Civilized Camping

Let me tell you a little bit how camping went when I was growing up. We'd pack up the tents, all of our food, fishing poles, layers and layers of clothing (my mom just knew that we were going to freeze)... anything that we could possibly need, loaded into the big, green army trailer, squeezed into my dad's Blazer and up the mountains we went. But they weren't just any mountains, oh no, we went to Boulder Mountain. And it was named "Boulder Mountain" for a reason. Each time we'd forge our own trial maneuvering carefully between each boulder and tree to reach one of the beautiful lakes that was tucked safe and away from any kind of civilization. It was always an adventure and you can be sure that we were the ONLY ones around! That's what you call "ruffing it!"

Well recently my dad purchased a camper trailer when he went on his buffalo hunt, and so the camping trips my parents go on now are a little bit different! My dad will still take his own trip with the boys over enormous rocks and hills, but when everyone goes we do it the way everyone else does... at a campsite!! Palisades was the perfect place for all of us. We had some fun!

Even in civilized camp grounds there are still boulders to climb on!!!!!!

Emma was so excited about the paddle boats. Unfortunately, we were given the WORST paddle boat ever made. It wouldn't go anywhere, and after we piled 7 people on it, it made it that much worse.

Here is my dad... in his element (sort of)!!
Anyone who has ever gone to Palisades I'm sure has jumped off these rocks. The guys had lots of fun. I just wish I had video of this!

My brother Corbin!
This is the only picture I have of all 4 of them together...sort of! Nice legs, Lance!
Emma tried it with a little help, and from a little lower! She has the best uncles and daddy ever!!
My bro-in-law Lance!
My Matt!
My brother Tyrel!
Corbin, Ty, and Lance!
My boys... Splishy, splashy!

Me and my little brothers!
While we were so close, Matt and I wanted to take a stroll down memory lane and visit Snow College...where it all began! We still love it there! I think we would live there if we could. While we were dating Matt poured concrete for the new Performing Arts Center, so technically that building wouldn't be here without Matt. So good job, babes!!

The Manti Temple. Still beautiful!!

Corbin and Crystal's Wedding!

We were able to attend my brother Corbin's wedding during our visit. It was absolutely a perfect, beautiful day at the Bountiful Temple. He and Crystal were so happy and everyone was happy for them. They are a great match in every way! Here are some of the pics from their day:

While we were getting ready at my sister's house, Emma practiced doing her princess walk down the stairs. Don't you remember doing that when you were five?

My pretty niece Alex.


Alex and Tal were done even before Corbin and Crystal came out of the temple!!

My mom, my grandma and the great-grandkids.

Emma and another little girl caught the bouquet, so they each took a flower from it! So that breaks the "you get married next" part, right?!?!
I have good looking siblings!!!

Can you say, "Tal on a sugar rush?"

Tal, Alex, and Emma!

All he wanted was another bite of his animal cracker!!!!
The new Mr. and Mrs. Corbin Beckstrand!!

Swimming, Pirates and 4-wheelers... oh my!

Whenever Tal had a free second you could find him on one of the four-wheelers. He was obsessed, and when he got to go for a ride on the "blue one" with my dad all his two-year-old dreams came true!The sprinkler ball was a big hit with Tal.



Pirate Island! What a fun place to eat. We met my cousin and her cute kiddies, but did't get the camera out until they had left. Dang it! Alex, Emma, and Tal were trying to figure out this skeleton guy!
Swimming lessons

The second week we were in Utah we put Emma in swim lessons. Of course she thought it was the greatest.

A view from the top!

The last night of our trip to Utah was spent up in the mountains. What good would a trip to Utah be without seeing it from the top of the mountains?

You don't get views like this in MO!!


We really enjoyed our trip. I guess I'm the sentimental type, but I have wonderful memories from growing up and I get excited to share them with Matt and our kids. We loved seeing old friends and reliving some really fun and happy times. Being able to stay an extra week was a real treat which meant that the kids and I only had to do the drive one way, and we got to spend just a little extra time.

Memorial Day!

Once again we went out to the lake and Matt's parents farm with a group of wonderful friends. The weather was incredible for a day of food, water, and....

naked bums! Tal's buddy Steve was the streaker! He was a cute one though!

We had a fun day.

Here's Steve with his clothes on!

Fill it!

Dump it!
Happy!

The kids loved jumping off of the dock. Emma needed a little help from daddy at first:

But then decided to try it on her own.

Ready...

Jump!
Cannon Ball!!
One with daddy!

Matt became the kid thrower!

Mission accomplished!