Heading to Zion

While pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked, etc. on their way to Utah, our children listened to audiobooks, drew with magnadoodles and ate pretzels and DumDums. So, pretty much the only thing the two groups of kids had in common is that they ended up in Utah.

We took a trip to Provo so we could see my super cute and extremely talented niece Nicole and so Brett could visit with some former colleagues at BYU. We learned that The Brick Oven not only still makes great pizza, but that the apple beer is maybe even better than before!


We learned that while lots of things on campus are different (LOTS of new buildings), we could still find our way around . . . mostly. But, then again, who COULD drive straight to the Bean Museum, even without all the construction.

Future Cougars?

We learned that we don't miss Stan's grocery store, because it is now The Creamery on 9th. We were served by the cutest girl there and had some dang good ice cream.

Nicole only NEARLY died of embarrassment when I snapped this picture. She was a good sport because I told her it was for her mom.

We stayed overnight with our good friends Michael and Emily Wardle in their beautiful new home, got to play with Joseph, Lily, Isaac and Emmy and feasted (and I mean feasted) at their table. And of course, Emily and I stayed up until all hours talking with the amused indulgence of our husbands. Worth every minute of lost sleep!

Then off to the Sampson Family Reunion at Heber Valley Camp, which lived up to all the good reviews I've heard about it.

Before heading to camp we ate lunch and played games at a local church house. Have you ever played The Pirate Game? If not, you have a treat in store. It was so much fun and generated the best pictures ever.

Then up to Heber Valley Camp. It is a beautiful location.


As beautiful as it is and as nice as the facilities are, one of the best parts of the camp is the challenge courses. They were a great way to get everyone interacting and to do something out of the ordinary.

This super high swing was one of the things that even the little kids got to do. Adults with a tow rope on a pulley would pull the kids high into the air. Then the kids let go and swing in huge arc between the trees. I was very happy they all had harnesses on.

Max took the first turn for our kids and loved every second. Can you see him all the way up there?



Then it was Elise's turn. She went almost as high as Max.


Her expression initially looks to be a smile. However, on closer examination, it looks a little more like 'frozen in terror.' But, she didn't complain, so I guess it was okay.


My heart nearly stopped beating when I heard Cameron's little voice call out "It's my turn." He just calmly walked up and put on a helmet.


And he did just fine. In fact, he had a blast.

Not the face of terror.

It was a short trip because Brett had to be at scout camp with Max earlier in the week. Then, we came home on Sunday in time to prepare Camille for Monday's girls camp and Brett's Tuesday departure for Tokyo. Short, but worth it.

Camp Fortunate and a Love of Stephen Ambrose

While breaking up a long drive to Utah a couple of weeks ago, we stopped at Clark Canyon Reservoir, near Dillon, MT, to eat some dinner. The place we chose wasn't just any old rest stop, but a historic memorial built on the site of Lewis and Clark's Camp Fortunate.

Camille knew right away the significance of this spot because she'd studied it in school. She was even able to tell us what happened there. If I were her age, I wouldn't have known what Camp Fortunate was. Even as an adult, I wouldn't have known except I had read Stephen Ambrose's account of Lewis and Clark's journey "Undaunted Courage."

I love reading Stephen Ambrose. He had a great gift for helping his reader to recognize what was extraordinary about the people and situations he chronicled. Whether discussing Eisenhower, Merriweather Lewis, Major John Howard, the building of the transcontinental railway or the men that stormed the Normandy beaches on D-Day, he reveals heroes and, though he probably wouldn't use this word himself, miracles.

Camp Fortunate was the spot at which Lewis and Clark had ended their river-bourne explorations and negotiated with the Shoshone for horses to continue their expedition. That sounds pretty dry until you read Ambrose's account of how important the negotiations were and the meeting between Sacajawea and her brother, the Shoshone chief, who she hadn't seen in years.


So, this stop, which could have just just satisfied the need for a picnic table, was instead an opportunity to reflect and marvel a little at what great things had been accomplished by those who had been there before us.

Thank you, Stephen Ambrose.

Falling, Floating on and Shooting Water

Hike to Shadow and Fern Falls

Two waterfalls, a couple of ponds and creeks later,
and Natalie clothes are still dry! Amazing!

Behind the Falls

Floating Teepee Creek

Camille tries to float without getting wet.

Max looking right at home

The Big Guns are Out



At some point, the kids figured out that you could splash whoever was floating down the creek by throwing big rocks into the water near the tube. Better yet, it gets the person on the tube REALLY mad. Since we don't trust everyone's aim, we put an end to that fairly quickly. It didn't take them long to take an end run around that rule by using water guns instead. Elise quickly turned into the Rambo of Teepee Creek.


Predictably, and much to Elise's dismay, what comes around goes around. She was decidedly unhappy when the squirt gun was turned on her. For such a cute kid she has a fearsome 'mad face.'

Elise gets an education about Karma

Just Playing

The Michael Jordan of Horeshoes

The Charles Barkley of Horseshoes
(or so Dad says)

Taking it Easy


Natalie was sad that Brett drove off in the truck without her.

So very sad

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!

Horsing Around with Dad

So Thirsty!