Scout Court of Honor

Last Wednesday was a Court of Honor for the boys. They did a great job earning their merit badges. Clark earned 5 merit badges; reading, coin collecting, forestry, astronomy and genelogy. Ryan has only been a 11 year old scout since June 28th and he was able to get 3 merit badges; forestry, astronomy and coin collecting. We made them work on them while we were on vacation, since we chose that over Scout Camp. They fought us to get them done, but I think they are thankful that we made them work on them and finish them before we got back. Congratulations Clark and Ryan for finishing these merit badges. I am so proud of you

Andrew is 1!!!

Can you believe that it has already been a year since Andrew was born? He has been such a part of our family. I am so grateful that he chose to come and be a part of our family. I just can't believe how fast this past year has gone by, it seems like yesterday we were holding him for the first time.
We had to have a party before we left Utah for home. Andrew was so excited when we showed him how to open his presents. He would rip a piece of paper of then look around and start giggling. He is such a crack up. He loves all the toys that he was given, (Mom was thankful for the clothes, he was in need of some new stuff). Thanks again for everything!

Just give me the cake already. We had the hardest time trying to get a picture of him and his cake. He kept reaching for the cake, he even got a hold of the candle (below (while it was still lit). He thought that was the greatest thing, he grabbed it then giggled and of course we all panicked and tried to get it out of his hands.

Isn't it just the best to watch your 1 year old have their first piece of cake. They think they are on top of the world. He was a mess, but he thought it was the best, not having mom or dad feeding him. At first he was using his hands but then he was handed a fork so he tried to use that too. I am so thankful for Andrew, I love watching him grow, too bad he grows so fast. I hope you had a wonderful birthday (even if you don't remember it). I love you!!!

Lagoon:)

I forgot that I had some pictures still on my camera from the last few days of our vacation, so bear with me. This was one of the highlights of the trip for the kids. Last Tuesday we went to Lagoon with Aunts, Uncles and cousins. The kids had a blast they were so sad to have the park close for the night. They enjoy riding the rides and being with their cousins. We had to bride the boys to be able to go with having to have some of their merit badges complete and signed or they had to stay with Grandma and Andrew. It took some doing but as you can tell they got some finished and were able to go.

Wild Mouse Ryan and Nathan waiting in line for their turn. This used to be one of my favorite rides as a child. They had to revamp the cars, so it was gone from the park for a while, now it is back (I little different) but it is still a fun roller coaster.

Clark, Sarah, Emma and Ally

Music Express (front car) Clark, Sarah and Kennedy (back car) Taylor and Nicole. I don't know about you but rides like this one make me sick, but the kids love it. They must have stronger stomachs than I do.

Emma. Ally and Bryan (my brother came with us also)

Ryan, Nathan and Jackson

Emma and Regan on the Rock-o-planes (ferris wheel). They never really did rock it too much but they really liked riding it.

Some of our group waiting for others to get off one of the rides. Jennifer, Jackson, Jordan, Darrin, Clark C., Nathan, Clark J., Dalton and Sarah.

Rattlesnake Rapids. Sarah, Clark, Aunt Liz and Kennedy. There were so many of us that we had to take three different boats. While we were waiting in line they kept coming by and telling us that the ride would be closed for a few minutes because a goose kept getting in way, and then a raccoon fell into the water. It seemed like it took forever to get on the ride.

Me, Nicole, Audrey, Taylor, Majerle and Emma. The kids talked me into riding it this year, it is a ride that soaks you from head to toe. It actually felt really good to get wet. I remember when it first came you didn't get too wet and that was nice but now I think there goal is to see how wet they can get you.

Ryan, Nathan, Jackson, Nick, Jordan and Bryan.

Ryan, Nathan and Nicole

Dalton talked Bob into going on the Sky Coaster with him. It is one of those rides that I would never go on do to I don't like heights and free falling to the ground just makes my stomach cringe.

They are at the very top of the picture. I didn't get a really good picture of them swinging by but this shows how high you get pulled up.

Ally, Reagan, Emma and Nick.

Just a bunch of silly kids:)!!

Dad on the Rocket.

Kennedy, Nick, Jackson, Nathan and Clark. The kids love to get wet, and they decided to go on this ride at night just as the park was closing. They would ride this and then get off and run around to the entrance and ride it again. They even got to the point where they would yell again and the attendant would let those on in line and run it again. (Like I said it was late and the line was very short). Even Emma went on it. I didn't think she would and I was surprised that she even wanted to. It is one of those rides that goes up into a big circle and it turns upsidedown and sits there for a few seconds up in the air, another one that I probably won't be going on anytime soon. She ended up loving it and went on it three or four times before they closed it for the night. The only downfall was the kids were soaked and it had started cooling off for the night. Too bad they didn't do it earlier in the day when it was hotter.

Bryan, Emma, Reagan. Notice the look on Emma's and Reagan's face. With faces like that I was surprised they liked it and wanted to keep riding it.

After riding the Cliffhanger. Notice the grins, can you tell they had fun?

(top picture) Clark and Sarah

(bottom picture) Nicole, Ryan, Nathan and Kennedy

Well, this comes to the end of our day. So I hope you enjoyed recaping this day with me.

Vacation, it always comes to an end:(

Sorry I haven't posted for a while. We got busy and then the internet wasn't working very well. We are now home and I am able to post the rest of our vacation. It was sad to see it end but don't they say "all good things must come to an end". Thank you to all of our family members that put up with me and my kids for the last seven weeks, we had a great time. I love you!!

I am going to put it all in one post so bear with me there are a lot of pictures to remind us of our vacation.

4 Wheeling (1st trip)

Andrew's first time on a 4 wheeler. We were getting ready to go on a ride over to the Paris Ice Caves, and I was heading "down bottom" to meet with the rest of the group and he though this was the best thing ever. He loved going for rides. He rode with Becky in the back of her atv. He loved it, he laughed and giggled all the way there.

Ryan, Nick, Andrew and Ally.

Emma. (She rode with me on the 4 wheeler)

Ryan (he had fallen asleep half way there).

Andrew loving the ride. Out of the kids that rode on here Andrew is the only one that stayed awake. It must have been a comfortable ride.

The mouth of the cave. There was still a lot of snow in the opening, that only some of the kids went in. Here is Emma, Ryan and Ally.

Dalton, Clark, Ryan and Emma

Andrew and Grandma. Proof that Grandma was there.

Hiking

While we were in Utah, we were trying to get some merit badges done with Clark and Ryan. One of them was the hiking merit badge (you have to do five 10 mile hikes and one 20 mile hike) yes, that is a lot and we knocked off two of the 10 mile ones. My sister in law, Jennifer and her kids hiked with us, she did the research and found a "moderate" hike. We set of on the Skyline Trail starting in North Ogden and as we were hiking we decided who rates the hikes, we thought it was harder then expected, especially carrying an 20 pound child on your back and being very out of shape (me), it seemed that it kept going up and in some spots were quite steep, but the kids made it a full 10 miles up and back. We were quite proud of our troopers. They had a great time and it was some good exercise that we needed. Clark was also working on his photography merit badge, so these were taken by him. He did a great job with the camera, good job Clark! Now that we are home he can finish it.

The kids hiking up the mountain.

Majerle, Emma, Reagan, Jackson, Ryan and Nick.

The trail. This is what it looked like most of the way, slanted and steep.

Taking a water break. Andrew, me, Majerle, Kennedy, Nick and Aunt Jennifer.

The view of Ogden Valley from the of the Mountain.

Splash Pad

The last few times we have visited, my mom has wanted to take the grandkids over to the Splash Pad Park and let them play in the water. This year it finally worked out and the kids had a blast!!!

Clark and Andrew. Andrew wasn't too sure of the water and getting sprayed.

But the rest of the kids enjoyed it! Clark and Emma getting wet.

Aunt Wendi, McKynlee, Peyton, Grandma Weir, Andrew, Braxton and Uncle Bryan.

Ryan and Clark

Clark, Ryan and Emma.

Having fun!!!

Paris Ice Caves with Dad

Dad surprised us again this year. We had gone over to my parents for a visit and as we were leaving I realized I didn't have my keys. The last time I remembered seeing them was when I gave them to Clark to get something out of the truck, and guess what there they were, on the floor in the locked truck. Thinking that Dad was coming flying out the next day I call and make sure he had his keys so we could open the truck. So I make arrangements and borrow my sister's truck to get back so we could go to bed and get ready to go get dad in the morning. We arrived at his parents house and low and behold he was already there. We were so excited to see him.

We took off for Cedar Ridge to do some camping, over the 4th of July weekend and our last trip up the mountain for the summer. My sister Wendi and her family joined us this time and we did some sightseeing. The first place we went were the Paris Ice Caves, they had never been there. This week there wasn't snow or ice in the path so we were all able to get into the cave, and yes it was quite cold.

Ryan

Emma and Clark

If you look at the top of the picture you can see Ryan. He followed his brother and cousin climb out this way,when we were here the week before. He has now decided this is the way out.

Wendi and Ryan and their family.

Heart Attacked Trailer

While we were at the Ice Caves some of my nieces decided to decorate hearts to attack my trailer. When we got back (little) Clark told me he thinks grandma wanted me, when I came back with grandma asleep, this is what my trailer looked like. They decided to Heart Attack my trailer for my birthday. Thank you girls that made my day:)!

4th of July Fireworks

The group of us that went. Yes, you are seeing this right. It was so cold for the fireworks we were bundled up from our head to our toes. I think the temperature was in the low 50's - high 40's. This is the first year that we have attended the fireworks in Montpelier, Id that is was so cold. The kids were all bundled together to keep them warm.

Bloomington Lake, Idaho

Emma and Ally

Dad and Andrew crossing the lake. Yes, you cross on some logs that have been placed so you shouldn't fall in. Yes, a couple of years ago I was helping one of my nieces across and I stepped on a loose part and down we both went. Yes, I am a clutz. But I didn't fall in this time.

The glacier that keeps the water cold. We went over on a Sunday for a nice little family drive. It ended up being a dirt road that hadn't been graded yet so it was a little rough. We usually take the 4 wheelers there but decided to take the trucks this year. The kids were so bummed that they couldn't get in the water (with it being Sunday and us not swimming on Sunday), but they ended up having fun anyway. Only a few of them got wet trying to cross the logs.

Ryan, Nathan, Ally, Emma, Darrin, Clark and Andrew.

Clark, Ryan, Sarah and Nathan figuring out how to cross in a more difficult area.

Sarah chasing her flip flops. She was doing really good crossing the logs till her flip flops fell off and started floating away. It was quite funny watching her try to get them.

After much debating, Clark finally crossed with only getting the bottom of his pant legs wet. He decided that he would do better if he took his shoes, notice the bear feet. Nathan also crossed and Ryan after much deliberation decided to cross where is was easier.

Wendi, Ryan, Peyton and McKynlee

Bloomongton Lake sits inside a cove back into the mounains. You have to hike a little ways back to see it, and it never warms up do to the galcier that sits there most of the summer. The Lake is so cold that you can't stay in it very long. There is a rope swing that people swing off into the ice cold water. It is so funny to watch them and hear their gasps when the surface.

4 Wheeling (2nd trip)
We went on a fun but sCaRy ride. Some of the hills were straight up and the turns sharp but I did it and I was so proud of myself when it was over.

Some of our group Clark, Sarah, Aunt Jennifer and Clark

Clark, Ryan, Aunt Jennifer and Majerle

Taking a break at a stream along the way.

Aunt Becky and Sarah. Yahoo we made it.

Lava Hot Springs
We were going to go to Bear Lake but with the way the weather had been cool and the lake being freezing we decided to go to Lava Hot Springs. I think the kids had just as much fun there as they would have at the lake, except there wasn't any sand (mom liked that).

Dalton and Majerle talked Uncle Carrson (Clark) into jumping off the tower into the pool. (To be able to even go up the tower you have to sign a waver with the park.) So up they went higher and higher, dad decided to try the middle one, he is the one looking over the edge, Dalton is the one looking down from the top. It took Clark a couple of minutes to finally jump, but he did it.

Clark and Dalton

Andrew loved being in the water. It took him a minute but he decided quickly that he loved it and tried to go off by himself.

The men playing water basketball, they are so funny to watch.

Clark and his dad

Ryan trying to climb on the dragon. It was brutal, the kids would push each other off just to get on this thing.

Emma, Majerle and Reagan having a great time!!!

Emma decided she was going to try the speed slide with her cousin. She loved it me I still won't go on them. Way to go Emma and try new things!!!

Random Pictures from camping

Finally we had a night that was a little bit warmer (didn't get below 50 degrees at night), so they slept out in the back of the truck with their dad. They had been working on their Astronomy merit badge and they needed to be able to stay up late and check out the constellations in the sky. Emma was sad that she wasn't able to sleep in the truck with the boys, so dad and Emma slept in there the next night.



Andrew

Clark. He did a great job sawing up some of the logs.

Ryan and Jackson. The kids love the 4 wheelers, if they could I think they would even sleep on them.

Flying kites. Our trailer is up on a ridge that always has wind so on of my nieces tried flying her $1.00 kite. It went up and we remembered we had a kite in the truck so we tried it and it flew. This is actually another kite that we ended up purchasing for Emma ($1.59) and it flew like nothing else. She was so excited that she was able to get it up. A new hobby for her. Now the kids have something else to do while we are there so they can't say they are "bored".

This was some of the things that we enjoyed on our vacation this summer, I did just realize that I have a couple more pictures on my camera so I will get them posted asap. I hope you enjoyed looking back as much as I have. Hopefully your summer has been and is still going great!!