Cabin

We are not big vacationers but we have done more as a family this summer than the last three years combined. It is so nice to have the house done, the yard in and other major projects on hold. Of course once the baby comes our adventures will be of another kind.

We decide to venture off to Mom and Dad's cabin for the weekend. I love it up there. There is just something about being in the mountains that calms my spirit. We went on a pretty good 4-wheeler ride. Taylor drove with Jared and Dallin behind him and I drove Abby. This worked out well for this very pregnant lady. We went slow and easy.

That night we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows over the campfire. Abby decided that Hot Dogs are her favorite meal. I think it had to do the with ambiance not the actual Hot Dog.

Jared decided that I have been neglecting my duties as the family photographer and decided to take over. I try to carry the camera around but I forget most of the time and when I do remember the shots are not that great. Jared on the other hand is pretty good with the camera so I am including some of his shots.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

We took the kids to see the Oquirrh Hills Temple Open House. The temple was beautiful and the weather was perfect. I love that the kids can go through the temple and feel the Spirit there. I hope it makes an impression on them.

We went with the Dabb family and enjoyed spending time with them and their cute family. After the temple we went to the Kennecott Copper Mine. Taylor worked on a Cub Scout Badge there and we learned all sorts of things.

We stayed the night at the little America in SLC. They have great weekend rates and if you book your room three weeks in advance you can't beat the price.

We spent the evening and morning swimming--which the kids loved. We had two queen sized beds in our room. The boys shared one and Abby and I the other. The boys are both snugglers and Taylor kept scooting towards the middle. Jared didn't get much sleep that night but the kids loved sleeping in a hotel.

The following day we went to the Clark Planetarium. Taylor being the science kids loved it but so did the other kids. We saw a 3-D movie on the ocean and it was fun to see the kids reach out like they could actually touch the fish.

Lava Hot Springs

We went on a fun camping trip with my family. We went up to Lava Hot Springs and stayed for a few days. This June was so rainy we were concerned about the weather but the kids had a great time regardless. Mom and Dad have 6 married kids and 20 grandkids—so far—and everyone was there but 1. We stayed in an old school house that had been renovated. It had several bedrooms and a big gym, a family room and a good sized kitchen. We more than filled the school house. Meal times were a little crazy trying to feed 33 people - three of whom are pregnant and the majority of the kids are under the age of 6.

We hiked to an ice cave, visited the old pioneer town Chesterfield, and went swimming at Lava Hot Springs. Jared and I really enjoyed touring the town of Chesterfield. It would make a great Youth Conference. It made me really grateful for our nice home. I can't imagine raising a big family in a two bedroom house with no indoor plumbing. I'm not sleeping so well these days but I was grateful for my nice soft mattress after sitting on the straw tick ones they slept on. The kids loved Lava Hot Springs, especially the slides. I wasn't even too bad in the rain. At least it wasn't crowded.

It was a good time. Everyone got along really well and the kids loved hanging out with all the cousins and just being “wild”.