Summer 2011

Highlights of the summer-
James graduated!  Bachelors of science in Psychology
My parents came down for it as well his parents and the Phelps grandparents.  Jessica and Vicki through him an awesome party the next day.

Pre-graduation dinner

Benson loves Grandpa Phelps

Benson was SO proud of his dad!

Enjoying ice cream after the long ceremony

James's graduation party

James's friend, Colton Reeding

James & Gay Brogdon

Add caption

Dave's, Ali's, & my kids at the grad party

We didn't really graduate the same year, just did this for a cool pic

John signed us up for the Salt Lake Half Marathon.  Although I hadn't trained nearly enough (only 2 long runs, done the week of the race) I enjoyed myself.  It helped that I ran into Chelsey (my cousin) and was able to run it together.
The race ran right by our apartment.  Vicki was tending Benson there and we both stopped for a picture with him.

My graduation present to James was getting one of my parents time share condo's in Brian Head (near Cedar City), UT.  We got two birds in with one stone for this vacation- first we went down to Phoenix and scouted out the area, and found an apartment to live in.  Then we drove back up to Brian Head and vacationed for a week.  My parents came for a few days as well as Ali and Mike.   

Kolob Canyon

Hoover Dam

 We went to Zion's one of the days and decided to do Angel's Landing.  I forgot how difficult of a hike it is, and James was practically carrying Benson and me all of the way up.  James went all of the way up- even the last little stretch of really dangerous stuff. I opted out and waited at the base of that section with Benson. 

Zion Ntnl Park, Angels Landing

Angel's landing trail

Florida trip- Jeff's graduation:

Disney World Marathon- the humidity was rough on Benson

Jessica came along when she was 8 months pregnant!  What a trooper!

Epcot Center

rAnDoM sUmMeR eVeNtS-

Ethan asked to go to Pocatello for his 8th birthday party, so Katuska threw him a way fun "Kung Fu Panda" themed party.  All of the cousins had a blast dressing up, hitting the pinata, and eating their hearts out.  

Spanish Fork Hot springs with Ali & Mike

Ali & I's 1st triathalon.  Put on by a one of the stakes in UT, so the best part about it was, it was a mini tri, and free! Only 275 meter swim, 6 mile bike ride, 2 mile run.

2nd year Anniversary- James surprised me and got a fancy hotel room up East Canyon. We spent the next day baby free, doing their stay & play package. Thanks Vicki & Jon for watching Benson!

Racing down the alpine slides

Bungee trampolines

Eliza's Baby Blessing

Baby Blessing

Baby Benson stealing Payden's binki

Eliza's baby blessing

John signed us all up for the 10k 4th of July Freedom Run in Provo.

bath time with Anson

Family pics
James's brothers and sisters all got together during a weekend in August.  We did family pictures up Sundance Canyon. Unfortunately, James had already started school in Phoenix before his family got in, but he flew up to SLC for a little bit over a day anyway.  Benson and I put off moving to AZ for a couple of weeks and just drove down to Phoenix with James right before his first med. school test.  It was a busy weekend, but so worth it to get to have the whole Brown family together.   

Hiking to Bridleveil Falls

 Saying goodbye to Anson :(