We have been so blessed with good friends in our children's lives. In August I was able to spend a day with the twins and their friends and their moms in West Yellowstone. We had a great time.We wandered a bit, ate dinner, and went to the Playmill to see "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat." LOVE the Playmill!!!Especially LOVE "Joseph" (and most of all the "Joseph" with Donny Osmond). What a great time we had and so much fun with those girls of mine. As the kids get older it is becoming more and more difficult to share moments with them. So, this was a treasured blessing. Thanks for arranging it Taina.
Western Ladies - Ashlyn Kaufman, Shailee Gardner, Adri, Katy, Peyton Crapo, and Micheala Hill. This is the only time I've ever seen them with serious faces.
This is what they normally look like. Yippee for Christmas stores.
Apparently this is the sign for "Hot Guy". Good to know!
I ate my willpower, too. So, I had to buy a pound of delicious fudge. Then I went to the Playmill where I bought more of Heidi's fudge. I LOVE fudge.
Life is Good - and time with these twins is valuable!
Ok, it wasn't really wilderness and its not like its a real reunion because to me a reunion is with people you don't see very often. We see the Grant family often (although more times would be better). I think it was more of a vacation. All the Charles Grant Family traveled to Christmas Meadows, Utah the last week of July. Do you know where Christmas Meadows is? We didn't either but we do now and I think it is a wonderful place. It is about 30 miles south of Evanston, Wyoming , in the Uinta mountains.
Our family decided to take a leisurely drive. After a few stops, expected (dropping the dog off and buying goofy glasses at the party store) and unexpected (lack of air at every gas station needed to fill our low tire and then the valve breaking so the tire became completely flat but finding a place to get it filled) we were on our way. We drove along Palisades Reservoir (which is full - don't remember seeing it full EVER) then into beautiful Star Valley, Wyoming. Then we went back into Idaho and around the shores of Bear Lake (very full too and a lovely place to vacation, in case you were wondering). Into Utah where I'm pretty sure only 6 families live then back into Wyoming and to Evanston (the only "largish" Wyoming city we haven't been to) and then finally back into Utah finally reaching our destination about 5 1/2 hours later. It was beautiful and we had a wonderful time in the car together.
Bear River Lodge
Playing The Ball game
One of our favorite activities is "The Ball Game". Years ago, Grandma discovered this game and it has since been handed down to Aunt Tracie to make the ball. It consists of 2 large pair of long socks, one die, a ball made of money, toys, candy, and a lot of streamer paper, and finally a whole lot of yelling and laughing. It has become quite a tradition.
Tanner attempting to walk on water.
Grandma enjoyed the pool too. Check out those awesome shades.
A whole lot of swimming was going on. We played games like "Marco Polo", "Tag", and "Try to Run Fast Enough To Walk on Water". All were equally fun. But the game of "Splash Most of the Water Out of the Pool" seems to be most popular.
Sweat and Mud. Proof that the bikes were well used.
Grandma and Me down at the ponds.
Other activities included mountain biking along the ATV trails and fishing at the ponds. I learned how to fly fish! I was so excited. It is something I've always wanted to know. I like the idea of not having to touch worms. However, my form is terrible. Occasionally I had a good cast. More practice would probably help. I can see myself standing in the Madison River in Yellowstone Park in my waders casting my line at 10 and 2. That would be awesome. (Whoa, that was way off the topic. Sorry.)
Posing before the ride and the mud flew.
Rinsing off mud or Making more mud?
One day, Grandpa and Grandma rented several ATVs and the kids didn't waste a single minute of time. They explored miles and miles of trails. When they arrived, after the final ride, the only clean parts of their bodies were under their helmets. They were mud from head to toe. Apparently, the mud puddles were the most popular places. I missed this event because I was hiking to Amethyst Lake (previous post).
We enjoyed the talent show. Kendrick sang, representing Trisha's family - a real talent. Tracie had already shown great talent in constructing "The Ball". Kendall's family rehearsed a poem - "If" by Rudyard Kipling. And, the Trent Grants performed a couple of songs on the bells. I can't believe that we weren't asked to do an encore. How rude!
All the grandkids. Who knows when they will all be together again!
This really is one happy bunch of people.
We had a wonderful time with everyone. And, as always, we were sorry to see it come to an end. But we couldn't leave before we took a few pictures of the whole family. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the great memories. Sure love being with you!
Setting out on the road.
Trent left before the rest of us. He decided to bike from the lodge to Evanston, about 30 miles. We picked him up there. We got him a new shirt to change into and baby wipes to shower with. Wasn't that sweet? It was good preparation for his big bike ride coming up. (Post about that in September)
Life is Good - and time spent with family is prime!
My family has never had a "real" family pictures taken. I finally decided to do it before Collin left for college and the snow fell. I asked Andrea Norman to do them. She is wonderful and she said she would make me look skinny. I highly doubt that can happen but I'll take whatever she can do. We had a great time. We even took our crazy glasses. Andrea loved that. I've decided that I have very handsome and beautiful kids. Not boasting - just stating facts. I love these people!
We had a great week attending the Grant Reunion near Christmas Meadows, Utah. Everyone was there - which may be the last time ever considering the older grandkids are moving on to college and preparing for missions. I'll blog about that fun time later. This entry is about my hike, with Kendall and Susan, to Amethyst Lake. As Collin would say, "I'm not gonna lie" it was hard. But, not being an avid hiker and getting out much, I thought it was the most beautiful hike I have ever been on. The book said it was a "moderate difficulty" hike. WHATEVER!!!!
The first three miles were quite pleasant. Considering that the water was still running from the melting snow, we had to cross several little creeks and streams. There was a lot of standing water and tons of mud. But the trail was quite rocky which allowed us to step rock to rock and keep our feet dry. We saw seven moose along the trail. They saw us too but didn't care. I assume they didn't take pictures of us. Quickly we made it to the fork where we headed off on the second phase of the hike. The HARD stuff lay ahead.
The wildflowers were amazing. These are monument plants and monkey heads, I think.
The muddy rocky trail.
One of the MANY creeks and steams we crossed.
A fork in the road and our trail sign.
The second half did not go as quickly as the first half. We literally climbed a mountain - straight up. No switch backs on this trail. The path was a a dried up creak bed, which was probably running with water two weeks ago. It was very difficult. I felt sorry for the two little girls climbing up with their dad as we were headed back. But, along the edge was a gorgeous "river" that we followed all the way. It tumbled down the mountain while we climbed up. You could hear it rumbling no matter where you were. Once at the top we discovered a beaultiful meadow with a cute meandering stream and a very beautiful turquoise lake called BR 24. It really does deserve a name. Because there was so much water we lost track of the trail. We could see it on the other side but couldn't cross to it. So, we had to go around the lake. The marsh prevented us from going all the way around and we began forging our own trail, hoping to find a lake somewhere up ahead. We climbed over and through a boulder field (and nearly eaten by a "snow snake" hahaha) and then finally reached our destination. Amethyst is a beautiful glacial lake that is FREEZING!!! It was a a delight to eat lunch on its banks.
The roaring river along the trail
Just one of the beautiful waterfalls we viewed alongside the trail
BR 24 - Such a sorry name for a beautiful place
The banks of Amethyst Lake where we ate lunch
The mountains we kept in sight just in case we never found the trail back
The boulder field we climbed over and where Kendall and I got scared by a "snow snake." hahahaha
Amethyst Lake
The hike back was just slightly better - minus the fact that I will probably lose my big toenail and my pinky toenails because of the pressure on them while climbing back down. We had some great laughs and a great time. Thanks Ken and Sus for letting tag along.
Sometimes I think that when the earth was created, God used his sense of humor on animals like moose, platypus, and blue footed boobies. But, his artistic period came when he created the Rocky Mountains. What a blessing it is to be able to live in them and to be able to explore them.
Life is Good - and the hidden treasures in the mountains are refreshing.
Thank goodness, a few years ago, my good friends shared their summer joys with me. A couple different friends DRAGGED me out to kayak down the river with them. I fell in love with it - like I've mentioned before. What I enjoy now, probably even more than the whitewater, is sharing my love for kayaking with others. My good friend, Karen, wanted to get a kayak for her birthday so that she could paddle around a couple lakes. I took her down the river and now she is HOOKED. She goes nearly every day. And, she now has two kayaks. (One just doesn't do it.) Another friend of ours, Shaunna, was very nervous about kayaking, but being the good sport that she is, tried it anyway. She fell out within the first 10 seconds. She got right back in, like a trooper, and now she is HOOKED. We have a big trip planned in a few weeks with all our families. Betcha she gets a couple for herself before then.
If you'd like to go, give me a call. I'm willing to share it with you, too.
Collin and his buddies. Ignore that they don't have life jackets on. The rule "No life jacket - No kayak" is now in full force.
Collin and buddies about to go under the Del Rio Bridge.
Shaunna - still smiling even after being tipped over.
A couple weeks ago we took a drive up to Cave Falls to see how high the water is because our swimming spot, lower down the river, is still so high that we can't swim yet (and may never this year). The falls are beautiful and the water is HIGH and FAST. Last year Kenna and I went for an afternoon. We walked out into the water and a father and son were fishing out in the center. I doubt anyone has ventured to the center this year. You won't catch me out there. But, the views are wonderful and the sound of the river is so relaxing! I could have stayed forever if it weren't for the GIANT mosquitoes that tried to eat us.
This is what it looks like this year.
Here is almost that same spot last year when Kenna and I visited.
Cave Falls. Wish you could hear it. It is AWESOME!
Looking up the Falls River. One of my very favorite places to be.
Churning water just above the main falls.
Life is Good - and have I ever mentioned how much I love this place I live?
If you were to spend a couple days in our home you would be "privileged" to hear the sounds of sibling squabbles. Okay, it is no privilege. The older brother participates in a lot of teasing his younger sisters. I've been told this is fairly normal. I didn't have a brother so I have no knowledge of this. For the most part, I think that my sisters and I got along quite well. Sure, we argued occasionally but I don't think that I, being the eldest, was a big tormentor. (Sisters, you may not leave comments here.) But, there is one rivalry, in this house, that would be heard even above the brother/sisters thing. That is the somewhat constant banter between the twins. Aren't twins supposed to be best friends? Some say yes. Others say no - they spend way too much time together to be best friends. I've just been crossing my fingers in the hope that someday they will realize that they each have value and will love one another for their differences. Sometimes, if you could listen, you would wonder if that will ever happen. Seriously!
But today, something happened that instilled in me a brighter flame of this hope. Katy had been asked, about 6 weeks ago, to give a talk in Sacrament Meeting today. Two important things here - Katy can't say no very easily and Katy can't (doesn't like to) speak in front of people. She prepared a good talk on gratitude. She practiced and practiced. But, when she came to Sacrament Meeting she was terrified - crying and shaking. She couldn't go up. The counselor in the Bishopric said that he would wait until after the Sacrament and then I could nod my head for a yes she is doing it or a shake of the head for a no. It was apparent to all of us in the family that it was definitely a "NO". But, suddenly, that Adri, twin, fighting companion of Katy, and decliner of all previous talk inviations, took the talk. She read it over and said that she would do it for Katy. I nodded to the counselor and Adri went up. At first I thought she'd do it and no one (except close friends) would know that it was Adri and not Katy. But, sweet Adri explained the situation and how nervous Katy was. She said, "Katy got a bit of stage fright and so I will give her talk for her". She did a great job. But, the best moment of all was when we were home and Katy, with her swollen eyes from crying, hugged Adri and told her "Thanks!"
They may fight but really when it comes down to it, I think they love each other like crazy. I think they are going to be okay.
