"CAMPOUT" (said with the enthusiasm of Sandlot)

This last weekend we went to Mirror Lake up in the beautiful Uintah Mountains. The kids had been looking forward to it for WEEKS. They carefully planned what they were going to do (play in the fire, make s'mores, play in the fire, go to the lake, and maybe play in the fire) and spent the entire day of departure staring out the window waiting for Daddy to come home from work so we can go. Thursday evening at 5:45 we were off on our adventure until Sunday. A full 4 days of being completely unplugged (no reception), pit toilets, no sinks, and focusing on nothing but playing and enjoying time with each other. We snagged the perfect site: rocks throw to the bathroom (not so close that we had to deal with the smell and constant traffic), rocks throw to the creek, short walk to the lake) Since it was our first campout with little kiddos (aside from little overnight ones with our ward)this was a campout of many lessons. So here's a break down of what we learned:
1. Packing the car the night before so you can take off soon after hubby arrives home from work is a great idea. Not so great idea, putting food in the car the night before as the car turns into an oven during the day. (I was smart enough to wait to load the coolers until right before we go but had some melted snacks)
2. When making the master list of every knick knack you could possibly need, and rechecking it several times over again, don't forget to add, "Cash for campsite", or at least check your checkbook to make sure it's not empty.
No electricity, middle of nowhere means no credit card capabilities (Knew that, just didn't think it through)
3. After driving clear back to town to get said cash, make sure the cashier gives appropriate change. If not, once you're 40 min back to your campsite and attempt to pay for the 3 nights, you just might realize you've been shorted $10 and have to drive back to town yet again
4. Mosquitoes have the ability to leave ENORMOUS welts on poor, unsuspecting little boys (they don't seem to care much about repellent) we're talking lumps that stick a good 2 inches off the back of heads.
-Sublesson, camping with a shaved head is like a honing beacon to mosquitoes.
Tavita definitely had the worst of it.
5. Rainclouds are a pretty good indicator of rain. Don't row to the middle of the lake with those looming over your head or you just might find your self stuck in the middle of a hailstorm with now respite.
- Tavita is able to make incredible disgusted faces and kept yelling at the hail
to get off of him and leave him alone. Yet being the determined bugger he is
kept asking to row the boat causing us to go absolutely NOWHERE.
- Brayden kept asking me to get out and pull the boat to shore. Also made it very
clear he wished it was DADDY he was stuck out in the middle of the lake with
because DADDY is much stronger than me and would get us to shore faster.
- We were all VERY cold after that. Didn't feel thawed until I snuggled into my
sleeping bag that night.
6. Mummy bags aren't meant for 2 people, even if that 2nd person is a little 1-year old girl refusing to sleep in her pack n play in the middle of a strange place.
7. Scaredy-cat dog is more than willing to occupy the vacated pack n play rather then being stuck outside in the dark barking at every shadow and snap of a twig. (luckily that only lasted one night)
8. Should your firewood get soaked in rain and hail storms (as did ours on several occasions) simply heat up some coals, lay wood over firepit, let smoke dry wood and you'll have a snapping, hot fire in no time.
9. Boys can be fully entertained camping so long as there is a fire. Took naps in the day, played in the night.
10. Glowsticks are an AMAZING way of keeping track of kids (and pitch black dog) at night. They love playing with them and you can spot them anywhere.
11. When going camping at a lake that is known for it's fishing (they were jumping nonstop on the lake) it might be a good idea to REMEMBER the fishing pole.
12. Bring games to play for times when your stuck in your tent during rainstorms. If not, children are perfectly happy with a wrestling match.
13. A good way to get your stubborn daughter to walk is stick her among a bunch of rocks where crawling is not an option. She's been off an running ever since.
14. It is possible to consume unbelievable amounts of hot chocolate given the appropriate temperatures (just because your hitting high 90's at home, a short drive can put you in a world of different weather)
15. A leisurely walk around the lake (about 1 mile) would normally take maybe 15-29 minutes. With 2 curious, adventurous little boys it takes more around 2-3 hours.
16. Bringing 3 pair of footwear per child does not guarantee you will have something dry and unmuddied to put on your child's feet (puddles and creeks are just to irresistible)
17. Powdered donuts will make Kalei happy no matter the cirumstance.
18. One of the boys favorite parts of camping is the endless supply of junkfood.
19. Dirt, bugs, piles of wood and rocks are all that's needed for a successful trip.
20. Despite the rain and cold and other hiccups, spending a few days in an unbelievably beautiful place will always make for a great time. The boys are already planning our trip for next year.
Now be prepared for a barage of pictures:
The boys setting up the tent

Lei had no idea where we were or what we were doing, but she liked it!

And what the boys had been waiting for...the 1st fire

Chowin some breakfast

Lei in heaven. Her 2 favorite things...powdered donuts and her best friend

The boys on their "castle". So glad this was in our site, it provided much entertainment

The canoe on it's maiden voyage

A speck amongst granduer

Lei Lei's turn. She wanted to row and was a bit put out that she couldn't.

Our hike around the lake. Note we have the dog carrying all our stuff so we could walk burden free!

It really was very pretty up there!


Who can spot Kalei?!? She had a HORRIBLE time falling asleep, would do really well until about 4:30 then wound up with me. The first night, she had NOTHING to do with the pack n play at all.

Despite it all, she always woke up happy!

Who says you can't build a fire and hold a baby at the same time?

If it's not all over the place it doesn't belong in your face! (and yes, she started EVERY morning with donuts)

One of our many helpings of hot chocolate

Vita's poor mauled head. This picture does NO justice. I have never seen anything like it. The bump was HUGE!

No he hadn't spent a lot of time in the sun. All the red and swelling is from bites.

We're going on a bug hunt, gonna catch us a bug.

I love watching these two together. He ADORES her.

Brayden huntin us some dinner.

Cookin up Brayden's kill

Kickin back with a cold one

Lei fanning the fire.

What would camping be without SMORES!

Brayden won for biggest gusher. He was a MESS when all was said and done.

Fun with glow sticks. For some reason the wanted them to wrap around their noses and head instead of necks.

Wake-up Daddy!!!

Brayden also won for tallest bedhead

It's raining out? Okay, we'll just hang in here an wrestle.

Burnt wood is a great way to turn little boys into Indian warriors!

Tavita finally got brave and took on crossing the ominous Log of Death.

Being young and carefree!

This was my FAVORITE pic of the trip. I showed it to Junior and he just started laughing. His response, "Kalei looks like Theodore off of Chipmunks and it looks like we pumped Tavita's head full of steroids." Poor kid really got hit hard from those darn skeeters! We just laughed harder the more we look at the picture.

4th of July

I LOVE the 4th! It has been my favorite holiday ever since I can remember. When I was a little girl I looked forward with great anticipation to our yearly family bashes. I have so many great memories of BBQs, swimming, fireworks, and every other great thing that comes with this holiday. As I grew older my love for this country and appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy deepened making me love this day all the more. Yes, I'm one of those that always tears up during the anthem, or as the flag is being presented by those in uniform.
One thing I have to hand to Provo is the way the celebrate Independance Day. They go ALL OUT! Festivities last for over a month with different cultural celebrations, honors, tours etc. There's a 3-day festival with rides, activities, vendors and more. It's all capped off with a giant parade then at night the have a huge to-do at the football stadium, with big name performers and mega fireworks show. We have yet to go there because it's a bit pricey and we don't want to put out the expense when there are 3 little ones jeapordizing wether or not we'd actually be able to stay for it all. However, we love sitting up on our roof (the boys look forward to it all year)and watching the fireworks.
Since the 4th fell on a Sunday, the celbrations were split between Saturday and Sunday. Stadium of Fire was on Saturday, the parade was on Monday and everything else was Friday Saturday and Monday. It was kind of nice having it spread out but the kids were POOPED by the end of partying all weekend.
For those of us that are too cheap to pay to go to Stadium of Fire, our neighborhood puts on Cul-de-sac of Fire. We have a potluck dinner, a dessert competition, some activities for the kids and then everyone starts popping fireworks.
Enjoying the feast

Who couldn't love the 4th when you get a popscicle in each hand!

The start of the water balloon launch. It started out with the moms gently lobbing them a short distance for the kids to try to catch.

Then the men took over. Chairs were pulled out, people were sitting on the ground to get full leverage, and they were being launched out of the circle, kids were running in the street (the unbaricaded part) and to the houses across teh street trying to catch the suckers. I was just waiting for one of the kids to get pelted or a window to be smashed, but all escaped with no injury or damage

Tavita with his beloved fireworks. He'd sit and stare at them for days, begging me to light some. Funny thing was, once they started popping, he was walking around covering his ears, yet fully mesmorized

Julie Roper schooling the kids on appropriate firework safety. (if you're under 8 stick the sparklers, men don't blow your hands off which they about did when the busted out some cardboard boxes and black powder. It was heard for miles around)

Lei Lei may look scared to death but in reality she's very frustrated with Jandi for not letting her grab the scorching hot sparkler

Desperately trying to get 4 kids with all their sparklers lit in one picture, didn't work to well.

Kalei's new crush. Whenever she sees Jeremy she lurches at him. She's even got the flirting down, she kept grabbign his hat and putting it on her head

After partying with everyone, we headed home to the roof and watched the show

We spent Sunday talking about why we celebrate Independance Day and relaxing, trying to recover from the previous night and gearing up for the next day.
The boys also got to go for a ride on the golf cart our neighbors use to chauffer people around the parade. That was the highlight of their Sunday. We LOVE "Beebees" aka Rachel.

Monday we were up at the crack of dawn for the Balloon Festival. This is such a fun event there are tons of balloons setting up at the same time, and launch at the same time. It's so cool to watch.
Balloons filling up with air getting ready to launch. It was fun to gor right up to them blowing their torches, looking up inside the balloons etc.

Ready for take off

Kalei had the disgruntled look the entire time we were there. She couldn't figure out why we wre sitting in the middle of a field, in the cold at 6 am when she could be snuggled in her bed.

This balloon went up a little ways first so we could say the pledge. The flag got flipped around from the wind, but it worked

Here's a fraction of the balloons taking off

After the balloons launched, we continued our way to the parade. People camp out the night before to reserve their spots. They totally set up house on the side of the road and party all night long. We were fortunate enough to have an awesome neighbor who does catering for the VIPs of the parade so she gets tickets for reserved seats on some bleachers the set up.
We happily skipped by all those in sleeping bags, couches and all sorts of other things just minutes before the parade began and took our seats on the nice shaded bleachers.
Lei enjoying the show

The boys didn't care one bit about the nice seats. They wanted to sit in front on the street where the candy was being thrown, so while everyone else enjoyed the comfort we squished on the ground, in the sun, front and center!

After the parade we continued even farther down the road to the Freedom Festival. The boys LOVE all the bouncers they have set up, they also had Scales and Tails there letting the kids hold snakes and pet even bigger ones, face painting (we were to impatient to wait in line), crafts, and colonial activites (candle making, looking at muskets etc).


We wrote letters to soldiers.
Then the boys got to try their hand at sawing logs (okay they took a couple strokes then we did the rest, I think Jr and I have a future in the logging industry) then some nice men branded them.


We were to cheap to pay for rides, there was plenty of free stuff to more than occupy their time.
I'd say the kids enjoyed their weekend, what do you say?

Happy 4th of July!!!

Random Thoughts

It's been one of those months where we're just constantly on the move and as a result I forget to take my camera and when I do, I'm so busy I forget to use said camera. Oh well, there will be a few for your viewing pleasure.
Jr:
Went to Wisconsin for a week for training. Had you asked him a few days prior to his trip he would have told you Wisconsin was on the East Coast and Minneapolis was a seperate state from Minnesota though he wouldn't have been able to tell you exactly where either were. Think the trip was as benficial a geography lesson as a bussiness one.
Is now the Elders Quorum president, which in this ward is a VERY demanding calling. Sianara Daddy. Hope we see you sometimes!
After days of mumbling, grumbling, digging up lawn, and swearing under his breath (shh, don't tell the people in his elder's quorum) has finally, well almost finally he ran out of daylight, conqured the sprinklers. We had several cracked pipes and he had a heck of a time getting it all together but like anything else he takes on he succeeded as always.
Has taken on the 100day heart challenge at work: nutrionist, personal trainer, daily workouts, and healthy eating. Does pretty good, but sometimes you just gotta have a donut
Marissa:
Successfully survived a week of playing single mom while Jr was in Wisconsin. I have a new found respect for all single parent. I didn't have the bed to myself a single night he was gone. There was always anywhere from 1-3 little bodies keeping me company. Decided I did pretty good cause when Jr got home Brayden's first quesiton was, "Mom, do we still get to have fun now that Daddy's back?" Shh... don't tell about the all night parties
Has undertaken a hobby of taking the kids to the pool twice a week. They love it and I survive the 3 hours of chasing them from on pool to the next. Have developed a new talent of getting my eyes to look in two different directions trying to keep an eye on everyone.
Has undertaken another hobby of healthy cooking to assist Jr in his venture. Favorite recipe so far is fat free, whole wheat, chalk full of fruits, nuts and veggie muffins that honestly truly taste AMAZING.
Is a little frustrated that garden/flower beds aren't shaping up as well as last year, oh well. Maybe a little more TLC will make a difference. Had a GREAT crop of cherries this year
Brayden:
1st thing out of his mouth when he saw his Uncle Ryan, "Uncle, I wipe my own bum now!"
While playing Star Wars on the Wii with Jr (a game he loves, but Jr's never played). "Daddy, jump on that guy." Jr does so and dies. Brayden responded, "I told you to watch out...in my head!"
Is beyond belief excited for our campout this week but quite leary of the bears, in his nightly prayers he faithfully pleads for protection from them.
His 2nd fear of the campout is we'll return to some people having decided we don't live in our house anymore so they now live in it.
While my brother Jonathan was at court for an accidental tresspassing incident (long story but Brayden was with him when he got the ticket), "Tavita, if Uncle Jonathan doesn't come back that means they but him in prison, and he's not part of our family anymore!"
Can now write his first and last name completely on his own
Tavita:
Has discovered a love for partially ripe cherries. He, Brayden and a neighbor friend spend a good portion of the afternoon outside in a tent and returned with a once FULL strainer EMPTY. The 3 downed a good 4lbs of cherries. Needless to say I was apologizing to the kids mom for any future upset stomachs
During on of our many family wrestling matches I piled the boys on top of Jr and placed Kalei on top saying, "And a cherry on top." A very strained Tavita while trying to wriggle to freedom, "Cherries?!? I love cherries"
Has become tool OBSESSED. Always has his toolbox with him. Follows Jr everywhere helping him fix stuff.
While putting him to sleep I was singing a favorite primary song, "Love is Spoken Here." as I was singing he intterupts me and says, "Bowzer!" I thought for a minute where he got it from then laughed and said no, "as she BOWS HER head". Fit of laughter, "Bowzerhead" hahahah
As we pulled up after picking Ryan up from the airport Brayden pointed Jon's truck out to him. Tavita,very possesively, "Yeah that's MY UNCLE." Ryan, "Did you know I'm your uncle to?" T: "NO!" in the end he was affectionately called, "Unkie Ryan"
WILL NOT stay dressed. He cruises the neighborhood in his underwear. I dress him and turn around he's naked. Repeat and repeat.
Was very excited for waffles yesterday (pancakes in his book). I told him to let me finish what I was doing and I'd be in to start them. He runs into the kitchen singing "Let's make some waffles, who, ho,ho,ho" (to the tune of "Who let the dogs out"
Kalei:
Has taken a bit more to walking
Finally fulfilling her days of longingly watching her brothers and joins in the wrestling matches. The girl can barely walk but if you say "Bodyslam" she raises her hands abover her head, bounces a bit, and throws herself onto whoever is closest by
Favorite toy is The Hulk
Is always roaring and growling at people
Tends to start fights with her brothers. Luckily Brayden shrugs it off but has lead to some scuffles between her and Tavita.
Has me thinking we need another girl to girly her up a bit
Loves joining in conversation and laughs on cue.
Has now eaten with Bowzer from his dish, got on all fours and drank like Bowzer the same time Bowzer was drinking, and eaten a piece of his poop. They are officialy bonded and I have some great blackmail stories for when she starts dating.
When Jr leaves for work and gives me a kiss, she instantly starts smacking her lips demanding one two. Yet another way she gets him wrapped tighter around her finger.
Now for a visual idea of what we've been up to:
Jr finished putting up our fence and did an incredible job! He gives credit to his two helpers.

He did it all by hand with nothing but a pickaxe, shovel, and hammer even though he ran into obstacles like this to dig out. I couldn't even lift the thing let alone dig through hard rocky ground to get it out

As said before our little princess LOVES the hulk so Jr thought he'd be funny and give Kalei hulk muscles

The boys of course couldn't be left out of the fun


Even though Jr and I aren't very big people a king-sized bed is a MUST for us, for this very reason. I think it all stemmed from when we were first married and our bedroom doubled as our living room but it's a favorite gathering spot for our family. Movie nights, wrestling matches, story time, my favorite, family nap time!

Pick our bounty from the cherry tree

We took a night to go to our favorite park, fondly called the "Duck Park"
We ate some pizza

Swam in the fountain

Got in some wiggle-riding action

Tormented the ducks

The boys took a walk around the pond

While Leilei and I lazily gazed upon them

The other day I was working in the garage and Tavita came and grabbed the drywall trowel of the shelf. I didn't think much of it til I walked in and saw this scene. Microwave open, drawer open, marshmallows, peanut butter, pepper and matches (I swear they were up high) were strewn about.

Lei loves taking a bath in the sink. The other day I turned around to find her in the other side and two suckers in her mouth. Man she's fast!

It's a good thing we have such a big strong daddy!

Some year I'll post about our 4th of July weekend!