Stewart Weekend

This was the 3rd year that we have taken a weekend trip with all the Stewarts.  Thank you to Ryan and Christine for getting these beautiful condos at Wolfcreek.  They were perfect and a great place for us to enjoy a few days together and lots of cousin time.  We started on Thursday with a day at Pineview.  Not everyone was able to make it to the lake, but for those that could we had fun.

After the lake, I thought the kids had enough water.  Why I ever thought that, especially with Gator I do not know.  As we were getting settled into the condo, I looked out on the patio and there was Owen and Gabe in the hot tub.  We made dinner and while we were cleaning up some of the kids found their way down to the pool.  I was tired and sunburned, but I had fun watching from the shade and a chair.  We visited while the kids swam. 

Friday we woke up (for those of us that even went to sleep that night) at all different times.  Ryan went for a bike ride, my boys had to go to Fremont for a football physical and to sell some of their fundraiser cards, Gator and I enjoyed a walk along a walkway behind the condo.  As everyone started to emerge for the day, the boys got back and we decided to take a hike, just as it decided to rain.  Luckily it didn't rain long and the clouds cleared to beautiful blue skies.  Up at Powder Mountain, we've always hiked to an old crane.  We showed everyone that trial, but the rope swing from the crane was gone, which was probably safer anyway.  After the crane, we went on a trail called Paper Airplane.  It was a perfect hike.  Fairly short, fairly easy, and fairly shaded.  It was so pretty with all the wildflowers and great views.  Someone had built a steel sculpture of a paper airplane, hence the name of the trail, which was kinda cool.  After the hike, we had some lunch at the condo, then of couse back to the pool until dinner. 

The remainder of the weekend, we played games, visited, swam some more, watched movies, played outside, and ate.  Everyone got along all weekend, which is always a plus especially with a big group.  But everyone just enjoyed being together and relaxing. 

 

Stewart Falls

"Mountain Monday" has kind of taken the back burner this summer.  Davis got hurt, Owen has been out of town a lot, and football or soccer seems to keep us from being able to go.  I've wanted to hike Stewart Falls for a couple years, and I had it planned a few differnt times this summer, but something always came up that kept us from being about to go.  I about gave up thinking for some reason we just weren't supposed to go on this hike, but today it finally worked out.  Sure it was a Friday, but hey it was a hike.  It took the whole day with the drive to Provo, and traffic, and the actual hike that was a little harder then I read online.  We actully saw 2 trailheads, I think we took the more difficult one because the reviews basically said we'd be walking for 1.5 miles.  Well, our trail was not a walk, and it was a lot further then 1.5 miles, but it was so worth it.  First off, it was amazing.  The whole hike was beautiful, and the falls were awesome.  Second, it was just us all day and we really didn't have a time agenda.  It was great, but toward the end everyone was tired and kinda sick of family time, but it was still a great day!

Summer Days

I got a bit behind in blogging this week thinking eh we haven't done anything too exciting, but then I look at my pictures and realize it was a fun week.  This summer is different that is for sure, but we are still making some memories.  I'm just so used to having all day every day with the kids, this year they are so busy with football, work, friends, and with Davis's injury we had to have some relaxing days.  Last weekend he went camping with Gavon up in the Uintah's.  I hated it because he didn't have service for 3 days, but he came home and told me about all the fun.  The mountains are his happy place.  We all have one, and he loves the mountains.  He failed his 1 assignment of taking pictures, thank goodness for Gavon's brothers girlfriend.  She saved him and sent me a few. 

When Owen got a summer job, I didn't think he'd work so much.  But he pretty much works when he isn't at football.  He is enjoying spending his money, and he "works" with so many friends.  I bet they goof off more then they get work done.  This week, they've been cleaning out the sheds at the rec department.  Who needs a broom and dust pan when you can use the parks department leaf blowers. 

 Davis had a great appointment on Tuesday.  He has been cleared for all activity.  Which is pretty amazing and awesome.  He has jumped right back into football and longboarding and swimming with all that bottled up energy.  His vision hasn't returned, he compares it to opening his eyes under water.  I'm betting as soon as the dilation goes away, he will be able to see as good as before the accident. 

Tuesday, Gator made Mint Chocolate Chip Whoopie Pies.  We doubled the recipe knowing the boys would want a lot of them, but we ended up sharing so many, they were mad they still only got a couple a piece.  Her friend invited her to activity days, so she took a bowl there to share, she wanted to share with her friends at swimming lessons, and I took some visiting teaching.  Everyone is enjoying her Treat Tuesday. 

Davis got a hammock to take camping, and Gator stole it once he got home.  She put it in the trees all by herself, and spends a lot of time out there in the shade reading. 

We had fun at Cherry Hill last night.  I thought a storm was going to blow in, I prayed it would wait until we were done, and then it never blew in.  That is not the deal I wanted.  I love summer storms and we need the rain so so bad, but it never happened.  I struggle with the heat so much, it gets worse every year.  I don't want to go back to work, but I need summer to end, that or the temperature to turn way down.  While I wait, we will just find relief in the water. 

Conditioning has started and the boys are beat.  Plus Owen had to work, so we didn't have time to go anywhere today to try something new.  I figured I would just make a new recipe this week for lunch.  I made mini corndogs.  The reviews were mixed, but it came down to the batter needing to be sweeter, so I found a new recipe with honey that I will try another time.  Everyone ate them good, Owen just said they didn't taste like much, Davis dipped his in honey, and Gator took her lunch out to the hammock and came back with an empty plate. 

 There is a story behind this hoodie.  I think it's terribly ugly.  The color is fine, but why the length??  Davis thinks it is awesome and he wanted it for sking.  He is so funny, spending his whole summer and paycheck thinking about sking.  Well, he didn't have to spend any of the paycheck on this $80 hoodie.  It was on sale for $50 good job shopping sales Davis.  But, for some reason we couldn't get our order to go through online.  We tried his card, my card, and paypal.  Finally I emailed the company and they emailed back thinking we were in West Haven Conneticut.  Thinking that was the problem, they said they would call and do a phone order.  Well, for some reason it wouldn't take our billing address or the card address or something so after many attmepts the guy said that he would give Davis the hoodie for free.  I felt bad accepting it, but the guy insisted. 

 

Surf n Swim party

Krissy and PJ took care of Family Friday this week, with their ward party.  Josh and Rachelle just moved out of the same ward as Colin and Krissy & PJ.  It is easy to slip in as one of  them and they'd never know.  We don't have to sneak in though, they invite everyone's family regardless, but it is still easy to fit into their ward. 

5 stars all around

Today for Try It Thursday, we went out for breakfast.  We'd heard of the Black Bear Diner and there is a new one on 12th St so that was our destination today. 

 

Owen was much happier with this weeks menu vs last week.  He cleaned his plate of chicken fried steak, eggs, hasbrowns, and biscuits with a smile and voted we try lunch next time because he definitely wants to come back. 

 Davis ordered the same breakfast with diced potatoes instead of hash browns.  He made a small dent in his breakfast, but not cause he didn't love it, he just has bigger eyes then stomach.   He also gave the diner 5 stars and said he would love to come back. 

 Gator ordered chocolate chip pancakes.  She gobbled them up before she even put the butter and syrup on.  She shared a bite with her boys and they all decided they tasted more like cake then pancakes.  She said the diner gets 99 stars. 

Later this evening Owen went fishing and Davis went over to Gavon's house to pack up the trailer.  They are going camping this weekend with Gavon's family.  I figure Davis needs to get out, he is getting very anxious staying at home.  The doctor gave him the green light to go with the promise to be careful.  He is getting so close to a full recovery, he doesn't want to mess that up.  Still hoping his vision in his left eye comes back.  While the boys were out, Gator and I waited for it to cool down just a little then we went for a bike ride.  We rode up to Triple Stop and got a drink and a treat.