Our Junior Ranger Cowboy Drew

I had to save the best for last. This is something that I am sure I will remember for a long time. While at Frying Pan Flats each day Grandma (Jane) Mack set up Grandma's Store for the kids. Throughout the day the kids could earn pennies from their parents doing good deeds and helping etc. and at the end of the day they could give these pennies to Grandpa to buy little things like coloring books, toys, and vhs movies from Grandma's store. Well Drew really got into this. He was super stoked about all the treasures he purchased from Grandmas store. Well, on the day that we went to Capitol Reef Lamon took the boys in to the Visitors Center so that we could get our traditional magnet for our fridge (we try to get one where ever we go). When they came out they got into the car and for the whole drive to the little Nature Center Drew kept talking about getting something at the store. I assumed he was rattling on about Grandma's store, but when we stopped at the Nature Center and got out of the car out popped two keychains from his pockets. He said, "Look at what I got at the store Mom?" I was just like, "Oh boy . . . " I then went on to explain to him that we couldn't take things from the store without paying for them. We made Drew go back to the Visitor's Center to give them back. He waited patiently in line and then handed the keychains to the clerk and said, "I didn't actually pay for these." Then the employee said, "Thank you Drew. Here, come with me Drew. I have something for you." He then pulled out a Junior Ranger Badge and handed it to Drew and said, "This is for being Honest!" Drew was Stoked. When he got outside he said, "I got this for being "Spanished!" We laughed at that. But he now knows after some explaining what being "Honest" means. He was so proud of that Junior Ranger Badge, he wore it for the rest of the vacation along with his white sailor hat, and kept saying, "I'm a cowboy!" So their you go. Drew is our Junior Ranger Cowboy fully equipped with a badge and a sailor/cowboy hat!

Gooseberry

After our little reunion with the Spencer F. Mack Family we went directly to the big Mack reunion. It was so fun. I love Lamon's family. I spend a lot of time wondering how in the world I married into such an amazing family! It was so fun to listen to them talk about past reunions and all of their memories. It made me want to carry on the tradition, and always make the effort to keep family ties strong!


Here is a little video of one of my favorite parts of the trip. This is a game the Macks have been playing at reunions for years and years. It's called Sorry to Passe? Anyhow, here it is:

Fish Lake

Of course one of the days we had to spend at Fish Lake! We split our time relaxing on the shore reading, or going out on the Kayaks. Spencer was the only one who caught a fish. It was a nice big 16 incher.

Lamon was so cute though. When we were rowing back to shore after our turn on the Kayak, Lamon got this cute look on his face and he said, "I've got an idea!" He said, "I think I know something the kids can do that will be fun!"
So when we got back, he rounded up the kids and had them walk with him down the shore line. He then preceded to help the children build a raft out of logs! The kids loved it! Lamon pulled them around the lake on it, and even little Mack, who up to that point was not enjoying himself too much, had an absolute blast!!

Capitol Reef

One of the days (Saturday) we went to Capitol Reef. It was a lot of fun. We did a little hike, and somehow in it's duration all of the children ended up on our shoulders!

While at Capitol Reef we also went to a little Nature play place with the kids. They had a lot of fun there too.
Here are all of the pics from our day at Capitol Reef:

Dirt Dirt Dirt

The best part about camping is by far the dirt. All of the children were constantly dirty. They were so cute. How can kids go camping and not be covered in dirt? Dirt is so fun! Throwing it, kicking it,tripping in it, eating it, rolling around in it, sleeping on it, putting it in dump trucks, getting it on your hands and then wiping it on your face . . . the possibilities are endless. I told Lamon that I wanted a picture where all of us adults smeared dirt all over our faces. I thought it would be funny, but he looked at me like I was a psycho woman. I can't help it if I'm fun!

Things I learned at Kanarraville Falls

1. Don't believe the online map. Even though it says that you can drive up to the trailhead . . . you really can't! You have to hike about .6 miles to the trailhead, which is quite an added climb seeing that the trail takes 4 hours. But that's O.K. because we are all tough!


2. I am tough! I carried Miss plump Ada ( along with all the water) almost the entire time!



3. Lamon is tougher.






4. Drew takes the prize! He is the toughest of us all! Our little Drew boy is such a good hiker. He hiked the whole hike (more than 5 hours worth) without complaining, and insisting on doing everything himself. He is so awesome!




5. Hayden may be a lightweight, but he still gets heavy when you have to carry him for hours and hours on your shoulders . . . and . . . he does not like long hikes much . . .






6. Kanarraville is my new favorite hike! It is soooo beautiful, and we had so much fun. We loved it!