Little Sahara

This past weekend, we went to Little Sahara (The “Sand Dunes”) as a family, along with Amy (my sis) and Kolby (her hubby). We had such a great time! Friday mid-day, we finished packing everything, loaded up, and hooked up our trailor and went to pick up Amy and Kolb in Highland. We packed up their gear, and headed off into the desert. On the way, we stopped at In-And-Out, my first time there since California, right out of high school. It was pretty good, but a little over-rated. I enjoyed the “animal style” burger, but the fries were definitely not my fave. We watched Goonies on the way there (Am had never seen it!), Emma loves Chunk and Sloth! In the front, since we can’t see the DVD player, I mostly read the whole time (reading material included the new conference Ensign and “Christy” by Catherine Marshall) and looked at the scenery, and Dave waved at the high-school kids on the busses. That afternoon, we got there and set up camp. Luckily for me and my small bladder, we were situated right in between two bathrooms. Am and Kolb got a huge 10 man tent, they joked that they just wanted to show us up. He he!

We then went exploring with Emma and Cal. And burying/finding “treasures” in the sand.

Cal loved all of the sand crawlers and ATV's around. He'd say "ohhhhhh!" when they'd drive by! And he loved digging!

Then we went 4-Wheeling all afternoon!

Emma loved climbing up this little rock hill they had. She was the queen of the mountain!

For dinner, Am and Kolb made tin foil dinners – delicious! Then we rode some more, and then had s’mores! We love being with Am and Kolby, they’re so much fun!

Roasing the mallows!

Em and Kolb!

Mallow face! Cal loved the roasted marshmallows!

After s’mores and chatting by the fire, we got ready for bed, and actually thought we’d try sleeping in our Pilot, as the seats fold down flat. We were actually very comfy, and warm, too! It worked out pretty well!

Saturday morning, I was the first to wake up, Emma and Cal slept all through the night! So it was a good thing. Dave and I made chocolate chip pancakes, hash browns, and bacon. Food, that’s one of the many great things about camping. For some reason, the food just tastes better when cooked over a fire or camp stove. Then we packed up camp, and rode a little ways out to go riding and play.

She and Cal had a blast in the sand with all of their sand toys. Emma especially liked the “World’s Largest Sandbox”, which is a fenced off area where ATV’s aren’t allowed, just to a bunch of sand for people to play in. We went hiking, wrote messages in the sand, buryed each other in the sand, slid down the hills, and made sand angels. Cal loved digging the best! In fact, when we got home and started unpacking, he got a little garden shovel and started digging again. A true boy, he loves getting dirty!

Sand angels!

Cal learned to say "cheese!" while we were there for the camera, so he always says that now, and has the cutest, cheesiest grin to go with it!

We just went riding and playing and relaxing all day, and then headed home that afternoon. What happy family memories. We’re really so lucky to have so many diverse places that are so beautiful right here in our own backyard to go and enjoy!

And lastly, here's a video of Dave riding! We had a blast riding. I like climbing and descending down hills, but I hate driving in bowls. Dave loves that! Emma loved going on rides with Daddy! She said “I love riding!” and told us she wanted to go all day long! Like father, like daughter I guess.

The Mother's Day Pinecone

Happy Mother's Day, to the many moms I have, and all of the women in my life! "There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing, as the influence of a righteous woman." Elder M. Russell Ballard said that in his talk "Mothers and Daughters" from this past April, and that really hit me. I believe those words. I am so blessed to have been raised by such an amazing Mother, she's made all of the difference in my life. She is such an example of developing and cultivating talents, being productive, serving others, humility, learning and love. I love her so much! Though my mom had probably the greatest influence on me, Grammie, my aunts, my neighbor's and teachers growing up helped guide me to get me to where I am today, and set examples of what it is to be a mom and woman. And then Dave's mom, Sue, who loved me and treated me like one of her own from the beginning. She is so much fun to be around, and I love her. And Dave's grandma's, Lilly and Carol, they are so sweet and good and on-the-ball. My friends, many of whom are mothers, and some who are not, they are all such great examples to me also. I learn so much from each friend I have. And now, to be able to be a mother in Zion myself, there's nothing I'd rather be doing! I am so grateful for the privilege of having children in this life. As I was thinking about motherhood and families this past week, one word kept coming to mind. JOY! Our kids are such a joy to us!

We were able to celebrate our mom's and spend the day with them on Sunday. This year, we went to church with the Ryerse's, as we went to church with my Mom last year. I went to Primary with Emma for a while to get her used to it, and I have to admit, I didn't want to leave. They were having Singing Time, and I was having too much fun! The kids were all so sweet. Cal was a charmer in Sunday School and Relief Society. He would go up to the ladies or men and look up at them and give them a big grin. Some said "He looks like a future bishop," since he had a little suit and tie on. One older lady said "That must be one of those modern hair cuts he has," since his hair is always crazy and everywhere from the cream we have to put on his little head. "He is the cutest little boy, ever!" a few more said. He was all over the place though. After church, they gave all of the women a tomato plant, which is a tradition in the Bountiful 37th Ward that has been going on as long as Dave can remember. After church, Emma and Cal gave me a box with an assortment of different types of chocolate-covered cinnamon bears, yum! Emma was keeping the secret from me all week. She wouldn't budge, I am impressed. And then Dave got me a gift-card to JoAnn's. Then we hung out and talked with the family, had lunch, and gave Sue the necklace and bracelet we made for her. That afternoon, it was off to the Stoddard's to celebrate with my side. We had dinner that Amy and I made, and then played and chatted. All of the kids pitched in and got my mom a new camera, which she was excited about. And Grammie was also able to came, it's always great to have her over! We made her a necklace, also, and it matched her dress perfectly. I went outside with Emma for a while and we played on the swingset, it's so much fun playing with her and Cal. I love them more than words can describe.

Here's a picture we took at my Mom's house. Amy, Mom, Emma, me, Grammie.

While we were outside playing, Emma picked up a pinecone, and said "Here, Mom! This is for you, for Mother's Day! It's a pinecone." I told her thanks and gave her a kiss and hug, and then I sat it down so we could play. Emma reminded me, "Mom, don't forget your pinecone!" I thought it was so sweet, and I kept it. All day, Emma kept saying "Happy Mother's Day!" Dave was so sweet too. The moments like this make it worth it, despite all of the kid's crazy antics - unrolling and wasting the toilet paper, temper tantrums, eating toothpaste, whining, trying to cut their own hair, coloring the furniture, and I could go on, but I wont. Though it is challenging at times, being a Mom is the best thing ever. The pinecone is not just a pinecone. It was given to me with so much love and appreciation, and it is more than a pinecone to me now. It is a symbol of the love I have of my kids. Happy Mother's Day again!