Camping

It is the great debate in our family Camping or the Lake? I would choose camping every time and Michael would choose the lake. So we try to compromise and do both. I feel like I get the short end of the stick sometimes because it is a lot easier to run to the lake for the afternoon than it is to get all packed up and head up the mountain. This year we got to go three times and it made me happy every time I got to go. Unfortunately the first time we headed up I went a day early and Michael came up with Cannon the following night and by the morning that Michael was there it was snowing. The weather never quit either and we had to cut our camping weekend short. The next weekend we went the weather was perfect. Todd and Emily came up and spent the night and the kids had a great time together. I love being on the mountain because there are no distractions. All the technology and whatever else draws us apart when we are home together isn't on the mountain and my boys are forced to spend time with their good old mom and dad. We played a little game of baseball while on the mountain and it was a blast. We of course roast marshmallows morning noon and night and just get good and dirty! The third time we went up it was for Labor Day weekend always our last trip before the snow comes and school and activities take over. We always go camping with the same families that weekend and we always have the best time together. We all plan our meals together play games and ride horses(which is the highlight of Travis' and my weekend!) I love being up on the mountain there is just something about the beauty of it all that just makes me so happy inside. There is nothing better than a weekend away with the kids and just having some slow mountain days. I don't especially love being dirty but all the other things that I get to experience while on the mountain is worth all the grime. When people say you are closer to God on the mountain I agree. It is no excuse to miss church but I do feel a special spirit when I am camping. I just am grateful we have such a close beautiful place to do our camping at.

Sails Away!

One night, this summer, Michael decided to take the boys out to the lake and sleep on the sailboat. Yes, we own a sailboat and it was an interesting summer to say the least. I have found out that I have a fear of the boat that doesn't make sense and the fear takes over and I get irrational and beg to just get back on solid ground. Anyway, Michael took the boys one night and I stayed home for a little peace and quiet. The weather here was great and so the fam headed out for a night of food and fun and I believe a movie on the boat. When Michael and the boys got to the lake the wind had picked up and when Michael tried to paddle his way out to the sailboat on our big tube he had a hard time fighting against the wind. Michael was about to give up and head back to the dock when a big gust of wind picked up and it blew him directly toward the sailboat. The boys all got aboard and they went back to the buoy the boat was tied up to and started to watch a movie. Unfortunately the computer was not fully charged so the boys ended up having an earlier bedtime than they had planned. As I had mentioned before the wind was really picking up and it rocked the boys right to sleep.

The next morning the family woke up to find that the big tube that was tied to the sailboat had gotten loose and was nowhere to be found. They had breakfast and decided to raise a small flag they had bought. When they tried to lower the flag it wouldn't come down. So first Michael tried raising Adam up the mast but Adam got too nervous and begged to come down. So up Travis went and retrieved the flag from way up the mast. It was a good thing I was not there because that flag would have stayed up there before I would be okay with any of my kids going up that mast! After breakfast and the excitement with the flag they boys all decided to go for a little sail around the lake to see if they could locate the inner tube. They looked for quite a long time with no luck when someone spotted something down one of the little coves. The sailboat was too big to go all the way into the cove so Michael sent Cole down in to retrieve the tube. He was successful but he had a bit of fear and was sure he heard the rattle of a snake.

They then took the boat out of the water and began the process of putting down the mast when yet another thing went wrong and something very important broke and luckily no one got hurt, accept the sailboat. They all finished what they had to do and got everything squared away and headed home.

After they all got back and showered and told me the tale of their weekend I asked them if it was even worth going and they all exclaimed that it was one of the best nights of their lives and that they would do it all again in a heartbeat. I guess you never know what will become a bonding moment. Family is great and I am thankful for a husband who is willing to sacrifice and spend what was probably not the most comfortable night with his boys and even though nothing seemed to go his way he still said it was one of the best times he has had with his kids! Thanks honey for all you do!

Happy Birthday Adam!!!

Adam turned 4 on Sept.12th and has been begging to ride the motorcycle ever since he learned to ride a two wheeler so Michael let him on his birthday. I was for sure nervous that he was going to run into our fence or the huge tree in the yard but he didn't and he seemed to have a great time.

Dad also got a new motorcycle so he took Adam for a ride. They all really like riding together. Cannon got a new bike too so now they can all go riding together and we don't have to have as much bickering about who gets to ride what and for how long. I knew motorcycles would be a part of our lives and I don't mind them. Ever since I got in my accident on Michael's bike I have a bit of fear of riding them myself but it is fun watching the boys ride and have fun. I am just happy following behind on the four wheeler or sitting in the truck reading is just fine with me:) It is great being a mom of four wonderful boys and I feel blessed everyday that it is my job to raise them in the ways of the Lord.

Summer Part 1

Wow! What a fast moving summer we had and now we are already into fall. The summer started with our trip to Texas. We had so much fun and the drive wasn't horrible(I don't think it is something we want to do every year but not to bad.) The boys had already started baseball and when we got back the season was really busy. We ended up taking 2nd place for the season. Cannon had a great season he was very successful both in the field and at bat. Cannon also got to play on the all-star team. Cole had a good year it was his first in little league and by the end of the season he was much more confident. I think next year he will have a great time.

I thought once baseball was over we would have a lot more time to go camping or spend time as a family but I was wrong. Right after baseball was finished Michael, Cannon, and Cole left for basketball camp at BYU. They had a great time. Cannon's team did really well and Cannon won a couple of the competitions. Cannon had a boy on his team whose dad played for the Utah Jazz. Cole on the other hand did not have as fruitful a team but had a good time being there just the same. Every night when the boys would call to check-in Cannon would go on and on about how well his team was doing and Cole would just say we lost every game. He was one of the better players on his team and he did like that. Cole has a great attitude about getting the most out of what he is doing instead of only focusing on whether or not he is winning.

The boys got home in the wee hours or the morning on Friday and on Monday Michael and Cannon left again this time to go to scout camp for the week. Michael is the scout master and it was nice that I knew Cannon couldn't get into too much trouble at camp because his dad would be there. Cannon had a great week he got a lot accomplished and he is now at the rank of first class. Another benefit of Michael being in the scouting program is that he can keep Cannon right on track to earn his eagle and I won't have to do too much prodding. Michael had a good week also but could have slept for a week to make up for the hours missed during camp. Earlier in the summer Michael went to what is called wood badge. It is a week long training for scout leaders. They do some of the activities the scouts do and they do a bunch of team building. Michael was dreading going but when he got home he had many great stories to tell and his dad and brothers were there and I think they had a great week together.

To all you moms out there with more than one child that can walk and talk you will understand what I am about to say. The two weeks that the two older boys were gone first both to basketball camp and then they were separated one home and one to scout camp were two of the best weeks of my summer. There was not any fighting, the two younger boys don't really fight they get along so well(Travis has a lot to do with that he is so kind to Adam.) And there was no one walking by the other one touching him or pinching him just to see what kind of reaction he could get out of the other. It was so peaceful and the only thing that would have made it better was if Michael could have been here to enjoy the tranquility along with me. Well, my post is getting quite long so I will blog more later.