Flaming Gorge

We spent Pioneer weekend at Flaming Gorge this year. I always look forward to this trip. The Gorge is so huge and beautiful.

Randy and I have a "toy share" so we decided to use our points and get a boat for the weekend. We invited both our families and anyone who wanted to join us. Not everyone could come but we had a BLAST with those that came.

Usually we camp on the north part of the lake on Swim Beach. We left on Wednesday night thinking there would be plenty of spots left on the beach. Boy we were wrong. The beach was packed with holiday campers. We found a small cove close to swim beach and camped there.





One of my favorite parts of Flaming Gorge is the Gorge itself. Usually we take the boat up the Gorge to the dam. Since there were so many people and we couldn't all fit in the boat we drove to the dam instead. Brad and Claire wanted to drive with Nanny and Papa. They were all set with their headphones.





The view was breathtaking. It made me nervous watching my kids get so close to the fence.





I invited my cousin Alexa to come. She was a huge help with my kids. Since Randy drove the boat a lot of the time she was my second pair of eyes and arms. I hope she had fun. It was sure fun to have her there with us.




After we were done looking on top of the dam we drove to the bottom where the the lake feeds into the Green River. Since the lake drains from the bottom of the lake the water was freezing. It felt so good on our feet. More refreshing than a popsicle. Even Mollie liked the cold water.







Tori's family camped with us. They were so fun to hang out with. Tori's mom Pam was an awesome skier. She put us all to shame.





Brad and Claire loved the tube. I was surprised how crazy they let us drive. Brad learned all the hand signals and would give us a thumbs up or down for faster or slower. Most of the time it was a thumbs up.



The kids spent most of the time playing in the water. I don't even know why I packed them any regular clothes. They cried when it was time to get out of the water to put street clothes on. However when night came they crashed. They could hardly keep their little eyes open. I think that went for the adults too. We were all so tired by the end of the night.







The last day we were there we bribed brad with $10 to try water skiing. He was pretty hesitant. After a lot of coaching and talking through it he was ready to give it a try.








Uncle Tim and Randy got him all ready. He didn't get up but he gave it a valiant try. We did so much talking about hanging on to the rope. No one told him to let go if he didn't get up. He ended up swallowing the whole lake. The first thing he said when he got back on the boat was. "Dad!! I want my $10!!!"












This trip was so much fun. I love being with family and friends. We missed those who couldn't come this year. Can't wait until next year.

Newborns

Our really good friends that live next door just had their cute baby about 10 days ago. Claire and Brad have literally been dying to see the new peanut. It has been a huge chore reminding them to keep their distance.

Claire got to hold and see Wyatt for the first time last night. She was in heaven. Congrats Melissa and Todd!!! We think he is great.



I love this picture.

Since they had their baby we have been helping out with Sammy. While they were in the hospital she was a permanent fixture in our back yard. Now Sammy has to deal with a newborn at home and the newborn at the neighbors. She is such a good dog. Hopefully she will rub off on our dog.

Meet Mollie

We got her yesterday...

We are very busy being entertained by her every move...

I forgot that puppy translates to newborn...

My kids really needed a dog...

We still claim the right to borrow next door dog Sammy...

When I say it has been a zoo around here ,I mean it literaly...

Randy found a frog in our rocks last night. He gave it to Brad who mauled it to death then paraded it around the neighborhood to show all his friends.












Then I get a text from Randy with this picture because the kids found a little garden snake. Even the girls were fighting over who got to hold it next!!!



We have been finding all kinds of wildlife around here lately.

We have caught up with the times...

Cache Valley finally has a splash park!!!

They turned on the fountain on Monday and we had to be among the first to try it out. We will do anything to keep cool.

Yard Updates

Our awesome fire pit is finished!!! Our good friend Wally came over this week and did the stucco finish.



He did an awesome job and we love it!!!






We lit it for the first time on Saturday. We openly invited anyone to come over to enjoy the bon-fire. It was so fun. We roasted marshmallows and enjoyed company late into the night. Any time ANYONE sees flames or smoke...come on over it is an open invitation. We love the company.



My garden started to take off this week. I am so excited to have a garden of my own. We have all ready been eating the spinach and the lettuce. The vine veggies are blossoming and the corn looks good so far.