Mamma's Campout

Last week the mama's packed up the kids and all the camping gear and headed to the mountains for three days. Well, it wasn't exactly the mountains. We went to Sedona and camped in a really nice campground that had a creek running through it and was only 5 minutes from town. According to my count we had 12 mama's & 42 kids - NO DAD'S - but some of the other girls who have already blogged about this have different numbers. I think there were so many of us it was impossible to get an accurate count.

The Hanna's got off to a ruff start. We had to make a potty stop on the way there so we got separated from the group and then I couldn't find the turn-off to the campground. I spent about 30 minutes driving back and forth along the same 2 mile stretch of road before I finally got someone on their cell to help me out. Then I had a hard time putting up my tent (something I've never done by myself before), my adaptor for my air mattress pump wouldn't work, I had a dead battery in the van, I fell in the creek in my clothes (which really wasn't too bad because I thought I was going to melt from the heat), I set my tent up on an ant hill and had to move it, I burned my arm on the lantern (that one's gonna leave a scar) and I failed to close my food tote all the way when it rained and all my dry stuff got wet. Honestly, by the end of the first day I just wanted to go home. But thanks to great friends and a decent nights sleep (which never happens while I'm camping) the next day was great.

We had quite a campsite.

We spent our day hiking and playing in the caves.

Playing in the creek.

Just hanging out.



Digging in the dirt and making cool Stick Art.

Roasting marshmallows & magically making them disappear (not by eating them).

You'd think it would be my 4 year old who had the dirtiest face but no, it was my 8 year old, who always has a dirty face -- even at home. He kind of looks a bit crazy here.

A little stick pulling.

Making new friends -- this is only one of the two tarantulas we saw during our stay and unfortunately it got squished. Bekki really tried to protect it but there were just too many small feet running around.



And sitting around the campfire with our buddies.

It was a great trip and when Larry asked me if I would do it again I only hesitated a couple of seconds before I said YES!

Things I will remember for next time:

Don't leave my headlights on in the van.

Wear more sunscreen.

Bring a battery operated pump for the air mattress.

Bring HEAVY DUTY tent stakes.

Check the ground for ants, sharp rocks & inclines before setting up my tent.

Don't share a tent with anyone.

And most important -- remember to laugh, even at the things that frustrate me. It makes the situation much more bearable.

I can't wait till next year.

4th of July

Saturday we went to Payson for a family reunion. It was so nice to be out of the scorching heat. I was too lazy to take any pictures -- I set my chair under a tree and for the most part just sat there enjoying the warm (not hot) weather.

After the reunion we met up with some friends to watch the fireworks. I loved how green everything was.

LeAnn & Natalia were prepared with flags, star bubbles & glow sticks. Thank goodness because I didn't bring anything.

Here are the boys playing a game of football before the show began.

And the guys just kicking back -- relaxing.

So many friends!

Once the fireworks began everyone settled down to watch the show.

Jaxson made a new friend. He kept calling Cass his buddy and wouldn't sit by anyone else during the fireworks.

As usual Jake was asleep before it was over.

We made the drive home afterwards so it was a late night for us but totally worth it. We loved the fireworks and loved being out of the heat. I think we might make this a tradition for our family.

All-stars

Haley's softball team went to All-stars and took second place in the district. To be honest about it there were only two teams that competed in her age group but years from now when people are looking at that giant trophy they won't know there were only two teams!

They worked really hard practicing every night for two weeks to prepare. Haley really loves playing softball and has improved a lot this past season. She has learned how to play a new position, catcher, and is really good at it.

A little playing action.

She had excellent coaches and made a lot of new friends on the team. Overall it was a great season!

Great job Haley!

Mountain Men

The boys had a Cub Scout Day Camp today and it had some kind of a "Mountain Man" theme. They brought home these pictures. Apparently the knife that they are both holding in the picture is REAL and that is soooo "Awesome"!

Aren't they cute!

I'm not sure what look Jake was trying to achieve here??

Father's Day

We are so blessed to have such a wonderful daddy in our family. We tried to show him how much we love him by giving him some really cool gifts. The boys made him ceramic mugs that they formed and decorated all by themselves out of clay and Haley bought him a really nice card. As a family we bought him a new wallet that is made especially for pilots. It has a special insert to carry his pilot's license and medical certificate.

We also gave him and all the other daddy's in our family, including grandpa, a three day fishing trip -- just the guys, no kids and no women. They were all very excited. They spent an hour around the table planning and deciding where they were going to go. We heard places like Colorado & Mexico (they're dreaming) but I think they finally decided on someplace up on the Rim (that's more like it).

They boys also went to a primary activity on Saturday where they decorated ties for him. This is what he looked like in church.

His ties were pretty mellow compared to some of the other men who had big bright feathers on theirs.

We love our daddy very much and we hope he had a wonderful Father's Day!

Weekend in Greer

We spent the weekend in Greer for my sister Kelly's wedding. The weather was perfect, the scenery was beautiful and the bride was gorgeous!

The wedding took place at the Greer Lodge so we rented a couple of big cabins there and squished the whole family into them. It was crowded and chaotic, which is about the norm for us when we get the whole family together but it is also a lot of fun. We got there Friday evening just in time for me to slip out the door and across the street to the Bachelorette party -- my first one ever -- which I will definitely not go into detail about. Saturday morning after a big breakfast, thank you chef grandma, we did a little decorating. Because the wedding was outside we started to worry when it got windy & rainy. As far as the weather goes, in general, it was awesome -- 70 degrees & overcast with light sprinkles -- I loved it, but for an outside wedding, not so awesome. After the decorating we had a few hours to have a little fun. The girls stayed in the cabin and played games and the boys went fishing. The Lodge has several ponds that you can fly fish in. They stock them so the fish were plentiful and hungry. I think each of the boys caught about 8 or 9 fish.

Jake wouldn't touch the fish so he used a net.

Nate wasn't afraid. He loved his little fish.



I think Larry won the prize for catching the biggest fish. Too bad we had to throw them all back.

My cute kids hanging out at the cabin. They are so goofy!

When it was time for the wedding miraculously the sun came out and the wind died down (a little). Kelly looked so beautiful and happy. The whole wedding was just perfect.

These are her four boys. They walked her down the aisle. They were so sweet in their little tuxes, it actually made me cry.

My sweet little family.


All of my sisters except for Sarah. One of her boys had fallen asleep during the ceremony so she took him back to the cabin. We took another picture later at the reception with her in it but I didn't get one on my camera.


My man in Black.


The reception was in Springerville at the rodeo grounds. We had lots of good food and great music. The kids danced their little hearts out.




Haley danced with her dad.


And I danced with my boys.

And I think they had a little too much fun with the sparkling cidar.

After the reception we took a dip in the hot tub back at the cabin. The air outside was cold and the water was hot.


The next morning while the adults were packing and cleaning up the kids were having fun in the hot tub again. There was a small river that ran right behind the cabin and the kids were running and jumping in the river and then back in the hot tub. Crazy kids -- that water was freezing!

And then a fun game of baseball before the drive home. Isn't that scenery just awesome! I could definitely live up in these mountains. I love the smell of the pine trees and all the green. It's just beautiful.


Congratulations to Kelly & Gerard. We are so happy for you and are grateful that we were able to share this special day with you. We love you!