Island Park with the Bleak's

 Our last vacation of the summer was Island Park with all of my side of the family. In the past we had done Bear Lake for years but the cabin was no longer available through my friend, Sis. Maynes so we decided to do Island Park. We split up into two cabins because we couldn't find a cabin big enough for all of us but it worked out. A little confusing with lack of communication between the two cabins but it made for less chaos throughout the day. 

We first drove up to Idaho and stopped by mine and Jennie's friends house, Nick Terry. We met up with him at our 20 year high school reunion a few weeks earlier and told him we were heading to Island Park. He Brought us a bunch of bagel sandwiches from his bagel shop he owns and showed us around his little farm. After that, he and his wife were nice enough to take us to Bear World. Benson was asleep the whole first time so after they went on a few little rides and got ice cream, we decided to drive through again. 

We got to the cabin in the evening and met up with everyone. That night we just played some games and got instructions for the spoon assassin game. That was a huge highlight for the kids AND adults alike. I wasn't into it because I didn't want to have to hold a spoon for 4 days straight so Carter got me out super fast. Stephanie and Sophie were the winners of the game and Sophie got lots of people out. 

Boose had brought acrylic paint pens and so the grandkids LOVED painting rocks the whole time. There were some pretty cute ones. 

We saw moose a few times! That was so neat. I had never seen one that close, but there was a fence between us so I felt pretty safe :). 

Kristen and Andrew were so gracious to bring their boat and take us boating every day we were there! Emma did awesome at surfing and really liked that (except the bad rope burn and bruises). Reese, Nora and Lucy all got to learn how to knee board and that was super fun for them. Lucy and Andie had crashed into each other and got hurt (Andie got really hurt) but I was so proud of Lucy for trying again! The other thing the kids liked was the portable/blow-up dock to jump off of and throw each other in. 

I am realizing I need to not worry about being cold so much and jump in and try to have more fun. I REALLY REALLY hate being cold but really that prohibits me from enjoying a lot of activities with my Kidds and family....so I am going to make a goal to not worry about it so much and just JUMP IN- to whatever activity it is. I did go surfing once and it was fun but boating just isn't my favorite thing ;).

On Saturday morning we took Grandma and Grandpa with us and drove to Mesa Falls. It was absolutely gorgeous! It was barely raining on and off on the drive there but we got out and the rain had stopped until we had watched the falls for about 10-15 minutes and then the rain started coming down! It wasn't quiet long enough for me but it was still worth the drive. 

Just some other random pics. We had a great time with all of our extended family like always! We'll see what next year brings. 

(Lucy holding baby Ivie)

Reese Soccer Camp & First Soccer Club

 Reese and her friend Kenzie Waite got to go to a BYU soccer camp together. They had a blast! Maybe next year they can do it again and sleep over on campus. I'm grateful for such a good friend for her. 

Reese is part of a soccer club team for the first time! They have been practicing together since the beginning of June and participated in their first tournament the end of July and won it in their age group/division! We were told by coach Kyle that she may not get much playing time to begin with but as she works hard and learns the skills necessary then she can get more playing time. But we were pleasantly surprised that she played at least half or more of the games. 

This club team is such a great team to be a part of. The coach (from what I've been told and observed) is a really, really excellent coach and she is getting great help from him. The girls on the team have been very nice and welcoming and encouraging so far. It's been almost a little too much but she's also enjoying it a lot. On her Rec team they would have one practice a week and then one game each Saturday for 6-7 weeks. But with club it's 3 practices a week and one game. So 4 times a week has been more to get used to with school and music and such but she's doing great. And it's so fun to cheer her and her team on at the games! Cade is absolutely loving it. 

The Young's in Town & All the Adventures!

 After driving back from our Ririe, Idaho trip we got back to the Young cousins! It was the 4th of July when we got back and so we got to do a BBQ and games and fireworks with them. I took the older 7 kiddos to the big firework show down the road while all the other adults and kids watched from the treehouse. 

Friday we went to Tibble Fork to paddle board along with the other hordes of people in Utah county. But it was still fun even though it is always packed. When Reese and Taft got on a paddle board, they didn't come back for a very long time :). 

In the evening we took the older 4 cousins to the temple to do baptisms for the dead while Grandma was working her evening shift. 

Monday we celebrated Cade's birthday in the evening by going to a pool and eating pizza. The morning though, he showed up at work with a Star Wars surprise and in the afternoon we brought treats for his team. 

Wednesday we celebrated Tess's birthday during the day and Grandpa's birthday in the evening. For Tess, we went to the Thanksgiving Point Farm. They had a train ride and horse rides and a really neat new park. The pigs were extremely smelly but the turkeys were huge and funny. The kiddos loved it. 

Just some cute pics of Benson and cousin Heath. They don't interact too much but kind of just play next to each other :). 

We rented tubes from Mort's Rentals and we up the canyon to float the Provo river. Grandma and Grandpa even floated it with us! It was SO much fun! 

The last morning we went on a hike up to the Timpanogos Caves. Grandpa and I did took the 7 oldest grandkids while Tara and Gma kept the younger 4 back at home. The hike was hard and long and fairly steep the whole time but the kids were troopers. The caves were longer and much cooler than I remembered. So much fun. But after the hike and eating at Pizza Pie Cafe it was time for them to pack up and leave. It's always hard to say goodbye. We had so much fun with them!