The Great Outdoors

We scheduled time out all of our busy lives and went camping as a family! We left after church on July 5th and came home Tuesday afternoon. We went to Payson Lakes, of which I had never been there before. We bought a raft the Saturday before (of course at Cabela's) so we could enjoy rafting on this camp out. It has been WAY too long since we have been camping as a family. When our children were all young we went camping a lot, but as they have grown older they have had activities, other interest, and jobs that have interfered so we haven't gone camping very much as a family over the past few years. We had a great time and it brought back such great memories of when our children were young. We had great conversations, yummy food, played games, went rafting, went on a walk, Russell tried some fishing, we went on a scenic drive, and hiked to a small waterfall. This was a good way to spend time together as a family before Tyson leaves on his mission. The only thing that would have made this camp out better, is having the rest of our children and their families with us. I LOVE CAMPING! I think camping SO good in so many ways. I'm can't wait for our next camping trip.

The menfolk - Russell, Tyson, & Kyle
Kyle and Tyson slept in their hammocks.

Russell & Judy on our walk.

Tyson helping with dinner. There's nothing better then eating a good meal in the great outdoors.

On our walk - Lacey, Kyle, Russell, and Judy.

Tyson, Lindsey, Kyle, and Lacey

Lacey

Russell

Kyle, Tyson, Lindsey, & Russell carrying the raft to the lake.

Lacey, Kyle, Tyson, Aspen, & Lindsey set sail on the first raft exertion.

Kyle is doing a back flip while Lacey watches from the dock.

On our scenic drive we stopped several time to take in the awesome views. You can see Skyline Drive (Sanpete County) behind us. From another view you could see Utah County, Mount Timpanogos, Y Mountain, and the Provo Temple.

Tyson and Russell enjoy the view of Devils Kitchen also, known as a mini-Bryce Canyon.

Tyson

Kyle

Aspen enjoyed helping me with the dishes.

Lindsey is helping Kyle fold his tent as we take down camp.

We rafted over to this leaning tree and then Kyle climbed up it and then jumped off into the lake.

Kyle found a bunch of logs floating in the lake and then he gathered them together to make a raft (Tom Sawyer-style).

As the rest of us enjoyed rafting, Russell enjoyed relaxing in the shade on the shore.

When we walked to Grotto Waterfall, Kyle had fun pushing Lacey all the way under the water. Lacey was a good sport about it. There's nothing like brother and sister love.

Russell & Judy at the waterfall.

Russell, Lacey, Kyle, and Judy.

Lindsey, Aspen, and Tyson left a little while before the rest of us so they didn't get to go to the waterfall.