Happy 4th of July

Avery got to spend all week with Grandma and Grandpa so he could go to swim lessons at Downata.  He actually skipped one day to go camping and fishing with Grandpa- but that's ok.  He still had a lot of fun.  

We decided since we had to go get him anyway, that we would make another weekend out of it and go camping for the 4th of July.  We went up to Amanda's parent's property up Lava Ranch in Idaho.  Someday they hope to build a cabin, but for now it is just a place to camp and there is a shed with beds in it (that needs to be cleaned so we didn't stay in it).  We had some good friends (each of our roommates from college who also got married) and their kids come with us as well as Brian's siblings Mike and Taunya.  Some more friends from college came up later. It was quite the relaxing trip.  There was a little bike riding and dirtbike riding, playing games and just hanging out.  Our friends brought the idea of roasting strawberries covered in marshmallow fluff- AMAZING!   Mason loved getting to crawl around in the dirt and Avery and Lily were intent climbing the "mountain" cliff next to our campsite.  Needless to say we were all sooooooo dirty when we were done.  We went swimming on our way home at Downata and had to make sure to shower off before getting in the pool!

We drove down to Lava for the fireworks.  It was a fairly good show, but we kinda missed our local West Point show.  It was still fun though.  Lily fell asleep by the end, but Mason was awake the whole time.  Mason was really scared at first but then became interested in the fireworks.  

hanging in the pack-n-play in the shade

waiting for daddy to get back so we could go home!

On the way home (after visiting Amanda's parents at Downata) we had to stop on the freeway just outside of Malad to console a crying Mason.  It was at this time we noticed the van smelled liked something burning.  There was new oil splattered all over our trailer (which we noticed on the way down but thought it was from construction).  SO we got off the exit and call Kia since our van is still under warrenty.  THere was no oil left in the van and we didn't want to drive it anywhere.  SO they sent out a tow truck (free with the warrenty) to take it all the way to Ogden.  Since the tow truck didn't have enough seats for all of us, Amanda's mom were nice enough to drive us and our trailer home that night.  She didn't get home till after 1 in the morning- but we are so grateful for her!  While waiting for the tow truck we unloaded some of our stuff we had to take home- it looked like we were homeless for a little bit all sitting on the side of the road waiting.  We also had to leave most of our stuff in the van- which was packed full of stuff.  Oh-well!  Luckily our van is getting fixed!

It was a really great weekend and we just love spending time in the outdoors!  Thanks to everyone who came and helped with all the yummy food!