Bear Lake Vacation

Official first day back after our vacation up at Bear Lake and I'm still tired. Why is it that you seem to need a vacation to recoup from a vacation? The kids? Still going! Why can't someone figure out how to harness kids' energy, bottle it and sell it to adults who really need it? LOL

Anyway, getting to Bear lake was an adventure all its own! First, we had drop off Spud at my parents' house so they could take care of him, then when we got back home, we had to figure out how to stuff everything into the Armada. Don't get me wrong, I love my Armada, but the cargo area doesn't cut it for lots of luggage.

When we did manage to stuff the car full, we settled in for the long drive to Bear Lake...well, after lunch, of course. lol.

The kids did well on the drive, considering we didn't have the DVD players for them (one was broken, the other we couldn't find the car adapter). Luckily, Jeff fell asleep (he doesn't do long car rides very well) for the majority of the drive, and the three older ones amused themselves, then eventually fell asleep.

We got to the condo (right across the street from the lake!) at around five, then unpacked the car. It was quite the adventure going back and forth between the car and the condo, lugging all our crap, but we eventually got everything inside. It was a nice little condo, fully equipped with the essentials (pillows, blankets, dishes, pots, pans, etc.), plus cable tv and a pool.

So, what's the first thing the kids want to do? LOL, watch cartoons. Go figure!

We eventually persuaded them to play the Wii for awhile (at least they were moving around, right?) while i tried to get everything unpacked and situated. That was when i realized I forgot to pack some stuff, like maple syrup and sugar! Luckily, there's a little market down the street that saved me, but I had to pay an arm and a leg!

The rest of our vacation was very relaxed. It was nice not having a schedule and just being able to hang out with the kids. We spent most of our time between the lake, the condo, the beach and the tennis courts. I'll have to upload the pictures of us attempting to play tennis; hilarious!

The lake was an interesting experience for Jeff; he freaked out at the sand. Wouldn't touch it, wouldn't look at it, had to have Daddy carry him the whole time we were there, lol. Made me sad; speaking as someone who grew up in Hawaii and spent most of my childhood at the beach, it makes me wonder, "What's wrong with you, kid?!"

There's also a little shaved ice hut near one of the campsites that we always stop by whenever we're there. The lady that runs it used to live on Oahu, so she gives the "locals" (anyon that's from Hawaii) a discount.Ahh, brings back memories when i eat that stuff!

So, what am I missing? I can't think of anything. We just kicked back, mostly, just spending time together. It was nice being with the kids and not be yelling at them, lol. We'll probably stay in the condo again next year.

Bingham Copper Mine Adventure

Older brother Ben was bored when we went over to my parents house, so we (Ben, older sister and me) took the kids up to the copper mine nearby. I don't know what the "pull" is over a giant hole in the ground, but if it keeps my kids happy and occupied, then I will gladly pay for it, lol.

We watched the giant trucks driving up and down the hole, then took a picture in front of the giant wheel that they have out there for tourists to take a picture with.

Then, it was time for the museum.

I think it's a given that my boys were in heaven! At one point we rounded a corner and in front of us was several display cases of all of the different kinds of trucks and vehicles the employees used. Upon seeing this, Jeff bent down and let out a huge, delighted, "OH, GOSH!" And ran over to it. In his excitement, he bonked his head several times against the case and the drill bit display nearby. Luckily, the case and drill bit are okay, lol.

I tried to get him to look at the other displays, but he always came back to the vehicles display. He loves trucks, if you couldn't tell. So we went next door to the gift shop to buy some souvenirs. Funnily enough, while the boys bought mini CATs, Vanessa bought a plush kitty with a carrying bag, lol.

Lunch from Wendy's followed, where we totally flustered the cashier with our large order (sorry!), then back to the 'rents house to eat. As we pulled up, so did the 'rents (they ran some errands), and unfortunately we didn't have food for them.

See what happens when you don't come on an adventure with us? LOL

4th of July with The Crack Monkeys!

I'm doing my best to stay awake, but I'm still under the effects of the food coma from yesterday's festivities! Ahh, food coma...

So...we had a BBQ yesterday to celebrate the 4th. The weather actually cooperated, too: cloudy in the morning, but hot and sunny by late afternoon. We didn't have to turn on the A/C until early afternoon, but it made the house nice and cool.

Really not much to report: we ate, we talked, we laughed, we blew things up. Well, actually we set things on fire. I'm talking about the fireworks, just to let you know. Some of our neighbors got their hands on the "illegal" fireworks (read: the ones that shoot up high in the air), and regaled us with their spectacular-ness, which made me happy. I like big "explosions" on the 4th; who doesn't?

The kids were having a blast: Ryan and Ethan took it upon themselves to douse the fireworks after they were done, just to make sure nothing was left hot; Vanessa directed Scott on where to place the fireworks and when to light them, and Jeff directed everyone's attention to the other fireworks going off by screaming, "Look!" every five seconds. I think I have a bunch of pyromaniacs on my hands, to tell you the truth, lol.

The night pretty much ended when our crack-tastic fireworks from Wal-Mart ran out. Everyone slowly left, leaving us with a heap of food, which can be good and bad. Good in that I won't have to cook until the end of the world (and then, why bother!); bad as in, I'm trying to lose weight here, people! Hahahaha.

I'll try to post pictures if I can ever figure out how to fix them in PhotoShop; 'cause y'know, Mindy hogs all the photography/PhotoShop talents to herself, lol!