Palisade State Park

We have a new goal to get out and have some fun at least once a month. We are severely fun impaired around here. Saturday we went up the road to Palisade State Park. It is about an hour away. We had a picnic, played in the water and yes, we took the kayak. It is a great little park with lots of grass in the campsites, a great day use area with a playground, a beach and a small reservoir. It was just perfect for Kris and Serena to get in the water and for mom and dad to paddle around. Vic got to try out the new kayak and gave it the first dunking. He tipped it right by the dock so all was well. All in all we had a great day and I'm sure we will go back soon.

We yak!

We are the proud owners of a baby blue kayak and matching paddle. Adam was good enough to pick it up for us and bring it home on his way back to college. Before he took off, we went on a quick trip to a nearby reservior to get it wet for the first time. It was a bit windy and choppy to be out, be we all gave it a try. We plan on going back one day really soon. Perhaps it would be best if we went to the state park that has a non-motorized body of water though. Those wakes take a bit to master on a windy afternoon.

Do you yak?

David trying to master the kayak in the small pond in back of the cabin at Island Park. Auntie Jane and Serena tackle Lake Henry. Serena likes big boat wakes. I wonder what they are talking about because you can hear the laughter clear to the shore.

Auntie Jane and Kris on his first try out on the small pond at Island Park.

We have a new toy. It's all Auntie Jane's fault. Kris, David, Serena and I had to have one and now we do. A kayak will be joining us shortly. It's a pretty baby blue color with a matching paddle. Vic says that's the reason the original owner is giving it up. What kind of a guy would buy a baby blue kayak?? I don't know, but we are glad to have it. Can't wait to try it out.

July 24th!

Two posts in one day is a bit much, but they really are two separate topics. I've told the kids that as long as they make time to come home on the 24th, it'll be fine. Coming home for Christmas is good, but there's more fun things to do on the 24th. We had everyone home for the weekend. We did the parade, and made ice cream. If you are looking for a great ice cream recipe we have it. We made cinnamon nut frozen yogurt. It was the best but definately not diet food.

This year we skipped the rodeo because David's truck needed some major work. It rained really hard in the late afternoon and the fireworks were threatened, but by dark it was just sprinkling. We sat in our chairs in front of the vehicles for the show. David and Vic were dedicated to fixing the truck and they watched the show from the pasture. At least the show went on.

The boys all went out on Poverty Flats to dispose of some bullets on Saturday morning. Who knows what went on there. The sane people stayed home on the cool patio to watch the hummingbirds.

It was great to have everyone home.

Vacation!!!

We had a great vacation to Island Park. We had 10 family members all together in a cabin for most of a week. We saw the sights, fished, kayaked, made s'mores, and had a great time. Next year, on to the Heber/Park City area for more fun. We'll do the touristy stuff (the kids say we must) and some more outdoor stuff. The Parslow's need to find a kayak or two too.

July 4th!

We are either creatures of habit or of very strong traditions. Every 4th of July since who knows when, we have gone to the parade, made ice cream and had a picnic dinner while waiting for the fire works to begin. I can only think of one or two times where we missed doing things on this date in this order. This year was like all the others. The parade was the same as always; no big changes or scandals. It was in the 70s, so it was bearable even on the sunny side of the street.

This year we almost had to break a tradition because of a lost item. The cannister for the ice cream freezer has gone missing. We looked in every logical place and a few illogical places and it didn't turn up. We have the bucket, the motor, and the dasher, but no canister. The whole thing is almost 30 years old so maybe we are due for an upgrade.

We got out the ice cream ball at the last minute so that the tradition could carry on. Kris and Serena took about 45 minutes to turn out some pretty good ice cream. There were no leftovers so it must have been okay. By vacation time, we will have to come up with a better solution or another ice cream ball. This one won't make enough for a crowd. Right after the ice cream was pronounced done, it began to rain really hard. We had about an hour of steady rain and then it cleared up enough to have a picnic before the fireworks. It was damp, but not at all hot.

Hope you all had a great holiday!

More wildlife!

We had more wildlife show up this weekend. A female turkey was wandering in the neighbor's yard yesterday. Tonight it is making itself at home in the pasture. What a great thing to see up close.

We have had a cold and rainy week here. Serena was at Girl's camp for 3 nights but I think she had a good time. Kris was a little bored staying inside that much.

We are looking forward to our trip in two weeks. I hope we have summer weather for that but I will be packing the jackets too.

Try new things. Learn new things.

One of the best parts of a long summer is getting to do things that you put off for most of the year. Most teachers I know try to cram 12 months of living into 3 months of the summer "break". It's not really a vacation, because you still have inservice and classes and stuff to plan for but it is a change in routine and a change in schedule. It frees you up to do things differently.

During the winter, I learned how to make homemade noodles. They are "far far far more betterer" than the stuff you buy. Vic and I like them. David and I have also acquired a biscotti habit. Biscotti is not cheap at the store, but you can make any flavor imaginable and they last forever too.

We are all fine here. Send us the news about what's going on at your house this summer.

Still cold and rainy...

It has been cold and rainy here all week. I was sure it would freeze last night. I know that soon I will be writing about how hot it is, but for now, I wish the furnace could stay off.

David is at Timberline this week. He is the quartermaster for a camp of about 50 scouts. He rises early to fix the meals and then lead them on adventures. It is his third time as staff and his fourth year to go. He always comes home with a lot of stories. This year the stories began before they left the parking lot. He had to call home because he forgot some vital items. I hope the rest of the week goes more efficiently for him.

The bunnies are still alive and Kris is taking good care of them. Serena is sure she knows more about bunny care than he does.

Introducing...

Everyone has asked to see pictures of the new bunnies. Here it is. The new bunnies are named "Flip" and "Flop". I am not sure which is which but Kris knows. They have not become stars of the neighborhood yet, but they are well petted and fed. The dog has stopped barking everytime they move. I think the dog is more upset by the chicken. I haven't seen the chicken today, so perhaps it has moved on to more hospitable living conditions. We do bunnies, but not poultry.

I am getting caught up on all the stuff that doesn't happen during the school year. DI is benefitting from our cleanout. The laundry is getting caught up too.

I hope you are all enjoying your break as much as we are. If the heat is too much to take down in St. George, remember we are much cooler up here.

Is it summer yet?

Last night was another ball game for Kris. The wind blew the entire time and it was about 60 degrees. Reminded me of soccer games and snow. We had coats and quilts on the parents and the kids were sweating. Little league is serious stuff. Everybody wins and everybody gets a home run. Kris did manage to get out at first on his second up to bat. He hit it right down the line to the base player and the little kid caught it. That doesn't happen often. One more game to go on Monday and then we will have more of our evenings free.

The new camera is still working, but I haven't learned how to operate all the gadgets on it yet. We will have to work at keeping better track of our activities now.

New Camera

What does one do when you get a new camera? Start a blog!

It's well past time to get one started. The big kids need to check on home. Goodness knows they won't call. The rest of the family needs to check to see if we are still alive.

We are!

We have had a great month of May. The garden is in and growing. Kris has two new bunnies. David has declared that he is a SENIOR. Adam is surviving his internship and Amanda just finished her first year as an official school teacher. WOW!

Grandma Buck visited us for two days this week. She got to go with Kris to get the new bunnies. They are officially called "Flip" and "Flop". They are mixed breed Lop bunnies with floppy ears.