I forgot my camera!!! Isn't that sad? Pictures would be much better but since I don't have any I will have to tell you about our trip. We decided to try a different spot for camping - I love Browne Lake but to get to it you have to go up a series of 8 or 9 STEEP switchbacks just past Manilla, UT. And since our Suburan is getting older and we are pulling roughly 2000lbs more than it is rated to be able to pull - Jared was worried about making it to the top. So, we went to Hoop Lake (elevation 9000ft). To get to Hoop Lake we still have to make it over the Three Sisters (three incredibly steep hills) outside of Evanston, WY and that was stressful enough, so I guess I am glad we didn't try to make it to Browne Lake (but Browne is still my favorite). However, to get to Hoop Lake you have 12 miles of rough dirt road to traverse to get to the campground. Consequently, upon arriving at the campground we discovered we had a flat tire on the trailer. We found a campsite and Jared had to pull in and fix the flat - we didn't have a jack that worked and the wrench that came with the trailer didn't fit the lugnuts on the tires. Luckily, there was a family camping a few sites down and the grandpa with them had every tool imaginable with him including a nice big jack. That was Thursday- changing flats, setting up camp, eating yummy tinfoil dinners. Jared and the kids did go fishing that night and they caught a few fish. Anders even caught one with his batman fishing pole so he was really excited about that!! I don't know how much fun Jared had as he spent most of his time untangling fishing line for five kids but the kids had a blast.
Friday we went on a little ATV ride but mostly played at the camp waiting for our friends to arrive (Lance and Reeni Crowther and their seven kids). The arrived about 1pm and then set up their camp and then about 3pm we went on a ride. I SOOO wish I had my camera to take a picture of us pulling out of camp. Jared was in the lead on his 4 wheeler with Anders, then Danica, Myles, Cade, Natalie, Lynnaea and Saige all on motorcycles. Then me on a 4 wheeler with Kiersten, then Reeni and Lance and their four youngest in a Ranger. A LONG Line of kids on motorcycles with a few 4 wheelers thrown in there. Unfortunately, the trail was NOT kid friendly. It was a more advanced trail -steep, big rocks, loose rocks, etc. Saige didn't want to ride anymore - Lynnaea wiped out twice (she was fine - she had elbow pads, shin guards and gloves) and didn't want to ride anymore so we ended up turning around and going back.
Saturday Lance and Reeni took us out on their boat on Flaming Gorge Dam. I love boating there. It is so beautiful. The red rock canyons lined with green trees - we saw a big rock outcropping that had an osprey nest and a mom feeding her babies. Thursday and Friday had been 90 degrees but then Saturday was overcast, cooler and rained on us several times but the kids still had a great time. The Crowthers have a big tube that fits three adults so we piled all the kids in and they took turns riding in the tube. I didn't think Anders would get in because the whole way there he kept saying he was NOT getting in the lake (last year we had a traumatic moment when mom made everyone get in a swim and Danica and Myles were freaking out and crying about "fish biting" them so then all the kids were crying and screaming to get out and Anders apparantly had not forgotten that). But when his friend Rylan climbed in - he climbed in too and then turned into the biggest show off ever!!! He was standing up on the tube putting his hands out like he was surfing and then he was doing headstands on the tube - it was hilarious. Jared tried it once too but I did not get in the water this time. I was the designated flag holder. ANyway, it was a super fun. However, on the way back to the campground we got a flat on the Suburan!!! That dirt road really was awful - it was harder on me than 4 wheeling - all the bumps and rocks and bouncing up and down. So, fun for Jared he got to change another flat. Really - I am not much help these days since I can barely manage to walk.
Sunday we went on a ride in the morning with the Crowthers again before they had to leave. This trail was sooo much better. The kids did great. Lynnaea was excited she didn't wipe out - and it was by a river that was really pretty plus we saw a big herd of antelope. It was fun. Nice ride except I got kinda dehydrated and was contracting like crazy but good times had by all. The Crowthers left Sunday afternoon so we had FHE and then watched a movie with the kids (actually I think Jared and I slept and the kids watched the movie) and then Jared and the kids went fishing again while I made dinner.
Monday we decided to drive to Vernal to get both flats fixed so we weren't stranded without spares. It was further than we thought - about a 2 hour drive - but we ate lunch and actually bought four new tires for the suburan and had the trailer tire fixed and then took the kids to the Dinosaur museum. Vernal was HOT - 100 degrees but very pretty - the whole main street is lined with hanging flower pots and big flower pots on the sidewalk. The museum was fun but HOT. Then we drove back to camp - Jared and the kids went fishing for a little while and then we decided to go home because we were out of water. So, we packed up and drove home. And I don't know how people drive at night with kids (I have several friends who have told me that is the best time to drive). Our kids (all five) were fighting and bawling and whining and it was a miserable drive home. But we arrived alive - scrubbed the kids up in the tub and fell exhausted into our own heavenly bed with no mosquitos. Fun, fun.
Yesterday I took the kids to Fort Buenaventura for the pioneer day festival. Once again I forgot my camera. But it was pretty fun. The kids made a coaster out of sheep wool, a candle, milked a pretend cow and made butter, watched a sheep get sheared, did some wood carving and then we went on a canoe ride. Danica and Myles paddled the whole time and they did great. I just sat up front and directed. It was very hot though so when we got home we made smoothies. Yummy. And now here I am at work. Not so fun. All well. Hope you have a good day.Megan
Danica and Lynnaea wanted to ride in the parade this year. They dressed up in their cowgirl gear and off they went!!! A HUGE THANK YOU to Uncle Wyatt who came down and did ALL the work. THANK YOU WYATT! I wish I would remember to use my camera more - he had all the kids out washing and shampooing Fahs Elle and brushed her and got her all fancied up. He loaded her in the trailer and took her into Morgan (Jared was at work and there is no way I am up for that right now.) Danica and Fahs Elle did good the whole parade but at the end when all the parade participants are milling around at the fairgrounds - the wind started howling and thunder and lightning and the motorcross bikes were revving their engines and anyway - Fahs Elle got a little nervous and Danica and Lynnaea did not know what to do - so luckily some guy was there and held Fahs Elle for them until I got there and then Wyatt shortly after. 
Myles wanted to be in the parade as well - so he rode his motorcycle. We didn't do anything creative - we came up with a whole bunch of ideas for next year. Myles had fun though!!
