#11: Fish at Wood's Ranch/Kid's Pond

Let's get real here. This is just another #22 but at least it has it's own number so I can feel like I'm actually making progress on the summer list.

We had plans to meet up with an old roommate of mine but they weren't able to make it last minute. We were literally headed up the mountain (can you be figuratively headed up the mountain???) when Jason got a text from our friends, the Johnsons, inviting us up to Kid's Pond. Crazy coincidence. So we said beat you there and kept driving. Dustin and Jason go back the college days where they played some manner of sports together or something. His wife Heather was one of the first people I met when me moved into our new ward and she ended up being my visiting teacher. She's the type of calm composed mom that makes me want to be nicer. The Johnsons are edifying to be around. They brought some relatives and friends, including Ryan and Lindy who just moved out of our ward. We went to Oak Grove with them a while ago and after this night I'm further convinced that they are my kind of people. They love the outdoors and find ways to keep having adventures while having kids. I'm seriously in love with their van/mobile campout set up. Also, I don't think I've ever heard Heather or Lindy complain about anything, ever.

Okay, I'll stop crushing and get on with the narration.

I lost my beloved sling and so we're using this monstrous contraption.
Oh well, Eli's still happy.
Random fact, Jason and I took some of our engagement pictures in almost this exact spot.
So... inexactly right there!

I think we're getting quite the collection of this pose.
Place: Kids Pond.
Subjects: Jason and Junior.
Action: Catching a fish.
Father beams with pride. Son wants to throw rocks in the water.
Frequency: Every 4-6 months.
At least this time Mason stayed clothed.

It's always great to meet new people, especially because I tend to be more reserved. But you can't help but make friends when you are sitting together enjoying the mountain together. Poor suckers... once I open my mouth. I can't shut up.

Aaaaaand, I had another chance to use my campfire cooker contraption. It's a hinged box with a handle that goes in the fire. I made cinnamon rolls this time and they were a smashing hit.

On a more personal note, I had a really beautiful moment that night. I had a passel of kids sitting with me and Mason at the water's edge away from the fire and adults. I was making up stories about dragons and had a contest going to see who could spot the first star reflecting in the water. As it got darker the day quickly slipped into night. My favorite time of day is twilight (curse you vampire crap literature for ruining that word for all of humanity). I love that small window of time where everything turns a shade of blue before all color smears into black. I was listening intently to the woes of an eight year old when I realized with an ache that I had missed that moment. The night was upon us and I missed the transition. I was truly sorrowful for a breath or two. Then I realized with great force that I hadn't missed anything. There was no better moment in all the world than to be right there, right then, with those people. I often fear as a parent that I'm missing the real parts of my children because I'm too consumed with the every day tasks and motions. I am often searching for the perfect moment, the perfect words, the perfect picture, not realizing the perfection is there if I could just embrace it. So I did. I held my boy tighter and relished in joy of childhood of the little ones around me. Life can be perfect, and delightful, and magical if we decide to believe in it.

As I type this I'm remembering a similar post of "the perfect moment". Was it a year or so ago? Once again at Woods Ranch. The Johnson's were there. Lindsey was there. Perfection was there. Or I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's always there. And sometimes I'm able to be aware of it.

all we do is #21 & #22: KOLOB!

#21: Take a scenic drive.

#22 Adventure into the great outdoors.

I guess it's good I have a list of other things I want to do or else we'd just keep doing the same things over and over! At least we switch up the location. This weekend we went to Kolob Reservoir with our good ol' friends the Hendricksons. We met Ken and Emily our first summer married doing APX. We lived in the bay area south of Oakland. Emily and I filled our days with trips to Costco, playing Dance Dance Revolution, eating her amazing cookies, and talking about the airline industry. She worked from home for SkyWest and *INSPIRED* me. I started taking online travel classes, applied to every job SkyWest posted and eventually got a job at the Travel Center a year or so later. Not only that, but Emily is inspiring in so many other ways. I learned a lot from her about marriage. She always prioritized time with Ken over anything else. She was a good example of supporting your husband and helping him get through a tough job even though it can be tough on the wives as well. Emily and I have a lot of things in common and it seems like every time she picks up a new hobby (couponing anyone?) it's something I'm dying to learn more about. Lucky me, she's always willing to teach me. She's also a great friend in the way that we can go months with out staying in touch and then just pick up where we left off.

We drove up to Kolob and the trip was amazing! The wild flowers were covering the meadows. Jason and I both have an affinity for aspen trees so the view out the window was two thumbs up from both of us. Jason, Ken, and Ken's brother fished and spent time in Ken's cool little boat.

Here's Eli, who loves being outside. Yes, he is ALWAYS making this face:


Jason also spent some time catching crawdads. The kids were not grossed out nearly as much as their moms were! Mason let them pinch his fingers and didn't freak.


Mason is getting good at sharing... Here Shaylee, have a crawdad!

We made dinner on the fire and I got to try out my new fire baking contraption I got at a yard sale. I made rolls in the little box. The first batch a bit unevenly done. The second batch was better. I'm not complaining, everything is good with honey butter.

We didn't get any fish. But we got filthy. We got wet. Mason narrowly avoided falling into the fire and Eli pulled another one of his choking stunts. Since all ended well it was a great day. 

Finally it was time to head home and we were treated to this breathtaking moonrise:

#21: Take a scenic drive and #22 (again)

Right before Jason and I started dating we planned a big party up Parowan Canyon. Other than driving to Brian Head to ski, I wasn't familiar with the area. Jason got his buddy Wes to cook a huge dutch oven feast. I took up ropes and set up some rappels. We invited a bunch of people, had a campfire, and planned to camp over. (Misty, Caytee, and I did not end up staying over due to a certain loose cannon buddy of Jason's. Oh boy.) What I remember most about that night were the sparks. No, not the heat from the campfire. It was the first time Jason got bold and made it clear he wasn't spending time with me just to be another guy friend. It was sort of the beginning of the end.

So, I've always had fond feelings for the area.
Flash forward several years and there we are again.
Now, married.
Two kids.
Time for some fishing!

We drove up to Yankee Meadows and it was a gorgeous day. It was warm with big dramatic clouds. We met up with our friends, the Bunnells. The guys fished. We explored with the kids. It sprinkled a bit. It was all around beautiful.

On the way home we started having problems with the Jeep. "Javier" really is about to fall to pieces. Beau and Bonnie drove back to Parowan to get us transmission fluid, and the guys got us up and running again. I really don't think our vehicles are going to last us much longer. Why again did we sell Maxx??

We finished up the day by going to the movie 17 Miracles. Jason and I don't ever go to movies, so it was triple fun to do something out of the ordinary, see a good movie, and spend time with awesome people.

Be careful what you ask

Mason would be a millionaire if he got a penny for every question he asks. It's not just the WHY questions anymore but the WHAT KIND, WHICH ONE, HOW, and then when I've run out of intelligent responses he continues on with the WHYs.

Scene: Breakfast at the bar in our PJs, Mason insists on cuddling with me while we eat (not an easy way to eat).
Mason (touching my lovely bedhead hair): What is this?
Me: It's mom's hair.
Mason: What kind of hair is it?
Me: Um, it's a pony tail?
Mason: What is this?
Me: My bangs. They are the hair that is in front.
Mason: Ohhhhh. What kind?
Me (trying to change gears): Do you like my hair Mason? Does it look nice?
Mason: *pauses* ...maybe...( in a doubtful tone)

Independence Weekend

Jason has always talked about how much fun the events in Richfield are for the 4th of July. He hasn't been home for that holiday since high school (absent for 2 years during his mission and 7 years of APX). We went this year and all of his siblings did too!

We started out the weekend by doing a clean up project by the garage.
Isn't he handsome?

Jason has often talked about round flowers that his Grandma Starr would spray paint red, white, and blue every July. Richard has transplanted these bulbs to their house so the tradition can continue. They were really neat. I wish I knew what they were so I could plant some in Cedar. Mason thought the flowers were cool too.

I LOVE this picture. I had been told that the parade was a big deal, but I had no idea! Main street was lined with chairs the day before! I couldn't believe that it was that important, and also that no one was worried about their chairs disappearing or being damaged. Love small towns.

We had a fun time doing some "Minute to Win It" challenges as a family. Necia and Jeff are competing to get the cookie in their mouths without using their hands.

Jennifer's midair cookie and Pirate Joe.

Jason's dice stacking abilities just got smoked by Necia's superior balancing.

I wonder who Nelly was cheering for?

Noodle jousting? Nope, cooperative can commuting.

Janett and Jessica give it a go.

The parade. The grandkids: Jocelyn (pink hat), Jordan, Bridger, Carson, Mason, and Jackson

The fam

I also added more pictures of each of the boys on their sites.

just a moment

I was going to say, just a moment while I get back up do date. 

I am months behind. 

Good thing for post dating. 

Then I was going to point out that I say "just a moment" a lot.

It's my stage in life.

I still feel like I can do ANYTHING,

but...

in... 

just a moment....

Thee reality:  here is just a moment in time that I don't ever want to forget. Eli is his usual jovial self. He's lying on the bed chuckling non stop at the ceiling fan. It IS pretty funny. Mason is his usual intense and creative self. He's running around the room, half dressed, and yelling "All units! We need back up!". 

What else matters?

my nekkid wrestle lovin boys

Guess what we got?!

This trail is right by our house. They just finished it. We're so excited!

I spy Ry, Mason, and evidence of Eli :)

love thy neighbor

We love love love our neighbors. These three little kids are just delightful. I'm not sure they realize Jason and I are adults. Mason is always begging to go play with them. The other day he asked me if Miss D and Miss S were his sisters.

Pictures (clockwise from upper left):
Mister R fixing my mailbox.
Miss S helping in our garden.
Mister R posing with my nephews.
Miss D and Master Mason dressing up.
Mason helping fix the mailbox...or attacking me, can't remember which.
Miss D giving Mason a ride. She's so good at sharing.

#21 and #22: Scenic drive and Oak Grove

We checked another two off of our summer list on Saturday. We were packing to go spend the day at the Lake on the Hills (still a stupid name by the way) which is also on the list. Jason got a text from Ryan and Lindy saying they were headed to Oak Grove and anyone that could should come along. We haven't been there before so we traded the fishing poles for dirt bikes and decided to join them. 

#21: Take a scenic drive
#22: Adventure into the great outdoors

The drive certainly was scenic and I love the chance to find a new favorite place. Jase was patient and stopped along the way to let me take pictures.

Ryan

Jason

Shorty shorts & tall socks

The Gunn girls

#3: Play at the Cedar Canyon Park

My friend Krystal and I took our kids to the lovely Canyon Park. This was one of the main places I played growing up in the area. Coal Creek divides the East and West sides of the park. There is a little stream that goes through the west side and the kids really loved dipping their toes into the cold runoff water. It was fun to get the boys together, I can't believe how old they seem. She has three boys now! Seems like just a few months ago we were both pregnant for the first time!

Thunderbird Gardens

I have a feeling we'll be doing a lot of #22 (adventure into the great outdoors) from the summer list so I think I'll just write about the location and fun so that I don't have a million entries with the title "#22".

We went with Nate, his kids, The Kaylees, and a few other friends to Thunderbird Gardens to go rappelling. It was a beautiful day! This was Mason's first time on the ropes and I couldn't have been more proud. Eli was a champ and dozed in his carseat in the shade of a tree almost the whole time.

#17: Visit the SUU Observatory

The next things we've lopped off the summer list is visiting the observatory. It's free every Monday night. We left Eli with my parents but seeing as Mason fell asleep when we got there we probably should have dropped him off too! It was a fun family home evening gazing at the stars and moon. We also got to see Saturn and we could see the rings even though it was still pretty far away. Probably the best part was going with our friends Beau and Bonnie and their brilliant kiddos. Even little brother Jeff popped in to say hi for a minute.



I took this pic with my little camera through the telescope without a tripod. I want to go back and take more pictures.

Deployment

The Triple Deuce and the 213 National Guard Units were deployed today. They flew out of the Cedar and St. George airports. I was scheduled to work and considered getting someone to cover for me. I'm a sympathetic crier... and nothing is worse than someone crying who has no right to be.

I was glad not to be loading bags for these flights:



I had front row seats while the families where back in the parking area. These two little boys with their flags were so darling.

Here's our little plane off to the side of the operating area. It was a little tricky coordinating the departures but in the end it all worked out... and ultimately really didn't matter considering the grand scheme of things.

Each soldier walked to the plane one by one. They'd wave to their families in the distance, or walk together and talk to each other, or just look at the ground with an expression that made my heart ache. I wanted to yell out "THANK YOU" to each one but couldn't get the words passed my throat.

I felt like a real punk for taking this picture of the families. But I was so proud of our community. So many people showed up to support these men. The parents looked so proudworried. The wives had the "just come back" look as they held onto their kids. The girlfriends were the ones weeping and weeping.