Camping @ Lost Creek: High Unitas

 We got a call from the Bakers on Wednesday wondering if we wanted to go camping with them that weekend.  It is a holiday weekend in Utah because Sunday is Pioneer Day.  Some lucky folks (not us) get Monday off for the holiday.  We thought is would be fun to just pick up and get away.  How hard is it to prepare for a two day camping trip anyway?

 

We met Matt in Jeremy Ranch by his house to head up to the camp site.  He had previously driven up already and reserved a site (that was such a blessing because the area had JUST been opened up for camping due to the large snow pack and quickly filled up!)

He then drove back home to attend a music recital for Laura (his oldest) and then the whole family joined us later that night.

The boys had a great time whittling with their new pocket knives.  They all made Harry Potter wands and practiced their magic spells.  Sharp knives and burning things in the fire was all we needed to keep the boys happy for the weekend.

 We partied with just our family the first night.  We ate chips and salsa . . .

 roasted smore's . . .

 and had fun hangin' by the camp fire.

 Bubba had a great time having a new buddy Matthew.  They swung in the hammock and palled around the whole weekend.

 Matt and Jenny

 This is our beautiful camp site.  It was SO GREEN!  There were wild flowers and water creating little streams EVERYWHERE!  It almost seemed like the ground was just oozing water.  There was even snow is some parts of the camp ground.  The nights were SUPER cold and the mosquitoes seemed ravenous.  Next time more layers and bug spray!!!

 Jake, Rachel, Hannah, Laura, and Carson playing games.

 Matt and I made yummy Dutch oven dinner Saturday night.  We had a chicken and rice casserole and a chocolate, fudge pudding cake for dessert.  

For second dessert we had SMORE'S!

 me and Jenny

 I'm still not sure why this is the look Josh chooses when taking a picture.  Maybe one day he will look back and wonder himself.

Jake, Carson, Josh and Laura

 On our way home the last day we went up to Mirror Lake.  It was sure beautiful and wet and full of water.  (We had to make it a quick hike because we were being EATEN alive by mosquitos.)

 Here's the whole family (yes, we have a 6th child now.  My nephew Carson practically lives with us.)

 Josh was tired and grumpy so he his out in this log to avoid being photographed.  I got him anyway. HA HA!   (He is holding his skillfully carved wand.  David said that it had a unicorn hair to give it it's powers.  I think it probably has a toad fart instead.)

Rachel INSISTED on getting this photo before we left.  This is one of her "natural" looks.

Stadium of FIRE-Saturday, July 2nd

We started our 4th of July celebration a little early this year and headed to Grandma/Grandpa Monson's house for a traditional "weenie" roast.  The kids had fun roasting their dogs and marshmallows in the the blazing fire and 90 degree weather!  Too hot for me, though.

We left early from the party to join the Baker's at STADIUM OF FIRE!!!  We got super-cheap tickets  this year -- David Archuletta and Brad Paisley were the "talents".

 My favorite part each year is the national anthem and the fighter jets flying overhead.  It always makes me tear up a bit!  What a blessing to live in America! 

One of the first events was some parachuters landing in the stadium while patriotic music played.

The last guy came in with a flag.  It was very moving . . .

until . . . CRASH

 He must of timed his landing a little off because he crashed into the barricades and camera men. Notice where the flag is.   Thankfully nobody was seriously hurt!

 Just the GIRLS

 Daniel was hilarious watching most of the show through the binoculars.

 Rachel and Hannah Baker

The firework show at the end was SPECTACULAR!!!  The best ever.  This is where the stadium gets the name FIRE!!!  You could feel the HEAT all the way up in the nose-bleed section where we were sitting.

 Jake, Bubba, Laura, Josh and Sarah

(notice Laura is right next to Josh - she has a bit of a crush, to Josh's HORROR!)

Here is the whole crew right after the show!

1st Swim Meet

The Hawkins inspired us to join the swim team this year.  The boys have been practicing and perfecting their "skills" in preparation for their 1st Swim Meet!  Wow - we were excited and a little nervous.  Josh and Jake both were entered in the 50 meter free style and backstroke.  That is 2 laps for you rookies out there.  And that's A LONG WAY!

Jake had the first race - 50 meter backstroke and did great.  He got there and back with no problem.  However, the 50 meter free was a different story.  I thought I would have to jump in there for a moment and use my rusty lifeguard skills.  He did make it was was POOPED in the end.  I am SO proud of him for doing something NEW and HARD!

 Josh, understandably, is a much stronger swimmer.  His first race was also the 50 meter backstroke and he looked good out there.  I think he ended up with 5th place.  Not bad for the 1st time!

He did have a little technical difficulty in the 50 meter freestyle.  After he dove in his goggles got all TWISTED up.  He had to stop and readjust them.  That slowed him down a little.  We will have to practice the "dive in w/goggles move" a little more!

Marching DIVA

 Sarah had her 1st parade - the Lehi Roundup.  She was so excite to put on her stylin' uniform - especially the hat.  Who can pass down the chance to wear a feathery hat?  I sure couldn't!!!

 She sure is beautiful!

Oakley Rodeo

 The Baker's invited us to go to the Oakley Rodeo with them this year.  We headed to their new townhouse in Jeremy Ranch first for a BBQ.  After yummy food, we headed off.

While we were getting ready to go, it was a mad scramble for everyone to locate the PROPER rodeo attire: cowboy hat, boots, jeans, etc.  Luckily one of our neighbors has a great supply of costumes.  Then I got to listen to an hour of fighting and crying on the way there as to WHO was going to get to wear the TWO cowboy hats.  Of course once we were there, NOBODY really cared too much.  

I had planned on taking a bunch a great pics.  However, Danny wanted a shot as photographer.  Within minutes, my camera was busted in the dirt below the bleachers.  So, we ended up with 3!

Since it has been pretty HOT lately, I wasn't thinking clearly and didn't bring jackets for when the sun went down.  We were all shivering and huddled under a blanket that some people behind us lent us - they must of taken pity on the rodeo rookies.  NEXT TIME WE WILL BE PREPARED!

 You can't see my super-awesome boots in this picture.  I was AUTHENTIC!!!!

 So ADORABLE!

Josh @ 11 yr Scout Camp

 Josh had his 1st real boy scout over-nighter.  It was up Hobble Creek Canyon and just for one night.  He was so excited that his dad was able to go with him!

 Josh with his buddies Connor, Cole and Dallin Vick.

Josh is so blessed to have MANY great kids his age in our neighborhood.  I really love all his friends (and it's a good thing, too, because I sure see a lot of them :)

 It look like Josh learned some SKILLS!

 Pretty amazing picture of a mamma moose.  Dave said there was a baby near by!

Josh sure love to spend time with his dad.  It is a rare commodity with his work schedule.  I am grateful that he was able to juggle his travel plans and get back in time to go camping with Josh!

Josh and Connor at the Trading Post.  The money just BURNS a hole in the their pockets.  It's all they can do to hold off until it's time to buy sharp knives and candy!  

Lake Powell

 We rented a house boat with the Granata and Stewart families this year.  We left on June 12th, the day after Garin and I ran the Utah Valley half marathon.  I was pretty beat and sore, but we managed to get packed up and to Antelope Point with no problems.  My niece Michelle also came.  She is leaving for her mission only a few days after we get back.  Also, David found out from his "jerk-boss" a few days before our trip that he wouldn't be able to take the week  off to come with us, so he will only be joining us for Friday and Saturday - BUMMER!

 We arrived to Antelope Point on Sunday evening and got the houseboat loaded and ready.  We were scheduled to leave the marina early the next morning.  Jake kept asking, "Mom, when are we going to set sail?"  

Josh ended up puking even before we left (thankfully into the water).  Maybe a bit of the stomach flu or maybe a nervous stomach.  He slept most of the first day and NOBODY else had any problem - thank goodness!

 Sarah and Michelle

 Ryan and Karin Stewart

 Most of our days were spent sun bathing on the top deck or swimming in the cove.  We all ended up with great tans!  This is Shanna Stewart, Michelle and Ray.

Sarah, Lauren, Rachel and Shanna

 Most evenings Michelle would take the kids up on the shore and have evening "work-outs" and "free-hug" clinics.  The girls had fun just being silly.

Ryan, Josh, Michelle, Shanna and Sarah

Playing cards and "hangin'"

Nail and body art.

Sarah is showing off her "sweet moves".  She is getting pretty good at wake boarding.  She even managed to get out of the wake without face planting.  Now getting back in is a whole other story!

 Dave finally made it up late on Thursday evening.  He and Karin's husband drove down the Stewart's boat because the Granata's ended up not working.

Jake requested that Dave bring the fishing gear.  Within minutes of casting his line into the water, he caught himself a HUGE stripped bass.  Unfortunately that was the only catch of the trip, but it sure made Jake's day!

Heather volunteered (the only one, in fact) to clean the fish.  She had it filleted and fried up in not time.  YUMMY!!!!

Heather and I lookin' HOT!!!!

The kids were POOPED every day from the heat and just playing hard.  Buried in the towels is BUBBA.

When we had boat troubles, we rented a wave runner.  The kids kept busy going for rides and tubing from the back.

 Me and Ray.

The "relaxation station" was a big hit the first couple days when we were boat-less.  Later it became the "washing station" where we shaved our legs and washed our hair.

Heather brought a bubble devise (I don't remember the fancy name for it, but it was super cool!)

Sarah, Jake, Mason, Dan and Ray chased bubbles all over the beach.

Another one bites the dust!

Sarah and London REALLY wanted a campfire to roast marshmallows.  I told them if they could find some wood to burn on our beach then we would.  They impressed us with quite the stick pile!

Mike was the "skipper" (somehow I ended up being the captain- I'm still not sure how) and safely got us to the best cove.  He brought a 2 foot drill bit to drill us into the rocks.  It was so much better than using the anchors that easily slip.  The water was rising at least a foot a day, maybe more.  We had to tighten and retie the boat down several times as day.

 This was our second day.  By the time we left, you couldn't even see the top of this arch on the rocks.

The favorite activity each day was to paddle out to "lizard rock".  It was named for all the little lizard scurrying around on it.  That is the bigger of the two rocks. By the end of the trip, there was only a little tiny bit above water.  The little rock was a great place to sun bath on.

 

Sometimes even "old ladies" can have some sweet moves!  I was way too chicken to do much more than just hang out in the wake.  I could get out if I did it fast enough at the beginning, but was too chicken to go back in.  Maybe next time!

The kids all got into fishing.

All-in-all it was a great trip.  The kids all got along, the weather was great and their were few "problems".   Now it's time to get planning for next year's trip!