Duchesne Camping Trip 2010

This past weekend my little family joined my dad and Kel and the Hansen family for a weekend getaway to do some camping. I was pretty sick Thursday and all day Friday, but didn't want to not go. See, I haven't been camping with my dad in probably close to thirteen years, and I really wanted this time with them. I really wanted them to have the time with us and Carter. It was important.

Friday I slept all morning. I didn't think I was going to make it, in fact there were moments I was pretty sure I may be dying...at least thinking it might be the better option. So, Stac picked up Carter and he rode up with her family. I continued to lounge and see if I thought I would make it camping. Luckily about 3:30, the pain began to ease and I was able to start packing here and there. I had to do it in shifts, but I was able to do it.

When Dustin got home from work he helped me load the suburban and get everything else packed and organized. As we were pulling out of the driveway, I thought we were good to go. But, Dustin stopped in front of our driveway, so I asked him what we forgot. He looks over and there was the trailer. Yep, that is right, it is a good thing I wasn't in charge or we would have gotten to the campground with no trailer or tent!

We made a couple stops, and then headed out at about 7:00. As we were going up I-80 the mountains were beautiful! I don't know why, but I was so surprised to see so much color in the mountains already...but I think this is the case for me every year. Dustin and I had nice conversation and were ready for the little adventure.






As we hit our turn off, we were in deep conversation. Dustin was talking to me, we were listening to music, and enjoying some one on one time together. I managed to look at my window and I was all the sudden eye to eye with a moose! Okay, maybe not exactly eye to eye, but I saw the moose running down the very small hill heading straight for my door! It was an extremely large moose, and I stopped breathing! I gasped and then gasped again because I thought for sure I was going to be killed by a moose. Fortunately, by the grace of God, that did not happen. And when I went to yell at Dustin for not speeding up or slowing down, he was just going to let me die, he says..."I didn't even see it." From that point on, I was very aware of my surroundings and on the look out for any more moose!

As soon as we safely made it to our camping site, I got out, rushed to my dad, and told him how I almost died by a moose! We laughed and giggled as the excitement of being together started coming. We decided we better get our little tent trailer setup pretty quick because it was dark, cold, and I was ready to be done.

So up it goes...kind of...it looks easy, but it being the first time we have used it, it was a little tricky. See, it is literally a tent on wheels with two full beds that pop out on the sides. So we put it up, we tie down, and I begin to question how smart it will be for Dustin and I to be on one side of this little pop-up tent. However, he reassures me we will be fine and because he grew up with this trailer I decide to believe him.

Into the trailer I go. We start making the bed...air mattress needs a sheet, I try, can't get it on. Dustin tells me to move so I go to the back where he is near. This is when I believe we went wrong. All of the sudden the trailer was lifting OFF the ground up front and I was falling down and out of the back!!! Dustin is holding on to dear life, I start yelling..."HELP! MAN DOWN! I. REPEAT. MAN. DOWN!!!


From halfway inside and halfway outside the tent I hear the family bursting with laughter. Dustin goes to the top to bring it back down, I start saying don't move because I was literally hanging out of the back and didn't want it to come back down on me and smush my legs! I eventually was able to compose myself enough that I climbed out of the back and then Dustin was able to move forward where Stacy could pull it back down. As I went over to the fire, giggling, Dustin continued to try to figure out our trailer. A few short minutes later I hear, "Baby...I figured out the problem...I forgot to put down the stabilizers!" So...back into laughter we went.

We spent several hours at the campfire talking and laughing. It was so nice to hear the water, be out doors, and be with the family. That night we all froze! I spent less than a half hour in the trailer before I went into the suburban. About an hour or so later, Dustin joined me. As we were sitting there debating who should go get Carter, I heard him fuss, and out I ran into the cold and told him to come to me. Not thinking very clearly, it being FREEZING and 2:30 in the morning, I just kept calling his name until I heard a bonk...Ooops, didn't think about how well he was tucked in and he ended up falling out of the bed. MY BAD! Back into the sub we went and after nearly another hour of freezing, we pulled out the manual, learned how to turn off the daylight savings lights, and then turned on our heated seats. I slept for about two hours before Carter was back awake, and shortly after saw Colin and Papa outside. Before I knew it we were up and at it and loving the mountains we are graced with.





We made breakfast, spent some time down by the water, and relaxed. Later on dad, Bri, and I took the little men fishing. Unfortunately the fish were NOT cooperating and the boys had little patience. We went back to camp and continued to just relax.






Later my dad and I snuck away and went down the river a few miles to try some fishing. I haven't had some serious daddy daughter fishing in such a long time. It was so nice to spend time watching my dad fly fish and have conversation just me and him. I think we both needed it.


When we got back to camp from another very uneventful fishing expedition, Stac and Kel had made a dutch oven pot roast and peach cobbler. MMMM...Delightful! We then stayed up laughing, quoting movies, and enjoying one anothers company more.




Sunday morning came, we made breakfast and then started cleaning up. Dustin got sick and Bri had homework. So, we packed up and were heading down the road fairly early. Dustin and I were second on a motorcycle accident and I was heavily involved in helping get the guy off the hill. I have never needed to be on a scene before and it was pretty intense. I am hoping the guy will be okay, he has been in many of my thoughts since.

All and all it was a fabulous weekend and so nice to spend some time with that side of the family! We are already talking about next time!

And here is my favorite picture of the trip...
I. Am. Framing. This. One!

California Sun

After a series of events, I decided it was time to get away. Luckily, I have some amazing sisters who understood, and wanted to get involved. About two weeks ago, I through out to my older sister to go to California. Not knowing she had even considered it, she called me a few days later and said we were going!

On March 26, the day we were robbed, Stacy and I packed ourselves and three children, under the age of three, and headed to Southern California to see our little sister, "Fat!" (I call her Fat because she is so far from it...and she calls me "Pit." Reversed psychology!)

The drive was long. I dealt with the robbery during that time, we had to make more stops because of the kids, and due to having to work in the morning, we got off late, which made it a late night. We pulled into Joc and Chris's house about 10:30 Friday night. BLAH!

Saturday was very enjoyable. Chris and Joc had put together an Easter egg hunt for the boys, and they were spoiled. They got enough candy to last the entire trip, plus some, bubbles, whistles, and more. The boys loved it! It took Carter a minute to catch on to putting the egg in the basket but once he did, it happened much faster!

After the hunt, we piled into Stacy's car and went to the park. There we played with kites, swings, slides, and dinosaurs. The weather was a little cool, but not to shabby. At that point anything was better than Salt Lake City!

That night we had a campfire in the backyard. Jocelyn had pledged to participate in "Earth Hour," so we turned all electronics off and went outside. We enjoyed s'mores, stories, and a campfire. By the time the hour had passed, we were all exhausted and headed for bed.




Sunday we went to Santa Monica. I LOVE Santa Monica. The drive is peaceful, the company was good, and I LOVE SANTA MONICA!!! Once we got to the ocean, I could literally feel myself start to relax and find my zen. I so needed to spend a day at the beach with the water and the sand. For some reason it makes me feel more grounded.

Carter loved the beach. He loved the sand, the water, the rocks, the birds, the people, he loved it all! I shouldn't be surprised at all, both Mom and Dad find great serenity when we are at the beach, it is only natural for our child to be the same way. Colin and Carter played in the sand. Stac and I tried to get them to build a sandcastle but they would knock it over every time.




After a long afternoon, soaking up the sun, it was time to go home. I truly could have spent another week there and not be ready to come back! Sunday evening we just made dinner and called it a night pretty quick. Again, another day in the sun and three kids, we were wiped out!

Monday was a day for the sisters and kids, poor Chris had to work. We went to In N' Out Burger, which is one of my favorite places, then took the kids to another park. We ate lunch in 80 degree weather and soaked up every ounce of it. We then set the boys free in the park to do as they pleased. We were hoping they would use lots of energy knowing we would be driving the entire next day.

Once we got back, we watched, "New Moon," and then made dinner, packed, cleaned, showered, and got ready for an early morning.

Tuesday morning Stacy and I were up by 5 and left Jocelyn's at 6:12 Utah time. The kids slept for the first two hours, HEAVEN, and then were able to stay very mellow. So...we didn't stop until Mesquite, which is exact half way point from J's house. We were there by 11:00 am! AWESOME!

We fed, pottied, and ran with the three kids, piled them back up in the car, and continued North. We just kept driving, we were all anxious to be home, and the kids were doing fairly well! Second stop, Fillmore. Stacy and I decided this would be our final stop, and jokingly said this was going to be a 20 minute stop...MAX. Turns out we pottied all three kids in 12 minutes, was back on the road within 15. AMAZING!


We were back to this great city of Salt by 4:30. We drove into a wind storm and it snowed the next day...Made California seem like the perfect place to reside.

I am so grateful we did this trip. It was so needed and enjoyed! A BIG shout out to my sisters for being there with me, when Lord knows I needed them! I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Things Are Good!

Well it has been awhile since I have blogged. So, I just wanted to do a quick check in and let everyone know what is going on.

Dustin and I went on our cruise November 1-8 and it was paradise. We were able to enjoy a week with friends and some much needed one on one time together. I love vacations with Fuzz because when I come home, I love him even more. Money is always tight and I often wonder if vacationing is the best thing to do, but I am always so grateful we spend time together and are able to rebond. I love it and have decided vacationing is money well spent.

Carter is getting so big and growing so fast. He is saying many words and just a huge busy body. He is so fun and just keeps us on our toes all of the time.

It is hard to believe the holidays are around the corner. We are excited and have so much to be grateful for this year. We are very lucky to have so many dreams coming true and able to live such a wonderful life!

Hope all is well for everyone else, and I'll try to be a better blogger agian!