We Love the Rain!!

We finally got some rain! Morgan and Kaden just had to go play in it. I don't blame them. It gets very boring hanging out inside all day because it's so hot. Kaden was a little more cautious about getting too wet, but Morgan just stuck her head in.

Annual Willis Campout

We went up to Woods Canyon Lake this past weekend with Dustin's family. Actually, the majority of Dustin's family, plus some extended family, went up the previous weekend. But we had fun hanging out with Dustin's parents, Steve & Steph, and Jason & Karalee and their kids.

** This is a long intro, so if you'd rather not read it just scroll down to the pictures**

Our campout started out as an adventure even before we left town. Thursday night, we went out to Dustin's parents to pick up Dustin's quad and the trailer. One of the wheels on the quad was flat, so Dustin was going to fill it up when he noticed the valve was barely hanging on. We loaded it up and a few other things that Dustin's parents asked us to bring and headed over to Steve & Steph's, so Dustin and Stephen could put in a new valve. About 9:30 pm, the guys start working on getting the tire off the wheel to put the new valve on. 11:30 pm rolls around and they finally had to give up, they couldn't get the tire off. We decided we would try to go to Gunnell's Tire & Auto in the morning on our way out to see if they would be able to do it for us. We get home at 12:30 am, put Morgan in her bed, and finish gathering everything we need and loading up the truck. Finally at 3:30 we crawl into bed. Our goal was to leave the house at 7:50, so we could get to Gunnell's when they open at 8:00 and head up to Woods Canyon. Morgan comes into the bedroom at 6:00 am, and I put her right back in bed since we had such a late night and I knew she was still tired. Start getting the food all packed and finish packing our clothes that hadn't finished drying and head to the store to get ice for the food and our drinking water. I guess only having 2 1/2 hours of sleep made Dustin and I move really slow because by the time we left the house it was 9:20. Gunnell's fixed the tire within 5 minutes (NTS: next time go straight to Gunnell's), put the tire back on the quad, and we were on our way out of town by 10:00. About 45 mins. out of town Dustin says we are overheating. Honestly?! We pull over, Dustin pops the hood and the tube that brings the engine coolant to the engine (sorry, don't know the technical terms) had popped off and there was engine coolant all over the engine. Dustin gets the tube hooked back up and starts filling the engine coolant with water. The truck did ok, for a bit, but of course we reached a big hill and it started over heating again. Pull over at a safety pull out where there is two guys working on an RV. Dustin pops the hood and the water is boiling. One of the guys was really nice and came over to help us out since he saw us stopped earlier. He tells us we need to wait for 20 minutes to let the engine cool and add more water. Just to be safe we stuck around for about 30 minutes, added more water. Thank goodness we brought lots of drinking water because it took 3 gallons to fill it! We made it to Payson at 12:30. It took us an extra hour, but we made it there safely. Bought some engine coolant and lunch, and Dustin went to work emptying as much of the water out as he could with a turkey baster. By the time we got to camp it was 3:30. So, a normal 2 1/2 - 3 hr drive turned into a 5 1/2 hour drive. I was just grateful we made it there safely and that Morgan was so good the whole time. I guess it did help that she had a couple movies to watch. Now, onto the pictures.

Morgan climbing (of course) on the trailer hitch while we're waiting for the truck to cool off.

I just think this is a way cute picture of Morgan, even though she was in the way of setting the tarp up. But what do you expect, she sees a step stool and just has to climb it.

Karalee and KoraLee making Italian Sodas for happy hour.


Morgan really, REALLY enjoyed her Italian Soda

I was a little nervous about her staying in her own bed, but she did great. She even slept in until 8:30.

It finally stopped raining Saturday afternoon, so Morgan and Daddy were able to go for a ride.

Saturday Jason & Karalee left, and Dustin's parents went into town all day, so it was just us and Steve & Steph. So, while we waited for dinner to cook we had happy hour again. And I think Stephen had a little too much.

Morgan came up with a much easier way to drink hers, and everyone else's that she kept stealing.

This picture is just so there is proof that I was actually there.

I wanted to get a picture of everyone around the campfire, and this is what I got when I said, "smile". It was 11:00 at night.

When we were packing up on Sunday, we decided to do happy hour one more time.

We had so much fun, I just wish it could have been longer. And, I think Morgan has finally calmed down from her sugar high.

Rocking Herself to Sleep

Twenty minutes after we put Morgan to bed last night I noticed her light was on. I went in to see what she was up to and she had grabbed her box of bows off of her dresser and was playing with them. We put them back and I put them up, so she couldn't get them again. Morgan has been sleeping by her bedroom door lately, so I went to go check on her and put her back in bed. But she wasn't by the bedroom door, she wasn't in bed, she was in her rocking chair.

Her room is very warm (that is why we just have her sleep in a diaper) and her fan is just to the right of this picture, so maybe she was hot or maybe she decided that she wanted to be rocked to sleep. I guess we will never know, but it does make for a very cute picture!

Dehydrator

My parents gave all the married kids in the family a dehydrator this year for Christmas. Yes, we realize it is only July, but my parents wanted to give it to us now because 1) they probably won't be around come Christmas time and 2) now is when all the fruit is on sale, so we can start using it. I made bananas first and cut them way too thick. I was going off of what the book said for thickness, but aparently my guestimate wasn't right. That's ok, they still taste good. Then I did mangoes and strawberries. Guess which only one Morgan eats?

The mangoes. She won't even try the bananas or strawberries. That's ok, more for Dustin and me. I just bought some peaches so I will try those next. I want to try making jerky, but there haven't been any good deals the last couple weeks on meat, so it'll just have to wait. I love my dehydrator and it makes the house smell so good while its drying.

4th of July, Geake Style

Growing up we always got up early on the 4th of July to go down to Provo to see the hot air balloons. Dustin asked me what was so neat about the balloons, and I told him he would just have to go and see for himself. We weren't sure how Morgan would do with us waking her up at 5:45 am, but she did great. She absolutely loved the balloons, and same with Dustin. Now he knows why we did this every year.

The wind kept coming and going throughout the morning, so only three balloons got in the air before the rest decided to give up. It was cool to see all the different balloons. Dustin got some really good pictures, but I am not allowed to post them on my blog because he is going to post them on his.

Growing up we always sat right outside the BYU Football Stadium to watch the fireworks. The shoot them off in the Baseball Field across the street from the stadium. We always just laid down on our blankets and the fireworks were right over our head. But then they tore down the buildings and took out the grass, so we started sitting outside the Marriott Center. The fireworks aren't right over our heads anymore, but we're still really close.

Dustin and I walked up to the truck to grab a blanket and save Katie and Clayton a spot to park. When we came back Morgan was passed out next to Grandma. Apparently she was eating licorice and started swaying back and forth, so Grandma layed her down on Connor's pillow and she passed out. When she woke up she went straight for more licorice.

Apparently, Tehya has a major crush on Clayton.

We had such a great time. I think we may try to make it a tradition to go up every year.

Utah: Part 2

On Thursday we hiked Cascade Springs with Leah and her three little ones, Alison and her three little ones, Alison's mom and one niece and nephew, Amy's son Taylor, my parents, and Jared. It's a very nice hike to do with lots of little kids (which we had a lot of) and it's beautiful. Of course Morgan fell even before we started the hike, but luckily Grandpa is always prepared with a first aid kit no matter where we are.

That night my sisters, sisters-in-law, mom, and Alison's mom had a baby shower for me at Alison's house. It was a lot of fun just getting together with the girls. My mom and I drove up with Katie who was very anxious to get home because her boyfriend, Clayton, had come up for the weekend from St. George. Dustin and I finally got to meet this guy who everyone in the family says is awesome. We talked to him for maybe 10 minutes before they took off. Then they came back about an hour later with Katie flashing a ring on her finger.

Of course I made him sit down and answer all my questions, since Dustin and I were the only ones in the family who didn't know him, and I figured we better since he's now going to be part of the family. He is great. I am so happy for them!

Utah: Part 1

This year we went up to Utah to visit my family the week of the 4th of July. We had such a great time, and as always, it was way too short. I have a ton of pictures and we did so much, so I'm going to break it down into a few posts.

The first night we got there, we went to my sister Amy's house to celebrate her birthday. Then we played crochet. Dallin did really well, but Morgan just kept picking up all the balls. And Morgan had her first taste of soda (well, that Dustin and I know about). She was sitting with Eddie and Dallin eating dinner and decided that Eddie's orange soda looked a lot better than her water.

Then Sunday everyone came over for dinner except for my brother Brad and his wife Dana because Brad had to work.

Playing ring-around-the-rosy. We tried to get Morgan to play, but she was still a little shy.

Some of the nieces and nephews pouncing on Uncle Jared and Uncle Reggie.

Morgan and Dallin giving Abbie lots of love. Morgan just loved giving Abbie (4 1/2 months old) and Callie (2 1/2 months old) lots of hugs and kisses. I just love how Dallin's leg is up in the air.

Finally Aunt Emily decided she would give the kids a ride in the wagon.

On Monday, we took Morgan to her very first movie with Alison and the kids, and Alison's mom, Sue. We went and saw Toy Story 3. Morgan loves, and I mean LOVES the Toy Story movies. When she wants to watch a movie I have to beg her to watch something else. We were a little nervous about taking her because even though she can sit through a whole movie at home, we weren't sure how she would be in the theatre. We got there 10 minutes early and then there were 25 minutes of previews, so I was pretty nervous that she wasn't going to be able to sit another hour and 40 minutes for the movie. But she did great. As soon as Buzz came on the screen she starting saying "Bu, Bu, Bu". The only time she moved around was when Tehya came and sat on my lap and Morgan decided that she then needed to sit on my lap. But she did great! Monday night we went mini golfing at Cascade which we always do at least once while we are up there.

Tuesday we went to Connor's T-Ball game. He did great. Morgan kept running onto the field. I felt bad because no other kids were disturbing the game. Then a little boy ran onto the field, so I didn't feel as bad anymore.

Wednesday we went swimming at Scera Pool. I haven't been there since Jr. High or High School, so I was very impressed with how nice it was. And it had a little kid section with a slide which Morgan loved. Then that night some of the family came over for dinner.

I have no idea what everyone was staring at so intently. I'll have to ask Dustin when he gets home. And Morgan ate about a fourth of the bag of cheetos for dinner that night. Such a well-balanced diet.

I just love this picture of Morgan and Dallin playing with the hose. They were both completely soaked afterwards.