We Love 2 Camp!

We have been promising Avery we would go camping all summer.  Well it has taken us all summer to actually do it.  We went just the four of us to Bountiful Peak Campground.  It was so pretty up there.  We had to drive on a fairly scary and narrow road up and over the mountain (we went up to 9100 feet and back down to 7000 feet).  We were only able to spend one night, but we sure did make it lots of fun.  Unfortunately Avery ended up getting a little sick, but he still had fun.

After seeing us roast marshmallows for s'mores, Lily insisted on "doing" it herself.  She had become quite independent lately.  Yes, the marshmallow did light on fire a couple of times, but she didn't care too much.

Making some yummy breakfast

A cute little camper.  She fell down so many times we lost camp, but she didn't mind.  She loved to pick up rocks and sticks as well as sit in the camping chairs.  She did NOT sleep well since we didn't have an air mattress for her and she hates having any covers (besides her blanky) on her.  Once we uncovered her, she slept fairly well.  Luckily it wasn't extremely cold.

saying "cheese"

there were a couple of little ponds that we thought had fish in them (from the website) but later to find out they were probably the wrong ponds

an adorable and messy camper

the boys fishing

riding their "dirt bike" made out of a rock

Ave.  The poor guy was probably running a fever the whole trip.  He was so excited to go camping.  He kept looking at the mountains, asking if they were the one we were going camping on.  He loved to ask what our favorite thing about the camping trip was.

Daddy/Daughter time

Turpin Times!

a bunch of the cousins on the tube.  My Avery what big feet you have! (aka Brian's feet)

We went to the Turpin Family Reunion a couple of weeks ago in Idaho.  It sure was a blast!  We all stayed in a big lodge and had some fun time on the water and at the lodge.  We floated down a river on tubes and rafts a couple of times.  Avery even got brave enough to ride a tube down it (or mom got brave enough to let him).  We went out on the motorboat as well.  Candace put together a fun capture the flag game with marshmallow ammo that sure took us for a hike!

Aunt Candace, Lily, Eve, & Boyce

Brian's brother, Mark and his wife Sarah and their kids Eve & Boyce were able to join us from Florida for the whole week and the reunion!  It was so much fun to hang out with them.  Lily & Eve got along quite well, and Avery & Boyce went on enough dirt bike rides to last them a year!

Lily & Eve

The kids getting ready to swim at Grandma Turpins

 At the reunion we had a fun game of "Minute to Win it"  Everyone got involved!  Some of the challenges were pretty tough, but still tons of fun.

Avery doing the skittle sorting

Jane (left) & Sarah (right) doing the cup stack

Brian doing the oreo stack

Lily enjoying the boat

Aly & Eve on the tube

Lily & Daddy on tube (mom didn't try that again, last time we fell off)

Amanda skiing (this was her second "real" time skiing

We have a Fish in the Family!

While Amanda went with the Turpin girls for a fun getaway to St. George, Avery & Lily visited Grandma and Grandpa Downs in Idaho (Brian had work and had to leave for scout camping before Amanda got back).  While there, Avery became quite the swimmer!  A couple of weeks ago we visited Idaho and went swimming.  It was the first time that Avery would put his face in the water and "swim" (or really be pushed from one person to another).  Well going to Idaho he was so excited to swim without his arm floaties.  When Amanda came down to stay with them while Brian was at camp, she was surprised to see how much he has learned!  He could swim a few feet and turn around and swim back, all underwater.  He could swim to the rope (after someone helped him up) after going down the slide.  He also didn't want to stop!  Since he was always opening his eyes underwater, he was getting red, burning eyes.  I (Amanda)  told him to take a break, and he replied, "I will take a break underwater."  Silly boy!

Going down the green slide

swimming from the steps and back

 

Gardening Update!

This is for Amanda's Grandma Owen who wanted to know how our garden was doing.  Well it seems to be doing quite well!

something else is growing inside our corn patch...

We've been able to freeze some sugar snap peas and regular peas (even though Lily tried to pick all pea plants when they were just starting out).  We also canned some beans- a first for us using a pressure canner. We've enjoyed beets, zuchinni and squash as well.  We are looking forward to corn, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, and onions (and Avery watches everyday for his watermelon, but no melons yet).  Its been fun to see it all grow and to have the kids help out a little bit.