Fishing

On June 28, we went fishing! Papa wanted to take his grandkids fishing, so we caravanned down past Fairview and up a canyon to a little pond area. Within two minutes of the first cast, the first fish was caught. It was awesome! Everyone caught several fish. We ended up coming home with 34, and that's not counting all the little ones we threw back!

Rachel and Nana were probably the only ones who didn't catch a fish. 

  Here's Michael's first fish--ever!

 When we weren't fishing, we had plenty of snacks!

 My first fish in about 17 years! (I stopped fishing when they made me start paying to fish. I don't like how fish tastes, so it seemed pointless to buy a license--until now). There was still some worm left on my hook after we got this one, so I cast it back in the water. Not even a minute later, I caught another fish. It was a lucky worm--or a really good fishing spot. One of the two. 

 Yeah Brian!! 

So, funny story. Michael and Brian were fishing, and the hooked a fish. When they were reeling it in, it looked like the fish had strange, bulging belly. About the time we got the fish to shore, we realized that there was something else caught on the line. It turned out to be another fish! So, with one hook, one line, and one worm, they somehow caught two fish. Someone else lost his line and bobber, which then hooked a fish, and somehow, Michael & Brian's line hooked the stray line. Both fish were alive and well when they came out of the water. In fact, the fish on Michael's line died first. I've never heard of such a thing happening before! 

Papa loves to fish. He had to bait all the grandkids' poles and get them set, and he let me borrow his pole. Finally, when the kids got bored, he got to have his fishing time. Thanks for being patient with all of us!

 We forgot warm clothes for Rachel, so Tucker was kind enough to share his. Don't let the blue fool you, that's Rachel under that cow hat!

 Sometimes, Nature calls. 

 My beautiful, cute pregnant Sister-in-law, Alisa. 

 Only a few of us were brave enough to take the fish off the line, kill it, and put it with the rest. I was not one of the brave ones, but Ben was. 

 And there was plenty of space to play tag. 

 Tucker wanted to eat the fish. Yum!

 Ben, Tucker, Jenny, and Tyler

 Ella and Alisa

 34 fish!

 Papa and Ben gutted and cleaned all the fish in the stream in front of a live audience. 

We all had lots of fun fishing. We'll have to do it again soon. Thanks so much, Papa and Ben, for making it happen!

Seven Peaks with the Savillians

On June 27, we met up with all of the Saville crew (minus the Dahls, Julie, and Shayne) at Seven Peaks. It was a great day to be in the water since it was super hot. We got to meet Baby Tucker for the first time. He is ADORABLE! I mostly hung out in the shade tents that Lea and Alisa brought. Rachel didn't like the water as much this time, and somewhere in there, she wanted a nap. Seriously, she was asleep before I laid her on the floor of the tent!

So, I read on my phone while she slept. Brian got to take Michael on some slides. I think they both had a lot of fun together. It's nice that he could take the day off to play. Lea's boys dropped in for a snack, and the extra excitement woke Rachel up, which was just fine. 

 It was a fun day with cousins, but we were all ready to leave when it was time. We went to Mom and Dad Saville's house for dinner and chatting, and then headed home to get ready for another day of fun with Ben and Jenny in town.

Swimming Lessons

This year, we decided to sign Michael up for swimming lessons. We went to a local family who taught lessons in their backyard pool. His teacher was great, and Michael loved it.

  First Day

Can't get enough!

He had eight lessons over the course of two weeks. It was fun, but we were glad to not have to go over there every morning first thing.

For Aunty Em

 All growing up, I would tease Emily by saying that I was going to name a daughter Dorothy so that she would call Emily  Aunty Em. I said, "Hey, it's a family name. I'll name her after our great-grandma!" And Emily would protest and threaten and whatever. So, when I had Rachel, Emily gave her these "Ruby Slippers" that she had made.

Michael was kind enough to let Rachel use his lion, Leo Aslan.

Another Trip to Idaho!

On Friday, June 14, we headed up to Idaho to spend the weekend with my family and to be there for Henry's blessing. We got in late, completely exhausted from our drive and the stressful night prior (aka the fire scare.) Everyone was great. They helped us get beds ready and our babies in them, and they even had hot rolls ready. Such an awesome welcome!

The next day was the day of the most fun:

And it wouldn't be a trip to Idaho without some relaxation:

And a little yard work:

And with Rachel, a little snuggle time:

This trip, I convinced everyone to hike Cress Creek Nature Trail. It had been about ten years since I hiked it, and I had forgotten how little shade there was. We hiked until the pavement ran out near the creek.

After the hike, we had a fabulous BBQ/picnic on my parents' lawn, 

and then I took family pictures for Emily:

Henry

A family of Vandals

Jack

Sir Henry

Wyatt

The next morning, the dads opened presents, and then we went to church for Henry's blessing, offered by my dad. After church, we took more pictures:

The whole crew who came, minus Rachel who was sleeping

 This year, Chelsea texted me and told me about matching father/son ties at Seagull Book. Since she was getting them, and Taryn was getting them, I decided to get them. I knew Chelsea and Taryn were getting this green set, so I bought one for Michael, Brian, and my dad, so we had to get matching tie pictures.

 Happy Father's Day!

My fabulous grandparents

My wonderful parents

After dinner, we headed for home. Since it was Fathers' Day, I drove so Brian wouldn't have to. We were so happy to finally get home by the end and get our kids to bed. We had a great trip. We'll have to do it again in a couple of weeks!