Summa Time

For our family trip this summer we decided tp take a 12 day road trip. Visions of the movie RV or National Lampoons Vacation came to mind. We were excited to take our trailer out for an extended period of time and use it. We decided the trip would be Jackson Hole and Grand Tetons for a couple of days. Then on to Yellowstone for 5 days. Then drive the Craters of the moon for 2 nights. Ending in Lava Hot Springs to relax and detox a little. About and hour into our trip we had a huge tire blow out on the trailer. We were in the canyon between Logan and Bear Lake.


We wanted to do a river rafting trip in Jackson, but the temps that day were low 60's and windy. Way too cold for us! So we decided to spend a day shopping, hiking and taking the tram. We went into on of those old fashioned photography studios. It was fun but Sierra and I were not prepared, no make or hair done because I thought we were river rafting.


Sierra celebrated her 17th Birthday on this trip. On her Birthday we started off with a hike in Grand Tetons to Hidden Falls above Jenny Lake. It really was such a beautiful view. When we reached the top we sat down to enjoy the view and ......text?
Through out the trip I would look in the back seat and take a picture of each kid. Generally this is the expression I got from Hunter......Every time this is Sierra........




Yellowstone is truly one of my favorite places. I could have hiked every trail and still wanted to do more. I think I became the "hiking nazi" on this trip. Below is a picture of the mountain we hiked to the top of. We had a 360 view of the park, amazing!!Hunter surprised us all this year. He was always the first to finish a hike, he would trail run most of it. His endurance and strength has improved immensely. Hunter didn't have the wrath of the "hiking nazi".
We were very fortunate to see a lot of wildlife this trip. Lots of bears, elk, bison, pelicans ( that's for you Sierra ), and foxes.
Craters of the moon..... So if you have never been there it is a whole different world. The boys loved it because there are so many lava tubes and caves to explore. It was really windy the 2 days we were there, but we still enjoyed some great hikes ( Devils Ore Hard, that's for you Matt). More to follow when I can figure out how to download the video camera.... GREAT VACATION!

Happy 13th Birthday Hunter!!

Today is Hunters 13th Birthday. I cannot believe that 13 years have gone by since he was born.Hunter has always the the calm in our crazy storm of life. He has been a constant reminder of what life can be like when always being genuinely happy and positive. I am always amazed at what type of person Hunter is. He is truly gifted with so many things, yet completely humble. Hunter is an old soul, we affectionately call him "Old Man Birch". He loves classic rock, we always tease him that if someone found his I-touch, they would think it belonged to a 50 year old man.I could go on and on about how great Hunter is, but if you know him you already know that there are not words for this kid, He is truly one of a kind! I am so grateful for the young gentleman I have in my life. Happy Birthday Hunter, I Love ya Bud!

The End To An AMAZING Football Season

This past weekend Hunter played his final game. This football season all started back in July. Hunter was on a new team this year, all new coaches and for the most part all new team mates. The first weeks of practice we started to call Hunter old man Birch. He would come home from practice and need an ice pack, icy hot ,ibuprofen and listen to some classic rock. Hunter thought he wouldn't make it through practices. They were HARD. Just watching these boys made me want to throw up. Hunter ended up being one of the bigger kids on his team this year. He has been growing about an inch a month, and has put on 15 pounds this year.( of course none of it fat.... don't get me started!) Hunter had to work hard for positions, If you worked hard you played.Hunter was able to play so many positions this year and learned so much about football. My favorite part was to be able to see him run the ball this year. Where he plays line a lot it doesn't happen much, but the coaches this year gave him a shot, and he ran in a couple of PAT's. I think I was more excited that Hunter was! The team only lost one game during the regular season. We ended up making it to the Championship game. It was honestly one great game, the boys played so hard and everyone stepped up to a new level. We ended up losing to the same team that we lost to during the regular season, they were a great team. Even though it was sad to lose, they played an amazing game! It is even more sad to know that Hunter will not be playing with the coaching staff or the majority of his team next year. Because they are building a new high school and they live in the new high schools boundaries. This year was one to be remembered! GREAT JOB HUNTER!!
I have had so much trouble downloading pictures, but here are some throughout the season. I will keep trying to post more!Of course, the ones that won't download are some of my favorites.

Goodbye To One Of The Greatest Men, Grandpa Oral

On Saturday September 26th our grandfather Oral Birch passed away. I truly feel blessed to have known this man.When Matt and I first started to date, he couldn't wait for me to meet his Grandpa. He told me that "This is one of the greatest men you will ever meet Misty". Little did I know what an impact he would have on my life. Grandpa Oral was such an example of service, faith, and love to my family. He is a true hero, a hero for our family and to our country. Here are some of my favorite photos of Grandpa. I will miss you Grandpa....God Be with You 'Til We Meet Again, LOVE YOU!



Grandpa's WWII picture. Grandpa and Jaxon


My family with Grandpa at Temple Square December 2008
Grandpa reading the first Christmas on Christmas Eve.Most of the whole fam damily at one of Hunters football games.



Both of these pictures were taken in February. I am so grateful we had the opportunity to take these pictures with Grandpa.
My handsome Birch Boys :)

Back to School, Tennis, Football and Homecoming

SO once again I find myself catching up on our blog after a couple of months. Since the last updates Sierra had her sweet 16 Birthday party, we had around 100 kids over to our house , and everything went really well!
We also took advantage of the cash for clunkers program. We traded in the big red truck for a cute little Pontiac G3, primarily for Sierra to drive.That was such a great program!!





Here are the kids back to school pictures. Every year since they were little I have taken a picture on their first day of school . Obviously Hunter is just thrilled about the picture this year. Sierra just decided to give me her smart-a smile. Hunter just started 7th grade and Sierra 11th. I can't even believe my baby is in middle school.



Sierra is playing tennis again on the high school team and is playing singles. Last year she played doubles. Sierra has done really well this year and is getting ready for Region at the end of this month.


Hunter is playing football again this year, and is loving it. He is on a great time and so far this year they are 2-1. He loves to play defensive end and tight end. Go WOLVES!!
This picture was taken just before Homecoming 1/2 time where Sierra performed on the high school dance company. The dance they performed her and her cute friend Jordan choreographed, it was Awesome!!
Here is Sierra in her homecoming dress. She looked stunning. My good friend Marnie did her make up and a cute girl in our neighborhood did her up-do. Sierra went with Skyler. They had a great time!
Sierra and Skyler