The Last Camping Hurrah!

The last weekend of August we spent in the Colorado Rockies with our friends, the Nelsons - primitive camping. We drove on a rock-strewn path-type road straight up a mountain--- until we found a beautiful little lake - and pitched camp. It was perfect ( except for our missing family members!) The kids paddled around for hours on the little lake, Kerri and David fished - and I read, surrounded by wildflowers! It was so peaceful.

Jantzen - enjoying an early morning hot apple cider!

Jorin started our fire - even after a night's rainstorm soaked our wood! Hooray for scouts!

We went to Rifle Falls one day - enjoying the spectacular scenery and hike to the falls, cave exploring and a great swim in the river.

There were many caves to explore in this area - Jorin and Jantz loved it! We love camping and being in the outdoors - and this summer has afforded us many opportunities to get to know the little corner of the world we are currently in.

WHIRLWIND WEEK...

I wanted to share some of the pictures of our most recent crazy week...we had so much fun - had great visits, learned much, and enjoyed ourselves immensely!

Bethany, Jantzen, Nick, Jorin & Dennis

We drove to St. George on Thursday - we saw Robin's family and Katie's family and Grandma Reber. It was good to visit with them - that doesn't happen often enough - and it was great to see Trina before she moves to California.

We met the newest member of the family - Quintin Soli - what a sweetie!

I left on Friday afternoon - taking the St. George Shuttle to the Las Vegas airport - and flew to Seattle. After arriving very late - and getting my rental car, I drove to a very tiny town called Gold Bar, about 1 1/2 hours northeast of Seattle. I stayed in a dive of a motel - across the parking lot from the largest bar in town (yes, there was more than one) - where I think most of Gold Bar's 225 adult population were visiting that night. (Must have been payday!)

I took a two day class on how to build log homes - it was fantastic! There were 40 people in the class - from all over the US - and even 3 from Great Britain, 1 from Costa Rica & 1 from the Philippines. There were 3 other women in the class. We met for about 13 hours a day - with only 1 10-minute break and a 30 minute lunch break. It really was non-stop information - and I loved it!




I drove back to Seattle on Sunday night -returned the car - and rode to Longview with Melanie Kitchens. It was such a good visit! It was so nice of her to drive up there to pick me up. Haley and Jon met us there - at midnight - and we drove to Portland from there. We got to their apartment around 2 am - and stayed up until 4, talking...

It was so good to see them! Gannon has grown so much since we saw him in March -

Gannon is now mobile! - look out!

I had a fun - but way too short! - visit with Haley, Jon & Gannon - we walked around downtown Portland, visited Powells (of course!), enjoyed great Thai food and an incredibly rich chocolaty cupcake. I was even able to see Rachelle, Kristen and her kids! That was a bonus surprise. The time went quickly - and I hated to say goodbye.

I flew back to Las Vegas on Tuesday night - and Wednesday we headed back to Grand Junction. It was a fun-filled, educational and all-around good time! THANK YOU to Grandma and Katie for keeping Jorin and Jantzen while I was gone. I know they had such a good time playing with cousins & swimming.

OUR LITTLE SCOUTERS....

Here is Jorin after his 50-mile bike ride! He is still smiling - so it must not have been TOO hard! He did such a great job, despite a major flat tire about 20 miles in...I am so proud of him!

This is the boy scout group in our ward - Jorin was awarded the Emergency Preparedness , First Aid, Leatherwork, Cycling, Music, Fingerprinting, Woodworking, Reading, Cinematography and Environmental Science merit badges - along with his Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class rank. GOOD WORK, JORIN!

Jantzen did a great job in Girl Scouts this year too! She was awarded the top seller in her troop for Girl Scout cookies (over 400+ boxes)! She also earned badges for Money Sense, First Aid, Camp Together, Horse Rider, Outdoor Cooking, Drawing and Painting, Theater, Rocks Rock & Camera Shots! GOOD WORK, JANTZEN!

SISTERS ARE THE GREATEST!

Having Jorin as a big brother is so cool - Jantzen loves him so much....but there are some things he just can't do.... Jantzen depends on her big sisters for so many things, like.....

.....knowing which clothes are SO cute - and which ones are just not OK...
....having very fun sleepovers & late night parties
....showing her how to fix her hair pretty - and what to definitely not do...
....sharing which music is good to listen to
....feeling special and grown up - just like them
....making yummy treats (or buying them, in some cases!)
....providing her with a real live baby to love
....snuggling and talking and talking and talking....(OK, well, Jorin can do that one too...)
....trying on their high heels - the higher the better!

Jantzen loves being around Kiely, Haley and Devery. Every visit is a cherished event for her. They may not know how much of an influence they have in her life - but she looks up to them and watches all they do. I am so grateful to have these 3 excellent "sister" role models for her. Thank you for all the time you spend in helping her feel special!

MY DAD

My dad is always there for me,
he plays with me - he teaches me,
he loves to help me, and does whenever he can.
I like that he is always joking, he is hardworking and never gives up.
My dad is kind to others and is fair.
He is a good cook and a good eater. He never complains.
My dad always encourages me, even when things are hard for me.
My dad sets a good example for me of trying to do what's right.
Even when I do something wrong, I know that he loves me.
I love my dad so much, and hope I can be just like him.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY, DAD!

DADDY

My dad snuggles with me - and I love it...
he plays with me all the time - and I love it...
he loves to laugh with me - .and I love it...
he plays card games with me when I ask - and I love it...
he does flips with me - and I love it...
he gives me horsey rides - and I love it...
he provides for our family so we have things we need - and I love it...
I love him - he's the best dad in the world!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY, DADDY!

SMILE!

It is not that it was especially fun. I can’t really put my finger on it. We have done the same things, and even more before, with less of the effect. Much of our time was spent taking care of challenges and problems with one thing or another. Yes, I am sure that the previous prolonged absence had something to do with it. But, I have been walking around for the last few days in the illumination of that wonderfully peaceful and loving experience. Three days. Not even three full days. Three days of peace and happiness. Three days of just the basics, getting the car fixed, moving furniture, helping Devery get settled. These three days just sort of snuck up on me. Denise decided to come to Missouri to help Devery make the transition to a new university experience. And in the process I was the benefactor of her presence. There was peace, there was togetherness and closeness. We had a little din din, we watched a movie, we snuggled on the couch and we did some very nice and casual things, but nothing significantly out of the ordinary. I dropped her off at the airport this morning very early. We said our goodbyes and both went our separate ways and, yet every time I think about it……………the house still needs to be sold, she is still 16 hours and a time zone away, each of our individual situations still have their own set of challenges……….I don’t know what it is or how to explain it…………..the time we spent together this weekend…………just makes me…………….. smile.