HorseShoe Lake

 Brooke really wanted to go up to a lake called Horseshoe lake, because there was supposed to be huge fish in there and hardly anyone ever went up there.  So we all got on our 4wheelers and went on a BUMPY BOULDER filled road.  The kids had to get off and stretch for a little while as we were on top of the world.

 There were snow drifts all over on the way up.  This was looked like we were in the arctic. 

 Brooke getting ready to take off in the float tube with all the kids watching, wondering how we was going to go anywhere in that thing.

 Solayna telling Shianne all about it.

 The kids and I walked around the lake to these cliffs, so they could fish off of them.  Brooke was in the float tube right below us, but I was still scared to death having my boys out on those rocks.

 Solayna telling Shi, "you wear it Shi"

 After they didn't catch anything for an hour or two we ate lunch and the boys pulled out a map to figure out another way for us to go back to camp, since the other way took us forever. 

 

 Ready to GO!!  For a LONG ride.  We rode 57 miles exploring some beautiful country.  The kids and I all had rather sore bottoms, but I sure enjoyed singing with them as we drove along looking at the beautiful creations.

Roe Lakes

 While Camping we up to the the Roe Lakes.  The kids right off the bat were looking for little somethings or others to catch.  I can't remember what it was they were going after here but I believe it was some kind of nymph.

 Posing for me.  I don't think Solayna has quite caught onto the posing bit yet.

 My man making a mean cast, with his little buddy right behind him.

 Sweet little Solayna.  I love her eyes in this picture all lite up but questioning what she had.  She was holding the fishing net up there.

 The kids soon found this little stream coming into the lake and started searching for frogs. 

 SUCCESS!!!  They each caught a frog and had so much fun looking for them.

 Showing off their frogs.

 Brooke fished for most of the night, when he wasn't helping the kids with their frogs, but he didn't catch anything.  Just enjoyed watching the kids and having a pole in the water.  Solayna was right there with her dad and didn't want anyone to touch her pole.  "NO, I DO IT"

It was beautiful when it was time to leave so I snapped this picture.  I love the clouds in the sky and on the water.  What a gorgeous place to go spend time with the family.

Little Miss Solayna with her helmet.  This was the first time she wore it and oh boy does she look tiny with it on.

Camping

 We went camping on top of the Boulder Mountain on July 1st.  It was so much fun and so nice to be up in the gorgeous mountains.  For some reason we haven't been camping much this year, but we all love it.  Even Cocoa, who had just been neutered.  The dumb dog wouldn't leave his stiches alone and got all swollen so he had to wear this cone for a good 2 weeks.

Sam is so into reading this summer, I had to start taking books away and tell he and Shianne there were other things in life to do.  He got his book as soon as we got to where we were camping and went and found a rock out in the meadow and started reading.  We eventually took the book away from him so he would interact with us.

My pretty little girl who is getting to grown up.  She loves camping and hiking and will actually leave her clothes on when we are up in the mountains.

 Spencer is always pulling this face now.  He is such a fun kid that loves to be outdoors, especially if his dad is right beside him.

 Solayna wanted me to hold her and wouldn't leave me alone so I took this picture of her yanking on my clothes, trying to climb up me.

 This is all we took to cook with.  I love that when we go outdoors, we can just cook everything right over the fire, and it is yummy to.

 My man who is the best outdoor cook around.

 The kids all love roasting smores and eating them.  I'm not sure why we all love those messy things.

Singing and dancing

 On June 28th, the kids put on a program for Brooke and I.  They love to organize these things and come up with decorations.  They found a song that talked about monsters in the swamp, so they made this little 'swamp' and put some monsters coming out of it as they were dancing around it.  They are so creative.

 Shianne of course sang us a song.  She's getting more confident with singing, and Solayna of course had to sing after Shianne did.

 Since it was close to the 4th of July they made all these fun star decorations for it.

Gardener Spencer

Spencer loves to be in the garden and is constantly wanting to be out there seeing what is ripe.  Brooke and he found this HUGE kohlrabi, and they devoured the whole thing with the help of Sam.

 On June 23rd we headed up to Lehi to buy us a new truck.  at least new to us.  We had looked on KSL.com for about 2 months and after having 2 trucks fall through and end up not being what we wanted we decided to head on up to Lehi.  We decided to be adventuresome and camp on the way up.  We pulled off the road and found a nice flat space and pitched our tent and roasted some dogs. 

 We went to Brooke's brother Dave's house and while Brooke was searching for trucks, Kelly and I took the kids to a water park.  It was so much fun and refreshing.  Kelly ran and got some pizza so we ate dinner there and played.  Brooke came back and said he had talked to a Dodge dealer and was thinking of getting a new one since they weren't much more than buying a used on.  Anyway the kids had a blast playing in the water with Easton and Luke and I enjoyed talking with Kelly.

 The next morning it was the Lehi Roundup parade so once again Kelly and I headed out to watch the parade while Dave went to work and Brooke went searching for a truck.  They also had a little petting zoo set up right by where we were going to watch the parade.  Solayna loved all the animals.

 Sam has always disliked loud noises and he wasn't to impressed with the firetrucks.

 My little buddy Spencer doesn't look to enthused here but he enjoyed see all the big floats and getting the candy.

 Instead of wearing her hat, Shianne used it as a candy holder.

 Luke and Solayna weren't to interested in the parade but  they sure did enjoy the candy.  Solayna ate about 15 candies when I wasn't watching.  She's such a sugar baby, as is shown in this candy float that she loved.

Brooke somehow amazingly found us at the parade, and we talked trucks for a while.  after we got back home Kelly offered to watch the kids while we went and test drove the truck Brooke was 

thinking of getting.  So Brooke, Solayna and I went for a ride in a new Dodge and we decided to get it.  The kids were all so excited that they all rode home with Brooke in the new truck and left me alone to listen to my book on the way back.  

Thanks Kelly for entertaining us and watching the kids.  We always have a great time when we come visit you.