July Happenings-VACATIONS

Sara and Allen Raines

Andy and I went to LA to enjoy cooler weather and celebrate the sealing of  our good college friend Sara Chambers and her new hubby Allen, which took place in the LA temple.  It was fun having a weekend all to ourselves with no kids. We haven't been away kid free since Joshua was a baby.  It was calm and peaceful, and fun to be able to talk with one another without any interruptions. It was also fun seeing old friends and being in the presence of our giggly Sara.  She is one of a kind and I am so grateful that she will always be one of my greatest friends and I am so happy that she found someone so deserving of her.

 

My lovely sister Rachael flew in from Utah to take care of the kidos, and of course they didn't even miss us.  

They partied long and hard and had lots of fun with all their cousins, aunts, and gparents.

Thanks Cardons for taking such great care of my kids!

NEXT- Summer and I had the fabulous fun opportunity to attend girls camp at Camp LoMia.

Amanda and Summer

 We had the best time being in nature and away from all of the noise of the world. 

(Although 400 girls can be pretty loud singing Mormon Boys at the top of their lungs.)

Next to the temple, I think nature is the best place to feel the Holy Spirit.

I was blessed with increased energy and was able to stay up way past my 10:00pm bedtime every night participating in all the fun.

It was incredible to see the testimony of each girl grow during this experience.  

It was especially great being their with Summer and especially hearing her bear her testimony, and start giggling because that is what she does when she feels like crying. (I don't know where she gets that from?)

Being a leader at girls camp is the best and I so hope I get to go next year!

 

After a few short days at home we packed our car with clothes, camping equipment, life jackets(oops we forgot those), food, and then squeezed in our children (literally we had no inch of extra space).  We then headed north towards are first destination.

Destination 1:

Lake Powell

Tears are about to spring from my eyes just looking at this magnificent picture.

Our family LOVES Lake Powell! (Okay well I'm a bit crazy about it.)

It is one of my favorite places to be on Earth.

It's been 6-8 years since most of our family members have been to Lake Powell, and for the youngest 2 it was their first time.

Sunshine+100 degree weather+70 degree water+Breathe taking scenery= best public pool EVER!

As always we had the best time!  

Even with sand in our sleeping bags, our tent falling over, and threatenings of rain.

Nothing beats Lake Powell.

 

The Captain and the man who made the trip possible-Gpa Maxfield

 

Joshua, Christin, Taylor

Jacob, Kate screaming her head off, Taylor

 

Andy enjoying the kids being crazy.

 

Lots of smiles when Gpa went FAST!

I am so grateful that we were able to add some more to our Lake Powell memories and that now everyone in our family has been able to experience it.  I love that all of my Lake Powell adventures have been with the Maxfields.  They are the ones who introduced me to this amazing place.  My first time was with Conrad, Andy and I traveling in the Dodge Ram pulling the boat during the summer of our wedding engagement.  One of the best trips ever and ever since then I have been in love with Lake Powell.  Thanks again Gpa Maxfield for such a great time!

Destination 2:- We headed back into the car and joined all the Maxfield Clan at Flaming Gorge. I have never been there before, but like every other place in Utah, I loved it!  The Green River and the Dam were awesome.  We even went on a Dam tour (which phrase makes my kids giggle). We enjoyed a great weekend of camping, white water rafting and mostly just being with family.

 

Fun rides around the campsite.

 

Taylor teaching Blaine and Andrew how to make fire.

They used about 200 matches.

Jacob and Cooper

We especially love it when cousins let my kids borrow their animals and make me feel guilty seeing how  happy they are with their new furry friends.

Jacob was the official dog walker with Kate second in rank.

 Destination 3: Salt Lake City

After spending a week enjoying Utah nature to its fullest, we headed back to the city where we could take a shower and spend more time with Gma and Gpa Maxfield and evem more of our  family members.

Salt Lake City is like our second home and we love spending time there.

We hiked with Gpa in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Went to the zoo with Gma.

Played at Aunt Maureen's.

Summer hung out with all of her pals.

We went swimming and played at parks actually during the day time.

We chit chatted and laughed with Rachael.

The kids did more loud and crazy things with cousins.

We visited with more of the magnificent Maxfields.

We played miniature golf and cooed over Andrew and Michelle's  little Drew.

We stayed up until 11:00pm every night because it was so light, and then slept in every morning.

And as always we ate all of Gma's treats.

 

As always it was hard to leave. 

Hard to say goodbye to the people and place we love.

Kate assured me she could live at Rachael's house at least for 5 days.

The morning we left, I took my last walk around the neighborhood.

I shed a few tears, and said goodbye to my surrounding, peaceful, calming mountains, and felt at peace knowing that we could come back and visit again any time we wish.

So that was our super fun July. 

It can't get any better than that.

We arrived home from vacation 4 days before school started and now we are back into full schedule mode.

I don't know where the summer went.

It felt like 2 1/2 weeks, not 2 1/2 months, but I can literally say we enjoyed EVERY moment of it!