Wind Rivers

Woes, this will be picture overload.  But I just couldn't decide what else to cut out.  (Believe me, there are more pictures than this even! :) ).

This last weekend our family went backpacking in the Wind Rivers Mountain Range in Wyoming.  I have to admit that Ira kinda walked me out the door kicking and screaming because I had no desire to go.  I had been backpacking one other time in my life (a year ago).  It was a lot of fun, but I remember it being exhausting.  I have been so busy this summer, and when it came to doing one more activity - especially a physically challenging one - I was all thumbs down.  I decided at the last minute that I would go, but only if Kamden came too, because I didn't want to deal with the extra time it would take to get him to and from his babysitter.  SO...we all piled in, and headed to Wyoming.  We stayed in a campground the first night, so we could just get up and start hiking in the morning.  By the time we got there late, and it was FrEeZiNg...I just knew that I had made the wrong choice.  I told Ira that I was taking the boys and going home in the morning.  He and the other two could catch rides home with our extended family who was meeting us up there.

Well, sleep does wonders to a tired mommy. By morning, I was ready to give it a go.  And I am SOOOO glad that I did.  I could have missed out on a spectacular, and even restful (believe it or not) experience.  

 I was so impressed with our little guys.  Ira was sure that Kam would need to be carried part of the way.  So he brought a carrier.  The picture below is the only time he had to use it, and that was only for a couple of minutes.  Two other times, on the way back down, Ira carried him on his shoulders for just a couple of minutes.  Other then that - he did the whole 18 miles (?) within 3 days by himself.  Jarin was also very impressive.  He carried a backpack, and he would get so tired.  But instead of letting one of us carry it for him so he could rest - he refused the help and said that he wanted to be strong and do it himself.  He was a trooper, and I'm so proud of all of our kids.

When we finally arrived at the lake that we were camping at, it was a very welcome sight.  And it felt so good to soak our tired and achy feet.

The day after our hike in, we went on another hike that was maybe another 6 miles.  It was up further into the mountains, and we hiked by 7 lakes.  It was absolutely breathtaking as every corner we'd come around, there would be a new lake or a new mountain peak.

All of the kids who were with us - my kids and some nieces and nephews.

 My cutest ever niece - Tiana.  

 My cutest ever other niece, Myah with my cutest ever daughter, Emilie.  OK - I think all  the kids in our family are just the cutest ever.    And I'm not biased at all! :)

Jarin looked so dang cute with his bandana and tie-died shirt.  

Our whole group at one of the lakes.

Tiana and her mom Yuri

 My brother-in-law Derrick with Desmond.

Emilie climbing the rocks.  

My little sis - Kelli and her husband Derrick

Me with my granola boy.  I guess we both look a bit granola-y.

Zac & Brayden

 Brayden & Tiana

Emilie

Travis, Reece & Rylee

Brayden

Wading at Deep Lake.  The cliffs were so amazing.  Every thing I would see, I would think to myself, "I almost missed this to stay home and clean and sleep".  I'm so grateful that I went!

Tiana getting her hair wet without getting her clothes wet.  I guess that's one way to do it.  But not for me, I'd fall right on my head!

 Like father like son!  These two found rocks for pillows and took a nap.

 Jarin and Myah on the trail

Yuri and me

I took this picture because Jarin saw this plant and said, "Jesus sure is creative for all the things he made."  Yep Jarin, I couldn't agree more.  How could anyone see this beautiful world, and still question if there is a God?

YAY!  Dinner!  It was a fun treat to get fish, especially since we had left part of our food sitting in the truck 6 miles away.  Of course, food is something I can't get myself to pack light on.  It was a good thing this time because we still had enough.

 I have learned a lot backpacking.  Like how important every single ounce is from your clothes to your sleeping bags to the food you pack.  I've learned about the nifty little backpacking stoves that are just tiny, but we use to cook all our meals - like Yuri and Tiana are doing below.

I also learned that water filters are a fabulous tool to own.  We could filter water out of any stream or lake.  

These are the three youngest backpackers.  There were seasoned backpackers that we would pass along the way, who were so surprised and impressed to see such young kids.

Last day - the Gurneys are heading down

Reece, Travis & Rylee

The rest of us hung out for a bit longer, and came across this waterfall that they dunked themselves in.  "They" meaning most everyone but we moms.  Those crazy kids!

Jarin meditating on a rock above the water fall.  

Derrick getting a massage in the waterfall

Braydens turn

The moms, who were the only ones there with any sense! ha ha

Tiana

The waterfall crew

Swaner Family

Moser Family

Crawford Family

Goodbye Big Sandy Lake.  Thank you for sharing your beauty with us.  We'll be back again....someday.

Eagle Scout

I am so proud of my "baby boy"Brayden.  He worked hard (and so did I! :) ) to earn his Eagle Scout.  Through the process he would have attitude at times, and say it was stupid (and I have to admit that I felt the same at times).  But once he finished, the look of accomplishment on his face was worth every minute of frustration - even for him.

A man in our ward took this picture of him and photoshopped the eagle and flag around him.  It was such a nice service he provided that we will treasure.

Braydens with his scout leader, Kip Rupp.  Brayden loves Kip, who is always full of laughs.  Kip introduced Brayden at the Court of Honor, and of course he had everyone laughing.  Two things he said that has Brayden pegged is he said, "You'll never find Brayden dead on the path to work - he doesn't like to work.  But, when it comes to the outdoors, like hiking and snowshoeing - he leads the pack".  He also said, "Brayden is  one of the best scouts he has ever worked with - I put him in the top two", (and Kip has worked with a lot of scouts).

Brayden honored his Grandpa Moser with the Mentor Pin that each scout gives.  They chose one person who has been a mentor to them in their lives.  He listed many reasons such as a good example, always kind, helpful.  He had a speech prepared for why he chose Grandpa Moser, but they forgot to give the boys the stage and say why they chose who they did.  I wish they would have, because Brayden had worked on his, and it was very good.  But I don't know if he saved it, because I can't find it.  And if I asked him, he'd be too embarrassed and not let me post it.  

We are so grateful for family support.

The three boys who earned their Eagle Awards with Brayden.

This picture was taken back in June, and he's grown even taller now.  We love you Brayden, and are so proud of all you have accomplished, and continue to work towards.

"Soar like the Eagles"

Bear Lake Cabin

Bear Lake is one of my favorite places to go.  I feel so blessed to have it so close to us.  It is like having our own little ocean close to home, with crystal clear waters and sandy beaches.  To make it even better, we got to stay in a cabin for a few days with some friends.  We had a great time, even though we adults were FAR outnumbered by children.  We don't do a whole lot with friends outside of our extended family - so this was a real treat for us.  

Kids hang out, and parents hang out.  

Poor Amber trying to get me to be enthusiastic about playing games.  She has been working on me for a couple years - I finally gave in!  I took a SMALL swig (honestly, like two swallows worth) of coke to wake me up (I'm not a soda drinker, especially not caffinated drinks - so one small swig had an effect on me.  It was like a non-alcoholic drinking alcohol.  I became a bit loopy for a while.  So whatever happened while I was "high" stays at the cabin! :)  )

Our days at the beach

Brayden, Kam & Jarin

Mommies retreat.  We floated out in the lake where we couldn't hear our childrens demands.  Lots of giggles and fun!

At the swimming pool.

Amber and I

Our children except for the 3 babies, and my teenager.

Silly Emilie - she's like a fish in the water

Love Kam's laugh

Jumping in the water

All of our group (except for one couple who already left.)

Larry & Amber Bradley

Kelly & Jen Daniels

Crawfords

We had so much fun, and hope to have the opportunity again someday (hint hint Amber!) LOL

Lava Hot Springs

Summer wouldn't be summer without a get-together with cousins at the swimming pool. We went to Lava Hot Springs.  I hadn't been there in many years.  The tall diving board was as tall as I remembered, and I'm still a chicken to jump off of it.  The smaller boards were good enough for me.  Good thing some things never change!  

Kelli and Mandi's family met our family for a fun-filled day.  Not much to report, the usual water-bogged children, lots of smiles and laughs, fears conquered (Kam and Des on the slide), sunburns, good conversation, and lots of good memories.

Kam & Des

Myah & Emilie

Des, Jarin, Myah, Tannon, Parker, Kam

Brayden & Zac

Jaxon, nicky, Kelli, Myah, Zac, Brayden

Pass of All Passes

I have some catching up to do with my blog!  Imagine that - I have catching up to do in about every aspect of my life right now.  But today my blog is the one I feel like focusing on.  Probably not top of the priority list - but it just sounds funner than cleaning....AGAIN!

The last two years we have purchased "The Pass of All Passes".  They have been so much fun.  They are inexpensive tickets to various things in Salt Lake/Provo area.  Only problem is we don't live close enough to that area to fully take advantage of it.  But one event pays itself off.

One day when I had Jarin and Kamden in the SLC area, so for a little break, we spent a couple hours at Trafalga.  They had a few rides and a rock wall, and miniature golf.  The boys had a great time.

We also decided to take a weekend and bring out camping trailer to American Fork Canyon, and just camp at nights and use our passes during the days at Seven Peaks Water Park.  We even went to a play one evening on our pass.  It was a lot of fun with a good variety of activities.

Kam, Emi & Jarin at our campground

Brayden & Kam "hanging" out on the hammock.

Brayden

Me with my baby boys.  I love the ages they are now, and really wish time would freeze, or at least slow down!

On to Seven Peaks in Provo.

Kam, Jarin & Emi

This slide was awesome.  A bit scary cu it is steeper and bigger than it looks in the picture.  But way fun.

These two are such sweet brothers.  For the most part, they are best friends.  But sometimes they are worst enemies :)

Burnt marshmallows.  Childhood wouldn't be childhood without lighting your marshmallows on fire and enjoying every last black, gooey bite!

We splurged with Chuck-E-Cheeses.  

A kids favorite restaurant - a parents nightmare!