Willow Heights Hike

Time for one more easy hike before we take on Mt. Timpanogos next Saturday

                                       
The Willow Heights Trail is up Big Cottonwood Canyon and is a super easy, aspen lined trail that leads to a small pond.

The sound of the aspen leaves rustling in the wind made it even more relaxing.

We even found a moose and her 2 baby calves near the edge of an open meadow

There they are....hanging out in the shade, snacking on some tall grass.

Brenna brought her own snacks to munch on along the trail.

Emi enjoying the aspens.  Though we were looking for an easy hike this week, this was a little too easy and too short, so on our way back we decided to venture into the brush and bush-whack our way back to the bottom.  It added a little more adventure and luckily no one got hurt.  Probably not our best decision, now that I look back on it.

Best part of today's hike - We were ALL there.  Yep, count 'em up.

7 Miller's out enjoying nature together.  Success!

5th Grade Begins

Happy 1st day of school to this cute girl!!!

5th grade ALPS with Ms. Gifford

Heading out with her friend Bergen.  It's going to be a great year!

Mail Heaven

After being gone for a week, the mail had piled up.  These girls were in heaven going through it all.

Lake Powell Adventures

We love Lake Powell.  This is the second time we've been able to spend time down here with the Curtis's and a few other 8th ward friends.  Tom and Stacie are so good at planning and put together amazing trips.   This trip was full of Sun, Fun, Food, and Friends.....and every water sport option known to man.  

A nice boat to: 

-ski, surf, wake board or tube behind-

-travel to cliff jumping or cave swimming sites-

-site see in-

-take leisurely sunset cruises around the lake in (minus the kids)-

As well as jet skis. kayaks, rafts, a lily pad, and slide off the back of the boat

Plenty of places to lay out and catch some rays

or swim with a mermaid

Inside ....each couple had their own bedroom, while the kids found beds on the top deck of the boat

We got to enjoy some good quality time together...without the distractions of everyday life

and celebrate this girl's 10th Birthday

Robert driving the crew around

Kay wakeboarding

Watching carp and getting ice cream and gas at the marina

Some serious coloring and cards games going on

Made our way to Rainbow Bridge - one of the Utah Natural Wonders - amazingly beautiful.

Swimming in a huge cave

This is our Kayla  -  100% pure joy Kayla

After a little kayak trip to explore a cave and hike around the rocks

The girls went from 'learning' to surf to 'loving' to surf in just a few short hours

Summertime BLISS

Powell Landscapes

One of the things we LOVE about Powell is the views.  The above pics were taken from the top of the houseboat - once in the morning and then later in the afternoon.  Each day we feel renewed and rejuvenated by the pure and natural beauty of this part of the Earth 

This is also a favorite view of mine :)  So grateful we got to spend this week together.  NEC

Sisters Cliff Jump

L Cliff Jump

E Wakeboard

K Surfing

B Surfing

B Off the Slide

Robert's Ride

R & K Backflips

Mermaid Sighting

J Wakeboard

Girls Tubing

L Surfing

K Wakeboard

Brenna's B-day Celebrations Begin

With cousins still in town, and knowing we'd be in Lake Powell on Brenna's actual B-day, we decided to let her open a present early.  The celebration began with her accompanying her own Happy Birthday song.

And the opening of her 1st present...

I so wished I had of videoed this.....

This pictures show the excitement in her face, but miss out on the screaming and excitement coming from the other 4 sisters in the room.  It was CRAZY!!!

Welcome to 'Miller Mermaidia'

Best gift ever