Last Reunion Post...For Reals!

So...Brit had more priceless photos on her camera of this blessed, eventful reunion I felt were vital to proper documentation.

Geck!

Fave sis-in-law...lookin' sexy!

Brit and Echo

Brit and Brooke...keeping warm.

I LOVE this shot of Landon!

Fun at the water trapeze park.

Apparently, we were all overjoyed at the same moment...except for Lad.

....and toned down a bit :)

Lanny and Brooke!

Echo tries to hold on and takes Brit's shorts with her. Ha!

So...we (Sal, Brooke, Brit) promised on our LIVES to Ian and Lad (see bottom left) that if they went down on the tube with us, it would be SO FUN and we would make sure they didn't even get wet. Ha! They were hyper-concerned about worst case scenarios (esp. Ian...due to a near-death experience on the same river two years ago). We promised and promised....first rapid of the river we totally capsize. Tube flips. Everyone goes under. For a short second I felt genuine panic to make sure they were okay. Yay for life jackets! I think Ian (and his life jacket) actually kept my head above water. We felt horrible!

Epilogue...they quickly forgot and still love us!

Morgan and Brooke

Remi and Lance

Mmmm! Boy! Self-portrait extraordinaire!

Gorgeous Tosh!

Reunion: Day Two!

My intent is to catch up so that I can post "current" photos. Yeah. That's the goal. :) So....here we go...a million more photos from the family reunion!

My first photo of the morning...precious!

Preparing for a treacherous day braving wild rapids.

Pretty Britty!

Echo grew up faster than even she realized.

Our accomodations...post-breakfast/pre-river bath.

I love this child...even if she picks her nose...

...and tries to make me eat it.

28 Years! Good job Mama!

Mmmm! Sum Bum! You are one hot, sexy mama-to-be!

Faith and Summer...dolls!

Gramps and Brooke

...and the one who started it all. Oh Grandma!

Ethan...I think this is right before I shared my cupcake with him....judging by the look of longing. Ha!
Chandler...I love!

Echo expresses what we are all thinking...Cleavage!?...Who knew?!

Beach Babes!

Pre-Protein Shakes and Pre-Serious Gym Time...watch for update...

Yep...she even makes floating down a muddy river on a lime green tube look glam.

Someone call Guinness.

Brit will save you, little one.

Victims of crazy, wild rapids.

Sally channels Miley.

Ian!

Faith!

Ammon makes eye contact! Yay!

Ethan scopes the horizon before riding off on Skunk, his trusty steed.

I don't remember what game they were playing, but what was I doing taking pictures.

Tide's final frontier.

Shad, Brit, Dad, Faith, Brooke, Sally

I love this pic. Thanks Mom!



Carries you down the river AND babysits your kids. Brilliant!


The towel turban is what really makes this pic priceless...sorry Brit.

Heaton Family Reunion 2008: Day One

Dinner! Mmmmm! Lad!

TJ and Tyson reinventing the Rocket.

Kim and Grandpa (Wearing an "I Love Brooke" hat. So sweet.)

They're gonna fight my battles for me...

Even a hero needs sustenance.

The beautiful and uber-talented Brittany! Yes. That is a quarter. (Brit was the MC for our annual talent show.)

The reenactment of an ancestral story. (I look forward to this reunion as much as Christmas...easy to see why. Ha!)

Pretty much the most amazing hip swinging talent I have ever witnessed! Way to go McCall!

Spencer and Morgan. Talented beyond belief.

Oh Sally! You little doll!

Tosh and Brooke...(someone gave me blue bubblegum.)


I couldn't fit everyone (or even one third) in one pic...but, this gives the general feeling.

Another Birthday Party...Seriously!

So...after church, Brit says..."Hey, I invited some people over for my birthday party tonight. We need a cake and stuff..." We made the best cake...like love...outta nothin' at all.
Our entire lives...every birthday...my mom has us take a pic with the cake. TRADITION! (To be read/sung in your best Fiddler on the Roof voice.)

Brit and Julie...the birthday girls. I think one should celebrate enough to last a year. Yep. We did.
Before the party, Brit was lookin' so fine...we did a little photo shoot.

These two are my personal fave-o-rites.

This happened during her party when Brit and one of the guys at the party did their own shoot. Hot Pretty Britty!

Brit and Julie's Birthday Extravaganza!

Yeah...it was a Miley Cyrus themed party and oh so much fun!

Birthday Girl Number One

Birthday Girl Número Dos

Gorgeous Gecko!

I love this sequence...

...unfortunately...

...no one went in...

Landon!

Benj! (Whom I am clearly not over.)

Remi, Tosh, Brooke, Brit

...right after she put her book down. Sally, everyone knows vampire romances never work...

Tosh and Remi. Beautiful!

Three of my Favorite people!

Our Guest of Honor

So...all of a sudden, this group of fantastically dressed 12-13 year-olds crash our party. They say..."We have one question...who are you in love with?" Awesome. Crash anytime girls. (Special thanks to Bry Cox for the photo!)

The crazy afterparty...Ha!

Summer Rodeo: Morgan the Bronc Rider

I love this kid. He was mesmerized.

Cousin Morgan riding a bronc that he said almost pulled his arm out of socket. Fun.

Sal and Ian

The classic modern cowboy.

Morgan and Landon

Ian...channeling his inner superhero.

The Next Day...At The Lake

Oh fun at the lake.

Robot dancing clinic.

Warming up for the big stuff.

Thanks to the talented Bry Cox for catching this lovely moment.

...and this. He is an amazing photographer!

So...wakeboarding was great fun, but I am not that great :)

This pretty much sums up my day of wakeboarding. I may or may not have swallowed 12 gallons of lake.

Camping With Julie!

This is Julie. She is easily one of my favorite people this side of the Milky Way. We went camping/boating with Julie's aunt Trish. It's a longer story, but this little trip was quite a turning point. Thanks Jewels/Chachi/Dr. V/Crocketteer! (...pick your fave nickname :)

I believe is my first ever tongue picture. A trip of many firsts!

Whoa.

Precious! (I just remember thinking...Ahh! Flash! Bright!)

Summer Fun at Uncle Jon's Pool!

Tosh and Hannah looking radiant with their little ones.

Happy Birthday Maddie!

Brooke and Sals finishing off one divine little cupcake.

Oh Sisters!

Heaton Family Reunion: Rush 2008

I love this shot of Sally. Just gracing some random lawn chair with her presence and looking as lovely as ever.

A timed sawing competiton. Obviously one of the happiest moments in my life. We finished in 22 seconds, which means it would prob take us six years to cut down a real tree. Okay. We were actually ranked pretty high...then (surprise of the century) my mom beat us...21 seconds! Way to go Mama!

Cousin Emily. One of my favorite people of all time. I love her immensely and I'm fairly certain she could save the world if she had to.


Echo and Ada. Such beauty!

Here's the story. We are getting ready to leave on the "Hike for Fossils." He spontaneously decides he wants to join, but has no idea where his shoes are. We tell him he can't go. He's upset. We feel badly. We say, "Okay, but shoes or no shoes, no one is going to carry you." Yeah. He did 68% of the hike barefoot. The little trooper.
Our fearless leader and native to wild, untamed territories such as this, Carl H.

The Rock Sliders! The little ones taught me how. Great fun!

Oh! You two cute little briar rabbits.

Had I found a diamond...(or an Egyptian mummy), I would not have been more thrilled.

The Fossil Finders

According to Brit, this is the greatest photo I have ever taken...Perhaps, you adorable little thing, you.

Saving the best for last....this is my absolute favorite photo of the whole day. Never once complaining, he was by far the most youthful person on our three mile hike through all types of terrain. Whilst piggy backing him, he politely started converstation by complimenting my necklace and then asking about it and my earrings. Such a dear, sweet little boy and what a lovely memory to end a wonderful, wonderful day.

The Trip There...Rush 2008!

We pulled over to switch drivers and...had the most bless-ed opportunity to meet one of the largest snakes I have ever encountered. As you can see, I wouldn't let the girls get too close...just in case it decided to attack. Serious.

She has the BEST! facial expressions and...where did those EYES come from?! Geck!

Sleeping Beauty and the borrowed (yet faithful...how does this thing make it in so many pics?!) sidekick...Scary (not sure of it's last bath) Blue (Brit's fave color) Baby Monster ("Monster" because it gives off this vibe of having the capacity to attack your lower leg at will.) I woke up a couple nights ago to find Brit (we had company...Brit likes my bed better anyway) totally and unabashedly cuddling with it. Brit...if you write it, I will insert a tribute...here.

And here it is....!

"okay. about the blue pillow. which you referred to as monster. I want to tell you its background. Two years it has been with me. At first when I recieved it as a bday present from a girly friend i was like..cool and threw it on my bed. Then slowly it became the only person/thing that was there for me all the time. Seriously. It was. It never ever left me. Okay this could get long. But ... about it sleeping with me. I need it. Well I have been without it and been okay. If you think okay is waking up and grabbing for it then sitting up and bed and staring at the wall...wishing I had my blue 'monster' or 'grovey' for grover on s. street. I love my blue pillow. In peru a man tried to buy it from me. 10 soles. which represented about 3 dollars American money. Uh..i wouldnt sell it for a thousand dollars."

Oh! So precious! Echo definitely reigned supreme this trip.

They were attempting to make Echo's leg resemble Brit's arm. Apparently, a four hour drive will get to ya.

Stadium of Fire With Miley Cyrus!

I must say...this was probably my favorite moment of the entire night. These crazies came out of the sky with a death wish and then landed like little, baby chick feathers.

Also...very awe-inspiring. I love America/Americans!

These 10,000 little people performed a representation of every sport in the Olympics in seven minutes. The lady that choreographed this thing has years of therapy to look forward to.

Miley Cyrus cult members in action. (My favorite photo of the night :)

I was most impressed with her ability to dance and sweep the stage with

her head. I can show you, but talk to Brittany. She does the most accurate/acrobatic impersonation.

Brooke and Hannah

And...the domino photo finale to end a night of immense fun. One day we will see Echo smile. Just you wait. :)

My Lovely Little Joy

She took her first steps this week. I love all my brothers and sisters dearly and am thankful for this time I have to spend with them, but this little one melts my heart.

A Friendly Game

I hesitate to date this, since it would give away how far behind I am...oh well...July 4th. First, a tribute to my amazing sous chefs. That 4th of July meal would not have been possible. Thanks Sal, Geck and Shad. Then, we took the good times out to the side yard and played a little ball before the Stadium of Fire (next pics in the line up). I believe the lovely Echo (one of my personal favorites) was our photographer.


She drops back...scrambles (despite the obvious lack of defenders)...throws to her fave/money (only) receiver...and the crowd (Landon, Echo, McKay) goes wild!


Victory hug. Nice catch, Ether.


...and the fearless warriors/warriorette pose for a group shot. Love football.

Landon's Homecoming!

Just prior to Landon's heralded entrance down the escalator, we posed...in order! All the kids drew and colored these awesome letters. Lucky we have enough people in our family to spell "Welcome Home Landon!"


Oh! He is so handsome!


All eight of us with the Mama!


Landon with the parentals.


His first kiss!


Welcome Home Lando!

Sally's State Track Meet

I know. I know. I need to quit with the slide shows. Brit keeps razzing me. I just have soooo many pictures. Perhaps next time. I'm so behind! Hey...there is one single photo. Sally...you are simply amazing.

The Smithsonian With Julie and the Skinners!

So...a couple of my favorite pics to follow from one fantastic day spent at the Smithsonian in DC. Special thanks to Jeremy, Hannah and the girls for their wonderful hospitality and to Julie for meeting us there to share the fun! And...I don't know about you, but I'm getting a little weary of slide shows. Going to consider more single photo posts...maybe.


Tunnel of Bugs in the "Orkin Insect Room" (yes...Orkin, the bug killers, sponsors the insect/bug exhibit..."Orkin Trophy Room" would probably be more appropriate)


I love my nieces and feel so lucky every time I get to spend time with each one, especially Madelyn Grace!

State Basketball and Sally's Fan Club

More State and...Happy Birthday Ethan!

Sally's State Basketball Tournament

Celebrating 28 Wonderful Years!

28 was quite possibly one of my happiest birthdays ever. I was surrounded by so many wonderful friends and family. I spent part of the day with in Midway and Park City shopping with Tosha and Remi. That weekend we bowled at BYU then took the party to Wendy's. Simple, but oh so fun! Cosmo made a surprise appearance (and we had quite the interlude...) Thanks to Amanda for the yummy cupcakes, all who came and my parents and family for oh so much love and support!

Vail

So...I have one picture from my wonderful trip to Vail. Thanks to Brit and the Wilson's for inviting me. The skiing was incredible and it was a much needed vacation. I just really wish I would have gotten a photo of the pony-tailed man in the huge (fluffy beyond belief) light tan fur, full-length coat and mirrored aviators walking his teeny, tiny dog every morning.

Christmas Morning!

Christmas Eve Nativity

Molly's Blessing Day December 23

Brit in BYU Coed Intramural Basketball

Sally at State Cross Country for ALA

I think this could open a lot of doors...

82 words

Speedtest

Trunk Show Pictures

Thank you to everyone for coming. The show was a great success. Thank you especially to my Mom, Tosha, Summer, Brittany, Sally and Echo for aid and assistance!

More Jewelry Pictures Coming Soon!

In response to the requests for more jewelry...we're having a little event. I hope to you see you all there!

An Entertaining Afternoon

BYU Is Great For So Many Reasons

I picked up lunch and met Tosha and Remi at the Monte L. Bean Science Museum on campus. (I love meeting Tosha and Remi for lunch. Thanks to both of you!) Anyway, words can't describe Remi's reaction to it all. I've been there many times and I have never seen someone so enthralled. She LOVES animals (as well as babies). She didn't seem to mind that the animals weren't moving. She was so excited just to be there. Tosha and I were thoroughly entertained. If you ever have the chance, its a worthwhile exhibit.

The New Baby

Baby Molly Skinner Arrives!

I was so lucky to be in Maryland when Hannah had Baby Molly!(This post is a bit late. Sorry!) My mom and Baby Faith were there as well. We all had so much fun staying at Jeremy and Hannah's new home with Maddie as our host while Hannah, Jeremy and Molly stayed at the hospital. Hannah was amazing. She looked beautiful and made it all seem so easy. I was equally impressed with how caring and supportive Jeremy was. Maddie is fun, creative and too smart and Molly is peaceful and sweet. It was such a great experience to be there. Thanks to the Skinners for being so kind. I can't wait to visit again!

Foamhenge, VA

Stonehenge vs. Foamhenge

Stonehenge took approximately 1500 years to complete using stones weighing as much as 50 tons. An estimated 800-1000 men transferred (dragged) the stones from Marlborough Downs, 20 miles north. Speculation and theory for it's creation include that it might have been used as a temple, an observatory or a tomb.

Foamhenge is a full-scale replica of the mystical Stonehenge of England. Foamhenge was created in six weeks by five Mexicans and one crazy white guy/artist using beaded Styrofoam blocks weighing as much as 420 pounds. The blocks were delivered by tractor trailer in four trips from Winchester, VA 100 miles to the north. It's purpose is to educate and entertain.

VA Geological Anomaly

Natural Bridge and Monacan Village

I visited one of my favorite places in Virginia, Natural Bridge. In the late 19th-early 20th century, the bridge was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

According to geologists, the rock that composes the bridge is about 500 million years old and took about 100 million years for a water source to carve what we see today. The bridge is 215 feet tall and 100 feet wide. The rock weighs approximately 36,000 tons.

George Washington surveyed the Natural Bridge site in 1750 and carved his initals on one wall. In 1754, just before the American Revolution and the writing of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson purchased 157 acres of land including the Natural Bridge from King George III of England for 20 shillings or about $2.60.


The Monacan Village is a reenactment of how the Indians most likely lived more than 300 years ago. The Monacan Indians had many legends concerning the bridge and tried to live as near to it as possible. Most of those who work in the village every day are descendants of various Indian tribes. They make all their own tools, clothing and shelter using the same techniques and means the Monacan Indians would have used. It is a fascinating exhibit. They kill animals with snares, traps or the bow and arrow. They cook meat they have killed or items they have grown or gathered every day on a stone slab over a fire. Then, at 5 PM, they get in their cars and go home...probably put some pizza in the microwave and watch the game.

Of Historical Significance

Virginia: Places of Note

Due to Delta sending my bags to Detroit, I had some free time in Virginia. I visited the MacArthur Memorial and President's Park in Williamsburg. So...here's a little history lesson.

General MacArthur is perhaps best known as Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers and for his work in aiding to rebuild Japan after WWII. The Memorial is housed in Norfolk's nineteenth century City Hall. A monumental rotunda is the General's and Mrs. MacArthur’s final resting place. Nine separate galleries tell the story of General MacArthur and the millions of American men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces from the Civil War through the Korean War.

The mural pictured is based on the famous World War II photograph of the landing on Leyte in 1944. I found it to be quite extraordinary.

President's Park in Williamsburg, VA is a beautiful park/garden through which one can meander 20 foot tall busts/statues of all the presidents. At each bust is posted interesting facts and quotes of that particular president. At Abraham Lincoln's statue, it is posted that upon being accused of being two-faced, President Lincoln replied, "If I were two-faced, do you think I would be wearing this one." Funny guy.

There was also an exhibit of Air Force One, gowns of the First Ladies and a replica of the Oval Office (at which for $4 I had a little photo shoot).

Lance, Tosha and Remi in Midway

Tosha and Lance asked me to take some family photos in Midway. Midway in the fall is amazing! The colors are so vibrant. This is actually the second photo shoot. The first photos experienced death at the hands of a tempermental hard drive. Both shoots were so much fun though. Thanks to the Arnout's for inviting me. Such a beautiful family!

Faith's Blessing Day

In The Beginning

By popular request and for everyone's viewing pleasure, photos from the past five months. A special thanks to Travis Hansen for helping me create this little photo journal.