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.