It's the end of the summer as we know it.....

Summer projects are done for the year, including Vaughn's awesome pergola. It was not an easy project, but he finished it and it sure makes the backyard fun and romantic. It will be great when the vines grow up the poles and across the top to give us fragrant shade!

One last summer event was planned for this last Friday before school. We were going to try to squeeze in a trip to San Diego, but it seemed a little hectic, so we thought about where to go in our own beautiful state that we had not been to yet. The Great Salt Lake was the place to go!

The scenery was absolutely beautiful!
Our desolate looking picnic table. It was fun to be out in that space, thinking about our pioneer heritage arriving here and making this place blossom as a rose! (Atleast we had a table and shade!)

Going to the beach... the Salt Lake Beach!

Floating really was a trip! Amazing! The swimming really was great! Warm water, floating along. It seemed therapeutic!

Driving around Antelope Island was so cool with the roaming animals. It was such a fun day, we will defiantly do that again!

Can you see the snake?



And so finally,

It's time to change the look of our cubby from summer cubby to................... school cubby! Am I ready? Tomorrow is the big day!

Does anyone think summer break was WAY TOO SHORT? I do, but it was a great summer vacation loaded with adventure and lots of memories!

LAST MINUTE SUMMER FUN!

Summer vacation is on the count down and we squeezed in a few last minute activities, including Lagoon. I wasn't looking forward to this constantly cried for "carni" but it actually was a really fun day! In fact, I'd go again! It really was fun. Sasha was absolutely FEARLESS and went on every ride, including "Wicked" which takes you straight up hill and then straight down and thru a couple of cork screws. The straight up and down part looked intimidating to me, but she wasn't scared. She did all the rides without blinking an eye! Here is Shaun on a boat ride. His favorite ride, of course, was driving the car. I don't know why we don't have a picture of it. (We do have video.) I guess we have all seen him driving a car enough!
One of the best parts of the day was the stop in the fountains to cool off. It made us all feel soooo much better once we were soaking wet! It was GREAT! Here is Kaleb.





I did it too. (I have my head bent over,next to the girl in the blue shorts.) Ohhh, it felt great!

DRENCHED!

Log ride....

Tilt-a-whirl..... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here we are camping for a few days. Thanks go to Grandpa, who always reserves us a spot up the canyon. He is the BEST Grandpa, especially for fun camping experiences. Here we are setting up a tarp over the picnic table. I was the first to offer my shoulders...no picture of my ultimate sacrifice. Here is Vaughn taking over for me. THANKS! In the end, Grandpa tied a block of wood to the end of the rope and threw it over a higher branch altogether. (Smartie pants!)
Cousin time!
The fish they caught at Payson Lake, where we camped. WOW! They will tell stories about this one for years....and nobody will believe them! (Ha Ha)
Frying it up in a pan.....

Kyle enjoying the great outdoors. Here is Kyle getting used to the temperature of the water. Looks like it must be nice!


Grandpa picked up these rafts for some summer sailing. After awhile, all the kids got in with their life jackets for a swim.

Gottcha!!!!!! Shaun enjoying the outdoors, too. (Gosh, I wish camping bathroom trips were this easy for me!) Hey, check out that tan. JEALOUS!

Night 2 of the fun! Grandpa made delicious chicken and we all enjoyed the food, smors and company.

Thanks Grandpa for the good time and memories! We all love you!