SUMMER RECAP

Beware, this post is long... but is mostly pictures!
This summer has been a busy one!  We tried to spend as much time with family and friends as possible, all while trying to move our little family to Norman, Oklahoma.

First, I went on a trip to St. George and Zion with my best friends.  Most of these girls I went to high school with, and the others, we have adopted into our group along the way.  Rachel just got engaged so we thought we would celebrate as another hurrah before I moved and Rache got married. We are missing a couple girls due to us all being spread across the country.  Evette, Kate and Nicole- you were dearly missed.

Hiking the Narrows, with a baby... Amber and Kylie are troopers!

Next, I went to Alaska to visit my best friend Evette, and Johnny went to the cabin.  We both had a great time away on our separate adventures but missed each other a whole lot.  We kept telling each other that we had a long time in Oklahoma to spend together without anyone else... Which has proven delightfully true. 

I loved Evette and Nate's dog Bandit so much in Alaska that we decided to add a new member to our family.  Actually, if you know Johnny and I well you would know we have wanted a puppy and had his name picked out since we got married nearly 5 years ago.  BOOTS!!!!  And the night we got him, we took him up to Bear Lake to spend time with Johnny's mom, Ralph and family.  

Then, as if we didn't have enough going on, we went on a camping trip to Tony Grove with my Dad and Kim and family.  Tony Grove is a beautiful camping spot up Logan canyon where we used to go camping as kids.  Everyone in the family minus Joseph and Amanda were able to make it for some part of the trip.  It was so fun to be together reliving our childhood trip.  

My cute sis Kali with tiny little Boots

Tim helped all the kids catch some fish.  This is Mckay who was pretty darn proud. 

Our first family picture

After camping with the Kocherhans clan, we had a blast with most of the Baucom cousins up at Yellowstone Ranch.  We went on a few SHORT horse rides (Boots is sort of a time consuming little guy), ate lots of yummy food, swam on horses, played some music, and just hung out.  And together, the cousins reminisced of their cherished memories of Grandma Bob who passed away just a few days before we all went up to Yellowstone Ranch.  We are all blessed to have known such a beautiful person both inside and out.  The reason we are able to go up and visit the Ranch is due to her kindness, love and generosity towards her family.

Luisa is the best cowgirl of them all

All of these events only happened a month ago but it feels like forever, so long that I can't remember what we did next... Oh yeah!  I think our split weekend was next.  We drove 5 hours to the Baird cabin in Driggs and then we drove up to the Uintahs to go backpacking, all in the same weekend!

Cute Beckie-sue playing in the leech infested pond with the kids

Then backpacking in the Uintahs.  We went 20 miles within 3 days and Boots, only about 18 pounds and 3 months old did the whole hike without being carried.  He was a champ!!!

Can you imagine waking up to this in the morning?? haha He was a freezing pup and it was his first time getting to sleep with us.  

After backpacking, we stuck around in the Salt Lake Valley spending time with family, friends, saying goodbye to our jobs, building desks, packing, and playing with Boots.  Here are other things that happened in between that I failed to mention...

Kels got her mission call to Louisville, Kentucky leaving October 15th!

Spencer Jase Dahl was born on July 20th and we were SO happy we were able to meet him before we moved!

These little girls have so much energy and I love it!! It was so hard to say goodbye to them!

We've been together a long time and I can't imagine life without such a great and supportive group of friends.

Overall, it was a stressful summer.  I wouldn't trade the stress for anything else.  We got to do everything we wanted and spend time with many of our family and friends before we left Utah.  There are so many more pictures I could add but I thought I'd spare the few people that may happen to read this.