Horsetail Falls, California

We had an awesome time at South Lake Tahoe.   We went to Horseshoe Falls and hiked the rigorous, rocky trail.  Jed loved it-he was jumping from rock to rock, and it's a wonder he didn't sprain his ankle. The view at the end of the trail was amazing! If we go again, we need to make it an all day event, so we have time to play in the falls.  It would be so fun:)

 Jed loved it!  He gives this place a thumbs up!

 Lots of opportunities for rock climbing challenges.

Starting up homeschool

It's that time of year again!  We've been doing school for a week and a half now.  Jonathan and Jane are doing a public online school called Leadership Academy of Nevada.  They are using the Williamsburg Curriculum.  They have lots of good books to read.
Natalee, Ada, and Jed are starting a new curriculum, called the Latterday Family School.  I am doing it with them, and it is based on the teachings of the gospel.  I am really loving it and loving how there is a good feeling as we learn from it.  We have studied words of the prophets, apostles, quotes from scriptures, and many good things.  I am excited to see what all we learn this year.
Here are some of the books Johnny and Jane are reading and studying from.

WE had a foundations lesson on how we are a link in our generations, and the quote from President Hinckley that we should never let ourselves be a broken link in our generations.  

The kids made our brand- a flying W, as I am sure you can tell:)

 Jed with his homemade "McDonald's" hat.

The kids decorating their binders for the year.

 All done!  posing with teacher/mom

 And with the principal-Dad:)

Community Clothing Give-Away 2014

This year's Community Clothing Give-Away on August 2nd went well, thanks to the many volunteers and hours that were donated.  About 550 people came to get free clothing that was donated throughout the year.  I got a few minutes  (hours) to go through the books in my basement and got rid of about 5 big totes of stuff I finally decided I am probably not going to need or use, so now we have some space for things we will be more likely to use:)  I am loving that there are not a bunch of dusty books on the shelves.  :)

 Yea!  So much less clutter in our basement!  :)

Reunion in Wyoming

The younger kids and I went to my family reunion this year.  Nathan and the older boys were working, baling hay that got rained on, and irrigating.  It was tough to drive that distance (12 hours each way) without a relief driver, but I was so glad to there with my family. My favorite part of the reunion was when we got up early one morning (6:30 am.) and did service for my parents.  There were lots of people working-some getting wood in for the winter, some washing the outside of the house, some screwing  down the tin that was loose on the roof, some washing walls, some trimming and weeding in the garden (yep, that would be where I was:)  some sawing wood.  It was an awesome feeling to know that so many people would willing sacrifice their sleep and vacation time to show honor and respect to my dear parents and help them as they are aging and can't do it all themselves anymore.  LOVED IT!!! :)   My amazing sister came up with the idea to have a theme for the reunion, and it was "Firm as the Mountains Around Us".  We sang the song several times throughout the reunion and learned lots of stories about our ancestors.  It was really neat.

 My Dear Parents;)

We played lots of games.  Jed was pretty excited about this one:)

 massive waterfight amongst the teenagers

 service time

 I think my second favorite part was on the last day-we went to the cemetary.  This is the headstone for my Grandpa and Grandma White.  My Dad told stories of our ancestors, their faith and sacrifice, and then we sang "Firm as the Mountains Around Us".  It was very moving to sing that there with most of our family, and among the graves of those who have gone before us.