4th of July

For the 4th of July my parents got some rooms at "The Cliff"..and all these years, Cliff thought he was "The Cliff". How disappointing the truth was for him. We spent a few very fun days with my Parents, Katie, Jeff, Payton, Jay, & Chase. We hiked, made a float for the parade, create dams in the streams, swam, throw rocks, hiked and swam some more. Every year this time of year we like to ride the tram up and hike down, sliding on the left over snow patches. It was fun as always.

Summer Fun

The annual powell trip is almost here! We figured Bode needed to learn to hold on before he could wakeboard, so we got him a kneeboard. He played on it in the front yard for a couple of hours. I think he is ready!

We got to go on a fun picnic with some neighbors and a fun hike at Storm Mountain.

The Kids love the new sand box.

Granny Kathryn knew I had a busy and stressful day. She showed up and took the kids to the Zoo. Everytime Bode goes to the Zoo the Tiger loves him. The tiger came under the log and up to the glass to see Bode. It is all he can talk about. Then he got to ride the Tiger on the Carousel. Thanks for a fun memory granny!

Arches

We decided last weekend to see if we like the family camping thing. All week Bode would say "Camping with Chase." We head down and purchased a new tent, due to the two children will not fit in the old one. Pack everything we owned, except the kitchen sink (I could not get it unconnected) into the back of the truck and off we went. It was defiantly an adventure. Arriving in camp we set up tents which took more then an hour, an we learned that when the weather says windy... don't go some place with lots of sand. Ranger Rick stops by " you better put those tents down or they will blow away, 55 mile an hour wind today."

I turn to Cliff, what would you like me to do? We just got the stupid thing up he says "If it blows away we will get a room." Katie and I walk over to the tent with the intent of taking it down. We looked at and it looks like to much effort and say, it will be fine. We left to go hike the fiery furnace- highly recommended. It was very fun six kids and 5 adults, hiking up things we should of had ropes for.. that is what adventure is all about. Are we lost? Who knows??? We kept asking Bode if he wanted to get in the pack, and he would say "No, Bode hike." He kept getting slower and slower, but he almost hiked the entire thing! When you had to climb over something you would try and help him the would say "No, Bode do it." My little independent boy, Cliff claims he gets it from me.

We returned to camp 3 hours later. Cliff was in charge of staking the tent.. Now we normally do not stake our tent, that is what gear is for right. Well we want to thank him, he did an excellent job. Returning to camp, the tent was still staked! But, the top of the tent was no longer connected to the bottom of the tent. The good news he said we could get a room! Bode thinks camping is setting up a tent, taking the remains of the tent down, playing in the swimming pool, eating pizza and sleeping in a hotel with his cousins. He loves it and wants to know when we are going next!

Star Valley-24th of July

For the 24th we went up to see Grandma & Grandpa Linford. It was nice to get out of the heat, and enjoy the scenery for a few days. Cliff loves to go home to his stomping grounds and relax. I think Bode's favorite part is the constant attention from the grandparents and watching the dog and horses. Cliff is trying to prepare me that I am going to have to have a dog soon...
This image was taken on an unnamed lake on the 24th around 1ish... This is the number 1 reason I like Wyoming... Ski, Ski, Ski, and then when you can Ski no more, sit around and wait for the water to get rough...it didn't happen while we were in town. Cliff would attribute it to "good clean livin'..."

Keri..come on you can hold on for 6 more... Please notice all the boats, and rough water.....Jason and Luke on the Tube, it was fun to play with Cliff's Cousins for the day! McKenzie, Jason's Daughter up on ski's for the 1st time. She did awesome!The Hiking was incredible. The views and wild flowers were spectacular... This was a glacier lake looking across swift creek.That is cliff sitting on a point in the Dry Creek side looking down into the top of Swift Creek...

The drop off below that ledge was a couple hundred feet. Cliff says when he hunts with Joe, they camp down in the bottom of that canyon, and then at 4 am Joe gets him up and they basically run up on of those gullies across the way so they can be at the top at 6.

This is the lake at the top of Dry Creek.. doesn't look to dry to me? Wyoming people, I have no idea how they come up with the names... Keri & Bode enjoying being outside and the fresh air.
Keri & Bode resting on the top..
Cliff trying to decide if we can walk across this razor edge. In the end we did and it was pretty cool!
Father like son, both handsome and both being excited that they get to play in the dirt....