We finally finished taking our pictures up at South Fork for our four season! Hooray! I have taken a picture of the kids at the exact same spot in every season and I am not a very patient person, so having to wait a year to get it finished was not fun for me haha.
For Labor Day this year we went camping out at Fish Lake in Southern Utah. Rusty had gone out there when he was little and had really fond memories of it, and so we've been wanting to get back there sometime soon. And we finally did it! We borrowed my parents' trailer and went out on Friday and came back on Monday. Friday we picked Henry up from school and then went pretty quickly after that. The drive is only 2.5 hours so it's not too bad, but we wanted to get out there as quickly as we could because it was Labor Day weekend and we didn't have a reservation. We went to Mackinaw Campground and there were two spots left- we checked out one and then went to the other one and it was perfect! It was right up against a hill and so the kids could play up there, and there was nobody next to us. We were also right across the highway from a little trail that goes around the lake.
Saturday we drove to Richfield, the nearest town with a grocery store, and got an inflatable raft and life jackets! We have the canoe but it wouldn't fit with the truck and trailer, and it wouldn't fit our whole family. So we opted for this hilarious inflatable raft and we all fit on it and I loved it! When we got back to Fish Lake we blew it up and then headed out on the lake! It was really windy and so we were getting pushed around a lot, and Henry and Della were fishing, while Rusty and I tried to keep us going. Lia was a champ and took her afternoon nap in the raft. That night we played games outside and had a fire!
Sunday we got up right after they woke up and went straight out to the lake to go fishing. We didn't have any luck this time either, but the kids had a ton of fun and Rusty and I did too. I love being out on the water and I really do just love having everyone together there. After we came in from the lake we stayed on the shore and played in the rocks with the sand toys. Rusty went out by himself to look for fish in the water. He has this specific memory of being a little kid looking over the side of a boat and seeing big fish swimming out of the weeds there, so he wanted to recreate it. And he did! Then I went out too and saw like 12 fish! So cool!
We went out for a drive and wanted to see an overlook, so we drove out for a ways to see the other side of Fish Lake and then we drove back and went up Mount Mytoge. The drive was slow because of the roads but we drove past beautiful aspen trees and great places to camp. We finally got to the top and saw a beautiful overlook! We parked the truck and put the tailgate down and ate our picnic. It was great! Then we went back to camp and had a fire and played games again! We are really loving Old Maid, Crazy 8s, Go Fish, and a new game called Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza. That one is hilarious haha. Rusty and I got really competitive about it, which is abnormal for both of us. But I won. Ha. Take that.
Monday we went out on the lake again but we tried a different launch spot that we saw from the lookout. So we went out there and the fish were just jumping like crazy over there! We had way better luck there and Henry caught 2 fish, and I caught 1! Della really wanted to catch one and we thought she did but it was just a bunch of the weeds from the bottom, so Rusty told her that the fish tricked her and got off and then put some weeds on it haha. So that's good. Then we went back to camp and grabbed Bailey and then drove out to Pando! I was so happy because this was something I really wanted to do while we were here. You technically drive through it to get to our campground, but this was our first time that we parked and then walked through. We brought games, books, and a picnic and it was great! It was so peaceful, especially because there wasn't a trail you just kind of wander through it. After that we went back to camp and broke it all down! On our way home we stopped at a restaurant in Nephi called The One Man Band Diner. It is a little 50's restaurant and when you sit in the booth it has a notepad and a pencil so you can write your orders down. Then there's a red phone so you can call the lady in the kitchen and order. Then she calls you on the phone when it's ready for you to pick up! How cute is that?! After that we drove home. It's always nice to go home after a trip.
For some reason I had been wanting to watch Jaws, so I asked Jess if she wanted to come and watch it with me. It was really fun! And then we also stuffed baggies of marshmallows for a Primary activity coming up.
We were lucky enough to go out to visit Seaside with my parents! It was kind of last minute because Emilie and Dave were going to go, but then they got Covid so they couldn't go. Mom and Dad went out on Sunday and the kids and I flew out on Thursday and stayed until the following Thursday. Rusty had a Mastermind conference in Breckenridge during the same weekend so he didn't get to come, but I just flew out with me and the three kids. We had a ton of fun and I feel like it went too fast!
Thursday:
Rusty took us to the airport and helped us get the carseats checked and to security. We got through everything pretty easily and the kids were amazing on the flight. Lia did great too, and we got a lot of compliments on their behavior. Mom and Dad picked us up from the airport and then while we were in Portland we decided to go to the food trucks and then to Voodoo Donuts. There were fewer food trucks there than when I went with Rusty a few years ago, but I'm assuming that's because of Covid. We got a bulgogi burrito and it was HEAVENLY. The kids got corn dogs and they liked them too. A stupid pigeon pooped on me and Lia while we were walking around, and there were a lot of homeless people around which was sad. One of them had a red thong on way above his pants ha. After that we got donuts and ate them on our drive home! Portland has never been my favorite place, but I definitely think it has gotten worse. It was really yucky and I didn't want to touch anything. We kind of got in and then out as fast as we could.
Friday:
This morning we woke up and went out to hunt for seashells and sand dollars! There weren't as many as I remember finding, but we heard from someone later in the trip that if we go South instead of North on the beach then you can find a ton! So next time we'll try that. The kids loved being out there looking for them and seeing the crab shells. There was a spot with a bunch of crab shells and Henry said, "I call this place Crab Death Valley."
Saturday:
Today was Cannon Beach day! We had thought the tide was later than it turned out to be, so we ended up rushing as fast as we could to get there. We got there just as the tide was coming back in so we got to see some sea stars but they were mostly covered with water. It was so fun to wander around and show the kids the different animals we could see, and I always love that. Henry and Della tired skim boarding for a little while, Henry really enjoyed it- Della not so much, and then they played in the sand a lot. I think Henry's favorite part was squirting the waves with his little water blaster. It was hilarious to watch, but I swear he really thought that the waves went back out to sea because he hit them with his water gun haha!
Sunday:
Today we hung low and took it easy because it is Sunday. We spent the morning playing a pirate game where you put swords in a barrel and try not to make the pirate pop up. Henry was pretty enthralled with it haha. Then we went for a walk, swung on the beach, and then played in the sand a little bit.
Monday:
Today we visited somewhere new called Arcadia Beach. It is a state park and it was really cool! We got there an hour before the tide chart said, and even then the tide was starting to come in. But we got there fast enough to see the sea stars, anenomes, hermit crabs, mussels and barnacles! Then we spent the rest of our time there just playing, and hardly anybody was there which was amazing! The wind was perfect for flying kites, so Henry and Dad went and flew them and Henry got to do it by himself and we were so impressed with him because he did a great job. Also, someone had dug and built a giant circle in the sand and the kids spent hours playing on it.
Tuesday:
We did something totally new today and rode a train along the coast! Well, it wasn't entirely along the coast-it was kind of along an inlet and then just a bunch of blackberry bushes haha. But it was still really fun and exciting! The kids loved it and so did the adults. We drove about an hour South to Rockaway Beach and then got on the train and rode it for 30 minutes South to Garibaldi. We had 30 minutes in Garibaldi before our train left, but everything was closed there on Mondays and Tuesdays haha. And even with those things open there weren't that many options. But right next to the train was a little park so we just played there and then took the kids to the bathroom and it was time to get back on! We went back to Rockaway Beach and then stopped at The Old Oregon Smokehouse and got some food there, and it was AMAZING! It was a hole in the wall place, but man was it amazing! I got halibut fish and chips and they were probably the best I've ever had (other than in New Zealand), and the clam chowder was to die for. Seriously the best I've ever had! What a win! Then we went next door and got some ice cream before we went and saw the beautiful arch in the ocean. I'd love to get a closer view another time!
Wednesday:
Today was Dad's birthday! We woke up and the kids got to hide his presents around the condo. They loved "helping" him find all of them!
Thursday:
This day was spent ENTIRELY in the car. We stopped in Meridian and played at the park by the pool where I used to go swimming! Then we continued on our way and made it to Morgan where we stayed the night.
Rusty had a Mastermind in Breckenridge, Colorado while we were in Seaside. He had a great time and loved spending more time with some of the people in his group. It was not as good as the first one in Vegas but he still thought it was worth it!
.jpg)
Two days after we got back from Seaside it was Apple Cider Day! We just stayed at the cabin and then went home after that so we didn’t have to drive back up again. I always love Apple Cider Day, and this year we did Jessica and Aaron’s wedding shower. Rusty brought up Henry’s dirt bike and he had a great time riding around with Gryffin!
Henry's school did a Spirit Week for White Ribbon Week. He had a crazy hair day, pajama day, hat day, and school spirit day. He had a great time dressing up for each one!
Della's story time at the library for the first time! She finally got to go in the Preschool room.
Henry played soccer again this fall! He loves it and has a natural gift for it, but he seemed to get a little more bored this time around. The game is slowing down now that they are trying to strategize a little bit instead of just all bunching around the ball haha. He did great all season and got his first little medal!
Jessica's wedding finally came! We drove down on Thursday to Capitol Reef. We got there late at night and it was so glorious to just be able to go right to bed in the camper instead of setting up a tent. Some day I hope we get one of our own!
The next morning we got up and got things ready for the wedding! There was set up to do, a hike up to the wedding site, and then getting things ready for the ceremony. We went back to the hotel to get everyone's hair and makeup done so that we didn't have to do that in the camper. There were a few hiccups, like the hair dressers forgetting bobby pins, my mom getting lost in the desert without cell service, the rings being left at the bottom and Della and Alice not wanting to throw the rose petals so they had to do it twice haha. Somehow I was in charge of things with the ceremony and I couldn't get anyone to listen to me to go sit down so that Jessica could walk down the aisle, so I eventually asked the photographer to help me haha. I was very stressed. The ceremony was beautiful! Afterwards we had dinner and Jess and Aaron went to take pictures, and then they had the Dark Sky people come and we got to see Saturn's rings and Jupiter's moons in their telescopes! So amazing!
The next day we went to Blind Lake, which is honestly one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever been to. The colors were changing and the hike up was beautiful too. Henry tried fishing, some of Jessica's friends and I went out on our "yacht" that we brought with us on the hike, and a boulder rolled on Rusty's toe and turned it all black and blue.
That night we had a dance party in the pavilion and Jess and Aaron got their first dance and Jess did her dance with Dad. Then we all just had a fun time dancing, and Pam even made an appearance hahaha.
Sunday Jess, Aaron, and some of their friends and I went and did Cassidy's Arch Canyon. Rusty's toe was hurting so bad that he didn't think he could do it so he stayed back with the kids. The first rappel was 140 feet, and I was really scared haha but I did it! Then we had seven more rappels, and the whole canyon was just beautiful. I really did love it!
We got lunch at my favorite place in Torrey, The Wild Rabbit. I have been thinking about this breakfast I got here since I came with Jessica in February, so I was definitely excited to get it again. I got Rusty the Hot Ruby and it was AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS. It had a housemade kraut and some sliced apples, in what was otherwise a yummy Ruben. I am now dreaming about this sandwich haha.
On our way out of town we went and checked out some cool pictographs and petroglyphs. The kids thought it was so interesting and I am just always amazed that these things have lasted so long. This particular place had so much graffiti around it that it was sad, but it was still fun to see the real stuff!
I found out that a few weeks ago the Provo Library started loaning out games, which is so fun! We have spent a lot of time this month playing games. We tried Chutes and Ladders for the first time, a game called Ice Cool (which became a favorite), and Rusty and I played Skip-Bo out on the back porch every night for a week haha.
The leaves seemed to change a little early this year, so we made sure to get up to South Fork Park to see all the beautiful colors and to play in the leaves. It was Amelia's first time playing in the leaves, and at first she was confused but them she loved doing her straight arm crawl right through them! And I finally got my last picture for the 4 seasons at South Fork! I took the firs tone in January, so this has been a long time coming!
Henry's Highlights:
- When we were in Seaside, I said something to my mom about a crevice. Henry overheard in the other room and just yelled, "CREVICE? PAPA HAS A CREVICE?"
- Loved flying kites in Seaside so much he would just yell to my dad, "PAPA, THE WIND IS RIGHT!"
- Also in Seaside at the Pig N Pancake he started eating his crepe and said, "What a good day to eat food!"
- He tries to be nice and agree with Della when she says something wrong, but he always looks at me and uses a hand to hide his face and makes the weirdest, angry face because what she said was wrong haha
- Amelia was being really fussy and he said, "Babies are cute, but we don't really like when they're like that right?"
Adeline's Adventures:
- One day she told me, "Ugh, this life is so hard. I have to go in the car to get Henry." She also said, "What even is life? Do you know how to do life?" Haha
- We were playing "hot and cold" and then it was her turn. I had said, "You're hot! You're on fire!" She said, "You're hot! You're hot! You're dead."
- She calls dandelions "dandy flowers"
- She said, "I will drive you there! Oh yeah, I forgot I don't know how to drive."
- Della was playing 20 questions. Henry said, "Don't be a unicorn." She says, "ok." Then Henry says, "Are you a unicorn?" and she said, "Yes."
Amelia's Updates:
- Comes cruising down the hall when she hears the bath tub water turn on
- Loves to point at people, and also does this ET thing where she likes to touch fingers
- Fake coughs if you cough
- Pulls up to stand and can walk very awkwardly with her walker, but no walking alone
- Still crawls with her arms stick straight
- Loves to brush her hair with the brush herself
- LOVES This Little Piggy
- Loves to pull magnets off the fridge
- She always has a naughty grin
- She LOVES to dip things (carrots in Ranch, fries in Ketchup)
