Snowbird's Octoberfest

We met everyone up by the park to share a terrific picnic planned by Grandma Judith.  The weather was ideal and the mountianside was gloriously colored to fall perfection.

Uncle Greg's new toy was a big hit with the guys...

Molly, Kelly and Sara pose for a quick picture inbetween grabbing crushed ice from the cooler.

Snowbird Grandma and some of her awesome Grandkids!

Enjoying some pool time - Missa is trying to get into the water FAST!

Splits anyone? Not sure if this pose has ever happened on these steps before. Hmmmm....water or not...Sara was excited to show that she finally has her right splits down.

Thanks for a very fun Saturday and for getting us far away from all of our Saturday chores!

CLEAR CREEK

Clear Creek is a great camp right near Scofield Reservoir. I was able to accompany Sara as a parent volunteer.  The picture above is the cabin where we slept. Sara opted to take the bus with all the other 5th graders. I understand that is much more fun than riding in a car with just your mom. We arrived ahead of the bus and set out all the lunches for them to eat as they arrived.  It was awesome to watch Sara walk off the bus ready for an adventure. She gathered up her gear and we checked them into the cabins. Of course most of the girls picked a top bunk right by friends!

Next we divided into groups and created a team name, made up a team cheer and designed a flag. Then it was off for a 1.5 mile hike...surrounded by beautiful trees, mountains, tons of colorful leaves and lots of deer.

This rope course was the all time favorite activity for this age. They were just wishing they had more time to complete more of the course. Everyone is kept very busy up here with many events that need to be completed in a short time. The evening consisted of skits and stories around the bonfire with hot chocolate and treats. Survivor rotations were enjoyed the next morning until it was time to go and eat lunch.

I'm so glad to be able to enjoy this time with Sara. Don't ask how I slept...it was very loud (should have packed some earplugs). I just can't wait to climb into my own bed tonight.

homemade pizza with the college crew - YUM!

I love this group of people! A table made up of crafty pizza makers and the best clean up crew ever. It is our tradition to make pizza with them.  Tonight we tried a new recipe: Thai Chicken Pizza with spicy peanut sauce. It tasted sooo delicious! Jake wins for best pizza crust.  Somehow he manages fluffing his dough just enough to make it have a nice double edge. Although, he does have an advantage from working at Pizza Pie Cafe. Very Good Times!

Beautiful Fall

 
Up American Fork Canyon the colors are breathtaking.  It's not every Fall when you get to see quaking aspen trees like this. Madi and I headed up 45 minutes before the rest of the YW/YM came up to get a fire going and set out the food/treats for the evening. We were pretty amazed that we could start a fire with only two matches. Girls camp training has paid off!

Girl Flour!

Flour tag with the beehives that ended up in a flour fight in the end. They loved it!

It's interesting that the simplest of activities turn out to be the

most fun!

 

Homecoming 2012

Emily & Jake

Cooper & Alli

Inside bottle: "Shore I'll go!"

Chucky-mania

Madi has some fun news.  She auditioned for Thriller (the crazy Halloween show) and got a Chucky-doll part.  She is so thrilled!! (no pun intended).   She will perform in about 6-8 different shows.  It will be a very busy October! Come see our little Chucky-doll :)

Picking Apricots @ Bear Lake

Along with eating shakes and french fries that Grandma and Grandpa buy...the girls found a Bonus...being able to pick apricots from a lonely tree in a desolate field. These are the kind of cousin memories you never forget.

School Picture Day~

new shirt ~ curled hair ~ beautiful smile!

Gynormous Slip 'n Slide - Best Ward Party Ever!

Everyone has been looking forward to this event for a long time. So many wonderful activities to do in a very wonderful place.

Yea, Madi you are the brave one - first to go from our family!

Alli's up!

Great Splashdown!

Derek and I try our first run together.  What a BLAST!!

Smiling, Screaming and Laughing all the way down...

Watching the fish make it down the slide and retrieving him after his video debut at the bottom. Now back in the pond he goes...

Most likely this was Jake's pose as he slid down so that he could film those sliding after him.

Or he'd flip forward to get those sliding in front.   It's all for a good video..

Climbing up to the top of the zipline.

Everyone loved the canoeing, paddle boats and rope swing...

Waiting their turn to "zip" across the pond...

Derek sets a new slide record...down the hill, onto the grass then body slide across the grass.  He is showing off his new "grass burn".  Not sure that was worth it, but he looked COOL for a moment until his record was claimed by Malcolm.

Sara comes down with a bunch of girls

I love the facial expressions!

Legs flying, arms frailing, bodies spinning.

Jake captured enough video of everyone that he has decided to make a video for the next ward activity.

Dinner and visiting for the rest of the evening. The atmosphere up here is so peaceful. On the way home the kids comments were..."that was the best ward party ever!"