Cabin Trip: Part One

I had to split the telling of last week's cabin trip into two parts because: WARNING! There are a lot of pictures. This round should actually be part two, as these pictures show us at Eric's aunt and uncle's cabin, and we spent the first part of the week at my dad's family cabin. But Eric was the photographer during that time, so the pictures are on his fancy-schmancy camera, and the artiste in him won't give me access- even if I dared- until he's doodled with them. And I got tired of waiting, so we're doing this out of order. Part One!



I tried to get pictures of us all doing our favorite things. Eric, fishing....



Riley's favorite thing was playing with Kyson, who came down with his mom and dad on the weekend. But I spaced getting a picture with them together- again- so this shows her playing with the Tinker Toys airplane that she and Eric made. A tie for second place favorite would have been a picture with her and Matt, Stephanie's gentleman friend. Riley looooves him.



Iris, eating, of course. Love. She's smiling because she knows there is a huge box of Cup O' Noodles behind her.





There should be a picture of me reading, or playing some form of cards. But we didn't get one.





Matt found a horned lizard guy on one of our walks and got Riley to hold him.

Where animals are concerned, she'll smile for the camera. Maybe we should have brought the lizard along with us?

No halo.

Halo. Huh?

Group shot on our walk to Tommy Creek. Again with the no smiling Riley. I'd settle for a glare if she'd just look at the camera.

All our family pictures will show her back.

They found a birds nest on their walk to the "big" rock the next day. And since it involved an animal, Riley was all smiles and poses.

She is so adorable. I wish we could record more of this.

Of course we chose to go to Bryce Canyon on the one day it stormed. And Riley got car sick and threw up on the way there. We didn't stay too long, but long enough to snap a few pictures.

Love the mohawk.

Trying to show more of the canyon.

Our Hiatt friends

Stephanie and her gentleman friend, Matt.

Throwing sticks over the bridge with Grandma Pat the next day.

The customary front porch picture on our last morning.

Thank you, Marilyn and Gerry, for letting us visit your wonderful cabin. It was one of the best vacations we've ever taken!

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

My family has been going to Jackson Hole to run the Snake River each July for years and years. It's been one of my favorite trips, especially since Eric and I have been married and he's come along. It's so fun to watch him experience and enjoy what's been such a big part of my life. This year we brought along sister-in-law Stephanie, as well as our friends Melanie and Tyler, with their little boy Kyson. He and Riley are the best of pals, and will probably marry one day. Melanie got all the pictures of them together-- I'll have to snag them so I can post. She got one of them snuggling on the same camp chair. Awwww.

I'm not entirely sure I was supposed to blog the following two pictures. But if I wasn't, they really shouldn't have made it possible. This is my dad rowing, Tyler in the back and Stephanie and some of my parents friends in the front. Watch Stephanie eat it.


And then the grin.

We had Iris in her pack and play, but the nights get so cold, so I bundled her up pretty good. It might have been overkill.

Look at those rosy cheeks.

Playing around on the boats in between runs.

Iris will be our next oarsman... er, woman.

Couldn't get them in fast enough

Our little group. If I look awkward and uncomfortable, it's because I was. Riley kept slamming her weight (which isn't much, but still) into me unexpectedly, so I was braced.

Twilight

I'm a Twilight fan. So sue me. I own all the books, have the special edition movie, and the soundtrack. Don't judge. Back in, oh, about April, I saw that the Scera Theater here in Orem was showing movies on their outdoor screen during the summer. Guess what played two nights ago? Oh yes! Twilight! I'd been planning on going since I read about it in April. I went with a few friends and we had a really fun time. There were definately some crazies there and we ended up next to some of them. I'm all about the hooting- even did some of it myself-- but don't quote the movie word for word in a loud voice. I was forced to 'shush' them... loudly.

I guess they meant it when they said "large" soda and popcorn. After I ordered and had to walk back to our seats, I felt like such a heffer!

Riley's dance performance

Riley had her dance concert a few weeks ago, and I'm just now getting around to posting the pictures. There were three dances, but these only show the costumes of two. It's about the most adorable thing I've ever seen.

California

We went to California last week to visit Eric's grandpa-- it was awesome! We had such a good time! Eric and Riley drove out two Saturdays ago with Patti and Stephanie, and Iris and I got to fly there the next Monday. Usually I miss out on things because I'm still nursing (i.e. river trip). Not this time! Ha! I love to fly, and Iris was a gem.

We went to the beach several times, but unfortunately Riley got salt water in her mouth and eyes on the first wave. It was hard to convince her to get back in after that. We had dinner and ice cream at Ruby's, the diner at the end of the pier on Seal Beach. I love that place-- so quaint. Eric, Stephanie, and I went to a Dodger's game and watched the fireworks after, which was very fun. We went to Disneyland-- Riley and Iris's first time, and my first time since I was about 10. I was a little aprehensive on top of my excitment; I thought the kids would drag and make things miserable. Just the opposite! They were so great! Riley had such a blast, and Iris was a trooper with only one nap. We loved it! Unfortunately Riley is going through a new stage where she covers her face in all pictures, but that's OK. That was an all day adventure, of course, and we took time to recuperate the next day. Eric and I were able to see our good friends Drew and Sarah, who moved out there last year, which was great. We have so much fun with them, and wish we could see them more often.

The main purpose of the trip was to get Eric's grandpa's car, to replace the Civic lost in the wreck. It's a Lincoln Towncar, baby! We're riding in style! After a few mishaps, we got home safely on Saturday night (or Sunday morning-- it was about 1:30 am...).

It was such a good trip. Patti, Stephanie, and Grandpa were all great-- thank you!





I have pictures almost exactly like this from two summers ago when we visited. They're both even wearing the same coats. We should shop more.


Very stoic


Right after Iris tried to eat the pole


Tinker Bell's friend, Faun was so bored... no wonder Riley wouldn't look at her


Even Tink herself couldn't get the hands down

River Trip

A few weeks ago, Eric and Riley got to go on a five day river trip with my family. Boo hoo, once again, I had to stay home. I actually thought I would revel in the solitude, but it turned out to be a very lonely time for me. I'm glad Eric and Riley could go, and even more glad they were safe and had a good time. I didn't used to be such a worry wort, but I was concerned the whole time they were gone! There were a few kids on the trip, which was good for Riley, and they both loved the rapids! Here are a few pictures:

Sweet Summer

Unusually enough, I haven't been posting because we've been off having fun. It's been such a great summer so far! Eric would heartily disagree, but I'd say the weather has been perfect, we've had a blast with the kids, and an unusual ammount of time together. Eric's work has been really slow, which is rough on our bank account, but so much fun for our family. At first, I have to say it was srtange to have him here so much-- I'd gotten used to him being gone. But I'm accustomed to it now, which means it'll be all the harder when he starts school again in the fall. Oh well-- I just won't think of it.

The girls are doing great, and loving summer. Riley doesn't understand it yet, but she'll be starting pre school in the fall, so we've been trying to let her have all the fun possible this summer. She runs wild a lot of the time, and I bless our next door neighbors daily for having a trampoline, swings, and a slide in their backyard-- not to mention a lot of grandkids! Our pool is open, and she's leaning to swim, and getting pretty good. Her fearless attitude about it leaves me cringing often, but I don't want her to grow up as a wimp, so I try to hold in my gasps.

Iris is almost 11 months-- I can't believe she'll be a year old soon. Just can't believe it. She continues to turn up her nose at pureed baby food, but just loves grown up food. Other than sweets, of course, and honey, I think she's eaten just about everything we eat. She had a half a can of spaghettios and a Riley-size portion of enchiladas for lunch the other day. Not kidding. She's crawling like a maniac, pulls herself up to stand, and is beginning to cruise and to stand on her own for short periods of time. I'd like to put off the walking for as long as possible, now she's not behind on her moter skills anymore. She's a happy baby, and we sure love having her around.

Eric and I are just enjoying our time together, although we have had our share of tiffs about whether or not the air conditioning should be on. He battles our yard almost daily, and we've both got some quality reading done. I'm reminded each day why this is my favorite season.