Lava 2011

"You are too easily discouraged.....Develop persistance."

This is how our trip ended.....

All Tuckered Out!

We went to Lava Hot Springs with Randy for one of his family reunions. I was able to meet his parents and twin brother. They were all very sweet and made us feel very welcome! I can now see where Randy gets his ambition and humor from!

He is truly blessed to have great parents and family.

We were able to take advantage of the beautiful sun and went swimming in the pool and then hit the hot pots which are my favorite part. So relaxing! We ended up getting a room so this was my first year (in a REALLY long time) that I haven't camped while at Lava and I have to admit that it was so nice to have a shower and bathroom at my fingertips.

The best part really was the company though! It was five of us, Randy and his son Carter, Mckelsie, Jayden and I. The kids were all really good and I was so proud of Mckelsie, she only had a few meltdowns. There was a few things that Randy and his son Carter didn't get to experience (The Pizza House; Royal & The Icecream Place) so we'll have to try to make it back there sometime soon. I'm sure Randy's other two kids, Camryn and Brendan would have fun too, so we have to take them! Don't get me wrong, Lava is not your best resort town but it is a great place for swimming and enjoying some family time.

Bike Ride

Jayden had been asking me for a few weeks (wow...that's sounds

like a really awful LONG time) to go for a bike ride. We finally did it!

My legs were sore for 2 days and there's a reason they

invented a "bigger" seat for the bike!

Taylorsville Days: June 27, 2011

Taylorsville Days Fireworks

We went to the Taylorsville Park for their annual fireworks and carnival. Mckelsie was at Camp K so Jayden and I met some friends and enjoyed the evening hanging out together. Even though the rides are outrageously expensive we splurged and rode the ferris wheel with a few other rides. Jayden played the dart game and won me a picture of "Edward" from Twilight! I sleep with it pretty much every night! hehehe......

Thought:

A little girl and her father were crossing a bridge. The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter;

"Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river." The little girl said;

"No Dad, You hold my hand."

"What's the difference?" Asked the puzzled father.

"There's a big difference." replied the little girl.

"If I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go. But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go."

In any relationship, the essence of trust is not in it's bind, but in it's bond. So hold the hand of the person you love rather than expecting them to hold yours....

~author unknown

__________________

"To be trusted may just be a better accomplisment that to be loved."

~George MacDonald

__________________

"Follow your heart, but be quiet for awhile first.

Ask questions, then feel the answer, learning to trust your heart."

~author unknown

Thought:

"The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention.... A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words."

~Rachael Naomi Remen

Camping / North Fork 2011

"Camping: Nature's way of promoting the motel industry."

~Dave Berry

We headed up Ogden Canyon for some camping in North Fork. I had only been once last year and it was a very fast last minute trip so my memory of the place was vague. I wasn't familiar with what other things were around the campground but during this trip we found out! The country around North Fork, Eden and Liberty Utah are absolutely beautiful. So many old barns and cute little houses (by cute and little I mean: beautiful, some extravagant and rather large). Pineview Reservoir is just minutes from the campground and we found a pretty awesome place that had a little "beach" area. We played in the water both days, buried kids in the sand and built sand castles. This was the second time I've taken my trailer out so I ended up cursing it a few more times than I normally would.....trying to figure out how everything worked (next time should be smoother). We had great company with us which made the trip that much better, Randy and his three kids, Brendan, Camryn and Carter. It's amazing how helpful it is to have a few strong guys around. Mckelsie's unhappy face is so funny....moreso because she wasn't even unhappy!

I think camping is a little bit like childbirth though....I always forget how much work it is to go and clean up from and find it a miracle that I even want to do it again.

Thought:

"The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is and the future less resolved than it will be."

~author unknown

"I don't wish to be everything to everyone, but I would like to be something to someone."

~author unknown

Reminicing-part 4

Boondocks fun.... Jayden, playing a video game.

Mckelsie was so animated and loved playing the video games.

The cars are the best part!

Mckelsie, doesn't she look so pretty!

My sweet mom....

Camping trip to Bridger.... I love that place!

Mckelsie & Jayden roasting marshmellos.

Mckelsie was playing a game of cards with Grandpa Wes. I absolutely LOVE this picture

of her....best smile ever!

Ok, this is the second best smile...she looks so happy!

For some reason we had this Darth Vader mask from Karen.... my kids

thought they were so funny!

Jayden, light saber and all.

My sister, Janet and I.

Mckelsie and Jayden

Christmas time is always fun for new adventures in Dinosaur land.

I miss this age!

Mckelsie, Jayden and Rachael

Christmas 2005

Reminicing-part 3

We went to Liberty Park and the kids played in the water gardens.

Mckelsie, Jayden, Sydney and Jordan

Mckelsie

Riding ATV's and camping with friends.

Mckelsie thought she was going for a ride by herself....atleast she wanted to!

ATV's are SOOOO much fun. One day I might get one or two. The feeling of going fast is quite exhiliarating. Here, I took Jayden on a quick ride. He loved it!

Sydney, Jayden, Jordan and Mckelsie

Can't have a summer without running through the sprinklers!

Mikale, Mckelsie and the neighbor Tiana

Happy Birthday Bowling Party for Jayden and Mckelsie

Cute Kali!

Jayden

Corbin & Jayden

Mckelsie

Dying Easter Eggs!

Jayden

Mckelsie was so proud of her eggs!

I think Mckelsie was eating those "Fun Dips"... if not I didn't do a good

enough job getting her teeth brushed....

We took a trip up to Hill Air Force Base to check out the airplane museum. We stopped in Layton and picked up Rachael so the kids could spend some time.

Jayden still remembers this trip!

Rachael, Jayden and Mckelsie