2nd Week of July - Camping Uintas

Here are some highlights from the 2nd week of July.

Last Saturday after going kayaking, we were putting up the kayaks in the garage and Rob noticed our garage belt was shredded.  We knew that couldn't be good, so we called a few garage people on Monday to come look at it.  They all said to be careful and to replace it asap.  After getting a few bids we went w/ a company who came out the next day and replaced the belt and motor in about 1 hour.  The garage door is so much quieter now!  It always been so loud, especially up in our room, which is above the garage.  It came with 2 new garage door openers and an outside keypad as well; score!  We ordered a new garage door as well since the old one is bent and inefficient for heating/cooling.  It will take a few months to come in though they said.  Once it's installed though our garage will be much cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter w/ the new insulation.  It was definitely a blessing that Rob noticed the garage belt, no one got hurt, also that they were able to come so quickly and replace it.

The new garage door motor installed and the kayaks stored on the ceiling of the garage.

It's been HOT, so the boys have enjoyed playing in the water.  We beat a record of 104 degrees this week.  Hudson spraying his brothers with the water hose.  He's a pretty good shot!

Hudson spraying his brother's with the water hose.

Hudson trying out Carter's boxing gloves.   Our watermelon and pumpkins are growing.

Our Day Lilies and Calla Lillis are also blooming now.

Thursday, July 14th we packed up and headed to the Uinta Mountains to go camping as a family.  Steve has gone the past few years w/ just the boys, so I thought Hudson and I should come this time.  We also brought Piper.  They usually don't stay in a campsite, but since we were coming this time, we decide it would be best to find a campsite w/ at least an outhouse close by and some running water to wash hands.  Thankfully we were able to find 2 campsites that were open AND close to each other (one for us and one for Stacie/Phill's family), on such short notice.  It was definitely a blessing and an answer to our prayers.  We picked up Rob on the way, then met Stacie and Phill up at our campsite.  Our neighbor Scott was kind enough to let us borrow is large trailer for all our stuff/kayaks.  It was my first time camping w/ the boys, and we definitely overpacked!

All packed up.  Getting our camp set up; Hudson getting a snack.

On the way up Hudson listening to some music.  London Claire, Conor, Nyles, Carter and Hudson around the campfire.  London Claire w/ their dog Mesa on her lap.  Steve hurt his back the day before we left, so we went to the Chiropractor the morning we left.  He felt pretty good until we got up there.  Phill gave him a blessing though before dinner, which definitely helped.  After dinner we drove up to check out some lakes to play at the next day.  We stopped at Moosehorn Lake, and decided that's where we wanted to play the next day.  

Such a beautiful area.  We also stopped at Mirror Lake for a little while to check it out as well.

Beautiful view coming back down to our campsite.  I LOVE all the wild flowers!

Cute kids.  Beautiful flower.  Hudson fell asleep on the way back to camp of course.

Hudson has apparently grown since he can now climb out of the pack-n-play and onto our cots.  He wouldn't sit still, so we put him in his car-seat until he fell asleep, then laid him in his bed.  Before going to bed though we made a fire and had s'mores.  Hudson wasn't sure about it though.

We set up 2 tents, one for Steve and I, and one for Nyles/Carter.  Rob helped set up our tents so Steve could take it easy.  We all pitched in so he didn't have to lift things as much either.

Rob had a tent that went around his cot.  S'mores!

Ironically it was pretty warm that night.  It rained during the night also.

The next morning, we made breakfast and got ready to go to the lake.

Getting breakfast.  We were glad we brought the high chair for Hudson to contain him a little and it was easier for him to eat of course.  When not in it, he liked to pick up the dirt and throw it.

Phill making their breakfast and cooking our bacon too.  Cute Carter and Nyles.

Nyles, Steve, Hudson and Carter out on our kayaks.  We used our stadium seats this time as backrests, which worked REALLY well.  Plus we bought plugs for the kayak holes so we didn't get wet w/ the cold water.  They worked great also!

Moosehorn Lake, so pretty!

We had a lot of fun kayaking on the lake.  The rain clouds came back though and we got a good amount of rain that afternoon.  After lunch we took Hudson for a car ride to get him to take his nap.  We didn't even get out of the parking lot and he was asleep.  

Steve and I drove up to Butterfly Lake and back.  I then stayed in the car w/ him while he continued to sleep for another hour.  Steve went and helped the boys get their fishing lines ready.  It rained HARD while Hudson was napping in the car, but everyone still went out and played.

After his nap we joined the rest of the group back at the lake.

Nyles w/ the fish they caught (Tiger Trout and a Rainbow Trout).  We put on ponchos to keep dry.  Piper checking out the fish.  Hudson and I went for another ride on the kayaks before packing up.

So many pretty flowers.

Such beautiful surroundings.  Rob at the top of the view coming back down.

Back at camp for dinner, then S'mores again.  We also gave the kids glow sticks before going to bed.  They liked to use them as a small flashlight in their tent during the night.  We used one too.

It got REALLY cold that night (50 degrees vs 63 the night before), which made it hard to Hudson to sleep.  We finally had to put him in his car-seat in a car-seat sleeping back, then bundle him w/ more blankets.  Needless to say we didn't get much sleep that night.  We packed up Saturday morning after breakfast and headed back home.  Though we didn't get much sleep, it was still a great experience!

Nyles and Carter went to an earlier class for martial arts on Wednesday since we were going to be gone on Thursday.  They were the only kid in each of their classes, so they took turns being and assistant to their instructor.  They did awesome!  Back at home, Hudson being a pirate while talking to Grandpa Dave.  Silly kid :)

Steve's mom Joann had knee surgery on Monday, July 11th.  We brought dinner over on Sunday to help out.  I make a beef roast in the Instant Pot.  We stayed and visited for a little while then came home for our ward Sundaes on Sunday (ice cream social) outside in the neighborhood.  It was raining and quite windy during dinner, but thankfully it was mostly calm during the hour for the ice cream social.

Love this quote: