Happy, Happy Birthday Morgan!

Morgan's birthday was a couple of weeks ago, so this is coming a little late, but I couldn't not post about such a great kid.
I can't believe my little girl is 10 years old! And what a beautiful 10-year-old she is! This girl never ceases to amaze me with her ability to show love and concern to those around her. I absolutely adore her and I am proud to call her my best friend.
Here are a few things that I love about Morgan...

* She is a morning person...rarely a day goes by that Morgan is not a ray of sunshine in the morning.
* She is becoming quite the little babysitter...(Quinn and I LOVE it.)
* I love that even after 10 years, she still sleeps with her blanket that she had as an infant.
* Her brother and sisters are truly her best friends.
* She is a great shopper! (we have a little too much fun sometimes!)
* I love that even though Morgan loves to dance and is good at it, she wants to give it up to play basketball this year.
* She has lots of friends, and is never afraid to reach out and make new ones.
* She thinks boys have cooties.



Morgan and her best friend, Kait

Morgan playing with her little baby cousin, Tyler

Morgan and Kate, aka "mini-me"

Layton made a lego letter H (for "H"appy Birthday), special for Morgan on her big day. What a guy.

My four great kids.

Morgan and I were asked to sing a few weeks ago at a Young Women's mother/daughter picnic. It was so great for me to share that experience with her. She didn't even seem nervous!



In light of her special day, I wanted to document Morgan's birth story. (Mainly for my own records, but read on if you wish.)

Morgan was born on September 1, 1999. Literally one of the last babies of the 20th century...kinda cool! Being my first pregnancy, I had no idea what to expect, so when the doctor told me I would be ready any day, I didn't really think twice about it even though my due date was still three weeks away. I went to work the next day and when I got home that night, I was having pretty intense contractions. So we packed a bag and headed to the hospital at about 8:30. By 9:30 I was settled into my room, and dialating faster than they expected. The time for an epidural came and went, and they decided to do an introthecal for lack of time. Morgan was just coming too fast. She was born at 11:47 PM and wieghed 6 lbs. 9 oz. She was fairly difficult to get here, they even had to use the vaccuum to help her out. But the labor was quick, only 2 hours...so quick they pretty much told me to camp out at the hospital the next time because it could happen even faster. Quinn and I couldn't believe the miracle we were suddenly holding in our arms and we were instantly smitten. I remember the intense love that came over me and I knew I would never be the same. We are so grateful to have Morgan in our family. She is the perfect big sister, daughter, and friend. We love you Morg!

When the family gets together....

Summer time is full of reunions and this summer was no exception. We started with our Mikesell reunion in Lava Hot Springs where we camped, swam, ate, relaxed, and got a tan. (For the record, Tiffany and I jumped off the highest platform too, except nobody took a picture to document the event.) The next day, we headed into local Chesterfield which was founded by Quinn's great uncle, and where many of his ancestors had homes that are still standing today. I thought my kids would get bored, but they loved every minute of it. And I have to say, I found myself rather intrigued and wanting to learn more of our family history and stories. I am continually amazed at their hard work and inginuity and all that they accomplished even that many years ago. There is some rich blood running through my kids veins and I am so grateful for the examples of our ancestors that they can look to.

Mikesell Family Reunion 2009 -- Lava Hot Springs, ID

Last week was the Herbst family Reunion at the Dent's cabin in Heber Canyon. We had such a great time boating, playing bingo, doing crafts, riding 4 wheelers, shopping in Park City, eating yummy food, and laughing way into the night. Thanks Mike and Camille for a great time and for planning such a wonderful reunion. It was a great way to end the summer!

Herbst Family Reunion 2009 --Heber Canyon, UT

The FaBUloUs First Day!!!

A welcome day for a mother, an unsure day for a kindergartner, a "NOT YET" (whine included) day for a second grader and a fashion show for a fifth grader....I wish I were one of those moms who hates to see the summer end, and granted, I do miss my kids when they go back to school, but I admit it. I really enjoy the peace and quiet of the first day back. I got all my bathrooms cleaned, floors mopped, cookies made, and still had vacuum lines in my carpet when the kids arrived home on the bus! Kate was an angel all day and we even sat down and talked about the letter A. And though I teared up as they stepped onto the bus this morning, it was a FaBulOus day!


I cannot believe how grown up this girl is getting. I absolutely adore her and can't wait to see what this year has in store for her. She was such a huge help to Allie, making sure she found her classroom okay and had someone to sit by on the bus. Such a great big sister.

Layton was not quite sure he was ready to start school yet, but he was the one who had the most to say when he got home! He was also a great help to Allie, watching out for her in the hall and helping her find the right bus line.

And cute little Allie. What a big day for her. They changed the kindergarten schedule this year, so she goes all day, every other day. I could tell she was pretty spent when she got home. She did great though, only getting lost once, and finding Morgan at just the right time to help her find her way. (a little tender mercy for mom, who was home praying for her all day!)

I love these kids. They really are eachother's best friends. Don't get me wrong, they do have thier moments of teasing and tattling (which is why this is a welcome day for mom), but when it comes right down to it, they truly love eachother, and it makes me smile.

A few pics of the morning...


Our neighbor is a police officer and I thought it was funny that her kids were getting out of a squad car at the bus stop...

Waiting in the bus line

Allie getting on the bus for the first time (right about the time I teared up)

And they're off....

It's all fun and games....

Until someone falls off the blasted monkey bars and breaks their arm! Poor Morgan! We were all having a good ole' time at our Stake Pioneer Day picnic until Morgan's friend came to me and said "I think Morgan dislocated her wrist." What??? So I ran to her and found her ghost-white and holding her wrist that was swollen almost to the size of a tennis ball. Apparently she was jumping for the 4th bar, missed, and came down backwards on her arm. So Quinn and our good Bishop (who happens to be a doctor) took her to the clinic and got her a splint for the night. It was after hours so we had to go back today for the x-ray and a more permanent cast. Looks like she may become a "lefty" after all! We love you Morg!

Is this the saddest face you've ever seen??

This is a slightly happier face after a FULL day of watching TV and being waited on hand and foot by the best brother and sister in the world...


Surprise Morgan!! We even cleaned your room and made your bed!

4th of July recap

I love the 4th of July. Definately one of my favorite holidays. The weather is usually awesome, the food is fab, and there are plenty of fun things to do to keep us all busy! This was our Saturday in a nutshell....

Quinn and I started our day at 7 am with a 5 mile trail run at Kelly Canyon. We ran this race last year and I think it will become a tradition...such a fun race!

After a nice hot shower to wash the mud off our legs, we headed out to the Menan community picnic and parade. Lots of good food, and fun games for the kids, not to mention the pockets full of candy after the parade!

Ahhhh... NAPTIME! (at least for SOME of us)

Then, my favorite part, the fireworks. I love a good firework show, but after experiencing Thunder over Louisville, nothing quite compares. So we just have to take what we can get. It's still fun, especially when you have awesome friends and neighbors to share it with.


Anyone ready for bed yet?

Girls Camp 2009 -- Island Park Scout Camp

Ahhh...nothing like life in the outdoors. Especially when you have an amazing outdoor kitchen...thanks to Sister Miller it was almost as good as the real thing!



The girls were able to participate in a lot of team-building exercises like having to retrieve this rope hanging in the center of this pool and then swing across one by one. It was fun to see them be so inventive!

Our awesome Priesthood Leaders...amazing that he can sleep among all these loud girls!


For our craft the girls made wedding cans that were filled with letters from special people in their lives, keepsakes and cutouts of their favorites dresses, flowers, cakes, and rings and then were sealed up with a dry-pack canner. When they get engaged and start planning their wedding, they can open the cans and cherish the contents. Sooo fun!


This was one of my favorite parts of girls camp this year. The High Rope Course. It consists of about 8 telephone poles all connected with a series of ropes about 35 feet in the air set up in different obstacles. You have to put on a harness and clip into the ropes and make your way through the course...it was hard and scary! I am so proud of these girls! They really conquered their fears and had a great time doing it!






LOVE THESE GIRLS!!!!

All in a days work...

This is my amazingly talented mother,who one day, decided she wanted to make wedding cakes. No classes, no training, just pure creativity. So I enlisted her help with a pre-girls camp activity centered around temples and weddings, and this is what we came up with! It was so much fun to do and surprisingly easy! Who knew! One thing's for sure, making a wedding cake for no one in particular was really fun! I may just have to do it again...someday.