Mantua Reunion Camping

Earlier in  the week we had our family reunion.  Skylar and Sarah were in charge this year and they chose to camp at Mantua Campground just up the canyon from Brigham City.  It was only a little over an hour drive which was really nice.  I have never stayed at this campground before but have wanted to for a long time.  It was a really nice place with lots of trees, a creek close by and a reservoir about 5 minutes away.  We got there on Monday after a small rainstorm so everything was a little wet but we were able to spend some time around the fire and have dinner outside.  After getting settled we had a wienie roast for dinner.  S&S brought some sides to go along with that.  Sarah made some brownies for dessert that were super amazing!  After dark we sat around the camp table with the lantern and played a new game that Rick got for Father's Day.  It is called 'Dominion' and we had a fun time playing that throughout our three days there.

Just around the bend from our campsite was this beautiful field of poppies in full bloom.

It was an incredible sight.  In fact, when we arrived,  in this particular field were two artists painting and one family taking there family pictures.  An awesome spot for that:)

The next day we woke up to cold and rain.  The. Whole. Day.  The boys ventured out early and did a little fishing but most of our time was spent in the trailer.

 Doing things like this.  

We were all stir crazy by the end of the day.  

We did venture out a bit, but seriously...it was really cold!

Brach and Kendra provided us with a dutch oven dinner. We ate every drop of it!!

John and Kaitlyn arrived this night so they missed the worst of the cold but were able to enjoy eating dinner with us.

The next day it stopped raining and while still chilly we made the best of it and spent most of the day outdoors.  The girls went to watch the guys fish and we lasted about 45 minutes.  We headed back for lunch and a good book....and a little nap.

This guy looked cute in his waders:)

We brought our little raft that our neighbor gave to us.  Heavy on the little.  I think it is only meant for two small people.  Gary had fun rowing out in the middle of the reservoir.  I don't know how that boy did not freeze on this trip.  He wore his swimsuit, a t-shirt, and a light jacket.....

ALL THREE DAYS!  I'm glad I wasn't sleeping in HIS tent:) 

Rafe fishing with daddy!

I don't know what it is about a man and his fishing but I think it's kind of strange.

Why do guys like it so much???

Skylar caught a rainbow trout and Brach caught a good size largemouth bass....along with some others that they released.  They brought these ones back to cook in the fire.

The girls minus Kaitlyn.

She spent most of her time in the trailer with Haivyn who has a slight cold:(

This was our last night and it was great! After a spaghetti dinner compliments of Rick and I we had a wonderful fireside testimony meeting.  Then John and Kait provided the makings for the s'mores.  

It was really nice to be there.

I sure love this family.

Yes, we were missing one child.  Alyssia wasn't able to come....  

Maybe next year:)

Haivyn (5 weeks)

Just thought I would post a couple of pictures of Haivyn.  I got to watch her overnight on Friday night and it was nice.  She is a very good baby and eats and sleeps very well.  She only woke up once in the night and was able to go right back to sleep:)  She is a really precious little baby and we are so blessed to have her in our family.

I love her in this little outfit!

How about that dandy bow I made:)

One thing that I love about her is that she loves to make eye contact.  When Rafe was a baby he did not make much eye contact at all until he was about 4 months old so it has been fun to have Haivyn be more engaging.  Since the day she was born she has liked looking into eyes.  It feels like she's saying to me "Hey,  I know you!"  

I was able to get her to smile yesterday.  

I think it was even on purpose:)

Father's Day Dinner

Happy Father's Day!!

Last night the kids met up with Rick and I at the Garden Restaurant to celebrate Father's Day for Rick.  It was good to be with the kids.  We had an enjoyable evening visiting and just being together.

We hadn't seen Gary for a couple of weeks so it was nice to get to be with him.  He is doing well.  I sure want the best for that boy.  I hope he learns the lessons in life that he needs to.  He's a great kid!  Just gets a little turned around sometimes:)

Sarah's belly is getting big!  She looks bigger in the picture than in real life.  Seven more weeks until her due date!  She's super cute....and solo happy to be done with work.

  Kendra is showing pretty well now.  I believe she is at her 23 week date. 

 Kaitlyn got all gussied up and looked really beautiful.  She says she is excited for the word from her doctor to be able to get out and exercise.  She's ready to get the baby weight off. 

 Skylar and Brach are doing great!  They are getting some sales for Superior and that's good for them as well as for the company.  They sure are great husbands and Brach is a great dad to Rafe.

Here's a shot with Grandpa and the babies!

Haivyn is a real beauty and Rafe is super fun.  He is finally starting to say a few words. 

 It's fun to hear his little lisp:)

Sunday for dinner Rick requested Coconut Shrimp (a recipe I found four years ago when we vacationed in St. Thomas) so that's what I made him.  With that, I served rice pilaf, roasted parmesan asparagus, rolls and raspberry jello.  

I made him a Razzleberry Pie (Marie Calendar's frozen.....$4.99.....I couldn't pass that up:)

He loves berry pies but doesn't get them very much at our house so it was a real treat.

I sure love this guy!  He is the LIGHT of my world!!

As I sat in Sacrament Meeting today listening to the speakers talk about what it means to be an honorable Priesthood holder.  I was filled with gratitude for the fathers in my life.  

One of them is my wonderful father who would give you the shirt off of his back.  He is very good and takes his Priesthood responsibilities seriously.  He is the Sunday School President in his ward and it is neat to see how he had stepped up to fulfill that calling the best he can.  He also works in the Las Vegas Temple every Tuesday night as an ordinance worker.  He is wonderful!

Of course, I feel very blessed to be the wife of such an amazing husband and father.  For all of you that know Rick,  you of course know of his goodness.  He is kind, tender, and loving.  He is filled with good and makes my life so happy.  I am so thankful that he is mine forever:)

Raceway and BBQ

On Saturday we had a work party for all of the Superior employees and their families.  Since Brach sold the Miller Motor Sports Park last year (and incidentally another good portion this year that their working on right now.  Yay Brach!) we had some trade at the go cart track.  Anyone 8 and older could ride.  There were smaller carts for the 8-12 group that didn't go as fast as the adult carts.  I have never been to the cart track and at first I was a little nervous because those puppies get up to 55 mph!  After watching most of the group go I thought I would give it a try.  It was fun!  While I didn't go near as fast as the men (those crazies)  I got a little more fearless towards the end and started taking the corners pretty fast:)

Here's Brach ready to go!!

Sky

Me

Here we go!   Brach's flying past me cause I was taking it slow:)

The group

Most everyone got to ride.  Sarah was our designated picture taker since she 7 months along.

Afterwards we met at the Pavilion and had a BBQ and potluck.  

Here's grandpa and Rafe cooking up some grub:)

Skylar on hot dog duty!

Superior provided the meat (hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks, and Uncle Brad's famous fried halibut)

while the crew brought potluck salads and the estimators brought the desserts.  Afterwards some of the guys played GUTS (I think that's what it's called) out on the basketball court.  They were fun to watch!

 It was a fun afternoon with family and friends!