Late 4th of July Report

For the holiday weekend we went to a family reunion for the Riding side of Dustin's family. It was located up Fairview Canyon at his Uncle Jon's land. It was beautiful! We right smack dab in the mountains!

Since the selling of our motor home, we had to tent it! I thought it wasn't too bad. I was able to sleep on a cot. It was a little chilly, but once I fell asleep, I slept like a baby! I heard some coyotes howling as I was drifting off and thought, "Who brought their dogs?" That's what happens when you are in the middle of nature! They were really close! We were free of bears though!

We got up there and pulled out the 4wheelers right away! The kids had a blast on them! It was one of the highlights of the trips. In the city they don't get to ride them much, so it was nice to see them getting used.

Aaron, Ryan, and Jeremiah

Grace

Kate

After 4wheelers we attempted to go to the lake with Cory and Adam. They brought their fishing poles, but we did not. Our boys decided they would try to spear some fish. Aaron said he got one, but it was an easy target, it was already dead!

Aaron and Ryan enjoying fishing

We went back to camp ate, and got ready for bed! We woke up the next morning and had yummy french toast and dutch oven egg casserole! Thanks Lori and Cory! They were the fabulous cooks!

Ashlee and Acacia

Becca, Rylee, Taryn, Lexi, and Kate.

Aaron, Ryan, and Cody enjoying breakfast.

After breakfast we kind of hung around and enjoyed each other's company. We were looking at the beautiful scenery. Across the way was a lone standing pine tree and Taryn wondered who far it was to that tree. After everyone gave their estimates, I asked Dustin. He has gone hunting on this land the past two years, so I figured he'd know. "Oh, it would take about about 20-30 min." Taryn, Acacia, and I figured we were up for the challenge. We got our shoes on and we were off.

We came to Uncle Jon's trailer and got instructions for the best way to go. We knew we would have to cross the river, but we figured it couldn't be that bad. We were in for a surprise.

After hiking down the CLIFF, we made it to the river. We decided , well I suggested, we take our shoes off. It's what they do on Little House on the Prairie. After THREE attempts and almost falling in, WE MADE IT! We felt so accomplished.

Preparing to cross, Little House on the Prairie style.

Taryn crossing the river

We put our shoes back on and as we ascended the mountain, we came to realize this was going to take a lot longer than 30 min! From far away you couldn't see all the hills you had to climb! We were unprepared for along hike. We hadn't brought any water, but we were determined to reach that tree!

I think it took us about an hour to get there. We snapped some pictures there and started back. I suggested we try another way and it ended up that we had to go all the way back to the way we came. The trail didn't go the way I thought it would. I'm glad Taryn and Acacia were good sports about it! Sorry guys.

Taryn and Acacia at our pine tree. I stayed down in case of bears, but later learned they were sighted on the other mountain.

This is a picture from our tree looking to our camp! It's a lot farther than it looks. And there are a lot of hills to climb!

We made it back to the river and decided to keep our shoes on! Much better! I think Little House on the Prairie should try it that way!

We climbed up the cliff and as we neared Uncle Jon's trailer, we were greeted with a little welcoming party. Cory had brought a few of the kids AND WATER! Ice, cold water. It never tasted so good!

The rest of the the day we visited and waited for dinner to get done. The guys had dug a huge pit with Uncle Jon's tractor and buried the turkeys with the hot coals! So yummy!

We had to be back for church so we loaded up and headed home. We had a flat tire on the way home, but we were safe! The trailer did lose a fender! Luckily no one hit it!

As we pulled into the driveway all the fireworks were going off, so we stopped and enjoyed the view! It was a lot of fun! I love making memories with my kids!

(I will be adding more pics, but have not time right now. Check back for cute snapshots)