Monday, August 11, 2025

First full week of August

Here are some highlights from the first full week of August (August 4-10).

Conor slept over Sunday night after family dinner up at Stacie/Phill's house.  He ended up coming home w/ us.  Carter and Hudson had swim lessons in the morning, then afterwards they got pizza at Costco.  They went to Lagoon that afternoon, meeting Stacie there.  

The next day Nyles' friends came over to play (Lincoln and Cal).  Steve took them to Dimple Dell Rec Center to go swimming in the afternoon, as it was another hot day.

                                                            Fun at w/ Conor and friends.

Wednesday evening, Pauline invited us to go to Cawabunga Bay w/ her and her family.  There was a private event they were having (her relator and others).  We decided to join them, as we'd never been before.  It was a lot of fun!  Thanks for the invite!

The boys all went to the dentist.  Hudson had cavities, unfortunately.

Carter and Hudson finished up their swim lessons.  

They had fun on the last day, jumping off the diving boards.  Hudson even tried the high dive!

Thursday night, we went to Jeff/Kim's place to swim.  The water was a little cool, but we had fun!

Friday after work, we went camping up to a campground we've never been to called Monte Cristo.  It's about an hour from Bear Lake.  All the campgrounds around Bear Lake were booked, so we booked this one.  We camped w/ our friends Dave and Melissa Thomas and their 3 kids.

That morning, Sandy city had their hot air balloon parade.  
Loading up the firewood to go camping.

Dave and Melissa made tin foil dinners for everyone for dinner.  Then we had s'mores.

Fun around the fire!

We then played games while trying to stay warm around the fire.  It was only 60 degrees when we got there, so it continued to get cooler that night.  It got down to the low 40s that night.

We took turns hosting the game of Mafia, around the campfire, which the kids really enjoyed.
Someone camping next to us gave us a color packet to put in the fire so you can see many colors.

It got cold that night.  We had extra sleeping bags and blankets, so we let Dave/Melissa use them that night in their tent.  They said it helped, but they still got cold.  They didn't have ground pads or much under their sleeping bags, so the heat escaped and the cold came up from the ground.  They said they didn't realize it was going to be that cold.

The next morning, we left at 8am to get up to the Lake.  We ate breakfast on the way.  After we booked our campsite a couple months ago and had planned to go to Bear Lake, we found out it was Raspberry Days up at Bear Lake/Garden City.  It's usually the first weekend of August, but apparently this year it was the 2nd weekend.  Ultimately it means it would be even busier than normal.

Leaving early, it was only 43 degrees at the campsite.  Beautiful view on our way out.

We set up, then the kids had fun digging in the sand.

We walked over to where we camped in June, and the river is almost completely gone.

There were a LOT of people, so we were glad we got their early.  Calvin found 2 pair of sunglasses in the water, buried in the sand.  Too funny.

Steve and I took Piper for a walk on along the beach.

Piper loved to try and bite the waves.

More fun in the water and sand.
It was overcast and a little cool, but we still had fun.

Fun on the kayaks.  The shoreline was packed!

Fun on the paddleboards and digging holes in the sand.

Out for a stroll.

Nyles wanted to see what was left of the river, so we rowed over.

We then stopped for shakes on our way out.

The kids fell asleep on the way back.  We then had dinner back at camp.  
Silly Piper under the table waiting to see if she'd get a bite.

Playing in the hammocks.

Then s'more time.

Around the fire warming up again.
Hudson is learning to toast his marshmallows just right!

Then more rounds of Mafia.  Cool colors in the fire (from the packet).  That night Melissa and her 2 girls (Piper and Tessa) came and slept in the camper w/ Hudson and I, while Steve, Nyles and Carter slept in their tent.  It wasn't as cold as the first night thankfully, so everyone stayed warm.

We had a fun week and enjoyed the camping trip.  We're thankful for the time we get to spend together as a family.

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Friday, August 8, 2025

Last Week of July, beginning of August

Here are some highlights from the last week of July and start of August.

All 3 boys had their annual Dr. exam on Monday, July 28th.  The boys are all growing!

Carter and Hudson also started their 2nd round of swim lessons this summer, lasting 2 weeks.

That night we went and had ice cream for Conor's 13th birthday. We met at a park, then played.  Dave and Joann came as well.

Having fun at the park.  Stacie in Cinderella's carriage.

Hudson having fun playing!  Phill making him dizzy.  Stacie pushing Claire on the swing.

Tuesday evening we went out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse to celebrate the boys' birthdays!

More fun at swim lessons.

Wednesday afternoon, Steve took Nyles to do baptisms for the dead at the Draper Temple.  That evening I had a Stake Primary Meeting.  

Hudson playing w/ magnets.  Nyles and Steve at the temple.

The boys took turns reading to each other while the other was doing swim lessons.  Thursday, after swim lessons, Steve and the boys went up to the cabin.  They practiced shooting.

More fun at the cabin shooting.  Then back at home, Hudson being silly.

Hudson is going to start Upstart soon, in preparation of Kindergarten next year.  He went to an orientation to get started soon.

Saturday, we drove up to Idaho for Dexter and Anita's wedding.  We stopped at Barbara's place to drop off our stuff and change, then drove over to the wedding.

Cute Hudson.  Steve taking a quick break at Barbara's place before leaving to the wedding.

Here comes the bride!

Family pictures.

And more family pictures.

Getting dinner.

Time to cut the cake.  We're so happy for Dexter and Anita!

Back at Barbara's house.  Hudson wanted to play in the sand w/ Abby.  
Carter playing w/ Zoee, then Zoee helping to clean the dishes.

We drove home Sunday.  When we got home, I made cupcakes for our family dinner that evening.  We sang Happy Birthday to Conor (July) and Nyles and Hudson (August).

Claire eating a cupcake, turned into a sandwhich.  Steve petting Mesa.  The boys playing w/ Nerf guns.  Conor ended up coming to our place and slept over that night.

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