Squeezing the most out of summer

We've been trying to get in as much summer as we can before the days get too short and the temperatures drop too much. Last week we finally made it to our favorite water spots, Tony Grove and Bear Lake. Tony Grove is one of the most beautiful mountain lakes around. We got there just before dusk and while Kory rode his bike to White Pine (another lake a few miles away) the kids and I walked around the lake path. Gray has been interested in learning how to do some nature photography so he had the camera most of the time. He should be posting some of his pictures on his blog in the next few days.

We were the only people there which was so nice, but I'll admit that I spook myself easily. While on the far side of the lake, the kids were asking me what animals still roamed the mountains (at which point the sun had completely dipped below the horizon) and as we talked about it our feet started to move a little more swiftly. It didn't help that earlier that day Kory had been relating the tale of a near miss between mountain biker and a mountain lion that had taken place the week before in Kaysville. Thankfully we didn't see much wildlife beyond cows and an over-excited cattle dog.

We also were able to spend an afternoon playing at Bear Lake. I will never tire of passing over the summit of Logan canyon seeing the brilliant blue vista of Garden City and Bear Lake. Of course we joined the throngs of people indulging in burgers and shakes at LaBeau's then played on the beach for a couple of hours.


It was actually a bit chilly, but the kids didn't seem to mind. The best part was that we made it home free on sunburns!

First Day of School (5th and 1st)

I'm just going to throw a few pictures up here because on the first day of school, that's what it's all about. Mom's were all over the place with their camera's, it was great, and I'm sure that blogs all over the country are being populated with similar pictures. I asked Gray if he wanted a picture of himself in front of his classroom (which by the way is the same room where I had 5th grade, kind of surreal) and he conveniently didn't hear me and walked away.

Naomi kept herself occupied all morning playing with lego's. Her red sign says "First Day of School". I can't believe she's in first grade. For homework last night she had to memorize her lunch number.

Here she is doing her get acquainted with the classroom exercise. We found her cubby (stuff that stays at school), her mailbox (stuff that goes home), the bathroom and the lunchroom. What more do you need to know?

Here they are at the end of the day still with big smiles. They both love their teachers, had fun seeing all of their friends again and much to my relief fell asleep at 8:30.

Moon Landing

So we finally made it to one on the strangest places in this country, Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho. The landscape goes from flat farmland to black lava rock in strange formations and we wondered if we had just entered the twilight zone.


We did a few short hikes in blistering heat. It was neat to see the lava flow caves where ice remains year-long (and what a wonderful respite from the sun).

This was such a crazy hill of glittery black rock and when the kids would run it sounded hollow.

Discovering Idaho

Last week we spent a few days in Sun Valley and Ketchum, ID. Kory had business meetings for a few days so the kids and I explored the area. It was fun since we'd never been to this part of Idaho. Ketchum was fun with lots of little shops and everything in walking distance of where we were staying. It was such a bike/pedestrian friendly town. There were bikes all over and the motorists were so aware of everyone either on bike or foot.

During one day the kids and I took the lift up to Mt. Baldy and hiked around. It was beautiful.


Yes, Naomi did get worn out and Gray was so nice to carry her back to the lift.

radKIDS

A few weeks ago Gray and Naomi experienced a radKIDS course. They learned how to be safe in different situations and what to do if they encounter a "bad stranger". The first day the kids were pretty quiet about yelling "no", but by the end of the week they had it down. They learn how to fend off a kidnapper with blocks, shin kicks, hammer fists, elbow strikes and peppering the eyes. The week culminated with a final exam where a police officer dressed in a "red man" suit tried to take them in three different situations (trying to convince the child to go with him, trying to guess a childs password, and just physically grabbing the child). The kids did a great job and I was impressed with the program. It was definitely worth the time and Judy, their instructor, was absolutely wonderful.

All suited up waiting for their turn to to the final exam.

Gray with the powerful hammer fists. He thought it was pretty exciting to take on a police officer. Naomi saying "Stay Back! You're not my dad!!!"

Here's Naomi receiving her certificate. Way to go!!

More Camping

Why not go camping again? We had quite an adventurous biking/camping trip planned for last week, but at the last minute small business ownership's calling card required us to stick close to home. We went up to our favorite camp site in Logan canyon. It's close to the river and has a great biking/hiking trail. It was fun to take some time off work and just relax.


The kids got quite involved in their beading and Gray even started to do some wire wrapping. I think he just likes to use the pliers.

We had some pretty serious games of Care Bears Checkers.

Naomi doing some marshmallow art. Check out that sweet mushroom! I love summer time and living so close to such a great playground where we can camp, hike, bike, fish and swim. It's hard to beat being 10 minutes away from such beautiful country.
And no, there were no mosquitoes!!

Swan Flat

We finally got out camping. For our first trip of the summer we got a bit of a late start so we were looking for a camp site at 8pm on a Friday night. I knew it would be crowded, but we were starting to loose hope by about 9:30. We tried a campground and then a bunch of unimproved areas then headed up Swan Flat Road, which is near Beaver Creek Lodge (Logan Canyon). We had just decided to look for ten more minutes before giving up when we happened upon a gorgeous spot although we didn't know how pretty is was until morning. It was great, Gray opened the tent door and I head him say "Wow, this is beautiful!".

Naomi was asleep by the time we found our campsite so she had s'mores for breakfast. Graysen told me he'd always remember eating dutch oven dinner at 11:30 at night.

I won't make too much of it since even the very thought of it makes me shudder, but there was one down side to our location. There were at least a million mosquito's and no, I hadn't purchased new repellent.

Yep, Kory was able to get a ride in and I got to drive the truck down to the highway. The kids say I am a much slower driver than Kory. We didn't get a whole lot of time to explore during this overnight trip, but I definitely want to go back to that same spot.