Sawtooths Day 1

Amber and I had planned a trip up to Idaho to hike in the Sawtooths. They looked really cool and I was excited to see something new. Unfortunately our trip was delayed a few hours because I spent four hours at the doctors office. Sunday morning I woke up with a really weird rash/bump/infection on my right breast. It was not there when I went to bed but was huge and uncomfortable when I woke up Sunday. It was bizarre. I finally got into the doctor Wednesday right before we were supposed to leave town. The PA was a little concerned about it because it looked like two different things were going on. She said I should not leave town until I had some imaging done. So I had to have a mammogram and an ultrasound that afternoon. Luckily it seems her initial thought was accurate . . it seems to be an infection. I got some antibiotics and was given the thumbs up to leave town for the long weekend. By the time I got out of there I was stressed and had a major headache. It was a long and somewhat emotional day. I wasn't even worried when I went to the doctor but then because of her reaction I became much more concerned. I have been on the medication for almost a week. It looks a lot better but there is still a super weird bump. We will see what happens with that. Anyways finally three hours later than planned Moki, Amber and I were on the road. Due to the late start we ended up staying the night in Declo. We were at a cute little campground with awesome grass. It was right on the Snake river. We got there and got set up jest in time for evening stroll at sunset.

 Moki and I in the tent ready for vacation:)

 Moki ready to bounce the next morning.

We got up early, packed up camp and got on the road. We wanted to get up towards Stanley and find camping before all the weekend campers got in town. All the camping around Red Fish Lake was full but we ended up at Sunny Gulch Campground. It was perfect for what we needed. We set up camp and started to explore. We went to the lodge to look at our hiking options. We decided to start with the hike we were most excited about Sawtooth Lake. I had read this was the "must do" hike in the Saw Tooth range. It is around 10 miles and 1600ft elevation gain. We found the trailhead and started hiking.

The hike was a very gradual uphill and it was overcast it seemed like the perfect hiking conditions. The views were amazing!

 Moki led the way.

 As we were hiking we heard thunder but it seemed far away and the clouds were light. I wasn't too worried. We kept hiking but heard the rumbles every so often.

 It's so fun to hike and explore a new place. It is one of my most favorite things.

A few miles in the thunder got louder and we were hit with a crazy hail storm.

Like the hail was big and it really hurt. We had to take cover under trees and I covered my head with my pack because it hurt to get it. Amber and I have been in thunder storms before while hiking. We assumed this would be a short summer storm, it would clear up and be a nice day. Once the hail let up we continues hiking up. There were a couple more times we had to hide under trees before making it to Alpine Lake the fist lake on the hike.

The lake was pretty. We did not hike down to it because we wanted to get to Sawtooth Lake. Right as we started hiking again there was crazy lightning, thunder and hail. We found some cover, it was more difficult now because we were almost above the treeline, and hoped to wait it out. After 10-15 minutes we realized this storm was not going away. We decided we needed to head back down. We had hiked 4.5 miles and new it would take a while to get down. On the way down we had multiple times we had to take cover from the painful hail. It really did hurt. It felt like someone was throwing little rocks on us. It rained the entire hike down. We made it back to the car dripping wet and freezing.

We went and took showers at redfish Lake and then headed to Stanley for dinner. It felt good to be clean and warm. We had a nice dinner at one of their restaurants. The waiter told us this was the busiest he had ever seen this area. Corona-virus has forced so many people outdoors to stay sane. That was crazy to hear because it did not seem crowded. We finished dinner then headed back to camp. It was still raining and so we just hunkered down in our tents for the night.

Our hike ended up being 8.43 miles, we gained 1,338 ft of elevation and it took 3 and a half hours. It was a great first day, minus the hail.

Family Time

 After dinner one evening Sam and his kids had a fun little dance party.

 Aaron and Jacklyn stayed with Caleb and Anthony. They all slept in Calebs room. I love the pictures of them all getting cozy:)

 Jacklyn finally found a new bike. She has been looking for one for quite a while. She got it out here in Utah. Aaron, Jacklyn and I rode 20 miles on the Jordan River Parkway Trail. It was really really hot but really fun.

 By the time family time ended I was exhausted. I had spent 10 days in California and then another week here doing family stuff, all of which I loved, but I was tired. It was nice to finally have a clean and quiet house. The Sunday everyone left was so relaxing and just what I needed to recoup. That Sunday evening Moki and I hiked Squaw Peak with Randal. We hiked in the evening. We hiked fast. It was so nice. I always forget how steep it is. It was a nice way to wrap up a very busy few weeks.

The flag on top of the peak!

 There were so many dandelions on the hike this time.

 Moki was so happy and so tired. We rested on top for 10-15 minutes. In that time she never stopped panting.

I like to get this hike in at least once a year so I was glad I was able to.

Trial Lake

Aaron and Jacklyn came to Utah!!! My mom was already here, she had come back with me after my California trip. Anthony and Caleb were in the process of a job change and so we had lots of fun family time. One day we went up to the Uintas and spent the day at Trial Lake. It was a beautiful day. We brought a pop up, food, chairs, paddle boards. . . . all the stuff we needed for a fun day. The weather was so pleasant and the lake was awesome. It was a fun day of hanging out. Caleb gets credit for most of these pictures.

We stayed and played until everyone was tired. Originally we were going to hike as well but that never happened. On the way home Aaron, Jacklyn, Anthony, Caleb and I checked out Mirror Lake and Provo Falls.

It was a beautiful evening.

 We ended up not walking all the way around Mirror Lake because there were tons of mosquitoes.

 Provo Falls. It is the head waters of the Provo River. Pretty cool and so pretty.

 It was a fun family filled day. We were all exhausted when we finally made it home.

Part 3 California

We got back to Oroville on the evening of the 9th and I was beat. It it always exhausting having all the kids. I LOVE it but it is so tiring. We were all wiped out and just had dinner and relaxed. I wanted one day in Oroville without any travel before heading back to Utah. I got it and it was so nice.

July 10 is my Dad's birthday. this year was the easiest for me since his passing. Man I love that guy. It is always easier when I am busy. I hardly took any pictures this day but I had a great day in the Ville. Mikila and I went to breakfast. It was great to see her and catch up. I ventured out on a 30 mile bike road out towards Bangor. It was awesome except it got super hot. I hate how hot it is in Oroville. Then Andrew and I met up with Angelee and her kids and Sam's house. It was a fun afternoon fo visiting for adults and swimming for the kids. I am always so grateful to catch up with Mikila and Angelee when I am in town. The only picture I took was of Andrew and Sam'd son. Because Sam and my brother Sam used to be roommates.

After visiting with Angelee and family we headed back to my mom's. It was soooo hot. We were going to float the river but Andrew and I were too tired. We had played so much in the sun all vacation. He was happy to play legos at my moms. I happened to beon instagram and saw Katie Call post a California picture. I immediately reached out and learned she was also in Oroville. I snuck away for a little bit to visit with her. I love seeing that girl. She was exhausted, she had driven all day, so I didn't stay long but it was a nice quick visit. I didn't get a picture. LAME!

July 11th my mom, Andrew and I headed back to Utah. We took a unique route. We stopped in Tahoe so we could paddle board. Aaron and Jacklyn me us there. It was really fun. It made for a super long day but it was a good little stop. That Tahoe water is the best.

 Some geese swimming around

 Andrew paddling Jacklyn around and telling great imaginative stories.

Andrew loving the water

 And then Moki stole the show with most photogenic dog:)

There were so many people on the beach it was insane. There was no social distancing. Because we had Moki and Scout we were in a secluded area which was good. There were so many boats out that the water was crazy choppy. We played hard for a couple of hours and it was fun.

After Tahoe we headed to Reno to grab lunch together. We had brought my moms car. She was coming to Utah with me and then coming back with Aaron and Jacklyn so she needed her car at their place for when she came back. Aaron and Jacklyn were nice enough to drive it from Reno back to Susanville. It was a fun little stop on our way home. We didn't get to Sam and Amanda's to drop off Andrew until after 11pm. It was late. We were all exhausted but we had a great trip!

Part 2 California . . . Willits

My grandma turned 90 this year. How crazy is that??? It was a bummer with coronovirus because it wasn't really safe/convenient to travel, especially to visit the elderly. Now that it was later in the summer and I was already in California Jan and Lou allowed me to come visit them, bring all the kids, and see grandma. Jan and Lou are always great hosts and we had a great time with them. It was also great to see my grandma who did not end up in a single picture. . . boo!

As soon as we arrived Katelyn found the dress ups and waltzed around like this all evening. She is adorable!

We had grilled burgers for dinner, played some games. played corn hole, Lou taught the older kids how to shoot a BB gun, and then we did a camp fire. It was a very fun evening.

 Andrew worked at learning to shoot the BB gun until he got a bulls eye. He was super patient and practiced to achieve his goal. It was fun to watch. He was so excited when he got the bullseye.

It was a beautiful evening around the campfire.

 This was all on July 7th which is Virginia's birthday. We made sure to call and sing to her:)

 July 8th the older kids, Lou and I woke up early and headed to Fort Bragg. The kids love the beach and we were excited to spend the morning there. We went to sand dollar beach (10 mile beach). It was low low tide and we seriously had the best beach day. the sun was out and bright the entire time and we found a lot of fun things in the tide pools and collected lots of sand dollars!

Braxton's shirt was off as soon as he got out of the car. He quickly raced up this giant rock.

 Braxton is so fun at the ocean. He plays 150% the entire time. He has so much energy and he just goes and goes. It is so fun to watch.

 Siblings!

 These cousins played so hard for the two ours we spent there.

 Olivia and Andrew posing by a tide pool rock. There were so many star fish. My personal facorite.

  We walked against the current up the river. There were so many whole sand dollars in the river. Andrew could not hack it and fell in with his jacket on. So funny!

 Going down!

 I just love this girl so much!

 These cousins are so cute.

Lou was such a good sport to join us. He makes everything more fun. Andrew was laughing at his jokes which kept them coming. It was so fun.

When we got back to Willits we laid out our loot to dry in the sun. It was a good day at the beach!

 Ben came over to Willits to pick up his kids. Olivia had doctor appointments the next day and so they needed to head home. It was nice to visit with him again as well. We had a yummy rib lunch and then he and then kids headed home. I am always so sad when my time with them ends. I love them so much and don't see them nearly enough. Ben snapped this picture right before they loaded up into the car. I love it! Although it would have been better if he was in it. We had so much fun with these people.

It was a quiet evening once they left. I went on a nice bike ride, biking back up to Jan and Lou's is torture:) My mom and Janice taught Andrew how ot play Settlers of Catan, then we all played after my ride. What a great day!

July 9th

Lou and I headed out for a mountain biking ride. It was on a logging road so not technical but a great workout. After we all play Catan one more time. We enjoyed a nice lunch and then Andrew, my om and I headed back to Oroville. It was such a nice visit and I was so grateful to see so many extended family members.