Island Park

Every year my mom's side of the family gets together to go to Island Park and camp for a week. Gary and I just started going last year. I am NOT a camper in any way, shape or form. I don't like to get dirty or smell like campfire, I like sleeping in my own bed and I want a flushing toilet at my beck and call. But we actually had fun last year (my aunt and uncle were gracious enough to let us stay in their cabin there) and McKay of course loves the dirt, the food (treats), the fire and all the kids to play with. Unfortunately, Sherry and Jay sold their cabin which meant....we had to tent it. BOO!!! All the other families besides my parents and siblings have trailers but since none of us love camping, we don't even own much camping gear. Gary's family loves to camp and that is usually the family trip each year so we have a few essentials..but not a ton. I was worried about taking a 2 month old and a free-spirited 2 year old but it wasn't too bad.

In order to spare the other campers of Miles's cries in the night when he wakes up to eat (he only wakes up once between 5:30am-6:30am), I decided to sleep in the back of our van with him. I thought it would be a little warmer as well. It was but it was not as comfy as I was hoping. Oh well, it worked for us. Gary shared a tent and a flat air mattress (looks like we need to re-stock our camping gear!) with McKay. McKay would start on one side of the air mattress and through the right would rotate around Gary's head and end up waking up on the ground next to the air mattress. No blankets or anything but Gary says he never woke up and fussed. Gary on the other hand didn't sleep as well due to the traveling 2 year old! We went for 3 days and the consensus was we were glad we went!

We boated for 2 days and did a lot of tubing since the lake was so crowded. My dad rented 2 jet skis and those were enjoyed by all. On our last day I got a really good ski run in that made my whole trip. I learned to ski behind my uncle's boat probably about 15 years ago and it is still my favorite boat to be pulled behind. He is a pro-driver too though! We had so much good food. Every family was in charge of one meal and provided food for everyone. Lunch and snacks were on your own. Both boys were pretty good although I don't think Miles was put down AT ALL and when we got home, we had to go through a little rough period when he realized it wouldn't be the same treatment at home! And McKay found every treat to be had in camp and always wanted, "Sugar!" or "Nummy!" So fun to see and visit with family we don't live around. Thanks to my sister-in-law for the pictures. Yes, I brought my camera but didn't get it out once. I fail at picture taking!

 So this little girl adores Miles. She was always asking to hold him. She even admitted, "He is just so beautiful, he takes my breath away!" Out of the mouth of babes. Love her, love him!

 McKay taking the reins on the jet-ski with daddy.

 Riding the tube with the youngins'. Felicity and McKay were having a blast. Every little wave McKay was laughing and saying, "Bump, bump, bump!"

 Felicity and McKay..favorite cousins.

 The kids were making a "magic potion."

  I adore this face!

More tube rides

Gone Fishin'

Once again my sister hooks us up with fun things to do this summer. Our latest adventure was going fishing. There is a trout farm in North Ogden. It is free to fish and they provide the rods. All you do is buy a little fish food, hang your line into the pond, throw some food in and literally hundreds of fish are jumping all over your hook. So, it isn't that hard to catch them. You have to keep what you catch but you take your fish into a little building there and they clean and fillet the fish for you. You pay for that to be done to your fish (and that is kind of pricey) but it's the whole experience. Once again, McKay wasn't afraid at all and was so excited to see all of the FISH! He loves water so much I thought he was going to get in and swim with them!

 Just waitin' for a nibble

My sister took this picture with my i-phone. I don't know how to make it bigger but I had no idea his hat was over his eyes until I looked back through the pictures. Poor boy couldn't even see the fish he caught!

A Boy Loves Him a Horse

McKay loves him some horses, or as he so fondly calls them, "Papa's horses!" Any horse he sees is "Papa's horse." No, my dad does not own any horses but most Sunday's we go to my parents house for dinner. After eating, Papa takes him and Chase on a wagon ride to see and sometimes feed a neighbor's horse some carrots. I guess he doesn't quite understand that they aren't "Papa's horses"...but just the fact that whenever he gets to get close to a horse, he is usually with Papa.

Well, Shani's mother-in-law, Jan, works with a nurse who owns some horses. Horseback riding was on Jeneveve's "dream" list of things to do in her lifetime. (She is 3). Jan was kind enough to ask her friend if she would let a whole bunch of kids ride her horses. So off we went to ride horses...well, at least the kids. Let me just say, McKay is not afraid of anything or anyone. The horses were brought out of the trailer and he was the first to go up to this little pony and start "introducing" him self to the little fella. 

 McKay and Jeneveve riding together...their helmets kept hitting each other with each bounce.

McKay acted like a total natural on the horse. After one circle around the ring, we looked up to see him with one hand on the saddle horn and one hand resting on his knee...looking like a total cowboy! He is awesome!!! I keep wondering what he is going to be or do when he grows up???