Spring City Canyon

Tonight Randy and I decided to take a little drive up Spring City canyon.  The youth were going on a hike to the tunnel and I wanted to make sure I knew where I was going...so up the mountain we went.  This waterfall was on the first little hike we took looking for the infamous tunnel.  As we traveled along the roads we talked about how lucky we are to have these beautiful mountains within minutes of our house.  When our kids were little we use to load them all in the truck and drive up on the mountain to roast hot dogs and marshmallows and just spend time together as a family.  Now they are all grown up and it's just the two of us.  While we didn't roast any hog dogs, we did enjoy the peace and beauty these mountains bring.  Following are some shots from the mountain...and our little "mud boggin" adventure.

Raised in the Hood

This my friends, is my sweet son Jason...who is not only good looking and very talented, but has a personality that is AWESOME!!!  He is not afraid to be his own person...and I am so thankful he found our Krysten, who loves him for who he is.  Brandi took this picture while we were at Bear Lake and then posted it on her Facebook page. When I saw it, I couldn't quit laughing!!  Then all the comments that went back and forth between our family were priceless.  He tried to blame his quirky attire on his four sisters, but in the end I came to see how much he loves them and they love him.  So here is to being "raised in the hood" with four sisters!!  Did I mention how much I love my kids?!?!?!

Jason and our sweet Krysten at Bear Lake

Bear Lake 2011

Last week was our yearly family gathering at Bear Lake.  It's a time of year that I truly look forward to because I have the chance to spend time with my children, my grandchildren, my mom, brother, sister and all my nieces and nephews.  I've been coming to the lake since I was just a young child with my grandparents and it is filled with memories that I treasure.  It makes me sad to think that this time at the cabin will end in 2017 when the place will be turned over to Aunt Dodes grandchildren, but how blessed we have been all these years to have the chance to spend time together at such a beautiful place.  As we were cleaning up and getting ready to leave, Damon asked me  "Granny, so why are you giving up this motel in 5 years?"  Oh how I wish that wasn't going to happen.  But we will cherish the few years we have left and make memories for my children and grandchildren to remember.

This year...as always...we had tons of fun and lots of different projects to keep us busy.  Here are just a few of the pictures of Bear Lake 2011

Fun times on the Seadoo

The kids ready to play in the water

My five beautiful children at the Raspberry Days parade

Poker games in the boat house

Just sitting in front of the boat house watching the kids play in the lake

Tie-dying shirts - you will notice all the colorful creations in our family picture

Decorating cookies

Watching the Raspberry Days parade on main street in Garden City

Yummy treats made by my neices

A family picture including my mom



So here is to the family tradition started a long, long time ago of spending precious time together at that cabin on Bear Lake and creating memories that will last long after our time there has ended.  Bless you Aunt Dode and Uncle Fred for sharing this beautiful place with us for so many years.