Family Camping

We spent four days together at Union Valley Reservoir. To our great delight everything about the trip and the campsites was better than we expected. For one thing - hardly any mosquitos! The Lake was very comfortable for swimming. Days were warm but not hot- unlike the "fires of hell" weather back in the Sacramento Valley and foothills.

Wading, swimming, sunning at the little beach near our campsites

The first kid project was the boats. The nail pounding resulted in no injuries. Painting produced some original colors and decorations.


We visited our old favorite, Wright's Lake, for a full day. Erin, Sara, Lee, Ali, Carissa, Derek, Grayson, Paige and Ben took a hike up the Twin Lakes Trail while Brett, Mireille and the boys canoed the narrows.

Kerry, Shanna, Susie and Caleb hiked to Enchanted Falls and the Loop Trail. Caleb loved getting into the water.Life in camp
Each night we had campfire. Smores, painting projects and snacks rounded out the evenings.

Gramma helping the kids with their personalized aprons

Here is the unofficial 2009 cousins camping picture. What a great week for all of the kids to get to know each other.

Lake Pal

Despite leaving for our Lake Powell trip with an injured team (Lee's knee and Carissa's arm), we ended up having the best trip yet. The 8 hour boat ride to our destination was sunny, beautiful and relaxing. The guys took turns playing captain up top until we reached a section called San Juan, about 75 miles from leaving the Antelope Marina in Page, Arizona.There were very few boats around, which was conducive to lots of swimming and wakeboarding, as the water was calm all day. Carissa was really slowed down by her broken arm, as you can see.Actually, tuving was much more dangerous for the other chilren, who nearly suffered a concussion when hit with a big fiberglass cast on a bumpy ride.My fears that she would sit inside crying and reading books were quite unfounded.I hope Dr. Brookenthal doesn't get a hold of these pictures.I'm not sure that driving a jet ski was on his approved activities list.The kids mostly swam behind the houseboat. Grayson wasn't too keen on it all until later in the week.But then he only wanted to go "'wimming".

And shoot the water gun.Derek took some time out for dominoes.And we ate way too much.And found plenty of time for wakeboarding, etc.Even Lee made it up, although he took it easy on the jumps.All in all, we could not have asked for a better trip

They call me the Glass Man...

So, here are some pictures of my thumb! I broke it playing capture the flag last saturday evening. It was the first game and first tag of the game, so that sucked! Anyway, I had someone drop me off at the Emergency room which is like 5 minute walk from my apartment. When the doctor, Dr. Hooker, came to examine me after the x-rays, he was like, "Have you ever broken your thumb before?" And so I went onto explain about my condition of enchondroma and he was extremely relieved, because they didn't know what was going with my thumb and the weird density of my thumb bone. They were afraid I might have had cancer, but didn't want to just blurt it out. Anyway, its slowly healing...I think. Here are the pics!

The first day it was MASSIVE! Especially the first joint!

I took these today, a week after it broke... still pretty swollen.

Nasty fat thumb!

My hand is all wrinkled from the duck tape cast I put on it to go swimming!

My "cast/eating utensil" Mmmmm... lower cholesterol!

"So good!"

Happy (Belated) Birthday, Kirk!!!!

1983 certainly was a good year. I wish I had a few pictures of little Kirky – the little guy who was full of smart, comical quips. But these ones of Big Kirk from the last few years will have to do. We are all so lucky to have such an intelligent, humorous, gentle & loving brother. No one else could take your place in our family. Happy 26^th Birthday! We all love you!

Suz

Playing the air-guitar-sandwich

Kirk & Kev, in their element (some things never change)

A little Christmas cheese

What lovely siblings

Driving us across the Nevada desert.

Uhh...not sure what to label this one...

Kirk and beautiful Carrie, one year ago.

Wrights Lake

Uncle Kirk & Brady

Update

Carissa was in fairly high spirits today after being the 2nd grade celebrity for a few hours. However, when the novelty of a new cast and friends signing it wears off, I'm afraid the Dr.'s orders to stay completely out of water for 4 weeks may be hard to swallow. I know she would appreciate your prayers as she deals with the reality of a cast for 8 long summer weeks.

In Case You Ever Wanted to Try It

Roller Skates- GoodScooters- GoodRiding a Scooter while Roller Skating= BADA trip to the ER on a Sunday Evening (bringing the 5 year Bradford total to 6 visits), a broken wrist, 6 weeks in a cast and no water allowed on the eve of Lake Powell. But... " Everyone's going to be really surprised at school tomorrow!!"



So remember- DON'T SKATE AND SCOOT!!

Skinner Wedding Reception

Ben "playing" with Kevin and Kirk.