Summer Playgroup

We had the funnest time this summer going to the summer playgroups that our ward sponsored.  Even though it was on "work-free Wednesdays", I didn't make it out as many times as I'd hoped... there was still plenty of fun to be had.  One day we all met at Cascade Springs.  It's so close to Midway we just had to make it a part of playgroup!  Right when we got there, a ranger-led tour was about to begin, so we tagged along with a ranger.  She was new to the area and didn't know much about Cascade Springs, the flowers, or the animals... but it was fun anyway.  Anna and Dallin just LOVE their friends!

Hawkins Family Reunion

I love that Lloyd's side of the family starting having an annual reunion!  I love seeing them all!  This year it was at Aunt Earlene's new house in Benjamin.  She rented a bouncy house, so of course, I didn't see Anna or Dallin all evening, which left more time for me to visit!

My Family!

It was so wonderful to have Sharon and her family in town for a whole month!!!  I'm sure she'll appear in many more posts this summer.  This was the first day she was here, we had a birthday party at Nora's and everybody was there!  I didn't have my camera on me the whole evening, but I did snag this pic from Dad's camera.  I also remember bbq pork sandwiches, 2 different kinds of trifle dessert, a pinata, Dallin wandering off several times, and getting home VERY late that night.  What a great start for the first day of summer!

Wall Lake

We had such a good time backpacking with the kids in the Uintas!  We're at this magical stage where Anna and Dallin can walk a mile or two with little complaining, and the baby is small enough still for the front carrier.  We packed very minimally and were only gone for about 18 hours total, but it was plenty fun!  Anna and Dallin loved their new fishing poles and it kept them entertained the ENTIRE time!  Dallin got very good at fishing and spent hours just casting and reeling, casting and reeling, etc.  It totally consumed him!  Even in camp he couldn't put his fishing pole down.  Gonna be just like his daddy.

Wall Lake was so beautiful with tall cliffs surounding a good portion of it.  There were a few snowy patches on the ground and some ice on the lake in the morning.  Everything was going soooo good and just as planned... until we were packing up to leave.  Dallin (who managed to stay OUT of the water the whole time) was sitting up on a stump at the waters' edge, casting and reeling.  Bevan called to him and when he turned to see his dad, lost his balance and completely fell in!  Poor kid was so cold and wet, we had to strip him down quickly, dry him off and dress him in his fleece pajamas for the hike out.  Luckily it was only a mile.  He was such a good sport!  Next time we'll bring a change of clothes because you just never know what will happen with Dallin around!

Paul, Stefanie, baby Joshua and the Ogden Botanical Gardens

We had a sporadic visit to Ogden to visit Paul, Stefanie, and little baby Joshua. After a yummy Sunday dinner, we were wondering what to do the rest of the pleasant evening. Paul mentioned the botanical gardens next door.

WHAT?!!!

Yes, please!!!

I’m such a sucker for these places! It was so pretty, but I wish the plants had more labels on them. I’ve become so accustomed to Park City altitude and the 20 whole plants you can use up there. It also made for some good photos of the kids. Might be a good place for family pictures in the future!

Summer Swimmin'

We’re so lucky to have such a nice pool so close to us (well, it would be better if it was in Heber, but we won’t get into that debate)! I don’t know why I’ve been so terrified to take the kids swimming by myself. Maybe it’s the fact I have 3 babies that can’t swim, but I only have 2 arms?!

I just had to wait for Bevan.

It was for the best.

The kids have really embraced the puddle jumpers and have really built their confidence in the water. Dallin, a little too much! But, I won’t go into that. Bevan ended up going down the big, yellow slide about 30 times, 15 with each kid. He was the most tired out of anybody. We definitely got our money’s worth! But the best part about it is that the kids had a good experience and actually want to go again!  Hooray for summer fun!

Vernal Temple Trip

We kicked off our “summer of fun” by driving out to dinosaur land! Our ward does a yearly “destination temple trip”. We all drive a couple hours and go to the temple together. The youth go earlier and do baptisms for the dead. Then, we all meet up at a local church and pass off the children to the youth, while the adults go do an endowment session together. I love this idea! There’s no better way to cap off an amazing temple experience than being there with your friends! It’s what I think heaven will be like. Amazing spiritual experiences!... shared with friends.

Bevan and I wanted to go out there the night before and camp, ya know, with our HUGE 6-man tent! We scoped out our camping options: primitive dry camping on some BLM land somewhere, water and bathrooms in the National Monument campground, or a KOA in Vernal. Guess what won?! It was the best decision ever! We had soft, green grass, cottonwood trees, hot showers, a huge playground, heated pool, and camp kitchen. Yes, we’ve gotten soft with our “camping” lately, but with 3 kids, you can’t beat a KOA! I even like having other people around now. They seemed pretty entertained by our kids… and more eyes to keep on Dallin.

We cooked hot dogs for dinner, played, went swimming, took showers, and the kids crashed pretty hard. We scarfed a breakfast of banana pancakes before heading off to the dinosaur museum. We were going for the Monument, but considered the far drive and the park fee for a visit that would only last 2 hours. We just wanted to see bones anyway, so we went to the new dinosaur museum in town instead. Actually, the real name is: Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum (phew!)

It didn’t disappoint! Bones, displays, a kids area, movies, and real-sized dinosaur replicas outside.

After a quick, cheap lunch at wendy’s, we dropped our kids at the church with some loving, attentive babysitters and went to the temple. I’ve never been inside the Vernal temple, but everything inside was just beautiful! It really topped off our trip. We all met back up at the church for dinner with the families. Bevan and I mostly ate while the kids mostly played. We all had our priorities straight!

While we were packing up, we noticed that Drew (who slept all afternoon) was sounding croupy. Why does it always happen on a weekend? …when doctors offices and pharmacies are closed?! We thought it best to get him checked out at the clinic in Vernal before it closed. Such super nice people! Within 45 minutes he saw the PA on duty, was officially diagnosed with croup, given the steroid to help him breathe, and started for home. I’m so glad we got that over with! Thanks Vernal! You have the best KOAs, health clinics and dinosaur bones ever!

June Fun!

I remember thinking at the end of last summer that we didn’t have a lot of fun. I dreamed about camping trips, hiking, swimming, bike riding, and road trips with our perfect, little family of 4. In reality, our “fun” was limited to a few family activities and reunions. True, I was pregnant, but not THAT pregnant. I still felt really good and I don’t know why we didn’t do half the things we talked about.

Scheduling!

We would talk about adventures, but never actually schedule them. In pre-kids life, we talked about adventures and they just happened. Now, if it doesn’t get put on the calendar ahead of time, it doesn’t happen. It's one of the MANY lessons I’ve learned as bonafide grown-up. Anyway, I resolved that THIS summer, we would make up for it. 

 Drew is now 6 months. Eating, sitting up, but not crawling.  A very magical time!

 Check! 

 Anna and Dallin think we’re pretty cool and still want to hang out with us. 

 Check! 

 We bought this GIANTIC 6-man tent (which doesn’t seem so big anymore). 

 Check! 

 We have a whole calendar of June activities. 

 Check!