MARYSVALE 2008

We're back.. We went 4-wheeling again, can you believe that?! I know, you are thinking we've done enough of that this year! Heck no!! We still have another trip planned in July and we might even go back to Marysvale in Sept... Yes it seriously is that much fun! We went down on Wednesday with Nate's parents and got back late Sat night.. I could not get over the diverse range in Marysvale, which is about 30 miles outside of Richfield. It is famous for the Piute trail system which covers hundreds of miles! We went out every day right after breakfast and we'd pull into camp right at dinner time! All day riding is exhausting, but well worth every minute of it! We'd take turns with the kids, Easton has a harness that attaches to one of us, and Emily is good either in front or back. The kids are troopers, and I had to ride one handed through some pretty country while Emily snoozed in my other arm. The pictures do not do that country justice, its simply breathtaking! I kept thinking how fortunate we are to be able to see such amazing sights, complete with wildlife galore! 4-wheeling is such a fun family adventure for us, its been a great investment! I recommend it to anyone who loves the great outdoors. Check out this sight to learn a little of where we were. Marysvale is beautiful, a place that we will visit many times I'm sure!


Taking a short hike around some historic mining homes.


The Darger mining home



S'more please!!!


Easton was content as could be throwing rocks in the river!

Going through Deer Creek, we trudged through some pretty deep water on the 4-wheelers! It was a blast!


Here is one of many scenic photographs that we took..Its hard to decide which ones to post on here!! Too bad it still isn't as pretty as in real life! Plus the smells of the mountain air add to the whole experience!!


Umah and Bepah(as Easton calls them) were so fun to be with on the trails! I am really fortunate to have such great in-laws that we enjoy doing things with! Thanks for making memories with us Umah and Bepah!!



Posing pretty as can be! She was famous for collecting boquets of wild flowers for me!!



Snack Time!


Here are some waterfalls that we hiked up to. There is a lot of snow runoff this year, so the falls were really powerful, I love the sound of the rushing water!


Here are some of the wild life that we saw! It was so majestic to see them out grazing. Nate goes Elk hunting every year, but this was the first time I'd ever seen a bull Elk out in the wild like this!

I know this is a long post with the pictures and all, and we have lots more that we could have posted..Its just a glimpse at the fun we had, and the scenery we were able to see. We really live in a beautiful and diverse state that offers so many outdoor activities!

Wanted...

For those of you that don't know us very well, it would be an understatement to say we liked 4-wheeling.. WE LOVE IT! And we have found an awesome set-up but need someone to donate it to our 4-wheeling addiction fund...please.. Take a look at how cool this trailer is????

Where they are sitting would be where our two ATV's would ride, and after you unload, then VOILA! Instant camping bliss, complete with a sink and queen size REM comfort! (plus another full size for the kiddos)

Donations anyone???

We'll see how this goes!

If you have a brainfreeze about what to make for dinner or are going to the store but need menu items check out my rookie attempt at dinnertime organizing! I started a blog to help out friends or family by sharing my newfound joy of menu planning! In all seriousness, I find it a HUGE headache to try and have a good, healthy dinner on the table everynight of the week! So please if you want to contribute let me know so you can help author what might work at your household! Its all part of being a mom I guess, but I used to cringe every time someone would say, "whats for dinner?!." I've really been trying to stay organized, because it saves money in the end, so check out some of my menu ideas!! I know this is so motherly and I feel really nerdy right now... But heck, its fun, and another way to waste time online!
Dinner's On Me!

BBQ at Grandma & Grandpa Wiley's

We had a fun family get-together over at Grandma & Grandpa Wiley's this last weekend. James and Chan and their kids were in town from Elko, so it was fun to see everyone! I just love Nate's family, they really feel like my own... My sis-in-law Chan, is the one who set Nathan and me on a blind date..So I feel like I owe her big time!! She was a great matchmaker! The kids all had fun going through Grandma's obstacle course, jump-roping, and just scooting around on the scooters and bikes, along with swinging, sliding, etc.. G&G Wiley really have an awesome backyard!! Lots of fun memories back there..


Here's all the cousins together, complete with Mimi and Lucy!


Never a dull moment watching the entertainment of Grandma's Obstacle Course!


Waiting in line!!


Here's Grandma demonstrating the rules! She's such a fun Grandma!


Little Miss Shelby Ann!

We loved watching James on the scooter, he had us all in tears practically! Way to go biff! 40 year olds on scooter's is not a good match!

LAKE POWELL 2008

Wow, where do I begin? Lake Powell was, yet again, a success and a great way to turn 30! We had a blast, the weather was awesome, the water a bit chilly, and hardly NO wind!! We got there later on Wednesday than planned, which by my dad's clock is usually right on time!! Me, my mom, my sister Lisa, and the kids drove later than the "men" so that they could haul most of the gear and pick a spot to camp.. Then we left a couple hours after they did, still had to wait at the dock, but eventually got there and unloaded on the beach in Padre Bay (about a 30 minute ride up the lake from Antelope point).. The Last family with their boat, and the Payne family with their boat, joined us which has been a tradition for years! I seriously can't write about all the fun details of our trip or you'll be here all day (or night) but here are some highlights...

-Wakeboarding!!


-Skiing (how cool is my mom!?!)


-being thrashed by tubing (holding on for dear life is a must if my dad is driving the boat...)



-Canyon exploring

These pictures don't do any justice to the real beauty and hidden secrets these canyons have to offer! We love to see how far the boat can make it up these finger slot canyons and we literally are between a rock and a hard place! (click on the collage for a closer look)

-Spotting a coyote on the beach
-Catching a lizard for the kids to see
-The food is always yummy!

-Watching Emily ski with daddy(this was a highlight for sure)


The reason she is crying at first is because the water is cold getting into.. She was not expecting it to be that cold! Emily is such a brave girl! I am so proud of her for trying this!!!!

-Having my dad shower us with his propane heated shower!! It was hilarious!
-Sitting by the fire and looking up at the stars!!
-Having everyone sing "happy birthday" to me!! =)

Here is a handful of pictures throughout the trip!!















It was so fun to spend time with family and friends!! I just love you all! I couldn't have asked for a nicer birthday!!!