Fishing Trip

 A few weeks ago we had the totally fun pleasure of keeping some cousins with us, Troy and Aidan.

While they were with us we hiked Fletcher Trail and went to a fun Independence Day party and saw great Vegas style fireworks

After a day of cooking and prep work, (with a stop at the water park to expel a little energy) we headed to White Bridge Campground, just outside of Panguitch Utah, for some fishing!

After a totally great day fishing in the rain...everyone who cared, made a catch, even me! Eric had been called to work in Provo the next morning, so after our fish fry, we all piled back into the truck and headed North.

To combat boredom and to keep us out of the hotel and off the TV, we hit up the local Farmers Market.

After we had had our fill of food, fun, and treasure hunting, we headed over to the Sons of the Utah Pioneers and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers museums.

Who knows, maybe there is some relation!

You know what I like about this picture? I imagine this family, the mother with 3 young children, gathering to have this photograph taken, possibly having lost the father and husband for the remainder of this life and making sure that his picture hangs in the background, above them all, symbolically looking over them from the other side.

After a pleasant whirlwind of a holiday, we all climbed back into the truck and headed back to Vegas, stopping for just a moment to drop our cool cousins off at Grandma Saint Sandy's home so they could go home to their parents!

Hiking Fletcher Trail

The loveliness of nature.

  This summer we've taken up the outdoor activity of hiking. Mainly as a way to prepare for Eric, Morgan and Abby to prepare for deer hunting this Autumn.

While there isn't a whole lot of options that are easily accessible to us here in Las Vegas, we do have one nice little jewel, Mt Charleston. At a solid 30 degrees cooler up there, it's a wonderful place to get away to for a couple of hours in the evening. 

 

And there is the added benifit of getting a little exercise.

But I think my favorite part about Mt Charleston is the smells. 

Everything is so much cleaner up there.

 The pine trees fill the air with the most wonderful aroma. 

If only you could smell a picture...

I really must give my husband all the credit for keeping us going back. 

He's been the one to say "Everyone one in the truck."

Eric and Abby went on ahead on this trip, while Emma, Abraham and I walked a little slower...it's eaier to explore that way. Morgan was on her Trek, so she wasn't able to join us.

The only disadvantage  to exploring, is that, you can totally biff it. But hey, chicks dig scars. 

 

 It was a good hike. Eric and Abby made it to the top, Emma, Abraham and I simply made it!

"You know what I really want?"

(Yes, this has been posted on my other blog)

 I have wonderful children! Each one of them is incredible. My son, who is the youngest is absolutely a joy.

 So we were coming home from a fishing trip with some cousins and we've dropped them off, it's getting later in the evening, we've been driving all day and we decide to stop at Pepe's Tacos for, what will prove to be, a very late dinner.

 I turn around to face my son in the back of the truck and say to him, "What would you like to get from Pepe's? A quesadilla? Maybe a bowl of refried beans and cheese? Or maybe you'd like a burrito?" After a moments reflection, he says to me in his "I'm getting sleepy" voice, "You know what I really want? An Egg on toast." It sent a smile to every face in the vehicle!

 Well needless to say, we did stop at Pepe's because we didn't get into town until 11pm. Abraham was asleep by that time. So we carried him into the restaurant, thinking that he might wake up... we were wrong.

He slept through the whole meal. Loud Mexican music and all. We loaded him back into the car, went home and went to bed, Abraham never waking up.

 The first thing he asked for the next morning upon arising was...an egg on toast. Of course, his wish was granted, and he enjoyed every bite.

 To make the best Over Easy Eggs, before you flip it, sprinkle it with some Lawry's Seasoned Salt. Then place the egg salted side UP on your toast. Trust me.

Time

The Apple Gatherers by Frederick Morgan

“Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling . . . It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.”

—Rachel Jankovic

Pioneer Trek

 Our awesome Miss Morgan embarked on a unique adventure this week.

 She is spending Thursday, Friday and Saturday walking in the footsteps

 of our Mormon Pioneers by treading the 

North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

 In preparation for this excursion, 

we have enjoyed an evening with Jason Wade of 

17 Miracles.

A very insightful evening with some nice stories.

 She also gathered the name of a personal ancestor 

that she would walk in honor of. 

She chose her 3rd Great-Grandmother Rosina Reber. 

Thanks to a friend,

(and a great English Country Dance instructor) 

she had all of her attire with little effort on our part.

We can't wait to hear of all the 

fun, tiring, inspiring and wonderful stories

 she'll have to share with us! 

We love you Miss Morgan!

Classic Books I'd Like My Young Children To Read

1. Peter Pan
2. Caddie Woodlawn
3. A Little Princess
4. Little Lord Fauntleroy
5. Tarzan of the Apes
6. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
7. Calico Bush
8. Johnny Tremain
9. Old Yeller
10. Wind in the Willows
11. Winter of Fire
12. The Defender
13. The Trumpeter of Krakow
14. Tales from Shakespeare
15. Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
16. A Wrinkle in Time
17. The Chronicles of Narnia
18. The Giver
19. At the Back of the North Wind
20. The Princess and the Goblin
21. The Princess and the Curdie
22. Moccasin Trail
23. The Golden Goblet
24. Little Britches
25. Sarah Bishop
26. Island of the Blue Dolphins
27. Toby Tyler
28. Pollyanna
29. Pollyanna Grows Up
30. Black Beauty
31. Aladdin
32. Heidi
33. The Bronze Bow
34. The Sign of the Beaver
35. The Witch of Blackbird Pond
36. Charlotte's Web
37. The Trumpet of the Swan
38. Stuart Little
39. The Little House series
40. Red Scarf Girl
41. The Great Little Madison

Memorial Day Travels

First we drove up to St. George and visited with Saint Sandy and Grandpa Wayne and then stopped to eat some picnic dinner. Then after a little discussion we decided to stay the night and go to visit the Bloxham family. Next morning we drove up through Zion National Park.

We stopped and watched the buffalo and got ourselves some lunch. Emma's favorite part of the trip!

I really like this picture, taken by yours truly!

After that we headed up to Provo and stayed with some very hospitable friends. Then spend the next day (while Eric worked) learning about Provo. We found a great Boutique and a relaxing park to spend a few hours running around or reading, as you like it...

Finally ended up at the Library, formerly Brigham Young Academy.

 All things considered, the kids did really well in the car. I'd say we had a grand time!

All aSaraDeeOrigianl photos