Summer has come and passed...wake me up when September ends

Just like that, it's over. And here we go again with another school year. The house is a little quieter (early to bed, yes!) with Allison and Krista in Logan. It's still too hot to say there is an autumn nip in the air, but I'm sure it will come.


After a week of school, I realize that I really do like my job. I just wish I didn't have to go to it so often.


What I miss most about summer? That's easy. It's the mornings. Getting up and going for a long dog walk, coming home and sitting in the back yard alone, listening to the birds, enjoying the quiet of the house when everyone is still in bed. I. Love. Those. Moments. And one other thing--days when there is absolutely nothing on the calendar. No obligations to go anywhere all day long.

However, if everyday was like that I surely wouldn't appreciate it as much as I do knowing that those precious moments will have to be put off for another school year.

Some photos from Summer 2009:


Maggie's first year at YW camp. Here she is around the campfire with Hannah and McKenna.



We took a beautiful hike with the Young Women up around Causey Reservoir.



Do much yoga? Below, demonstrated by Cooper is what the perfect Downward Dog is supposed to look like. (I know, he makes it look so easy: back flat--not rounded, sit bones to the sky. Must be a reason for the name of the position. Note: he and Daisy also do a great Upward Dog.)

The baby turns 12. So hard to believe. She smiles--sort of, along with Allison, who loves a good photo op. The cake is one of Krista's first efforts with fondant. No, it wasn't supposed to look like a hat.

Here come the braces.

A Clark family reunion at Ponderosa Zion Ranch near the east entrance to Zion National Park in June was a blast.

Below, my brother-in-law Ernie enjoys a refreshing moment in the Zion Narrows. Scott, Ernie, another brother-in-law--Eric Olson--, nephew Stephen Olson, niece Melissa Ehlert and her husband Steve, and a few of Eric's friends, hiked the Narrows (all 17 miles) one day. Scott said it is, perhaps, the most beautiful hike he's ever taken.

Eric took some of us on a backcountry hike one day. We lucked out and enjoyed overcast skies, even some rain sprinkles felt good. Hot sun would have caused much pain as we crossed the navajo sandstone, and we had already suffered so much going up and down soft sand dunes.

They just don't look that impressive in the photo below, but when we saw this group of bighorn sheep we were so excited--and they seemed closer than the photo indicates.

A rest on the hike. Allison, niece Jessica, Tyler, nephew Lindon (basically right off the plane from his mission in Tijuana), and brother-in-law Eric Bluth.

On the Riverwalk trail, Tyler and Daniel.

August means a trip to Newport Beach, camping at the Newport Dunes with Scott's cousins.

Maggie and I take a break on the daily hike from the beach back to wherever we were able to find a parking spot.

Above, Scott's special sauce--Desitin--for warding off sunburn.

Above: Two longboards, an ocean breeze, a school playground on the beach, and a beach sheet = a good opportunity for a little sailing.


We love Newport.

The perfect ending to the summer was the wedding of the perfect couple, my niece Jessica and her groom, Taylor (as close to perfect as anyone has a right to be). Rain in the morning cleared off for an absolutely beautiful reception in Karen and Ernie's backyard. Simply perfect.

Below, the sister of the bride, Nicole (a brand new 5th grade teacher!) and her husband Travis. (We're big fans of Travis and his dry, understated wit.)

Sweet Krista.

Below, my parents, Colleen and Wayne. They tell us that getting old is no fun, but they sure stay on the move and in good spirits every (painful) step of the way.

The next two pictures are of my younger brother Steven's children (along with wife Trish, of course). Daniel--my kids call him "Wee Daniel" so as not to confuse him with our own "Big Daniel," and since he's half Irish it seems to fit him just right. And Maeve, the cutest little three year. They were born many years after the bulk of the grandchildren, and they have been such a joy to my parents. Everybody should be so lucky as to get cute new grandkids in their 80s.

Allison with, that's right, two bouquets, because she is the most determined bouquet catcher out there. All of the girls in the family have learned just to stand back when the bouquet is thrown. The girls on the other side of the wedding don't know this, so there could have been scratches, bruises, or scars as a result of the latest toss. I know she's catching it, not because she's in any hurry to get married, but because she loves beautiful flowers. Right, Alli?

And finally...

There is nothing Scott enjoys more than a fire in the backyard in the evening. I have to agree, it really doesn't get any better than that.