Timpanogos campout!!

We went on a campout up above Aspen grove last weekend. We went with our neighbor's the Frosts and the Castagnos. We arrived at camp in a total downpour. It made putting up the tents a little tricky. We also cooked dutch oven dinner and dessert in the pouring rain. We had lasagna for dinner and turtle pie for dessert. The Frosts were nice enough to share their camper with everyone. There were sixteen of us crammed in there.

I had Parker take some pictures of everyone hanging out in the camper. He took this great one of Mckenna behind the Sunkist bottle.

The rain finally let up and we were able to enjoy some time around the campfire. Tessa and I had a great time just laughing together!

Parker showing off his snail collection. The next morning the kids had fun hunting for snails.

Emily, Payton, and Mckenna had their own hideout in the trees behind our camp.

We went on a hike to Stewart falls. The trailhead was right outside of our campground. It was a four mile round trip hike. We were a little adventurous attempting it with all our kids. They did really well on the hike. There wasn't too much complaining. Parker really enjoyed it and was in the lead most of the hike.

It was really beautiful the whole way there! Halle did awesome and walked most of the way herself. Hayden enjoyed his nap in the backpack. The hike didn't seem too long on the way there because we had the waterfall to look forward too.

The whole hike was worth it when we saw the falls. We couldn't wait to cool off in the water.

Mckenna and Parker getting ready to go under the falls. There was an area where you could walk right under it. The kids got soaked.

I took this picture of Parker right as he was walking through the falls.

We were sad when we had to turn around and go back. The way back to our campsite seemed to take even longer. We sang songs as we marched back down the trail to pass the time. Emily had us all singing the Brady bunch theme song. The college students were laughing at us as we hiked by. We had a really great time with our neighbor's!

Our awesome date!!

Kev and I went on a date to Lagoon!! It was so great to spend the day together. We enjoyed the break from our kids. The first ride that we went on was Wicked. We thought that the line would be shortest at the beginning of the day. It was my second time going on the ride and it still scared the crap out of me.

I think we rode just about every roller coaster in the park. We also did some of the "classic rides" too. We took this picture of ourselves on the musical express. It is still one of my favorites.

We were excited to try the newer ride called cliffhanger. It is perfect because it suspends you in the air and the water fountains come up and spray you. It was great to cool off after we waited in the long, hot line.

It was Kev's first time at rattlesnake rapids. We went on the ride with two teenage boys. I was impressed that they took such a good picture. All four of us got soaked!!

I took this picture as we waited in line for the old white roller coaster. It was really pretty since the sun was just about to go down.

I took some pictures while we were on the roller coaster. We were right up front and this was the view as we went down the first drop. Our favorite ride that we tried was called Samurai. We waited almost an hour in line but it was worth it. You sit in a harness with your legs hanging down and are flipped over, under, around, up and down. The whole day was a blast. I am so glad that I got to share it with my awesome husband!

Summer fun!!

We have been having a lot of fun this summer! We love being outside and enjoying the good weather. The kids had fun at the water party at the park.

They played all kinds of water games. In this picture they are soaking up water into the sponges to play water tag.

Mckenna and Parker did two sessions of swim lessons. I thought this picture was funny of Kenna and her teacher both adjusting their swim goggles.

Mckenna just plunges into the deep end like it's nothing. She has made huge improvements this summer. She used to be freaked out by being in the deep end. She can now swim laps and is getting better at all the strokes.

Parker is getting more comfortable with the water all the time. He is in level two and is learning the basics. He really likes his teacher and has been having fun. He always is so excited to show me what he learned.

We have had fun swimming in Great Grandpa Foster's pool. Hayden is our little water baby. He loves it when I lift his tube in the air and bring him back down with a big splash.

We have a neighborhood playgroup that meets at the splash pad. The kids always have a great time getting wet while the Mom's have fun talking. It is a great way to cool off on a hot day.

Kev went wakesurfing with the young men tonight. It was his first time and he loved it! We can't believe that summer vacation is almost over. Mckenna starts school in almost a week.

Camping at Trial Lake!!

We went on our yearly camping adventure this last week. We always go to Trial Lake in the high Uintas. It is a tradition that started way back with Kev's grandparents and their kids. Great Grandpa and Grandma Grant and Grandma Sue came up to spend a day with us.

Here Kev is using some "scout juice" to get the fire going. We cooked tin foil dinners that first night. They are always so good. We also made a berry cobbler that night in the dutch oven.

The girls hanging out under the umbrella with Grandma Sue. I laughed when I saw Halle's face. It is one of Halle's favorite faces to pull when I am taking a picture.

We came prepared with our ponchos for the rain. We lucked out because the rain didn't last very long and we had good weather the rest of the week.

Great Grandpa and Halle out on the fishing boat! Halle loves being with her Great Grandpa.

Halle fell asleep about two minutes after we put her to bed. She was exhausted from her long day of play. Mckenna even asked if she could go to bed. It must be the excitement of sleeping in the tent.

It was Hayden's first time going out on the fishing boat and he didn't enjoy it very much. I think his life jacket was bothering him.

We saw a bald eagle while we were out fishing. He would swoop down to catch a fish and then return to his perch to eat it. It was cool to see one up close.

Our good friends the Trumans came up to camp with us for a couple of days. It was so much fun having them with us. Eva and Halle had fun watching cinderella together on the mini dvd player. I braided Halle's hair for the first time. She looked so cute in her little braids.

Jacob, Kathleen, and I cooking hot dogs for lunch. We even cooked some polish dogs which turned out really good.

We brought up scooters for the kids and they had a lot of fun riding along the roads.

Mckenna was so excited for Grant to come camping with us. Here is a picture of them in their Gap hoodies.

Kathleen and I cooking up some dinner. We always have so much fun together. It was great just talking by the campfire after we put the kids to bed.

We took turns going out on the boat because there were so many of us. Parker caught about five fish on this trip. He has a lightening mcqueen fishing pole and was really excited to use it. Kathleen's kids had never been fishing and they really enjoyed it. The kids were always asking when they could go back out on the boat.

Hayden was so excited to see the fish up close. I love the big smile on his face.

The kids had fun playing uno together and pounding on the table. We had a really fun trip! It was even better because we had good friends to share it with!

Mckenna's baptism pictures!!!

My friend Liz Weekley took pictures of Mckenna in her baptism dress. We went to the Mount Timpanogos temple to take them. It was the perfect night because the temple was closed and hardly anyone was around. It was great to see Liz and catch up as well. I just got a text from her a half hour ago saying that she already has the pictures up on her photo site. I was really impressed because she just took the pictures tonight a few hours ago. She did an amazing job! Mckenna looks so grown up and beautiful! It was fun looking at the pictures with Kenna and Kev. Mckenna thought it was pretty cool to see pictures of herself on the Internet. Here is the link so go check them out!! http://dillydallyart.blogspot.com/