3rd Week of August

 

Second Week of August

The 2nd week of August was our last week before school started.  Here are some highlights: 

On Monday, August 10th, Steve took the boys to Walmart to get their passport picture so we could renew their passports.  It's crazy to think it's almost been 5 years since we got their last ones.

That afternoon, Carter and Hudson started piano lessons for the first time!  They're both excited to learn how to play.  That evening, Steve took Nyles up to Bountiful for a birthday party for a girl he met at FSY this Summer.  It was a murder mystery party, so Nyles had to dress up.  His character was the detective. Instead of coming home only to turn around, Steve decided to take the other boys to Lagoon.  Rob went too.

Enjoying a couple hours at Lagoon while Nyles was at a birthday party in Bountiful.

Tuesday afternoon, we all went over to the Draper City Hall.  Even though we were technically renewing the boys' passports, since they are still minors, both Steve and I had to go down together to apply for them again.  Thankfully, the lady helping us was really efficient, and we were in and out pretty quickly.

Tuesday night they had a pool party for a combined YW/YM's activity.

Steve also started his training at the school for his new job as head cook.  

Nyles w/ his picture still in the Altara Elementary cafeteria.

On Wednesday, August 12th, it was Nyles 14th birthday.  Both Steve and I had to work, so the boys just took it easy at home.  That evening we went over to Dave/Joann's place to have dinner and celebrate Nyles.  Steve BBQ' d some steak, which was super yummy.  We played a game and sang Happy Birthday to him.

Diane's wrist and back are still recovering so she's been staying at Dave/Joann's place.

Nyles blowing out his candles.  Nyles w/ Dave/Joann.  He's getting taller!

Singing Happy Birthday to Nyles.

On Thursday, we had rain come down so hard and quick that it flooded several places in Sandy, and the overflow fields were filled.  People came out to play in the large ponds, though the city urged residents not to as there could be debris in them.  We drove to 2 different ponds by us, both were really full.

On Friday, August 14th, after work, we left to go up to Starvation Reservoir for the weekend.  It was the last weekend until school started, so we wanted to go camping one more time.

Cute Hudson and Piper w/ a beautiful sunset as we got there.  We then set up "camp."  We brought the boys' scooters this time, which was perfect, as Nyles and Carter rode them often while there.

I gave them glowsticks as they were riding around.  Hudson had his glowing sword, which we keep in the camper.  Hudson was ready for bed.  Piper was going to sleep next to him.  We set up solar-powered lights around the camper, which are awesome at night to see better outside.

The next morning, looking at the water levels.  It was SUPER low as well.

After breakfast, we went and played frisbee golf first.  It's a free activity as part of the park.

We had fun playing together as a family.  There were lot of lizards around.

Then we got our kayaks and set up close to the water.  It was really far down, but we managed.  

The water was so slow that we were on rocks instead of sand.

The boys jumping into the water.

Going out for a ride on the kayaks and paddleboards.

Steve and I paddled across the reservoir to the other side.  It was so low it only took 10 minutes.

We went back to the trailer for lunch, then went back to play more.

The boys had fun jumping off the docks and playing King of the Hill.

Carter and Hudson eating some macaroni for dinner.  Thankfully, we had water and electricity hookups.

Steve fell asleep in a hammock while I got dinner ready.

We then went to the archery course, but the bow/arrow they gave us to use didn't work.  

Thankfully, the boys brought their airsoft guns, so they used them instead to hit the targets.

Steve helping Hudson w/ his gun.  More lizards.

Cool birds.  We looked it up.  It's called an osprey, or fish hawk or sea hawk.

Pretty rainbow!

We drove into Duchesne and picked up some sherbet for dessert.  

We stopped at the playground for a few minutes before driving back.

We had sherbet and played a game.  We had a beautiful evening.  Hudson was ready for bed, so I got him ready while Nyles and Carter looked at the stars/constellations for a while.

The next morning we had muffins for breakfast.  We then packed up to head home.  While we were packing up, the boys rode their scooters.  Nyles gave Hudson a ride on his :)

We had a fun, enjoyable weekend at Starvation Reservoir.  I'm thankful for the time we get to spend together as a family.  The next day, school was starting, so Steve gave the boys a father's blessing.  I'm grateful for priesthood power in our home and for Steve being worthy to have it.

Great quote and scripture:

First week of August

We had a fun, yet busy first week of August.  First, we drove up to Bear Lake on Monday evening.  We met our friends there, the Thomas family.

Beautiful sunset.  The water was SUPER low this year!

We camped at Rendevous Beach.

Our "new" rug for the camper (came from the cabin).  Fires weren't allowed, so it was pretty cool sitting around in the evening.  Thankfully, we had plenty of blankets in the camper to share.  The kids love to play Mafia, so we played several rounds before going to bed.

Having breakfast the next morning.  We cooked pancakes and bacon w/ strawberries and orange juice.  Steve cooked the bacon and I cooked the pancakes.

Time to play at the lake.  Thankfully, we brought several shovels to dig with.

The kids making a large dirt mound.  Steve, me, Melissa, and Dave going out for a ride.

Dave and Melissa on the paddle boards.

Steve and I on the kayaks.  Later Hudson on the hammock during lunch.

Hudson playing in the hammock.

Dave taking a nap after lunch.  More digging fun.

Dave and Melissa rented jet skis for a couple of hours and let us ride them as well.

Giving Dave a mud bath.  Steve helping with the kids' digging.

Then swimming and more digging.

We then cleaned up and went out to eat for dinner.  

We went up to Garden City and got hamburgers at La Beau's.

Then we got milkshakes after dinner.  Back at camp, Nyles looking in the window.  

We played a game of Sleeping Queens w/ Hudson in the camper.

Playing in the hammocks.

After the hammocks, we played more rounds of Mafia.  

I brought out some glowsticks for the kids as well.  The boys: Hudson, Nyles, Carter and Calvin.  The girls: Tessa and Piper.

Breakfast the next morning.  Dave made breakfast burritos.  

The kids' masterpiece was still there in the morning.

Saying goodbye: Calvin, Nyles, Hudson, Carter, Piper and Tessa.  

The boys fell asleep on the way home.

The next day, Thursday, Steve took Nyles to the temple to do baptisms for the dead.  Steve also finished his food handler's permit and passed the test with 100%!  He was just hired as the head cook at Altara Elementary!

Thursday evening, we went to a Bee's game.  They have a new field out in South Jordan.

Since Hudson played T-ball, he got a free ticket and got discounted tickets.

It was a little warm at first, but then we got shade.

We got a few snacks and ice cream.  The Bees mascot came over, said hi, and gave Hudson a hug.  

It was a fun game.  Several fly balls came our way, which the boys tried to get.

On Friday, Steve took the boys to Lagoon.  

It was something Nyles wanted to do for his birthday coming up the next week.

In Primordial, they ran into Alexa and her friend.  Cute hummingbird going to our feeder.

Saturday morning, Steve and I went to the temple and did sealings.  

I also worked on weeding the flowers in the yard.

On Sunday afternoon, we went up to Snowbird and did the tram ride (our neighbor gave us free tickets).

It was soooo beautiful up there!

Breathtaking!

Beautiful mountain flowers!

We then walked down to a tunnel in the mountain.  In winter, it allows skiers to go from one side of the mountain to the other.  They have history and artifacts in the tunnel as you go through it.

On the other side.  We then took the ski lift down the mountain.

When we got down, we decided to ride it back up.  They were closing the ski lift as we loaded, so we were thankful we got to ride it again one more time.

Enjoying the beautiful views on our way back up the mountain on the ski lift.

Snowbird ride on the ski lift.

We then walked back over to the Tram ride, enjoying the views and flowers on the way.

Beautiful views.  The Tram ride going back down.

It was a little bit of a hike back up, but we made it!  The views were breathtaking!

Taking the Tram down.  Hudson liked to sit on the glass floor where you could see out.  

He fell asleep on the way down the canyon.

We made messages for Noah on his mission.  Melanie was putting a book together for him.

Silly Piper just being patient, hoping we'd give her a bite.

We had a great week.  We are so thankful for the beauty around us, which we get to enjoy.

Great quotes: