Independence Day (Celebrating the 4th III)

The 4th of July 2008 literally started with a bang. So there we were all snug as a bug in rug soundly sleeping when out of no where (at 5:45) am) the bombs starting bursting in the air. It sounded like the world was under attack. They were several explosions that shook and rattled the trailer waking us all from deep slumber.

Turns out the fire department was out shooting a cannon through out the town to remind everyone one they were having a pancake breakfast at the fire station. We had our 4th of July breakfast in my mom's trailer. Where she cooked French Toast and bacon. It is no secret that I love my mom's French toast. I don't know what is different between hers and mine but hers has always been the best.

Once the kids were all fed, cleaned and clothed

we had some time to kill so we decided to take some pictures of them through out the RV park. They were all so cute in there matching Faded Glory T's. They did not last long and were soon bored. We did manage to get some pretty cute pictures though.

Kollette had heard there was a Parade near by and has long been told small town parades are the best. We went into the RV store and soon discovered the Parade was only 2 block away. Quickly we got all the chairs and went to the Parade. The lady that runs the store warned us that they give out tons of candy and soon we would find out just how much. The kids really enjoyed the parade.

It was mostly made up of groups on 4-wheelers and golf carts but there were other entries as well.

After the parade we went back to the trailer and hung out bit. Finishing up the Phase 10 game we started the day before and just acting silly

Then we went to school in town as we were told there would be a big celebration. We hung around for a little while so the kids could play but never seen anything really great happening, so back to the trailer we all went where we surprised by Jared who had finally made it.
By then it was time to have our 4th of July "picnic" then head to the lake for some fishing and waiting for the fireworks.
While waiting for every one to get things loaded I decided that it was time for me to start fishing. Jared I went up to the RV store and I bought me a fishing pole and licence. We then had everything ready and headed back to Otter creek. Because I had to work the next day and we knew it would be late once the fireworks were over I packed all of my stuff and loaded it in our truck so we could leave from the lake. One more post to go and the my story of the 4h will be complete. Stay tuned..............................

Celebrating the 4th II

So after we were all refreshed and rejuvenated we gathered up all the fishing gear and headed to Paiute Reservoir

for some fishing.

The two younger ones and sometimes Cheyenne had their buckets and shovels and enjoyed some time digging in the dirt and playing in the water.

Some of us took a little time to photograph the wonders of nature.

And others took the opportunity to take pictures of their adorable niece's and nephew playing in the water.

The fish were just not biting at Paiute so we loaded everybody and everything up and headed to Otter Creek

And it wasn't too long before the first fish was caught.

Even Eryk soon caught one and reeled it in with little or no help.

Kaitlyn tried her hand at fishing too, but she used a different method.

As I have mentioned previously Otter Creek was my dad's favorite place to go fishing. He would sit in this spot in this chair and fish. It was a little sad without him there and we shared a tear or too, along with some great memories. He will never be forgotten

All to soon the sun began to set and so it was time to end the 1st day of my vacation.

Tomorrow it would be the 4th of July. A day to celebrated Americas Birthday. Little did we know they excitement that woul awake us.

Celebrating the 4th

I have now decided that I am so far behind on blogging that I am just going to do my best to stay current and then as time permits go backwards and fill in what I have missed. So on ward and upward to our 4th of July spectacular!
For the last few years Brian and Kollette and my Mom and Dad have been celebrating the 4th of July by going to Otter creek. Where they fish, camp, ride four wheelers and watch the fireworks by the lake. With the passing of my dad they decided in his honor to continue this tradition as it was his favorite trip of the year. Unfortunately this year they could not get reservations at the RV park that they usually stay at. Right there across from the lake.

Well they found an RV park in Circlevile and on July 2nd they loaded up their trailers, four wheelers, kids, dogs, food and took off for the holiday. Jared and I had been talking about going down on the 4th for the day to fish, hang out and watch fire works. Well I had Thursday and Friday off and was just going to hang around the house on Thursday and do laundry and other such boning house work. Wednesday when I got off work Jared informed me that he had to go Page on Thursday and so we devised a plan that I would go with him when he left for Page and he would drop me off at the RV park on his way and I could stay down there Thursday night and then he would come down Friday with our dogs and then we would come home after the fireworks Friday as I had to work Saturday morning. So Brian, Kollette and my mom are down there and they have no cell service and not very good Internet. I sent an email Wednesday night but I arrived just after my mom read it Thursday morning. I was little worried about crashing their vacation, but I was very well received and we all had ball! This was my 1st vacation in over 2 years. So now that I have put you all to sleep with the boring details of the story I will share a bunch of pictures of the time we had together.
I got there pretty early in the morning so some of them were still asleep. When they finally woke up, got dressed and ate breakfast they decided to go on an ATV ride. Out came the maps and a decision was made on where to go. It was a rocky and dusty ride but we did reach the summit.

Our fearless leader consulting the map to make sure we were headed in the right direction.

Taking some time to enjoy the view

It really was breathtaking

Some desert plant life in bloom

After the ATV trek we will gathered in my mom's trailer to eat lunch, cool off and play a game of phase 10. Then it was nap time. Once everyone had taken their nap it was time to go fishing. So off to Paiute Reservoir we went. In the interest of not totally overwhelming you with with this take of my vacation I will continue my tale in a new post at a later time.

Lagoon Days

I mentioned in a previous post that my mom and I went to Lagoon for my works summer picnic.

We got there bright and early and waited with everyone for the entrance to open.

Once the entrance opened and we got in we had to wait for the park and all the rides to open. We just hung out under the trees and talked.

When the park finally opened we headed to the rides. The 1st one we went on was the Centennial Screamer

Prior to going on it I tried to worn my mom that it went upside done but she would not believe so we went on it and it did go upside. We rode in separate cages/cars and she said she had a heck of a time staying in the seated positing in her cage/car.
The next ride we went on was the Musik Express.

Because it was still early in the day we were actually the only two people on the entire ride. We sat together and had a blast. As is spins centrifugal forces are produced and those in the outside seat (me) get squished.
Next was a ride on the Wild Kingdom Train after the two previous wild rides we needed something mild.

See that it says please watch your head. They really mean do watch your head as my mom was to find out a little later.
The train takes you around the park and into the Wild animal Kingdom where you get to see animals. Like bears!
Tigers!

The Zebras

Camels and there were a lot more that I did not get pictures of.
Say Cheese!

Next up was the Tidal Wave. I thin this is quite possibly among one of my favorite risdes there. Especially if you happen to sit at either end of the boat

We really wanted to go on Rattle Snake Rapids but it was down for maintenance.

We later learned, from a very talkative employee, (who looked to be about 12) that it was the generator that was down and they were waiting on a part from Europe to fix it.

We went into Pioneer Village and that I will post in another blog as we spent quite sometime walking around there. Talking enjoying ice cream and just having a relaxing time. We also rode the Tilt a Whirl, Bumper cars and went through both Haunted houses

Here are just some other random pictures I took throughout the park.

This is the Jet Star II

Water Fountain

The turn of the Century

The sky ride

Movie night under the stars

I think by far my all time favorite summer activity is movie night under the stars. They bring a huge inflatable screen and it sit at the bottom of the big hill. Everyone bring blankets and just camps out on the grass. This year they played Horton Hears a Who. Spanish Fork city does this as well for Fiesta Days. They are playing Open Season. It will be on July 18th and the new ball park. So here some pictures from our night.

Hanging out, just enjoying a nice evening out of the house. Waiting for the movie to start. The weather was perfect.

Kollette and kids enjoying some together time!
The inflatable screen
Nap time