Bear Lake

 

We went on our annual vacation to Bear Lake July 26-29th! We stayed at the Paris Springs Campground. It was nice to have the Frosts, Castagno's, and Bakers with us this year!

Hayden was happy to have several days to hang out with his friend Brodey.  They were both helpful getting our camping trailer set up. 

We had a campfire that night. It was fun catching up with everyone and hearing their stories. 

The next day we had fun at the lake. Addy, Paige, and Nayla are the cutest friends! 

We set up all three of our shade canopies next to each other. My favorite part is hanging out and talking with my friends. 

When it got hot we hung out in the water to cool off. 

Kev brought our waverunners and Kev pulled the kids around on the tube and wakeboard. 

The Frosts brought up their paddleboard. Addy had fun trying it out. 

I love these women and I am glad we have been friends all these years!

The guys had fun playing Cam Jam on the beach. 

We went back to camp to make dinner.  It started to downpour. The Castagnos ran for cover in the trees. 

We did get this beautiful rainbow afterward though. 

We were happy that Kenna and Bryson came up one night to have dinner with us. We cooked Mesquite Chicken and had Chocolate mud cake for dessert. 

All of the kids had fun paying card games in our camping trailer at night. I love that they have all grown up together. 

I forgot my book light this time. The trailer lights were shining right in my eyes so I got creative and put on my sunglasses. "I wear my sunglasses at night"! 

The next day we went back to the lake. It was fun to have Emily's family come up for the day.  I had never met their daughter Paisley. She was adorable and loved running around in the sand. 

Her daughter Oakley is four now and had a great time and even went on the tube. 

They have a new dog named Aires. They are training him to be a service dog. Hayden had fun hanging out with him. 

Kristen took this picture of Addy and I hanging out on the paddleboard. 

Halle and Andrew also came up for the day. They went on tube rides with Maddi. She is missing her boyfriend who just left on his mission. 

It is always fun when Maddi and Halle get together. 

Parker also came up for a couple of days. He was a good sport to let everyone burry him with sand. 

Hayden and Maddi worked hard on their sand castle. 

Janice took this picture of our family. 

The kids got a hold of Kristen's phone and took some fun pictures while we were cleaning up. 

We went to eat at Zipps after our beach day. It was fun running into the Swensons. We hadn't seen them in awhile. 

It was another memorable year at Bear Lake. Until next year!

July highlights

 

Addy painted my nails for me on July 1st! She has this fun set up in her room. 

These are my favorite nails she has painted for me so far. I always get compliments on my nails. I proudly tell them that my 14 year old daughter paints them for me. I buy her a shirt as payment. It is a win win for both of us!

My best friend Marilee wrote a book!! It came out on June 18th and I immediately ordered my copy.  I finished reading it in July. We have known each other since were were 13 years old. I am grateful for our friendship that has lasted all of these years. Her book was hard to put down.  It is a Regency/Romance book which is one of my favorite genres. It had history, clean romance, mystery, and adventure. I enjoyed how it focused on breaking free from societal norms of the time. One of my favorite quotes is, "I have no great objection to the pursuits society allows a lady," she said slowly, willing her to speak the words she had never confessed aloud. " But I find that they are not enough. Embroidery, afternoon calls, shopping for a new bonnet-they have their place, but I want to be useful.  I want something more than the life laid out before me. Just two days ago, you saved a little boy's life.  And now you are building a bridge." She twisted the edge of her cloak between her fingers. " I wish to do something that matters." You can buy a paperback of digital copy of her book on Amazon. I can't wait for her second book to be released!

Addy went on her first pioneer trek on July 13-16th. She loved having her best friend Lacy in her group. Addy sewed her pioneer apron with her grandma Sue. They were the cutest pioneers out there! We enjoyed hearing her stories when she got back home. 

We had a new dessert place open up by us. We went for FHE on July 13th. The churros were huge.  I would like to try a crepe next time. 

Cam had his farewell on Sunday July 19th! He gave a great talk. He will be starting home MTC soon and then will be serving in the Philippines. We are excited for him!

Halle sat down and played her guitar on July 21st. I'm proud of her for teaching herself how to play a new instrument. She learned how to play Americas song, "I have been through the desert on a horse with no name."

The fire restrictions were lifted and our neighbor was able to do his awesome firework show on July 24th!  I love that we were able to watch it from our own backyard. 

Hayden's birthday

 

Hayden had his golden birthday this year! He turned 17 on the 17th.  We got him a golden 17 birthday balloons. He also chose a pink unicorn balloon. 

We went and got his waffle that afternoon. I enjoyed hanging out with him!

He loves spending time with our dog Ollie. 

A week earlier we went to the Lego store and Hayden picked out this train set with a helicopter. It connects with his other train sets. 

I made him chocolate cupcakes with Nutella frosting. We had a party for him that night. 

It was fun to have his grandparents and Pelfrey cousins there. He was working on his Minecraft Lego set from Aunt Kayley. 

He got birthday hugs from his cousin Bailey. 

Hayden has grown a lot this last year. He is the tallest kid in our family now.  He has shown great resilience through some of the challenges he has faced this year. He has the best sense of humor and I love to hear him laugh.  I love cheering him on as he accomplishes his goals. We love you Hayden!!

Flight with Parker!

 

Parker promised me several months ago that I would be the first person he would take on a flight with him. He took me flying with him on July 4th!

We got to the Spanish Fork airport right as the sun was setting. 

He had to move the planes around to get the one we were flying in the back of the hangar. 

I could see fireworks going off in Spanish Fork as we got gas and then got ready for take off. 

I was impressed with our smooth take off. There was only one plane besides us that was taking off that night. 

My favorite part was seeing Parker in his element. It was entertaining hearing him joke around with the other pilots on the radio. 

We flew over our house and the Saratoga Springs temple. It was cool seeing it from this aerial view. 

We also joined many other planes in a flight path circling The Stadium of Fire fireworks. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would watch the fireworks from above the stadium. I did have some anxiety before our flight.  But I felt safe our entire flight. I was impressed with how calm and in control Parker was! I am proud of myself for getting over my fear and being able to enjoy the flight. We were in the sky for over an hour. I'm grateful for this core memory that I was able to have with Parker!