August at the Knudsen House.....

I am so happy that so many of you have already posted something to this blog!!  I was working on this post last night when we had that big thunderstorm that took our internet out.  I am sorry if this first posting is long......it is mostly pictures... so bear with us.  

August was one busy month.  We were so lucky to have visitors at our house for about two weeks straight!  We loved it!  

First, Sharon and her family came...

We took walks down at our park, ice-blocked down the big hill and I just loved having those girls with me, all to myself.   It was so delightful.   

   

One day we got together with the Haruch's and all three of us sisters showed up with our hair done exactly alike.    We must be sisters or something! 

We went to the new Joseph Smith movie at the Legacy theater.  It was so so wonderful!  Isn't that a bunch of cute people or what?! 

After this, we went to the Lion House Pantry to have a treat.   

We had such a great time together.  This was right before we ran into Elder Oaks.  And before running into him, we ran into Elder Holland too.  It was a special day that Aunt Annie will cherish always.   

We also took a tour at the local Sweets Candy Factory with our little sweets.  

And, then went to the Olympics Fountain to play in the water after.....

  

I must say that is one beautiful joyful momma!

Sharon and I had a little accident before we could get out of there..... 

I will cherish this time we had together Sharon!  

After their visit, we headed up to Idaho for Danae and Rob's wedding which was just wonderful!  And then we had the privilege of having Gayle, Richard and girls at our house the next week.  We so love these annual visits and will be sad to see them end.  Then we had a family reunion on the Knudsen side with visitors staying at our house after that.  

August was also the official killer start of Football.  You can see Jonathan's reaction to one of his daily 5:30 am practices here...

I spent a most splendid happy afternoon with two of my VC sisters....the former Sister Halvas (from North Carolina) and Sister Shelton (from SLC) We got pedicures and went to lunch and gabbed until we had to go.  It was such a happy day.

Yes.my hair has gotten very long.  I told myself that I was growing it out for TREK...so I could be a real pioneer woman.   

This is the morning we left for TREK.  We were a Ma and Pa to 8 kids..3 girls and 5 boys!  We prepared all summer for this event, reading, getting in better shape.  

We were so lucky to have two of our kids go on Trek this time.  What a tremendous wonderful experience it was...

Here's our Trek Family.   What a great bunch of kids..we love them so much.  I loved being a Ma with Steve.  It was just a great experience preparing with him and then sharing the experience of Trek together.   

We went to Martin's Cove..."The Temple of Wyoming."  And felt of its sacredness.  

 We  learned about rescuing and of the greatest rescuer of all, our Savior, at Sweetwater Crossing.   

We had a special Ward Night Fireside at Sixth Crossing....  where the Willie Company was rescued.  

Learning about the difference between "clinging to the Iron Rod" and "holding fast."  

Jon's answer for dealing with the Wyoming wind and sun...

Our family pulling together... learning to do hard things, rely on each other, help and be a team.  

Water Crossings...

Pa Knudsen 

This is us on coming into the last camp...after walking 38 miles in 3 days...We made it!  We were pretty tired here....   

This is the beginning of the testimony meetings of all testimony meetings which lasted about 3 hours.  It was quite a week!  Unforgettable.  

Jonathan sang in an ensemble group at the beginning of the testimony meeting and was shocked at how well he sings!  This was his debut!  I have only heard him sing in the shower...  This is a beautiful song about the rescuers who saved the Willie and Martin Handcart company..specifically about the "Valley Boys," who were all teenagers and young adult men who were asked by Brigham Young to "bring them in!"  

A week after Trek, school started !  This is Michael starting 7th grade.  He wasn't so sure about  this...... But, he is doing great.  

Joseph...our new Senior!  Crazy!  

And, here is our Sophomore... starting at Brighton High!  

And here is the gang... Jacob started 5th grade this year.  Time is flying...