Bear Lake August 4, 2012

If you can't tell, we love Bear Lake. It is the playground of all Cache Valleyans. It is just an hour away. That is where everyone here goes and many people have cabins. This is at Glady's place that make fabulous sandwiches and pastries. Evy and Avery were in awe of the lotto machine. We went to the Minnetonka caves right after this. The girls liked it but Evy was a little scared of the dark. We had a teenage boy as our cave guide who had the voice of a 10 year old girl.

Nelson, Coleman, Avery, Evy and Robin.

Evy and Avery. They fight like cats and dogs one minute then love each other the next. We mix up their names whenever we are together. Nelson always calls Evy "Every."

Amber, Avery and Evy. Amber caught a little fish for the girls to look at.

We have to work hard to keep our little white baby out of the sun. The sun is kryptonite for him.

Robin and Avery. Nothing feels better than mud (as long as you can rinse it off right after).

We met at first dam on the way up. Coleman likes the grass.

Evy and Nelson at first dam.

The week before we met up with my cousins from Virginia at the Willow Park Zoo. I hadn't seen them in years. This is my Cousin Trevor's girls Julia and Anna.

This is Trevor's kids and his sister Roseanne's kids meeting Coleman.

Coleman, Julia, Anna.

Lava Hot Springs: July 27-28, 2012

We stopped and picked up Uncle Leonard on our way to Lava Hot Springs. His house is so fun to look at because it is so retro. He and his family were all the same way; they would buy something and use it forever. Washing machines last at least 30 years. Isn't that how we should all be? It would be if we all took care of our stuff. There would be a lot less garbage in the world, that's for sure.

He's the American Picker's dream.

Evy

Finally camping at Lava. We went with Nelson's family. My coworker asked before we went, "Isn't Lava ghetto?" No! Not everywhere. We camp at this cute site called "Mary's Place." It was ran by a woman named Mary. She died and donated the place to the Sheriff's department. So now they take turns running it. Who better to camp with I say? This is Gene maxin and relaxin. We hit the pool that day. I like the slides but avoid the huge diving platforms. Did you know you have to sign a waiver to jump from the highest one? Last year the paramedics came for a guy. No thanks.

Evy wants absolutely nothing to do with us when she is with her cousins. She literally runs from me. This is Evy and Sara.

We had dutch oven dinner and dessert. It was Karlene and Sara's birthdays.

My cute little man.

We ladies like to prepare the food, put it in the dutch ovens, then hand it to the men. This is Dan. We always do chicken and vegetables. We decided we need to branch out sometime and try some new recipes.

Gene, Nelson and Karlene. Socks and sandals are a must.

Sara with a huge bug they caught. No thanks.

Lagoon: July 18, 2012

We spontaneously went to Lagoon. Our neighbors the Henries, called us on a Tuesday and asked if we could go to Lagoon the next day. I said no way would Nelson be able to get work off. Well, lo and behold, he did. It was nice going on a Wednesday because it wasn't as crowded. This is Evy about 30 seconds after leaving the park.

Coleman was a trooper. He was just happy to look around and watch people all day. He had a total blowout on the drive down so we had to stop at Walmart for new shorts.

Evy and Cameron. Bumper cars for kids was a joke. None of them knew what the heck they were doing. The operator had to stop it to help kids out of jams like 5 times. Then finally, Cameron just jumped out completely. Very entertaining though.

I think everyone has a picture of themselves as a kid on this ride.

Evy and Cameron

An old church in Pioneer Village. It was weird hearing church hymns among screaming riders.

How romantic.

I thought Evy would get nervous and/or sick on many rides but she did great. She didn't talk a lot during the day because she was taking it all in. She and Cameron loved Lagoona Beach a lot.

After Rattlesnake Rapids. Jessica, Brandi, Holly, Evy, Cameron.

Hyde Park Days: July 20-21, 2012

On  the night of July 20th the city had activities, food, a band and fireworks in one of the church's lawns. (It's a huge lawn) Evy went on the slides and trampolines over and over. She had to be pulled out or forced down this slide every time. She is a wimp when it comes to slides. There was a young girl that set up a candy booth. I bought candy from her but she kept giving me the candy and more money back than I had originally given her. Finally after several attempts and several transactions I just bypassed her and went to her mom.

On Saturday they had a parade in the morning. It was so nice because it wasn't crowded and so easy to get a seat. They gave out tons of candy and there were plenty of tractors and horses. (Nelson and Evy's kind of parade)

Cute little Coleman

Evy and Nelson at the parade.

Holly, Coleman and Evy

We picked raspberries at Nelson's Mom's Cousin Janice's (phew) house in Wellsville. They were out of town and said we could help ourselves to the raspberries in their garden.

Evy kept talking about how fun it was to pick raspberries but really she just kinda stood there and didn't pick. She maybe got two. We told her she was "all talk and no pick."

It was noon and we were dying. It was so blasted hot. Now I need to make jam or something.

Jack, Zach and Elena's birthday parties.

We went swimming at the Logan Aquatic Center for Jack's 6th birthday. His birthday is the first day of summer. That is the best day to have a birthday. It's also the longest day so it can go on longer than everyone else's.

Evy taking a break. She lasted 1 1/2 hours and said, "I'm done."

Nelson and Evy.

On July 7 we went to Zach's 2nd birthday party at Allie's sister's house. Evy was terrified of anyone with their faces painted or dressed as clowns, so April just painted her hand to be safe. She did a "Hello Kitty" face. Not sure if Evy knows what that is yet.

Jack, Melanie and Vera finding the shade. It was a super hot day.

Matt's friend did balloon animals for the kids. Evy got a flower.

Evy enjoying the sun-baked trampoline.

They got prizes for all the kids to take home. They played games then got to redeem their tickets for prizes. Evy kept asking for days for her tickets. I kept telling her we didn't keep them. It took me forever to realize she was talking about her prize bag.

She ate nonstop sugar and was in heaven.

Kate and Zach playing in the duck pond game.

Casey and Steve manning the face painting station. Not really, they just wanted shade. I wanted my Dad to get a Spongebob painting but he was a poor sport.

Coleman got to hold all the balloon animals because they popped if they hit the grass (and many did).

Prizes! Evy now has a different perspective of what birthday parties are. Her birthday is in September and she keeps asking when her carnival will be. Oy

July 8th: Elena had another fabulous birthday party. Maggie brought mock Disneyland treats.

The kids played on the super scary bunk bed. I am just waiting for someone to break their arm falling off this thing. I have a paranoia of bunk beds from sleeping in this one growing up. If you're on the bottom, you could be squished if the top bunk fell in. If you are on the top, you get claustrophobia. So there you have it; they are horrible.

Elena and Winston. Cheers!