Fun With Smores

Every so often, you have a perfect night that begs for you to make a fire.  This just happened to be one of those nights.  The boys loved helping Bryce get the fire started.  They also giggled non-stop and wanted to roast far more marshmallows than they wanted to eat.  And thus, a boy's obsession with fire is born...

More Isms

This past weekend, we had the viewing and graveside services for my Grandpa Allen, who passed away on Labor Day.  I hope he found some ironic humor in that.  He was a good man, and I'll always remember his bone-crushing hugs and the way he called me "Danny."  (He was the only one who could get away with it, so don't get any ideas!)

I'll be honest, I found myself not feeling much when I first heard.  But now, I feel mostly regret.  I hardly knew my Grandpa Allen.  I don't know much about how he grew up, what he liked in school, or what happened to him in the war.  He hardly spoke - like most wise men, he let my grandma do most of the talking.  However, that meant none of us really ever knew what he was thinking on a given topic.  The more I thought about it, though, the more I realized that was exactly the way he wanted it to be.  I think he enjoyed keeping to himself.

His passing also generated some fabulous "Isms" that I just had to add, and that I think he would have gotten a good chuckle out of.

As I was looking at pictures of grandpa, Jack climbed up into my lap.  I paused on a specific picture that really showed off grandpa's tattoos - a souvenir from his time in the navy.  Jack pointed at his arms and stated, "He all muddy."  I bet there are folks out there that wish their tattoos were as easy to wash off as mud.

Then, the day of the viewing, we had loaded up the kids and given them a brief description of what the day would be like.  As we pulled into the mortuary, Cole asked from the back seat, "Is this heaven?"  Can you even imagine if it was?!  Worst heaven ever.  

The viewing was well attended and the graveside was simple but meaningful.  I think Grandpa would have approved.

Dress-Up

This boy takes "dressing up" to a whole new level.  Well, at least he's wearing clothes. 

Power of Peer Pressure

I'm pretty sure these little battery powered vehicles were made for the sole purpose of making fools out of parents as they run like hell to keep their kids from smashing into trees or running over their friends.

Cole and Jack were recently at a birthday party where they had these cute little cars and 4 wheelers.  I have always been dead set against the boys having these...but seriously, those smiles?  It may be worth it.

 

Bear Lake

Every year, we go up with the Thomsen's to Bear Lake.  It brings back such good memories of going to Lake Powell as a kid, and after every trip I swear that we will someday get a boat.  

We spent our first day at a beach close to our rented cabin.  Unfortunately, the lake was high, so we were left with beach that was a little rough on the feet.  (Kind of like a spa treatment...with gravel.)  But the boys enjoyed just being on the beach and riding in the inflatable boats.

Cole and Mitchell

Jack's usual "I DO IT!" approach.

Check out those ears!

Jack conned Grandma Thomsen into feeding him fruit by the foot by hand.  I anticipate that he will be a lawyer or perhaps a carnie one day.

That night was a tough one for us.  The kids were up at 1:30, 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, 4:30, and then got up for the day at 6:00.  Everyone was pretty grumpy.  Unfortunately, this did not set a good tone for our morning activity, which was hiking Minnetonka Cave.  That mother is 441 stairs in and 441 stairs out.  They are mostly hand-cut stone stairs, which makes them so slick.  Jack decided early on that he would not be walking.  He also decided that he would scream if anyone besides me dared to touch him.  I'm pretty sure that was the longest hour and a half of my life.  

Before the torture began.

From there, we went to the north shore of the lake, where the sand was soft and the sun was out.  The true fun of the day started and everyone was much happier.

Cole loved playing in the waves and building canals and lakes with his cousins.  He also enjoyed smearing mud over his entire body.

Jack stayed mostly in the shallows and had the most fun pulling things behind him.  

Like boogie boards,

And wagons.

It was a great little break from the day-to-day routine, and everyone came away happy and exhausted. 

About Time

I'm embarrassed to say that we haven't been hiking much this year.  Cole loves it, but Jack is a little harder.  He's too big for a backpack, but still a little young to make it on a long hike by himself.  So, we do a lot of carrying.  Which is SO much fun for Bryce and I.  

We did make it up to Alta with some good friends recently, and hit it right when the flowers were blooming.  Beautiful!

Let me just tell you how much these four boys crack me up.  So cute!

Camping

Bryce and I have always liked to camp, but since Jack was born, we've been a little intimidated by taking the boys.  In July, we bit the bullet and braved the Uinta's with some friends.  It was so much fun, and the boys did surprisingly well.  The loved hiking to the river and throwing rocks.

Jack loved covering himself with dirt - especially since Mom didn't make him stop!

The dogs loved having kids around who would conveniently drop food for them to snatch up.

Cole and Bryce spent a lot of time building this incredible little hut out of sticks.  Cole painstakingly covered the sticks with pieces of bark.

We were also able to enjoy the 4-wheelers that Jeremy and Kelly brought up.  Those things are addictive!

We all had so much fun that some of us didn't want to come home.  This is Cole's actual reaction when we told him it was time to leave.  He thought we were going to live in the mountains forever. 

A good time was had by all!