4th of July

Over the 4th of July weekend, we took Jake and met up with Ben's friend Junior (Jeff) in Escalante, UT at the Slot Canyon Inn. Luckily Adam and Kristen are already there so we had a great little group.

We rented the Isaac Riddle Cabin for two nights and it may have been the best weekend ever.

Friday night we went to Boulder, Ut, to the annual 4th of July Talent Show. There was some talent, and some un-talent. We saw singers, dancers, jugglers and more. We sat on the grass and enjoyed the people watching for a few hours.
Kristen cuddling with Finn.
Jake cuddling with Finn.
Beautiful clouds.
Saturday was full of hiking. A few small hikes around the property.
Then someone had the great idea of hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls. It's a beautiful and amazing hike, but lets just say a struggled a bit on the way out. If I could do this hike once a week, I'd be in amazing shape.
Finn is a great rock climber. Even in a swim diaper.Roscoe was our trail dog. Much better hiker than me.The group. Ben, Finn, Diania, Adam, Kristen, Jake, Junior.
Here we are again, but really tiny.We only had a few sad little fireworks and sparklers that didn't work. So we threw them all into the fire and they were much better that way. Then there was this firework. We had no idea it was going to be this big and it was so loud. We all went running and diving from it, while Jake was stuck right next to it. If you look closely you can see him the background. I don't think I've laughed that hard in years.

Family Fun Part 2

On Thursday we headed to Fruitland to stay at Camelot Resort with all the Dickersons (minus Dan and Laura) and Wings.

The property was amazing. The house, not the greatest. I think we were all expected a little better house, but for the price, it was fine. You pay for the property.

The reunion was full of swinging.

eating

climbing (or being a tiger as Finn calls it)

biking
enjoying the beauty of Utah
And of course enjoying being together as a family.

Highlights and Lowlights (and things to remember):

• Jake using the rope swing to propel himself into a freezing river and then screaming like a little girl
  
• Finn falling into the smaller river and climbing out by himself, soaking wet, and then wanting to get back in
• My bike pedal falling off, mid ride
• Mouse on Marc's face
• Kickball (with only a few minor injuries)
• Food - hamburgers, hotdogs and ribs
• Cohen waking up dry (and Jake!)
• Some people not getting hot water, but I did, that is all that matters
• Finn learning to love trees, must be in his blood
• Forcing everyone to finish a game of Trivial Pursuit
• Mountain Dew, Airborne and Emergen-C
• Other lawn games, including frisbee golf & horseshoe
• Finn thinking pinecones are poop
• Me not taking enough pictures
  

I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff, so family, please comment.
We are glad it's over, but glad it happened. It was a great few days getting to know everyone!

Playing with Uncle Jake

Jake was entertaining Finn yesterday while we made dinner. Finn is such a little boy now. He runs, kicks, talks and drives his car around.



Shortly after this video was taken, we came outside to find Finn riding his car in the middle of the street with Jake by his side. When asked, "Why are you letting him play in the street, you aren't setting a very good example." he replied, "well Finn headed straight for the street, he seemed like he knew what he was doing, so I thought it was OK." Jake, NEVER trust a 2 year old.

We love you Uncle Jake!!!

Sunday at the park with the Dickersons

Sunday Ben's brother's Jake and John (and fiance Kelsey) came over for dinner and to play. It was a beautiful day, so we headed over to a new park close by. It's not technically open yet, but everyone was playing on it anyways. Just a quick jump off a pier onto a sandy beach and you are in.

This is probably the best park I have ever been to. It's a big kid park, and there wasn't much for Finn to do there, except play in the sand, which he was happy doing.









Me looking down on Jake and Finn.


There is this spinning thing that you hang on to. Ben and brothers were getting it going really fast and kids were flying off. Pretty much the funniest thing I've ever seen.

Christmas Day

We woke up early Christmas morning ready to go (not really). Finn did a good job opening the first two presents and then we had to help him out a bit. He loved everything, especially the books, and mostly the balloons.

Uncle Jake slept over mostly because he loves waking up early. But really to join the fun and help Finn try out his new toys.







After a few hours of laying around watching the snow fall, we shoveled ourselves out enough to go see Yes Man. We picked up Finn from my parents house and go home just in time for Mimi(Ben's mom) and Chad to arrive. So we opened more presents!