Bear Lake Family Reunion 2008

We had our annual Bear Lake Family Reunion again this year. It came a little later than usual, but was still a lot of fun. We got up to the Cabin Sunday evening and got settled in. Mom and Dad got the master bedroom as usual, and the rest of the family spread out into different rooms. Jeff and Brooke ended up sleeping way up high in the loft. The small kids thought it was their own special playroom. We had a good dinner and visited and played some fun games. We finally got the kids into bed, Nate found the X-box, and we played with it and visited until late. The next morning, we loaded up the boat and all the family and drove up to the North Beach. When we got there, it was closed and we could not launch the boat. We decided to stay and play on the beach, but it was so cold and windy, we only lasted about a half hour. During that time, we had a fun game of Dirty Diaper Tag where we tried to hit each other with a rolled up diaper. Jeff and Amy had a game of chase and wrestle in the cold sand. We then decided to go to the Garden City Beach and see what it was like. It was beautiful and warm. We launched the boat and spent most of the day on the water and at the beach. Ali prepared lunch, we played in the water, wake boarded, and Mom did the annual sand dig for the family. She burried toys and candy in the sand over a 100 foot area and everyone had a good time digging for treasure. One of the hits on the beach this year was a teather ball game which everyone played and had fun with. I'm not sure who the champions were. Mike, Ali and their family left late Monday night. We were sad to see them go, but still had fun without them. Tuesday we went to the beach in the morning and had fun until a big rain storm hit us. We all crammed into our Mazda Tribute and went back to the cabin. The girls decided to go on a shopping trip and the guys stayed at the cabing and played. We later watched a movie and decided to go back to the beach. We capped off the day with a great meal at the Bear's Den Stakehouse. We got kids in bed and played games the rest of the night. Wednesday, we slept in, had a good lunch and went to the beach for awhile. It was really cold that day, so we did not stay long. In the afternoon, Mom, Dad, Brooke, and Jeff loaded up, help clean the cabin and left for home. Amy, Nate, and their family stayed the night and left the next day. The twins were great little campers and did not fuss at all even in the cold times at the beach. We had a great time and look forward to next year. Hopefully we can plan it when Angie and Kevin's families can come also. Hear is the cabinMom and Dad keeping the twins warm
Brooke and her cards
Mom and Addi
Gage and Addi at the cabin
Amy and Addi on the shopping trip
Addi wanted to ride the rides, but they were shut down
Amy and Addi wanted to ride, so Mom provided the power
The twins napping
Amy,Nate and their family at the beach

Mom and Dad with Grey and Scout

Mike and Ali playing swing ball
Scout, Addi, Izzy and Gage outside the cabin
View of Bear Lake from our Cabin Deck
Jeff, Brooke and Addi at the cabin


Mike and Jeff playing swingball

Nate teaching Addi to play
Grey
The Sand Dig was really fun for all
More at the Sand Dig



Ali, Scout, Izzy and Grey

Izzy, Brooke, Scout and Addi
Our little camp site
Izzy, Gage, Addi, and Scout on the Catamaran
Mom doing her favorite thing...holding a baby




Grey with the beach ball

The Moomba....
Grey and his friend
Addie playing at the beach
Addi, Izzy and Gage playing at the beach





Scout up on North Beach

Dad and Izzy exploring on North Beach
Brooke and Scout on North Beach
Jeff and Brooke finding shells on North Beach
Could not launch the Moomba on North Beach






Trying to stay warm at North Beach

Dad and Scout worn out after a long day at the beach
North Beach
Mom and Grey at North Beach...Not happy.
Scout and Addi at the cabin

Payson City Onion Days Parade

The annual Labor Day Parade at Payson lived up to my expectations. Since I have only been to a handful of parades over the years, I decided I would go and be a good sport and stay for the whole parade no matter what. I did secretly pray for rain so none of the family would want to go, but it did not rain at first. Mom, Jeff and I went down a couple of hours early and set up our chairs in front of the old middle school. Mom stayed and read a book while Jeff and I went home and got warm. I fixed a big thermos of hot chocolot for mom and took it back down. Soon Amy and Nate and their four kids came, and Mike and Ali and their family got there. We were all cold, but we bundled up and waited for the parade to start. As the parade started, it began to sprinkle a little rain. We were OK huddled together. As the parade continued, it began to pour rain. I ran through the park to my car to get some plastic covers to put over us and when I got back, everyone had run for their cars except Mom, Brooke, and Adi. Ali asked me to carry Scout to their truck and she took Grey to her mom"s car. Scout was freezing and crying, so I grabbed her and ran for Mike's truck. It was about two blocks away. As Scout and I approached the truck, I saw the backup lights come on. Right as I reached for the handle to get Scout and I to warm safety, Mike pulled off and left us standing in the freezing rain. I stood there holding Scout in the middle of the road waving, but to no avail. Mike finally came back to pick up Scout. Because we were the only ones still watching the parade, Mike took Scout up and down the road picking up candy. Finally, it was just Mom, her best little friend Adi, Brooke and I watching empty floats and trailers go by. After the parade, we went and ate a hot scone which did not stay hot long. I tried to talk Adi into going home as she was turning blue from the cold, but she was a real trooper and stuck it out. Finally I put Adi on my shoulders and left Mom and Brooke at the Park. Adi was glad to get home and into a hot tub to warm up. The girls and kids spent the afternoon attending the community theater production of Beauty and the Beast while the guys napped, played pool, and watched football. I cannot wait for next year to attend the parade once again......Nate, Amy and the Babies waiting for the parade.We are excited for the parade to start.
Mike helping Adi and Scout get the candy
Mike and Scout chasing down the treats
They even got ice cream
Trying to stay dry during the downpour
Smiles in spite of the rain
Grandpa, Gage and Nate....excited, just can't hide it

Finally warm and dry at the high school play

Adi finally let Grandpa take her home
Two soaked crazy people
Grandma, Brooke and Adi freezing and eating scones
Scout had finally had it and said take me home

Boating Fun at Deer Creek

Early one Saturday morning, Mom, Jeff, Mike, Ali and their family decided to go boating at Deer Creek Reservoir. They had a good time and spent the day getting in as much boarding as possible. Mike and Jeff getting ready to go. Izzy did not want to get into the cold water.
Grey loved the water with Dad, even without anything on his bottom.
Grandma with two tired girls.
Launching the Moomba.
Ali getting ready to go.
Scout is not sure what to do with the wet towel.
Ali helping Mike get ready to board.
Ali taking her turn on the board.
Izzy and Scout enjoying Grandma's treats.

Jeff getting ready to pull out of the water.

Jeff on the Board.
Grandma with Scout and Grey.
Mike and Jeff enjoying the water.
Mike getting air.

Izzy looking star like...

Mike getting ready to pull out of the water.
Mike on the wake.
Jeff and Grey.

The Great Squirrel Hunt

One night, Jeff came home from work, went into the scrapbook room and saw a squirrel running around the room. He quickly shut the door to trap the varmint. I did not believe him until Mom told me she had seen a squirrel sitting on the front fountain when she went out to get the paper. With the door open, the squirrel decided to go into the air-conditioned house. Jeff got his fishing net and flashlight. Dad got his laundry basket and broomstick. Mom was brave and came into the room and stood up on a chair to take pictures..(like squirrels can't climb) We tried to scare the varmint out but it was in hiding. Jeff decided to bring Maggie the killer dog into the room to flush out the critter. Maggie was so excited to be in the house she did not even notice the squirrel scent. Next we tried to bribe the furry one with grapes and nuts, but no luck. Mom and I began to doubt Jeff's eyesight and decided there was no squirrel. We shut the door and went to bed hoping Jeff was seeing shadows. The next day, Jeff again saw the squirrel running across the desk. Again we tried to flush him out but no luck. Finally Dad had a brainstorm and opened the windows and propped open the screens. The squirrel saw freedom and left the house sometime during the day. Now Mom does not have to sleep standing on a chair in the dining room.

Dad and Jeff ready to catch the squirrel.
Mom showing us what a squirrel looks and sounds like.
Last sighting of the squirrel