We've had a good time this weekend hanging around the local cemetery. Some friends of ours obtained an old historic cemetery, but it had been neglected for years. We got the word out via the local paper, and 150 or so people came (even little ones!) to help clean this old place up! We're happy to have had the chance to work hard and do something good. Here are Cheyennah's "before" pics. We'll go get some "after" ones soon.

Summer fun and high adventure

Also this summer, Dakota and David went on a 50 mile hike in the Oregon wilderness with Dakota's Teachers and Priest's quorums of church. It was a good adventure. They spent a week doing it, hauling their own food and filtering their own water. One of the fathers was a doctor, so I was a little more at ease about the whole thing. Dave enjoyed time with his son, and I was glad to know they are spending time together. They did things Mom wouldn't have done...like sliding down this natural water slide,

and hanging off this rope with just a stick (this is Kelley going down, with Dave in the water below to help...but they all used this same stick to slide on the rope!!), and landing in the river below! Crazy guys! They really had a blast.

They also went deep sea fishing as a quorum on the last day. They caught lots of fish, and enjoyed learning something new.

On the homefront, things were a little nutty. Ryken has decided he likes the whole soldier/army/knight thing. He dresses up in "armor" (his sibling's kneepads and wrist pads) to prepare for "battle" against the dog, or the cat, or a sister. He's having fun, tho. Ellie doesn't mind this kind of dress-up, and even encourages him. Next thing on is a helmet!