MN and WI

I'm excited that we were able to fit in a lighthouse trip this year!  Due to rough weather, there are still 2 more lighthouses in the Apostle Islands that I will have to go back to see.  But, I did get to add 17 new lighthouses to my list!   We even fit in a bike ride along the Gitchi Gami trail to the Split Rock lighthouse.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YXhUY3asb8

GRAND MARAIS LIGHT, MN
SPLIT ROCK LIGHT, MN
TWO HARBORS EAST BREAKWATER, MN
TWO HARBORS LIGHT, MN
DULUTH HARBOR NORTH BREAKWATER LIGHT, MN
DULUTH SOUTH BREAKWATER INNER LIGHT, MN
DULUTH SOUTH BREAKWATER OUTER LIGHT, MN
MINNESOTA POINT LIGHT, MN

WISCONSIN POINT (SUPERIOR HARBOR ENTRY SOUTH BREAKWATER LIGHT), WI

MICHIGAN ISLAND LIGHT (OLD), WI
MICHIGAN ISLAND LIGHT (NEW), WI
LA POINTE (LONG ISLAND) LIGHT, WI
CHEQUAMEGON POINT, WI
ASHLAND HARBOR BREAKWATER LIGHT, WI
GULL ISLAND, WI (distant view)
DEVILS ISLAND LIGHT, WI
RASPBERRY ISLAND LIGHT, WI

Happy Birthday to an awesome husband

No cake, but we did have pumpkin pie and played board games via Skype with family to celebrate!

Celebrations

Back home to wedding receptions and baby showers!

Katie

This year we learned about Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).  Very scary.  Our niece Katie is 16 years old, and was life-flighted from St. George, Utah to the burn center at the University of Utah hospital in Salt Lake City. 

Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are two forms of a life-threatening skin condition, in which cell death causes the epidermis to separate from the dermis. The syndrome is thought to be a hypersensitivity complex that affects the skin and the mucous membranes.  The mortality for toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is 30–40 percent.

Katie had a severe case, and lost skin all over the inside and outside of her body.  She was on breathing tubes and several other tubes for an extended period of time.  She had multiple surgeries and had skin graphs that affected most of her body.  She was in a lot of pain and in a lot of prayers.  Her recovery has been a miracle.  After about two months in intensive care, she is now back in St. George, in the hospital there. 

I can't  believe that this is the burden their family has been asked to bear, but I am amazed by their faith.  I am so grateful for the body that I have, the health I enjoy, and the amazing example of dedication and perseverance by Katie and her family.

Meeting the Johanson Family Relatives

Johanson relatives came from far and near to meet their Butikofer cousins.  It was a short time, but so good to see everyone again!

Salt Lake City

After such a good time in Idaho, we headed back to Utah for our final day.   I got to meet my youngest nephew, spend some time at temple square, and of course be reminded of the ever-present BYU vs. U of U rivalry.

Idaho Trip - Family Pictures

What a good looking bunch of Butikofers! 

Idaho Trip - Yellowstone

James has fond memories of going to Yellowstone.  His Grandfather was proud of the fact that he had visited every year of his life.  Lots to see and explore!  We timed it right to watch Old Faithful go off twice!

Idaho Trip - Camping

Shannon put together this fun video of our campout.

Idaho Trip - Mesa Falls

Idaho Trip - Grandma and Grandpa's House

Fun exploring at Grandma and Grandpa after a long day of traveling.

 

Idaho Trip - Welcome Sign

Have you ever been excited to take a picture, and it just didn't work out the way you wanted?  I promise we were all excited to get to Idaho, but taking a "quick stop" with a large family and hoping for a perfect picture, may not have been the most realistic expectation. 

Idaho Trip - Second Lunch

We flew into Salt Lake, and the first stop was to visit Katie in the University of Utah hospital.  She gave a half-smile for our rendition of "Mother Soup Surprise".  Jeremy was quite the favorite outside playing the tag/dog pile game.  For second lunch we had walking tacos at the park.

Idaho Trip - Plane Ride

On July 30 the long - awaited day finally came.  The kids got their first airplane ride, and were on their way to Idaho for the first time in eight years, or the first time ever.  Thankfully things went pretty smoothly.  No problems parking the car or getting checked in.  We rotated who got to sit near the window for the flight.  Our first lunch was humus, bread and vegetables.

July Pastimes

Some plants did better than others, but we are actually getting a yield this year from our garden! 


 
 
 
 

Splash Pad

 

The kids said that the swimming pool is more fun, but they still enjoyed their time at the splash pad and park.

 

 

 

 

Independence Day

For the 4th of July, we started off the morning with a bike ride to the church, enjoyed a pancake breakfast, and ended up the evening watching fireworks from the Wilson bridge.  It's great to live in the nation's capitol to celebrate this time of year.  And the weather was even nice!

Blue Ridge Mountains

James and I went to say Hi to Joseph at scout camp.  We also were able to enjoy a free hotel night in Waynesboro, Virginia, and a great hike to Crabtree Falls.