Pioneer Day

Finally! I found time to put together this Pioneer Day weekend post. On the first night, Carlie and Melanie got all dolled up to go to the Fairview Youth Dance.

They were bound to break a few hearts ...

Or something.

Rylie and Katelyn got all spiffied up to save the world!

Batman and Catgirl forever.

When Carlie and Melanie returned from the dance, they were not alone. Meet Aubrey, a Liahona* distance learner that Carlie and Melanie met at youth conference.

We played a lot of card games.

Then we saw Wall-E at the Basin Drive In in Mount Pleasant

The next morning we woke up to this beautiful sun coming over the mountains

And, it being Pioneer Day, we headed into Fairview for a gander at their pioneer museum. Upon closer inspection, Jason discovered his ancestor John F. Sanders memorialized on this monument outside the museum. Inside the museum we found all sorts of nifty stuff belonging to the Sanders family ... including the address to their house which is still standing!

So of course we went to their house. This was the first house built in Fairview.

Original trees and everything.

The nice owners of the house invited us inside and showed us the original fireplace ...
And the original wood floors and lamp.

That night before heading to the derby, I caught my parents kissing ...

And Katelyn posing.

God bless America!

The demolition derby!
Fierce competition ...
Some cars nearly tipped ...
Others really tipped!
(and one car rolled over but my picture didn't turn out due to the people standing in front of me.)

And then, the firework show!
Best fireworks anywhere.
*Liahona is the private school my sisters (and Melanie) attend.

Templeton Holiday

Today is a very special day. You see, today is one of the best holidays of the year. Not Christmas, not even my birthday (which was last week, thanks everyone for your sweet comments!) Today is Templeton Holiday. Oh you've never heard of it? What a pity.

Templeton Holiday originated in the early 1990's when a young mother from Orem, Utah, decided that before school started and drug her kids away from their care-free lives, they needed one last hoopla to celebrate their independence. Taking inspiration from Templeton the rat and his shmorgishborg at the fair, this day became a day where her kids could do - and eat - whatever their hearts desired. It doesn't always fall on August 7, just any agreed upon day before the commencement of the school year.

It starts out early in the morning, earlier than Christmas, when the kids wake up and go downstairs to sit by the phone, waiting for the big hand on the clock to hit the 6. At six o'clock sharp, the children grab the phone and call the other observers of Templeton Holiday.

The first activity on the agenda is head to the nearest grocery store and purchase all the necessary items. The children, still sporting their sleeping attire, walk alongside the grocery cart grabbing every sugary cereal, sugary drink and sugary sugar treat in sight.

Upon arriving home, the treats are immediately torn into, with dessert coming before - and sometimes replacing - every meal. Traditional Templeton Holiday activities included swimming in pajamas for everyone, playing army men for the boys and some sort of beauty regime for the girls. As long as it was legal, it is acceptable on Templeton Holiday. From sun up, to sun down the festivities fill the day with joy until the stroke of midnight signals the end of the most glorious holiday.

Upcoming!

It's been an eventful two weeks. Over the week of the 24th of July (Pioneer Day here in Utah) we spent time in Fairview. We had some very neat experiences, all of which I have pictures to share with you. Later. Then last week I went to girls camp up at Heber Valley Camp ... or more appropriately, the Heber Valley Hilton. Seriously. But when I came home from girls camp, I crashed. I must have caught some sort of bug that has now turned into a sinus infection and knocked me flat on my back. So when I recover, I promise to post some fun pictures from both fun weeks. For now, enjoy this sneak preview of us at the demolition derby in Fairview!

Sew much fun!

My mom and I have been bit by the sewing bug, and my latest project is one of the Bohemian Bags found here. The designer, Lila Tueller, was in my home ward and is one of the most talented women in the world. Seriously. And she's also very generous. She's doing a fantastic giveaway on her blog and I recommend you all enter, the prizes are fabulous. Click here for a chance to win!

And as soon as I finish my bag I'll post pictures. It's looking amazing

(p.s. I'm at girls camp right now, I wrote this blog Saturday night. I'm loving this blogger feature of scheduling posts.)

My name is ...

Found this while blog stalking. Thought it was funny. Jessie's answers are pink, Jason's are blue. We totally buy into gender stereotypes.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car): Kitties Jeep Tucker Prius
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie): Mango chocolate chip Triple Chocolate Chocolate Chip
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name): J. Eva J. Eva
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal): Yellow Cat
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born): Alexis Provo Alan Douglas
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first): Eva-Je Eva-Ja
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink): The Blue Water
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers): Ernest Darwin John
9. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (first letter of mother’s maiden name & father’s middle name ): M Scott L Alan
10. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter): Cram Chicago
11. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower): Summer Peony
12. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”): Mango Shirty
13. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree): Fruit Aspen Bacon Pine
14. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, favorite weather element + “Tour”): The Photography Cloud Tour The DotA Sun Tour

If you're wondering why some of Jason's answers are missing ... it's because he was annoyed that I kept asking him questions while he was trying to take over the DotA world. For those not in the know, DotA is Defense of the Ages. A breakoff War Craft game. Duh.

The Elder Family Lodge

I've been dying to post this for you all to see, but I had to wait until I gave it to my dad before I let you all see it. I started making this for him, really, for his birthday (April 21). Then it took forever and I started shooting for Father's Day (June 15). Then, I had computer problems ... but be ye not dismayed! I was able to finish it in time for July 21. Which really isn't a holiday but who needs a holiday to show their dad how much they love them!!

This is an 80-page book I painstakingly created from pictures I've taken over the years at my family's cabin that we've lovingly dubbed The Elder Family Lodge. My dad loves this place, and we love spending time with him there. Click on the book preview to see the first couple pages.

The Elder Fami...

By

Book Preview

Only a few days late ...

... OK so it's more like 12 days. But whatever. Better late than never, right? Right? Well, here are the pictures from our Fourth of July festivities. Specifically, the Stadium of Fire. We were fortunate enough to have a family friend who got us amazing tickets, and we didn't even have to stand in line!

Rylie and Kimbee
Carlie and Kelly
The crew
Us!
Look! It's Hannah Montana!

Glen Beck was great



The Stadium of Fire dancers.

The Blue Man Group was a lot of fun!

Mylie Cyrus sure knows how to entertain a crowd

And then there were fireworks, but we left before they finished to avoid the bulk of the traffic.