Coulam Family Blog: August 2010

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

First Day of School

The first day of school was August 23rd. All of the kids are going to public school this year and let me tell you it was quite a process to get Matt back into El Camino this year. The school district had me running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to get all the paper work processed correctly and waiting in line for HOURS!!! Any way, the kids all seem to be happy and doing well. Here are some pics of the first day.

All the girls before school.

Miranda is in 7th grade.

Carlin is in 4th grade

Kylie is a sophomore this year

Matt is a senior. Last year of high school if all goes well. YEAH!!!

Carlin with her teacher Mr. Parnas.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Ward Campout to Camp Nauvoo

This weekend was our Ward Campout at Camp Nauvoo. We took the family and two friends along for the fun. We got up there just in time for dinner. I sent Carlin and Alyssa to eat while the rest of us girls put up the tent. Warren came up later with Matt and Kylie. After dinner there was a campfire where we played games and watched a skit. We then were treated to some S'mores. Yummy!! I took the little girls to bed and everyone else was up quite late playing with all the other kids. In the morning, Warren got up and helped make breakfast while the rest of us slept in(well, not really). Breakfast was also yummy and then it was play time again. We played until noon and then we packed up and went home. On the way home we did stop at In 'n Out. We had a great time!

Matt with Dave Mills

Just getting out of the tent in the morning.

Miranda with her friends.

Kylie helping a friend pack up her tent.

Miranda and Anna

All the girls playing a balloon game.

Carlin and Alyssa on the raft.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

I Survived Half Dome!!!

After Warren went to Half Dome last week with the scouts, I told him I would like to do it. I have never done it and wanted to. I told him the sooner the better or else I would probably chicken out! So we had both sets of grandparents take the kids and we went. We left on Monday afternoon to find a camping spot so we wouldn't have to get up so early. We ended up staying on the turn out of a side road just outside Yosemite's gates. We got up at 4:30, packed up the car and started our adventure. We started hiking a little after 6:00. We reached the top at 12:50 p.m. We enjoyed the views for about 45 minutes and then started the journey down. We finished the hike at 7:00. At the end, my legs were shaking and were rubber. Well worth it though!! I faced my fear of heights AND proved to myself that I could do it!!! I even bought a "I Made It To The Top" t-shirt!! Quite the adventure!!

sign coming into Yosemite at 5:00 a.m.

stopped at an overlook the night before the hike

scenery from Happy Trails bridge

coming up to Vernal Falls

Warren and I at top of Vernal Falls

Warren and I at Nevada Falls

another scenic view

a deer on the side of the trail

a view of Half Dome

I am going up the cables of Half Dome (facing my fear of heights)

me at the top and on the edge (another big step for me with my phobia of heights)

Warren and I at the top

going down the cables

stair and more stairs

finished!!! Yeah!!!

my battle wounds!! tripped at the very beginning of the hike on rock and got a gash. I am sure Warren thought at that moment we weren't going to make it, but we did.

Miranda's trip around the U.S. with Grandpa and Grandma Hall

I am finally putting up the pictures from Miranda's trip this summer. She went on a trip with Grandma and Grandpa Hall and three of her cousins to tour some of the national and church historical sites. She was gone for 3 1/2 weeks. She had a great time and didn't seem to miss us at all! We are grateful she had this opportunity. Thanks Mom and Dad!!

view of Adam Ondi Ahman