Austin Family Reunion 2008

When getting ready to go camping I often ask myself "Is all this worth it?" Well this year the answer is a resounding YES!! My family has been visiting Bear Lake every summer for years and years now (since I was about 8?). When I was younger I merely thought it was for the sake of fun--you know hiking, playing at the lake, eating a bunch of treats, campfires and staying up late playing cards. But now that I have kids of my own I see it as a way to connect with them. There are no cell phones, no friends competing for attention, no ipods, no disney channel, and although my kids had to take their runs, they were mine and I got to spend time with them. What a treat!! I also enjoyed being with family--we rarely get together anymore.

We ate meals together

We had a surprise birthday party for me (can you believe they remembered?) and Caleb-my adorable 6 year old nephew. My family (Stephanie) even decorated the canopy--it was too fun!!

We played at the lake. The wave-runners were going all day long. (Thanks to K.C and Andrea for taking the kids for rides all day--so sorry for the sunburns.)

We went on a great hike

We drank hot chocolate and played in the dirt

We played cards

All in all we had a great time and created a lot of great memories.

Now I must stop writting and get to unpacking....

Mini catch-up

So I will try and catch up on the goings-on at our house...

Alec is driving. Yes on the roads. The only time he has been pulled over it involved the following statements:

--No sir, I do not have my learners permit.

--No sir, I do not have a valid driver's license.

--No sir, we do not have proof of registration.

--You can only drive with a responsible licensed driver.

--Who is this anyway--your sister??

--No it's my MOM (in that can you believe this is happening to me voice)

--Did you know I could take you to jail right now?

--Can I please just walk home now?

Anyway alls well that ends well -- both of us have a valid driver's license now.

Alec is still running -- he did the freedom run in 1:01, taking 37th place overall and 11th in his division (darn that Mt. Crest XC team).

Regan graduated from XXX, some tears were shed. She is now headed for High School. She is in XC as well. Her latest adventure was hiking to the top of Mt. Olympus with some friends from XC--can you say BOYS.

Austin received his Arrow of Light and is looking forward to going to scouts with Dad now instead of Mom. He is going into 6th grade (now the only member of our family at XXX).

Will turned 2--need I say more (he is a two year old in a house with adults who give him whatever he wants whenever he wants--do I smell something rotten??)

Ryan and I are basically the same--just trying to keep up with our fab four.

Well here we go....my goal is to be able to keep up with these guys--the fab four.