Girls Camp 2012

I'm sad to say that this is the only picture I have from girls camp 2012...and it wasn't even taken at camp!  The night before we headed up on the mountain for camp, lightning struck not too far away from our camp area and started another fire.  We could see the smoke and the flames when we were driving.  Once we reached the campground, we were told not to unpack anything because they might be sending us home.  We had a long devotional up at them ampitheater and then went to our ward campsites to eat our lunches and wait for word.  About an hour later, we saw two fire marshall truck drive up the road...they were moving pretty fast.  Then 15 minutes later they came around to each of the camps and told us we had 20 minutes to evacuate.  We loaded the girls up and headed back home...a total of 2 1/2 hours on the mountain!!  But when we arrived home, things had gotten worse there with the Wood Hollow fire.  We took the girls to the stake center to watch the movie UP and make their camp crafts while they were making plans on where to spend the rest of the week.  About half way through the movie we got word that Fairview was being evacuated and the people would be staying with people in Mt. Pleasant and Spring City and also at the shelter set up by the Red Cross at North Sanpete high school.  Needless to say, we took the girls home so they could be with their families.  This picture was taken at our "day camp" held at the old church in Spring City.  The speaker had each of the girls write something on their balloon that was weighing them down in life and then each of us were invited to come outside where we let those worries go. What an awesome idea!!

A Quick Trip to Ikea

I had to make a quick trip to Provo to pick up some things for girls camp and when I found out that Brandi and the boys were in Draper we made a date for lunch at Ikea.  The boys love the swedish meatballs...they are pretty tasty!!!  Thanks for the invite Bea...it was good food and great company!!

The Wood Hollow Fire

Utah was filled with lots of wildfires this summer and the Wood Hollow fire was one of the first.  It was started when two power lines arched and then went to ground.  It seems like it burned forever.  There were hundreds of acres burned, dozens of houses destroyed and one life lost.  It sad watching something like this so close to home!  Below is a picture of the same mountain taken at night.  The whole experience was very scarey!!!!! 

A Visit from Marcia and Arrel

We got a call from Randy's sister the other day asking if they could drop by and see us on their way to California.  To be honest, I can't remember the last time they were here.  We fixed them dinner and sat around talking about family, their mission and the good old days.  They didn't stay very long!  We had invited them to stay the night but they wanted to drive a little further so they wouldn't have so long to travel the next day.  Thanks for dropping by to see us...come back and see us again :-)

Arrel just being Arrel!!

The Old Stick in the Mountain

When I was just a little girl, I use to ride to Bear Lake with my grandma and grandpa Davis.  We would drive along the old highway (just on the other side of the railroad tracks).  Each time we went they would pull the car over by this mountain and grandpa would tell me the story of how a long time ago someone was worried that this mountain would fall down because of the overhang so they found a stick and pushed it up under the rocks.  To this day there is a stick under that mountain (if you look close you can see it in the middle of the rock).  I'm sure over the years it has been replaced many times, but I wonder how many little kids have been told that same story.  Thank you granny and grandpa for taking me with you and sharing your stories...I sure do miss you!!!

Bear Lake 2012

This is how our trip starts each year...with the trailer backed up to the garage so we can load the SeaDoo and the 4-wheeler inside.  Then we close the back door and off we go.  This year we had the first week in June so we already knew we were in for a cold week.  Cold or not, we enjoy this family time together.

We tried to find all kinds of activities to do since we couldn't spend much time in the water without freezing.  I made some bubble blowers so the kids could make monster bubbles.  They seemed to have a pretty good time.

Ashley took on the biggest "keep busy" project.  She cut out wood letters so we could cover them with paper and decorate our homes.  This was the little sanding area...the boat house comes in handy for a lot of things!!! 

At night we taught Shell's kids how to play progressive rummy.  It is a pretty addicting game.  Kenzie is quite the little card shark!!!

Wyatt lovin' on Melissa and Stewarts new little baby.

The three amigos braving the cold water...a balmy 62 degrees!!!

While we did take the SeaDoo out, we didn't blow up the tube. 

The water was way too cold for that!!  Thank heaven for wet suits!!!

Jason and Krysten enjoying the sun...it was too

cold to sit in the shade!!

Walking up to the snow cone place by the KOA is something we do every year.  This year it was only open on the weekend so we had to save our cravings until then.

The Ramsay's joined us...even if it was only just one day. 

Bently and Sadie came along for the ride too.

I love the night we have the family dinner.  We invite everyone over to our camp and eat chuck wagon style.  We had our usual bbq turkey, rattlesnake beans and monkey bread.  I've thought about doing something else but the rest of the family tells me there would be a big revolt if I did.  Makes my life easier know what to plan on :-)

I remember the year they bought this old paddle boat...that should give you some idea of just how old it is.  It doesn't make it out into the water anymore, but the kids still like to play on it.

This picture of Holly and Aaron might give you a good idea of just how cold it was up there.  Little Watson wasn't sure what to think about it.   We even had to sleep with the heaters on in our trailers and in the cabins!!  ....burrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

This was Pete's first year at Bear Lake.  He found all kinds of fun things to play in.

So as you can see...we braved the cold weather and enjoyed ourselves in spite of it.  We really love this time together and each years brings us a little closer to when we won't be going there any more...only 4 years left :-(  Thanks again Aunt Dode and Uncle Fred for giving us this opportunity.  We only wish you could be here to share it with us...but then you probably are here with us...aren't you :-)

The Lineman Rodeo 2012

It's time again for the lineman rodeo where these guys climb poles doing all sorts of scarey looking and dangerous things.  I still can't believe that Jason does this for a living and enjoys it!  Their team consisted of Jason and his friends Randy and Russ.  Just a note as you are looking through these pictures...there is NO electricity in the lines!!!  Thank heavens!!!!  After they did the rodeo in Salt Lake, they also traveled to Montana and Washington and they are headed to the national rodeo held in Kansas City this coming October.  Congrats guys and kick so major butt!!!

That's Jason all stretched out on the pole!!

This is how they do the opening flag ceremony. 

It's pretty cool to watch!!

This funny little guy was walking around the rodeo

and stopped for a picture with Haylee and Taite.

Happy Birthday Jason

This year Jason was here in Sanpete to celebrate his big day so he got to choose what kind of homemade cake he wanted.  Raspberry cheesecake was the choice today.  Our baby boy turned 29 this year.  He probably hates being called that, but it is what it is...even if he is taller than me!!!  Happy birthday Jason and here's to many more.  We love you!!!

Our sweet son at 4 months old

The Eclipes

It's one thing to be able to watch an eclipes at night, but it's something else to watch it in the middle of the day.  This picture is deceiving because it was taken through protective glass, but it stayed light through the whole thing.  We all wore the protective glasses so we could look directly at it, but without them it looked like a normal day.  I can't remember how many years they said it would be before we would have another one of these during daylight hours, but it's going to be a really long time.  We made it a family event...and it was AWESOME to watch!!

TaNeal and Kenzie getting ready for the big event

Do we look excited or what?!?!?



Out with the Old...In with the New

Welcome to Jason and Krysten's new home...and what a beauty it is!!!  Lots of room to move around in and the basement is so big that you could put a bowling alley in there!!  We are so excited for them.  Below is a picture of the house they sold...it was kinda sad to drive by and see how the new homeowners have just let the lawns dry out.  Jason kept them beautiful while they were living there.  Now they have lots of space to plan a yard with fun things just the way they like it.  Congratulations you two...you deserve it!!!!!

Lucky 13

Well...Wyatt is officially a teenager now!!  13 years old...WOW!!!!  All he wanted was red frosted cupcakes and homemade raspberry icecream.  Wyatt's a good kid, love sports and riding his motorcycle. He also loves his mullet!  Happy Birthday Wyatt!! We love you!!!

Happy Birthday Amy Lou

It's hard to believe that our baby girl is really 32 years old!!  Amy and the kids traveled into Famous Dave's to meet me for lunch.  It was fun just sitting around eating lunch and visiting.

Happy Birthday Amy...and here's to many more.  It's been a fun journey watching what a beautiful young lady and wonderful mother you have become.  We love you!!!

Here yummy birthday dessert

Amy - 4 months old

A Quick Granny Visit

It was time for a quick visit with Ian, Damon and Jonas while Bea and Morgan took the fun bus out to Wendover.  It's always fun to spend time with my little buddies!! Dinner at Sizzler...several games of Uno...bedtime stories and this time it was also NBA semi-finals.  My Jazz made it into the first round of the finals...something everyone was a little suprised about...so our season was extended...even if it was just for four more games!!  Fun times!!!!

Damon planting a smooch on his "old" granny :-)

Easter 2012

It's hard to believe we have been gathering for dinner and an Easter egg hunt ever since Kenzie was just a little girl!! Now she is 16 years old.  Randy decided that since the kids were getting older, he would make finding the eggs a little harder and I think he succeeded!!  Logan and Wyatt were the first ones finished, then Gavin but poor Haylee and Taite had to come in and eat dinner and then head back out to find the rest of theirs.  I am making a mental note for next year...do NOT put chocolate candy bars in the eggs!!  This year we had a beautiful warm sunny day to do the hunt and heat and chocolate just to not go well together!! 

The cute bunny cake Holly made for dessert

Spring has Sprung

There is something special about the springtime.  I'm not sure if it's the new baby animals being born or all of the beautiful blossoms on the trees.  This is a picture of the blossoms on our apricot tree in the front yard just as the tree was starting to bloom.  Ahhhh...new life...everything and everyone has the opportunity for a re-birth!  That's what it is that makes this time of year so special!!

Here is the tree a few days later in full bloom

A Half-Birthday???

Brandi and her family have a tradition of celebrating their half birthday...which is 6 months after your last birthday and 6 months before you next birthday.  They were on their way home from their spring road trip and stopped by to spend the night on Jonas' half birthday.  As Bea was thinking about it, she realized that it was also Taites half birthday since Jonas and Taite were both born on October 4th.  She asked me if we could celebrate their half birthday...and since I don't mind a good party...we had the celebration.  Jonas wanted waffles for dinner, but the rest of his family talked him into homemade pizza.  He also wanted purple frosted cupcakes...which he got...and since the peach ice cream was such a hit for my birthday, we decided to have another batch for the half-birthday.  What a fun idea this half-birthday.  All kinds of celebrations going on all year long!!  So happy half-birthday Taite and Jonas and just another 6 months until you are a whole year older!!

Another Year Older!!

When you get to spend the day with all the people you love, it makes it worth getting a whole year older!!!  I decided to drive to Salt Lake to meet Brandi, Amy, Jason and my mom for a birthday lunch.  I thought I would be better for just one of us to drive through that awful traffic and road construction in Utah county!!  It was an AWESOME lunch!!

Jonas, Bea, Jason, Dominic, Mom, Me, Amy and Tailar

Then it was back on the road to head home to celebrate with all the rest of my family.  Holly made some yummy chocolate/raspberry cupcakes and we had some homemade peach ice cream.  Everyone that is close to my heart either took time to spend time with me or they called, sent texts or facebooked me.  It was a wonderful day!!

Logan, Kenzie, Gavin, Haylee, Taite and the yummy cupcakes!

Happy Birthday Dominic

It seems like it was just yesterday we were celebrating Dominic getting baptized and now he is another year older!!  This year Dominic had a new little someone celebrating with him...their new dog Bently.  Me and the new family member got along great.  Infact, he bumped against my bedroom door until he could get it opened and then he climbed on my bed and slept by my feet at the bottom of my bed.  Happy Birthday Dominic and thanks for letting me come celebrate with you!  Love you!!

Dominic, Tailar and Bently