Island Park July 2014

This is a year we will never forget in Yellowstone. We rented a absolutely beautiful cabin with Kenny and cousin Kelly and Emily and Savannah. The cabin was gorgeous. It had a beautiful back deck with a hot tub and views to die for. It had a theater that the kids could go in and we couldn't hear them. It was roomy and nice. On the first day that we were there, I sat down on the couch and picked up the guest book. I like to read about previous guests experiences. I read that the people that were there before us had a stomach virus. I got really nervous and took some clorox wipes and started wiping down all of the door knobs and handles. Anything that I could. It didn't help. My brother Adam and his family came up for a couple of days and Brigham started throwing up. It spread like wild fire. Everyone of us in that cabin got sick except for Landon and Chad barely got a touch of it. We were all so sick. We were Dizzy and nauseated and couldn't stand up for at least two days. For some it lasted longer. It was horrible. The sad part is, that one person started feeling better and then the next person would get it. We tried to make the best of it and still do all of the activates that we could, it still took a major part of our week. Even Chad's cousin Don and his whole family that had visited got sick. However, before we got sick, I was sitting in the hot tub with the kids and we saw a bear walking by! This was a very exciting first for us. It stayed in the back yard for quite a while and so we sat in the hot tub, took pictures and enjoyed seeing it. This was the year of "selfies", so I even got a selfie with the bear! On another night we saw a Moose and her Baby. It was so awesome. We loved having Adam and Lisa and their kids come up this year. We love having them around, and had a lot of fun with them. The boys are growing up so much and are starting to out ride me. I can now barely keep up with them. We let them out on their own a little more and they would take a ride on their own around a huge block. It made me pretty nervous, and a little sad at the same time. Overall, we still had a great trip. I don't think we will ever rent that cabin again for fear that the flu bug is imbedded in their bedding. We would never want to get that again!

July 4th Neighborhood Celebration

For the last couple of years, our little neighborhood has gotten together on the fourth of July. We usually do a little hike and a barbecue, and then fireworks that night. This year the hit was the Rockets that the Olsen's bought. The kids loved them. Aerial fireworks are legal now. A couple of neighbors bought some, so that was fun to watch as well.

Lake Powell June 2014

Lake Powell was an adventure that we will never forget! We were so excited to go to Lake Powell again with Bill Nordgren and his new wife Shauna. Bill's two kids Cassidy and Cameron and Shauna's daughter Mia and her friend Carly. We arrived a day before Bill and his family. We were so surprised of how low the lake was. We searched for a really like time before we found an okay camping spot. It lake was so low that there were several weeds with stickers in them and not a very nice sandy beach. The water was murky and dirty and we didn't really want to swim right off shore because of how gross the water looked. However, we made the best of it and were still able to have a wonderful time. Mia was hilarious and great with the kids and so much fun. I had to leave a day early (I took Jared with me) to go to my niece Jessica's High School graduation. Chad stayed with the other three boys and Bill's family. That night Bill got really sick and had to go to the nearest hospital. Chad worried about them all night and and had a rough night of extreme wind blowing. By the time he heard from Bill the next day he decided to start packing up, because the wind was so bad. Bill spent the night in the hospital and was on his way back to camp. On the way back, Bill's boat broke down. Poor Chad ended up having to pack out our family, and then go back and tear down Bill's camp and take all of his stuff to the marina. He had to go back and fourth at least four times and it was about a 45 minute boat ride. He then had to drive the long 6 hour drive home. They didn't get home until after 2:00 in the morning.

Jared's Graduates from 6th Grade

Jared was so ready to be done with Elementary School. He loved his sixth grade teacher Mr. Kowallis and had a great year, but was so ready to be all done with Elementary School and move on to Jr. High. Some of Jared's good friends in 6th grade were, Logan Carter, Bailey Capt, Dusty Golling, Westin Erekson and Zeke Harris.

Strawberry Days June 2014

We love Strawberry Days. Pleasant Grove celebrates our city each year and June and has tons of activities each year to celebrate! We always go to the carnival on Wednesday evening because it is family night and the rides are cheaper, and we love the parade on Saturday morning. Our whole family volunteered one day and cut up strawberries for the most delicious strawberries and cream ever! We love it and always have a great time!