Ward Campout

Garrett and I had to make a quick trip to Nampa last Thursday night for an orthodontist appointment Friday morning. I decided since our ward campout was also Friday night that we would leave right after his appointment so that I could go on the campout. Garrett wasn't interested in camping so he was our dog sitter. Anyway, we got into town Thursday night around 9pm. We visited with grandma for a little while before going to bed. The next morning Laverne came over to visit while Dad went to an appointment at 9:30. Garrett's appointment was at 11:00am, so we had some time. His appointment was very quick and the doctor is pleased with how things are looking. They should be coming off in the next few months. I scheduled his next appointment in July. We headed back to grandma's and packed up our stuff and waited for Dad to come back before we all headed to Carl's Jr. for lunch because that's where Garrett wanted to go. It was close to the freeway entrance also, so that was a plus. 

A quick picture with GG before hitting the road back home.

We made it home a couple minutes before the girls got off the bus. We packed up our stuff and headed to Teancum Timbers church campground about 1 1/2 hrs. away from us in Dayton, WA. This campground was so nice and had so many things for the kids to do. We will definitely be going back there to camp again. We had a great time visiting with people from the ward and getting to know them better. The kids ran around with their friends. The only issue I really had was at nighttime. It was hard for me to fall asleep because my feet were cold. It wasn't until the last couple hours of sleeping that they finally got warm. Another thing is that we forgot to pack some things to go with our dinner, like buns for the hot dogs and more silverware. This is our first time camping as a family in probably 3 years I think. Two years ago we were getting ready to sell our house and a year ago we were fixing up our new (old) house. We really didn't have time until now. I am very glad that I made it back in time to join in.

Our ward's two tent spots were right in between this big campfire area, so we all used it since no one else was. It's also right next to the creek/river.

They had playground swings, a zipline, disc golf, lots of outdoor sports balls and other toys to play with. There was even a new basketball court. 

Alice riding the zipline the first night.

Saturday morning getting the view from the end of the zipline.

Charlotte taking a turn.

And Jack.

I rode the zipline twice and it was very fun. I would have ridden it more, but it was getting used by lots of kids. Lets be honest, that's one of the biggest reasons I wanted to go on this camping trip, because I heard there was a zipline. There was one couple who brought their camper and they cooked the breakfast for everyone. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, cut up strawberries and whipped cream, and orange juice. The funny thing is, our girls and their friends accidentally ate breakfast with another ward before finding our group. We had to walk a little way to get to the camper.

After breakfast, everyone ventured off to do different things. There was a little trail that took you on a bridge across the creek and then up a hill to do a "Tree of Life" experience. Unfortunately, the tree that they used had to be cut down for some reason but they still had the iron rod to hold on to.

These three girls are great friends now. They did everything together.

Crossing the bridge over to the trail.

Jack is up on that rock and I guess that's where the tree was for the Tree of Life. It's right above an ampitheater.

Jack hiked up there with a group of friends.

Hold to the rod!

Up on the hill after I climbed the iron rod to catch up with him.

A few people went on hikes. Curtis and I went with our girls and the Taylors. Jack went with another group in a different direction. Curtis and I are definitely out of shape, as we huffed and puffed climbing up those hills. I love hiking though, and want to do more. There are reading boards with quotes from Joseph Smith and other scriptures about the first vision posted throughout the hike.

It was so beautiful!

One part of the trail had a rope we had to hold onto to get down.

We discovered another bridge heading back to camp!

A picture from Jack's hike.

Most of this group is from the Wingert family. The blonde girl is from the Taylor's.

When we got back from the hike, the girls wanted to go wading in the creek. They forgot to bring their own sandals though and had to walk around barefoot. I finally got my two pairs of sandals out for them to use. My girls were the only ones that actually got swimsuits on. I don't think they got wet past their legs. This area was right behind where our tent was pitched.

Our ward was scheduled to use the archery and axe throwing areas at 11:00am, so after the girls got changed that's where we headed. It was a little further away from our camp but we hitched a ride on the back of the Taylor's tailgate (because Curtis stayed to pack up our truck). Unfortunately, they left before us and we had to walk back. The kids weren't happy about that but they survived.

After we walked back from archery and axe throwing, the kids and I took some more rides on the zipline. That was my second time going on it. By then, most people had already left and the campground was looking fairly empty. We were some of the last people to leave. When we got home Curtis discovered a tick on his side when he was changing clothes. It was on top of his garments so it hadn't bit him. We made sure to check everyone else for ticks as well. Charlotte had one in her hair. This is only the 2nd time in my life I have seen ticks. The first time was 10 years ago when Jack had 3 on his head after camping in Lowman. Luckily, these two ticks came off easily and Curtis killed them. Sure glad Milo wasn't there to get ticks on him! It was still a very fun campout.

Memorial Day Weekend

The grandparents left Friday morning but then our family packed up to go to Lewiston so Curtis could help Stillman with his shop project. We had just one little hiccup. Jack was scheduled to speak on Sunday in our Sacrament meeting. He had already put it off once, so we didn't want to do that again. We ultimately decided to come back Saturday night, go to church in our ward, and then drive over again, except we would meet Stillman's family at the Palouse waterfall. Jack has started driver's ed and he has his permit, so he drove us to Lewiston on Friday. It was the first time I had ever been in the car while he's driven, and he hasn't driven much. Curtis got him past the busy parts of town and off the freeway first, then Jack took over. There were a few scares, but he did pretty well. Garrett did the driving on the way home Saturday night.

Here we go Jack!

The girls were excited to finally get to sleep in a camper. They shared the top bunk. Garrett slept on a couch in the house. The rest of us were in the camper.

We mostly relaxed or played games Friday night. Then Saturday we helped Stillman. I didn't do a whole lot. Just handing them stuff when needed or sweeping the floors or raking gravel. I also would turn the power off and on when they were testing lights. The kids just played video games and then got in the hot tub.

Writing down measurements.

Pulling electrical wires up high for the outside lights that will be installed.

They had to figure out a problem with these lights that Stillman had already hung.

Stillman cutting a hole for the next light to be installed.

Relaxing in the hot tub.

Garrett drove us home Saturday night after we were done working. I think we left around 7:30pm. Fortunately, I was able to get a dog sitter last minute for this trip and she watched Milo until Monday. We got in bed as soon as we got home around 10pm. Jack did a good job on his talk. Is was about testimony. After church, we ate lunch and then packed up to go again. We had decided to go meet at the Palouse waterfall, which is about 1 1/2 hrs from our house. Then we followed Stillman's family back to their house so we could have more fun. We learned a couple of new games but to be honest, I was just not wanting to play. Those games were a little more complicated to play and I do not really like those kind. I like them simple.

Monday we packed up the 4 wheelers and drove up to the mountains to do some riding around. Unfortunately, one of the 4 wheelers kept dying and we had to take turns with the one that worked. It was absolutely gorgeous up there! It was a great weekend being able to see the beautiful waterfall and then the beautiful mountains!

The Palouse Waterfall

Trying to line up for a picture 😂

We saw several of these little critters around the picnic area and fence by the cliff edge. 

They are called marmots, which are a type of groundhog. They were so cute!

They had one of their burrows in the rocks where she's pointing. There are two of them sitting on the rocks but it's hard to find them. They blend in!

I love that I got a rainbow in some of my shots. So pretty!

Hanging out under the covered picnic area. They're sitting on a rock that sticks out of the wall.

We didn't do very well at getting a selfie.

A cool formation of rocks right behind the falls.

Up on the mountain in Waha, ID which is near Lewiston.

It's so green and beautiful! 

Anxiously waiting for a ride.

We had to cook lunch first. Hot dogs, chips, apples, bananas, pop, etc.

We were the first to ride on this one and it was the one that kept dying. Fortunately I was able to get it back close enough to our spot before it completely died.

Jayden and Jack took a ride together.

Me and my brother Stillman!

Jack, Jayden and Garrett

Had some fun with the panoramic option on my camera. Garrett's fighting himself 😂

Even though we had one four-wheeler quit on us, it was still a lot of fun and just beautiful up there. The weather was great also, warm with a light wind. As soon as we got back to Stillman's house after our venture on the mountain, we had to immediately pack up to get on the road back home. Our kids had school the next day. We didn't get on the road until about 6:30 or so. It's a 2 1/2-hour drive. I decided to ask our dog sitter if we could pick up Milo the next morning because we were getting home later than we thought. She was happy to keep him an extra night. Thank goodness because we were exhausted when we got home. I picked up Milo the next morning after the girls got on the bus. It was a great weekend with lots of beautiful scenery! And great to be hanging out with my brother and his family!