The Big Campout

Hail the conquering campers!

Since it turned out that I had Saturday off this week (yeah, crazy huh?), Ali and I had been planning a fishing trip up to Mirror Lake in the Uinta Mountains, but when I got home on Friday afternoon we decided we might as well go camping while we were at it!  So we threw some hobo dinners together and made a stop at Wal-Mart (of course) for fishing licenses and we were on our way.  Don't worry, the customer service at Wal-Mart hasn't improved since the last time we went.

 

 We drove about an hour to get to the Mirror Lake Highway, where there are a ton of campgrounds.  Unfortunately, reservations for campsites have to be made 5 days in advance, and then it's just first come first serve with any unreserved ones.  We couldn't find a single empty campsite!  Or any of the camp hosts that were supposed to be at each campground.  By this time we were pretty hungry and Kerry was getting a little upset, so it was definitely divine intervention that led us to a spot off the road a little ways that made a great campsite.  It wasn't part of a campground, which meant that there was no running water or potties, but it also meant that we didn't have to pay a camping fee.  Our hobo dinners and pan fried zucchini turned out heavenly!  Seriously it was the best camping dinner we've done yet.  By then it was getting dark, so we turned in for the night.

  Saturday morning we got up and ready, took down camp, and headed for mirror lake.  With it being a weekend and really hot down in the valley, it was no surprise when we got there and found that it was pretty busy, but we found a nice spot a ways around the lake where we could put our chairs on a little sandy beach and enjoy fishing.  The kind of fishing we did consisted of casting the line out, setting the poles against the log that was in front of us, and then either chatting, reading, or playing games until either we got a bite or (more commonly) we would decide after about a half hour to check the line.  It was the perfect weather to lounge in the sun but not get too hot because there was a cool breeze blowing. 

 Anyway, our plan was to catch and then cook some fish, but we only caught one fish.  We kept it, assuming we would catch more, but when it was time to leave we really didn't want to cook just one fish, so we tried giving it away to everyone we saw on the way back around the lake, but no one else was having much luck and wanted to cook just one fish, either.  We finally went past a mom and her daughter who caught a fish just as we came along, so we offered our fish to them, but they didn't want to keep theirs, so they gave it to us.  So we built a fire and cooked them, and it was super tasty!  I (Ali) never thought that I really liked fish until I had some fresh wild ones a year or two ago, and now I know that they are so yummy!  But we all know that a fish isn't super filling, so we stopped at a mom and pop burger joint on the way back to civilization.  Anyway, overall, a very successful trip!

Greetings to my lovely chilluns and grand chilluns. Thought I should give an update on the happenings amongst the oldies.
First of all the job is going well. The heat is a little wild but with a lot of water and a soaking sweat rag we are getting through it. I have my official uniform complete with cap and static dissipating shoes. Not sure if we can afford not to buy my own work clothes anymore. There are some hazards however. Dogs are somewhat of a concern but so far they have been friendly. We do carry doggy treats for those who might want a bite of something. Another hazard is wasps. They love to build their nests in the hoods covering the valves of the propane tanks. I have not been so fortunate in this case. On thursday I flipped open a hood and a swarm of wasps came boiling out. Unfortunately the homeowner was sitting about 20 feet away so I deemed it unmanly to go running and screaming like a little girl so I took it like a man. I got stung on the forearm which did not endear the little creatures to me. Up until then I figured if they left me alone I would leave them alone. Now the kid gloves are off and the battle is on. From now on I will approach each hood with "RAID" wasp and hornet getter. Just to get in practice I bought some on Saturday and commenced the battle on several nests around our yard(I had no idea we had so many nests right here). So armed with my Raid and my O fficial uniform I am unstoppable.
This weekend is the Bayles reunion which with your Mom running off to Portland, won't be so much fun. Hopefully Andrea and Keiryn can go out on Saturday. Any of you are welcome as well. I guess that is all for now.

Yea for the 4th of July! We sure had fun and were so glad everyone could make it.

I'm on my 10 week countdown to baby! For some reason 10 weeks seems significant to me even though it's still 2 1/2 months. Yesterday I bought Gatlin's coming home outfit and shouldn't have because now I keep feeling like I'll have him any day. I haven't been to see my doctor in quite a while and am getting anxious for a confirmation that everything is still okay. My lower legs and ankles are starting to swell more and more which makes me a little nervous, but I'm sure it's not toxemia -- just the usual swelling most women get during pregnancy. My shoes are starting to not fit anymore, which is a pain (in every sense of the word). :)

We've been wanting to know how Dad is liking his job and how you both are liking the truck. Let us know!

Chantee came inside today with a bloody mouth, followed closely by a very concerned Kaden. I don't know what happened, but thank goodness it was just a cut on her upper-lip. Before I could get a good look at it, I was afraid she might have chipped a tooth in the process, but all teeth are fine. Kaden is being a real stinker about sharing toys today, but other than those two things, everything is going pretty well.

Kind of a weird post, but oh well. Love you all!

Wahoo!!! didn't we have fun.

4th of July fun

I just read a tribute written about Mom and Dad by Carly, the cute girl that taught English in Blanding. It was such a nice thing for her to do. I found myself crying by the end and thinking how truly blessed I am to have such wonderful parents. I hope that someday I can make a difference in someone's life. I'm always so caught up in my own silly life, that I don't really make time for anyone else. Thanks Mom and Dad for being such good examples to me. I love you forever.

LEAVING ON A JET PLANE!

Yes, your ol' Mom is leaving on a jet plane for Oregon!! I'm going with the troops to Aunt Susie's wedding in a few weeks -- hooray! Can you believe it????

Tedious!

So I'm getting all "tedious" because I really want to play outside, but I melt after only 10 minutes! I went out to sweep the gutter and made it only a little ways before I had to come inside and sit down in front of the air-conditioner. Now I fear I will never be able to get up again. I keep wanting to weed and do some yard clean up, but if I wait 'til it cools down in the evening, I'm too pooped to do anything. *sigh* I can always blame it on the pregnancy, but what will I say when the same thing happens next summer? :)