The NO deer hunt!

We went up to Vernal for the Deer hunt (as we do every year) with the Thomas Family. It is such a great time as long as nobody shoots poor Bambi... This year was a success in my book. The kids had a great time playing outside, riding the 4 wheelers, and fishing. Gracie caught a few fish and a baby snake with the help of Aubrey. eeww! The forest fairies showed up this year again and Natalie told the kids ghost stories... the children were mesmerized...very enchanting! All the kids came away with a bag full of goodies and a very charming mini ghost lantern. We love sitting by the campfire at night while the kids are tucked in the trailers with their chocolate milk and movies! We had a great time and the weather was wonderful!

I guess I should note that the very next weekend was the elk hunt and my sweet dear husband happened to kill one of those beautiful animals. This is his second elk in two years... we all know Ernie! This one Gracie named Elmo but later changed his name to something else that I can't remember now. Anyway, Jake was lucky and shot a six point elk on public property and a general tag. I am not happy about it but he is proud. I think this one will have to live in the garage.

Camping with the FAMDAMLY!

We went camping with my family (and most of the dogs) a few weekends ago to the cabin at Strawberry. It was fantastic! We had a great time boating, sitting by the fire, drinking, eating, cooking, exploring and playing! Here is our trip in pictures.

Flaming Gorge

We ended up in Flaming Gorge over the 24th of July. It was a lot of fun. I really just wanted to stay home for the long weekend but we decided to head out on Friday Morning and I am so glad we did. We only planned on staying one night because we thought Garrett would be really hard, but amazingly he was PERFECT! He slept great in the trailer and was awesome on the boat. He played with the big kids in the dirt and had a great time thinking he was one of them. We were totally shocked he was so good that we stayed another night. And we are glad we did because Jason and Aubrey ended up driving up on Saturday afternoon just in time for the RAIN! It poured rain so we just sat under the awning and talked while Garrett slept and Gracie went with Aniston and Kalder played. The sun came out at about 5:00 so we headed out to the lake. We skied, wakeboarded, and surfed. The water was nice. we stayed on the lake til dark and had a great time. When we got back to camp, we had dinner, put the kids to bed and relaxed by the fire with a cocktail. Soooo nice! The next morning we got up, had coffee, and off to the lake again for a wild day of skiing and tubing. The tube was terrifying so I stayed in the boat most of the time. Once again, Garrett was awesome. We didn't take our boat this time. So thanks to Kory and Doug for dragging us around the lake all weekend.

*Forest Fairies*

Forest Fairies are real... we know, we felt their magic!

Have you ever heard of Forest Fairies? I hadn't until our last camping trip. Who knew that their magic was so real? Not me.... until now!

As night fell upon us up high up in the mountains, Natalie gathered all the children together. She told them all to get a flashlight for the Forest Fairies had come. Once all the children had flashlights and a sack for goodies the tale began.

The forest fairies had left Natalie (Jake's Great Aunt) a note earlier in the day. All the children at our camp were good kids so the fairies came and left great things for them. Natalie led the way, she carried a lantern and each time that she would set her lantern down, the kids were to shine their flashlights up into the trees to catch a glimpse of the Fairies. They were everywhere. We heard them flying through the trees and they led us to places where treats were left. The children were mesmerized. Actually, I think that everyone was mesmerized, it was a beautiful thing.

As we started walking through the forest, listening for the fairies, we saw glimmers through the trees and each time this happened there were treats left for each of the children. This went on for a long time. The kids were so into it... they were very quiet throughout the entire adventure. It was magical! Thank you Forest Fairies, we hope you come back again.

Natalie with the kids gathered around for the tale of the Forest Fairies.

This was taken just before the magical adventure began!
Notice the flashlights.

Gone Huntin'

Tis the season for all of the 'men' to gather their guns and head up the mountain. Jake left last Tuesday and Gracie, Garrett, and I joined him in the mountains of Vernal Friday for a fun-filled camping trip. I don't hunt, I just camp! Just wanted to make that clear.

This trip was so unique and perfect! Most of Jake's family went this year which is pretty rare. And, the best part is... no little deer lives were taken. Hooray for Bambi!



Gracie was able to play with her cousins Kalder, Conner and Turner and second cousins, Kenzie, Cole, and Cade. They went snipe hunting and followed forest fairies (another post) and rode bikes, 4 wheelers, barbie jeeps and shot the beebee gun. They had a blast. We had good food and good times around the campfire. It was so nice to spend time with Lenny and Grandma and Grandpa Thomas. We took the kids fishing on Saturday and they loved that too! Nature is the best place to make memories.

Garrett Camping!

Gracie Camping!

Camping with the Glines Family!

Thank you Uncle Bill for borrowing us your cabin for the weekend. It was perfect! The smell of the cabin and just being up there brought Dad and Ya Ya (Aunt Karen) back to their younger days remebering Grandpa and being there as kids. It was really neat to hear some of the stories and see some of my great grandpas old stuff.
One of the best things about camping is the food and great company. Mom and dad made dutch oven dinner and then we whipped up some S'mores... Yummy! Gracie, Chase, and Nan all went tubing behind the boat and loved every minute of it. Garrett is still way too young to go out on the boat so him and I stayed back at the trailer while the kids went boating.... It was quite relaxing, and I was able to get some reading in...
I'm sad that we had to come home early, one more day would have been perfect! I love you guys...Thanks for the memories, we had a blast.