Camping Trip

Since we had a four day weekend this past week we decided to go to the Uinitas.  Joseph had a scout camp on Friday so we didn't leave until Saturday afternoon.  When we began our trek up the mountain it was raining heavily.  When we got to Mirror Lake it had slowed down quite a bit as we set up our tent trailer.  We had brought our pop-up as well, so we put it in front of the trailer so we could cook and be out of the rain.  We spent the first evening just enjoying the peace and quiet.  Since it was still wet we didn't want to make a fire, so we cooked smore's on the stove.  We spent alot of time just reading and relaxing.

 Mirror lake

We took a 10 mile hike while there. When we started off it was chilly but as the day went on, off came the hoodies and extra layers.  We hiked to Scutter lake, where we ate our snacks and relaxed for a little bit. Since it was clouding back up and thundering off in the distance we didn't stay too long. 

 We got back 15 minutes before it started downpouring.  The boys spent the afternoon playing games.
We took our canoe out on the lake on Monday.  We didn't come prepared to fish, so we just paddled around and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.  One of my favorite things to do is to canoe on a quiet serene mountain lake.

 Keith making Jiffy pop on the stove.  We have tried this many times through the years over the campfire and it just doesn't work well.  This time we had success.

 On our way home we stopped at Provo Falls. This is such a beautiful area. The pitcures just don't do justice to the falls. We really need an upgrade on our digital camera. Maybe for Christmas, especially now that we are doing this blog to keep up dated with our kids.

This was a very relaxing trip for us.  It was nice to get out of the heat as this has been a very hot summer.  We didn't do much to celebrate Pioneer day.   We decided in the afternoon we should at least have a cookout, so we made homemade rootbeer and dutch oven cobbler to go with our barbeque pork and corn on the cob.

Our recipe for dutch oven cobbler came from young women's camp several years ago.

First: melt 1 cube of butter in bottom of dutch oven.

Add: two large cans peaches

         one can sprite or 7-up

Sprinkle on top: one yellow cake mix

place lid on.  Set dutch oven on prepared coals, placing coals on top of lid  as well. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with Ice Cream or Whipped Cream.

Gran Fondo

This summer Eric and Joseph have been training to ride their bikes from Cedar Breaks to Zions.  Eric learned of the "Gran Fondo" bike ride hosted by the IHC hospital in Logan and decided to participate in it.  They offered a 100 mile ride, a 70 mile ride and a 40 mile ride, which was changed to 50 miles the day of the event.  Since this was Eric's first serious bike ride he opted for the 50 miler.

Early morning start.  He had perfect conditions.  It was overcast and alot cooler than it has been.

Getting ready to line up. 

 Giving us the okay signal. (Eric is third from left.)

 The 50 milers getting into position.

 Off they go.

 Eric is the one with the red backpack.  \

 home stretch

welcome back with a towel and medallian.

 An awesome feat.  Especially since he missed his turn off point for the 50 milers.  When his odometer hit 50 miles and he was still heading south, and was still on the west side Cache Valley, he knew he was in trouble.  We went out and rescued him, dropping him off a mile before the end of the ride, so he could complete the ride.  Final odometer reading was 61 miles.

 A proud moment for all of us.

Sunday before move

Sunday, July 1st, we had a family dinner before the big move for our daughter and her family to Missouri where her husband is returning to school to get his Phd. They will be back there for at least four years. 

 Bill and Jessica along with Zachary and Brian

 Trevor with his treasures.

 Eric and Ashley with the youngest grandchildren.

 Joseph is an expert pie maker and has passed that skill to our children.  Now he is teaching his grandsons to how to make great pies.  Brian is making the filling for a pecan/chocolate chip pie.

Here he is teaching Zachary how to make the perfect pie crust.  It was a nice day for all as we said our goodbyes. Early the next morning, 4:00am that is, they left for Missouri.

The moving van, towing their little car with their canoe on top.  Eric and Bill drove the moving van, while Joseph drove with Jessica and children in the van. They took two days traveling across country to their designation.

early 4th of July

With our daughter and her family moving to Missouri, we held our 4th of July  celebration a little early.  We had our usual barbeque dinner including: barbeque ribs, dutch oven potatoes, watermelon and of course homemade rootbeer ( an absolute must).

 Eating in the backyard with family and friends.

 Helping the grandkids light their snakes.

 Daughters with their new little ones.

 Choosing which fireworks to light next.

Just a shot of everone in the front yard.  They got creative setting some off in the water bucket just to see what would happen.  We had some interesting results

sea world

What is a trip to Sea World without Shamu?  I discovered we actually took pitcures while at Sea World so I thought I would post a couple.

                          The Dolphins

                          A Sea Turtle
Our favorite show was Sea Lions Tonight. They did a spoof on all of the shows at Sea World and was very enjoyable.