Lake Tahoe

As a last hoorah for summer we took a trip with my dad and Lucinda to Lake Tahoe and we had the best time together! Our little family arrived late on Saturday night so we just got settled in our hotel and went to bed. On Sunday we went to church and then went swimming. We took a break from swimming only to eat and later so dad could go pick up Grampa and Gramma from the airport. 

On Monday we went miniature golfing (the kids' first time - how is that?!?). Riley loved wacking the ball and would only let dad help her get her grip just right. Braden and Carter did really well, but in the end, I beat everyone; even my dad who got a hole in one!

After miniature golfing and some lunch we got on a bus and headed to Zephyr Cove to board the MS Dixie II for a little cruise across the lake. We cruised up through Emerald Bay past Vikingsholm Castle and then back. The weather held pretty good until we hit the bay. Then, the rain fell, but it was so beautiful that it didn't matter. The water in Lake Tahoe is gorgeous and the views are absolutely breathtaking!

Staring Contest with Gramma Lucy

In Emerald Bay

Vikingsholm Castle in the rain. 

Daddy fell asleep on the ride back.

After our cruise we did a little souvenir shopping, ate dinner, and went swimming.

A Rainbow for Dinner

The next day, Tuesday, the weather was perfect. We took a gondola ride up to the top of the mountain. The views from up top were amazing.

My dad being a dork!

We took a little hike (more like a nature walk) up on the top and then took a chair lift even higher up the mountain and back down. We also spent some time playing games.

Riley found sticks that she said were her
antlers so Kam helped her stick them in her hair.

After coming back down off the mountain we had lunch and then took a ride in the car out to Fallen Leaf Lake.

Then we drove over to Eagle Falls and stopped at this look-out over Emerald Bay for another awesome view.

Eagle Falls

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None of us were very hungry so we ate Frozen Yogurt for dinner and then went back to the hotel to play games for the rest of the evening.

We really did have the best time. The cool weather was awesome and being able to have some extended one on one time with my dad and Lucinda was priceless. The kids especially loved having Gramma and Grampa all to themselves; building and strengthening their relationships with each of them. I can't thank them enough for making this happen and for wanting to share this time with us. They really are the best!

Riley's First Dental Check-Up

Riley's first visit to the dentist was very different from when the boys first went. Riley was very excited at first but as soon as she had to sit in the chair the excitement was over. She would not let the hygienist use her mirror while trying to clean her teeth and would only let her use the suction tool if she got to hold it too. We tried to get xRays but that wasn't happening and when the dentist came to look at her teeth she wouldn't let him put any of his tools in her mouth. We were able to get her to open her mouth enough for the dentist to count her teeth and that was about it. Hopefully she'll be a little more cooperative at her next visit. 

Scout Camp 2016

Braden had a great week at scout camp this summer. He got to do and make so many cool things. He shot bb guns and sling shots, did some archery, learned to tie knots and how to take care of animals, climbed a rock wall, built a tool box and made other crafts. Each day he came home with something new that he couldn't wait to tell us about. 

On the last day of scout camp the entire family was invited to play. We got to see his den perform a skit and then got to participate in some of the fun things Braden had been doing throughout the week.

Making and Launching Rockets

Utah: Summer 2016

We love being with family and this summer we got to spend a lot of time with everyone. My mom will be moving down to Henderson the first of August (Hooray for Family living nearby!!!) and before she moves we wanted to have one last hoorah at her house. 

Riley got to sleep in Grammy's bed every night and
she especially loved it when Tay slept with her.

On our first day in Utah, Wednesday, we hiked up to Timpanogos Cave with Peter.

Did you know that the "Salt and Pepper Shakers" were once stolen?

The next day, Thursday, we spent the day with my Gramma Johnsen, or as my kids call her, Gramma Great. We went to a really fun park so the kids could play and I got to visit. After the park we headed back to Gramma's house for pizza, ice-cream and more visiting with Gramma and my Aunt Nan.

On Friday we went to Manilla Pond to swim and play in the sand.

In the evening we roasted marshmallows across the creek.

Kam arrived late Friday night and on Saturday we went on another hike to Battle Creek Falls in Pleasant Grove, UT.

Only Carter and I hiked to the very top of the falls. 

Sunday was a quiet day. We went to church and had family dinner.

On Monday we did some shopping and focused on food prep in preparation for the annual Bear River camping trip in Idaho.

Tuesday we loaded up the truck and headed to Kam's parents house. We wished we could have spent more time with them but they were in Minnesota visiting Kam's sister and her family.

On Wednesday we headed up to Idaho. On our way we stopped in Logan to visit Kam's Grampa.

The highlight of our trip was camping at the river. We look forward to this trip every year. For some reason this year was more difficult, but we still had fun visiting with cousins, floating the river, swimming in the reservoir, and eating yummy food.

Visiting Gramma and Grampa Auger

Riley was a big fan of the river. She went down every time.

Some of my cousins.

It always feels good to come home but in many ways I didn't want this trip to end. Thankfully we have more fun things planned to look forward to, the best being my mom's big move next week!!!