in the kitchen so that I would have one less thing to do in the morning.

Isn't he a cutie. He loves the bath if I cover his belly with a warm wash cloth.

Sunday morning before church, Jen took this picture of Gannon looking at me. On July 15th, he smiled in the middle of the night for the first time. It was very sweet.

Matt blowing bubbles at Gannon. Gannon was mesmerized.

After church this was everybody that was able to come and support our special day. Thank you to everyone. We love you all.

The crazy group being silly for a picture.

Our complete family.

Our wonderful parents came and supported us. My mom made Gannon's blessing outfit and Matt's mom made this beautiful afgan for him. We are all blessed.

Grandma and Grandpa Morrison.

Grandma and Grandpa Newell

I love this picture so much. They are trying to both comfort him as we get ready to take another picture. Don't you love it?

Matt and I with Gannon.

Jen, Matt and R.J. getting their lunch. We had Cafe Rio pull apart pork.

My dad and I with Gannon. Smile dad it won't kill you!!!

Gannon and I.

GANNON

Paige with her cousins, Natalie, and Rachel.

Spiderman AKA Ben.

The kids and the men playing football.

Bailey, Natalie and my parents dog Zoe.

Ashlee and Jeff.

He is just so darn cute that I am putting all kinds of pictures of him in this post.

Sleepy boy.

Eskimo kisses.

Beautiful afgan from grandma.

My sister Megan and I.

A friendly game of football with the uncles.

Mom and Ashlee relaxing on the lawn.

After a long day he relaxed in his bouncer.

Aunt Julie, Isabella and Gannon.

The next day, we played Ticket to Ride and Settlers of Zarahemla with Jen, Mike and my dad.