Camping!!

We went camping up American Fork Canyon for Father's Day weekend. We didn't realize that everyone else in the state of Utah would have the same idea. It was so crowded, pretty much every camping spot was taken. We finally found one, that we had to hike up to a little bit, it wasn't bad at all, and it was a great little spot!! We had so much fun, it was me Chad and the kids, My 3 brothers: Jeff, Matt and Kevin and Jeff's girlfriend Jen. My niece Ashley was going to come, but I was so glad to hear that she chose to go to youth conference instead!! We are hoping to be able to plan a camping trip with my entire immediate family, up American Fork Canyon in August, and then one with Chad's family to Lake Alexander...both are so beautiful!!! I love it, and I am glad the kids love it too!! We bought a little hatchet for Austin (I know, I know he is only 3, but he is going to be 4 next month, we watch him carefully and he has been very responsible with it) that he helps Chad chop firewood with. And Alyssa explores the whole campsite helping everyone with whatever looks fun and exciting. We had a lot of fun!!!

Camping Fun!!!

We went camping over the weekend up American Fork Canyon. It was the first time that we have gone with the kids. And it had been 5 years since Chad and I had gone. We were a little nervous of bears because of the recent attacks in that very same canyon, but we braved it anyway. I am glad we did, we had a good time. In fact, the kids didn't want to come home! We were camping right by this river so we would walk down and let the kids throw rocks and sticks in. They loved it!! At night we saw deer walking right through our camp. It freaked us out at first because we saw their green glowing eyes and thought it was a mountain lion or bear. The kids loved it though, we didn't let them know we (OK, I) was scared. Unfortunately while Chad was out gathering wood and chopping it all up, he got really sunburned and the kids did too, I only got a little on my face and Ashley not really at all. Austin loved helping daddy with the wood chopping and helping with the fire. This weekend I couldn't believe how alike Chad he is. Chad even made him his own wood pile and would let him throw some wood on the fire, he was so proud, and thought he was as big as can be. Alyssa loved the freedom of the outdoors and loved exploring. She almost felt a little too free, and kept taking off her clothes, so silly! She got a little too brave by the river so Chad, Ashley and I never took our eyes off of her. She is fearless! We cut our camping trip short, and left home just as it was getting dark, because of all the uncomfortable sunburns. But what did we do with all the wood we stocked up on? Why we burned it, we burned it all!!! I am so glad that we have our SUV so we are able to go and do these things, we already have another camping trip planned in 2 weeks!!

Bouncin' around

The kids were in heaven today!! The weather was so nice and enjoyable that Austin and Abby were able to go on a 2 1/2 mile bike ride and Haylie and Alyssa got to enjoy the 2 1/2 miles in a stroller looking at all the puppy dogs along the way. They played in the backyard all day!! Later that night, after Chad and I got back from our walk we played with the kids on the trampoline. We love the trampoline!! Last Sunday, we were at Chad's moms house and Chad, Nick and Casey played all their games that they played as kids and were brushing up on all their tricks, I have to admit, they were pretty good...Rich got some great pictures (I need a copy of those...please!!!) Here are some of our pictures tonight on the trampoline, I will see if I can post some later with the pictures Rich took... don't be jealous of our moves...

Check out the static electricity....


So HANDSOME...


Chad, we are so awesome!

I love their giggles...

A Day with Thomas The Train

We made the drive up to Heber, where Thomas the Tank Engine made a pit stop at the Heber Valley Railroad Station. We had so much fun!! Asenath and Dusten were able to come with us, which made for a fun day!!! We had lunch with live music, tattoos, we got to pet shetland ponies, balloon animals, ride on Thomas the Train and the list goes on....
(Sorry Jessica and Miranda, I can't believe I bought tickets for the wrong day, you'll have fun tomorrow)

lights out!

Our power was out for a couple hours today. And because it was wet and rainy outside, and I had my sisters kids that I had to entertain too, I decided to take the kids to the Carls Junior playland. And after they got bored there, I took them over to the McDonalds playland and they had ice cream and played some more. And then when we got home the power was still off, but it had stopped raining so they played in the mud and made some mud pies...Now we have power again...Hooray!!! I am so thankful for electricity. And for our washer and dryer and the kids croc's (plastic shoes)