2, Overnite Trips!

  

 i used to wonder why, as a kid, we never went on any big trips...and just went somewhere 'for the day'.  now i know!  it is so hard to get away with everything going on/farming...and by the time i get everything ready to go and packed up and animals and yard and church and work all set, i am exhausted!!! and just want to stay home:)

 BUT, we made it on two trips in the past month that included ben.  he won't go on any vacations (except in the winter!!!) but since the weather and hay timed up just right, i was able to convince him these were good things for our family.

 the first was going down for the paul power dash at mom's school.  of course we were late leaving because ben was not able to get away on time, but we made it!  we had a late pizza with the family and woke up early in the morning to run the 1 mile around the school.  all the kids did great!  ben took ivy and ellee, which left us with very willing participants. emerson won a ninja lego sticker book and blaiz won an apple itune gc from the raffle.  it was beautiful weather and we had a great time together!  only casualties were anni's fall and bridon being stung by a bee.

 we enjoyed a potato bar for lunch with alan's family and then headed out to the pumpkin patch.  it wasn't officially open, but mr. landers let us come.  we picked out some pumpkins, rolled down the hill, and looked at all of his thunder gords (not sure the official name).  fun was had by all.  then it was off to get some ice cream with grandma.  of course!

 it was a quick trip. that evening, lisa attempted a family picture...and said they weren't very good.  but i don't think they were that bad!!  then it was off back home to get ready for sunday and our callings.  good thing ben drove.  i was tuckered out for awhile there.  everyone slept or chilled except for emerson...she wanted her bed and kept reminding us of that!  thanks everybody for a great time...

 the kids had two days of from school last week.  we had had some rainstorms, so 4th crop was being postponed a bit.  we decided to take the kids up to mccall for a day to check things out and have a little fun!  we arrived late afternoon on thursday, and went to the park alongside the lake to play on the rocks and 'lake monster.'  before we left, we had canned peppers, cleaned the garage, moved the cows, and gotten ben's new tires and wheels put on.  because of that, he was able to talk me into fast food as we left town.  that is always a terrible decision for me.  but luckily, it only lasted one nite:)... but was smelly from a few others for awhile.  fast food is terrible!

 i think the kids' most exciting part of the trip was the hotel swimming pool!  we took the whole family thursday nite.  they had a blast!  fortunately we were able to get a family suite, so i brought the girls up and bathed and settled them in for bed while the boys stayed and played. too bad ellee woke up so many times that nite. typical. new place.

 the next day, we visited the salmon fish hatchery.  it was interesting and we saw lots of little ones.  the big ones had all ready been released.  but still fun.  then it was swimming again!!!  but, i opted to pack up and keep ellee.  she was not pleased to be left behind, but decided snacks and jumping on all the beds would still be okay:).

 we stopped at a local sandwich shop, called stax, and got sandwiches for a picnic out at ponderosa state park (by the lake).  the sandwiches were absolutely delicious and the lake was perfect.  i have only been to mccall twice, both times in the winter, so i didn't know what to expect.  we brought games to play (battleship-this was introduced at gma moncur's:)  and then wandered down to the lake.  it is awesome there!  we had lots of fun!! but next time will know to bring sand shovels and buckets and wear shorts and bring a frisbee and stuff like that.  ben was a little perturbed that i let them get all wet and sandy, but in the end it turned out just fine.  everyone slept or watched a show on the way home and we got some frozen yogurt, as promised.  i hope they will remember a fun, family trip and being together!