Seven Peaks

We cooled off Thursday at the wettest place around................

us and about 4 million other people.


It was hot, but having Dad there (with his shades) was cool.

Those who enjoy receiving presents at Christmas pose for my pictures, and others do not.

On our way home we just had to stop at the Creamery on Ninth for some ice cream.
(Two rocky roads,one cookies and cream, one cookie dough, and one vanilla-lime twist.)

Backyard Campout

As moral and honest members of society, we feel a deep obligation to keep our children under 1 year of age out of both public and private campgrounds, in deference to the peace and enjoyment of fellow campers.

Our own backyard, however, is fair game.

America's Got Talent!! (well, not at our house, but probably somewhere)

America's Got Drool!! (Definitely at our house)

America's Got Marshmallows Roasting Over a Propane Grill! (Really, it could be the title of the next great reality show)



We read Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, did Mad Libs and flashlight puppets, and tried in vain to find a comfortable spot on our sloping lawn. We had lots of blood flowing to our brains until we finally all turned around to slope downward. Ben made it until 10:30 or so and finally gave up our comfortable accomodations for his top bunk. The rest of us (C and G and me---Rich, being the devoted Dad that he is, offered to spend the night inside with Sam---such sacrifce!) made it until about 5:30am, when our neighbor's sprinklers came into direct contact with our tent. I herded two sleepy-heads inside into their beds and managed to catch about 20 minutes of sleep in my own bed before I heard a certain someone laughing in their crib, ready to greet the day.
We should all be that happy at 6am.

But we sure had fun. The best part? No pit toilets (well, sometimes mine does resemble a pit) and no long drive home!!

Billard Way

Actually, it's WILLARD BAY, but I bet the title caught your attention, didn't it?
Do all children enjoy making silly rhyming words and switching beginning sounds around, or just ours?

Although it's a little bit of a drive, Willard Bay is a really nice place to dig in the sand, get wet, and try to forget that you live more than 600 miles from the ocean. Sigh.

And if you think you won't need bug spray in the middle of the day, you might be wrong and have to drive 3o minutes to Brigham City to buy some.

I stuck my feet in the water, closed my eyes, and pretended (very successfully) that I was in San Diego. I did not, however, comb my hair that day (I'm on the every other day plan).

BILLARD WAY----it's WAY cool!

Salem Pond

We went out for lunch today.....to Salem Pond.

We ordered giggles and sillies, with a side of Grandmas.

Some people were too busy showing off their legs, they didn't have time to eat.

Some people thought the food was so good they decided to make some of their own.

And some people were driven to drool over the food.


The price was right (just gas, although that could certainly be cheaper), the service great, the food yummy, the views amazing, and the company fantastic.

We didn't even have to play the opposite game.

Scout Falls

Last Saturday found us on an impromptu trek up American Fork Canyon to Scout Falls.

Here is the happy couple, after a visit to the pit toilets but before we headed up the mountain.

(If they read this post they will be less than happy at being called the "happy couple".)

Here is the happy drooler, after his nap up the mountain but before he decided to cry all the way down.

There was plenty of shade, plenty of rocks to throw, plenty of streams to ford, and plenty of "Garrett get away from the edge of the mountain" being yelled.

There were also plenty of granola bars, cheese sticks, PB&J's, and apples, but apparently not enough cookies, Gushers, or wet wipes (note to self).

My favorite part of this hike was playing the "opposite" game with the kids. When whining and complaining get out of control, I pull out this handy rule: You must say the exact opposite of what you are feeling and thinking. So, when we got tired and hot and thirsty and wanted to turn back, we would say things like: "I am so freeeeezing cold, it's like being in Antartica! I am so glad I just drank that ice cold soda, that was so refreshing! I could walk another 1000 miles--I feel so full of energy! I'm so glad we chose a long hike today--I hate short ones. Shorts ones are for wimps!" Anyway--you get the idea. And just for the record, we play the opposite game a lot in our family, and actually we need to play it even more!