Transformation

Our walk-out basement/ waterfall: before

 During

And after!!!

It's a little bit of paradise!

Excellent for exploring...and such!

Posing!

“The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life’s plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.“
-Robert Louis Stevenson

Striker Fest

Katry was asked to be a  "guest" player on a local U14 team.  She played center midfield and rocked it!

The team took 2nd place in this tournament.  It was fun to spend the weekend in Orem and have family come to the games.

Some of our Super Fans!  Thanks for coming!

Girls Camp

I didn't pull out the camera this year until just before we left- but Girls Camp was super!  It was a stake sponsered camp this year and they did it by levels- so Katry stayed with all the 2nd years.  I didn't have any responsibilities so I could just float around and visit with all of my girls in each of the camps.  I would have preferred to have our ward all together but it was a great experience.

Some highlights:

The Slide with Black Mumbo and Steve.

The Tree of Life experience- I got to stand at the top by the tree of life and welcome all of our young women and leaders and congratulate them for making it.  It was amazing to feel some of the love our Heavenly Father has for each of us and His joy at having us do what is right.  It was a truly powerful experience- loved hearing everyones testimonies after it.

Ward Testimony Meeting

Water Fights

Mouse in my tent- we found it at 2 in the morning- I cried like a baby!  It was the funniest thing you have ever seen- 5 women jumping around hooting and hollering- Crazy!

Square Ice Cream

Singing in the Trees

Amazing Race- Certification

Food Designers

My kids love to be food designers.  Especially if they have mashed potatoes- they really like to play with their food.  Here are their latest creations.

A Study of Steamroller'ing

Love this scripture- 

"Lead me in thy truth and teach me; for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." Psalms 25:5

Fantastically Forty

Brigham's office staff had a hey day with his birthday this year.  They filled his room with suckers and signs saying it "sucks to be 40".  They also gave a huge basket full of geriatric supplies and treated him to some peaches and ice cream.  His favorite. I had wanted to throw him a surprise party but realized he would have hated it.  The last thing he wants to do is be the center of attention.  I can understand that- so we kept it to a family celebration.  If we had had immediate family around that would have been  a different story.  But alas- we are a bit alone up here.  Our ward had a campout this year.  It was so much fun- I hope it becomes tradition.  We got to go on a canoe ride, exploring, campfires and treats with our ward family.  It was great.

The next day our buddies the Andersons took us out on the lake for some boating action.  Brigham showed us he still has what it takes and being 40 isn't going to slow him down.  Then we went to their home and had dinner and a movie.  Sunday we made  his birthday feast and Seth made him a cream cheese pie topped with mangos.  It was a really fun weekend celebrating the best man on the planet.

Things I love about Brigham:

He LOVES completely. 

He has never raised his voice at me and only once acted irritated with me- though I am sure he has wanted to.
He has amazing self control.
He is an amazing partner in raising our children.  He doesn't delineate roles in our everyday living and just helps with everything.

He refuses to let me change a dirty diaper if he is around.

He likes adventure.
He has taken us on some amazing vacations.

He would rather play with his family than do anything else.

He is easy going and laid back.

Very funny!

He is a great teacher and teaches the gospel so beautifully to his family.

He keeps us grounded and centered on Jesus Christ.

He is truly a giant among men and we feel so blessed to call him ours.

We LOVE you!

Redd Family Reunion

We had a fantastic family reunion hosted by the Whites and Jansons this year.  Thanks so much- it was wonderful!  This year all of the cousins had numbers on the back of their shirts to show what order they arrived in.  41 cousins in all!

All the Aunts and Uncles in attendance.  We were missing 4 uncles and 1 aunt at the reunion.

We went boating for a day.

Highlights:

 Boating, Playing in the sand
Pool party, Family Cheers
Great Meals, Kitchen Time
Heat wave- the AC was broken
Talent Show, Temple Sealings
Parade, 5k, Games
Mandarin, Square table
Parent Chats,  Sharing in our huge families LOVE!

There is nothing better than getting together as a family!  Thanks for the great memories!

Impact Tournament

Brigham had another tournament in Utah.  We saw some great games and they walked away with the gold medal.  Brig even had the game winning shot in the championship game!  

Here are the captains receiving their trophy.

Celebration!

The team!

Our Super Fans!  I didn't get a picture- but my Mom and Grandma were there supporting at every game.  My Dad made it to a game too.  Thanks so much for coming!

Cousins of Awesomeness!

This year the Redds had a "cousin reunion" for those cousins that were 12 and older.  They got together and did some fun activities.

They went on a hike in Logan.

Made matching T-shirts.

Spent a day at Lagoon.

Basically just partied for 3 days straight.  They had a lot of fun.  Cousins are the best!

They surprised Katry with this cake for her birthday!  Good times!