City of Rocks

We planned a camping trip with Greg's cousin Brian and their family, and met in the middle of nowhere Idaho, and it ended up being so much fun! Brian mentioned going to a place called City of Rocks, and after Googling it, we decided it was something that could be really cool, and it was!

We loaded up and headed north, and opted to take a highway that ran parallel to the freeway that saved on miles. We didn't pass another car for literally 60 miles on that highway, and we really hoped we didn't break down because no one would find us for days. It was so remote, that the birds flying across the roads didn't know to look for cars. How do we know? Greg hit one! Our car is now known as the "birdslayer."

Can you tell Sofi's excited?

Our water lover found the spigot. Please notice the pink unicorn is still on her wrist 🤣

She was soaked! You just can't tell

Greg's hands were full and he REALLY wanted that chocolate cinnamon bear. I was dying!

Right when we got done with dinner, the wind really started to pick up so we all high-tailed it into our tent to wait for Brian and Clarisa to show up. They made it around 8:30, but by then it was really dark. We left the girls in the tent to help them back their trailer into the spot, and their trailer is absolutely humongous, so it was no small feat.

I didn't sleep very well Friday night because I was absolutely freezing! It was about 37 degrees, so Greg and the girls slept very soundly, but not I. It's not a picnic tent camping in weather that cold. What's worse, was I heard every time the heat clicked on in Brian and Clarisa's trailer, and it was often.

Saturday we planned on spending the day in City of Rocks, which was so cool! I'm used to sandstone rock, but this granite rock was absolutely amazing! I'm trying to figure out how these giant stones got placed in this remote area, but it was so fun to climb around on and explore. The girls loved it, and I can see us going back in a few years when they are a bit older. The granite was really easy to climb on.

Sofia Lu, when you are 16 and asking me why I never got pictures of  you looking, it's because you refused to look!! 

Claire and the horse she hijacked from Abby. Abby was a good sport.

Brian found this little lizard. He was tiny and his tail so pretty!

Oh Claire. I love you, but by now we were ready to ship you to Arkansas. Someone was in major need of a nap, and it may have been both of us ...

City of Rocks: 1. Our brand new tires: 0.

Claire hanging out, literally, while Greg and Brian changed the tire.

Saturday night we hit up the local hot springs, and it felt so nice being in the water while it was literally freezing outside! Claire was still throwing fits, so we lasted as long as we could before she completely shut down. Girlfriend was ready for bed!

Brian brought along his portable smoker, so we smoked a cobbler that night while the kids were in bed. It was amazing!!

Sunday we made it to the local ward and were ecstatic to see that we were the only ones wearing masks. I don't think COVID had made it to that corner of Idaho yet, so we were happy to comply with the local customs and whip our masks off. They were even singing. It was amazing and so nice to be somewhere where it felt completely normal. 

The area of Idaho was still very much farmland. You could tell that families had lived here for generations in their ancestral homes, and were content to make it work. They weren't very materialistic, but were so down to earth. Greg made the comment how we were in the room of some of the hardest working people in America. I completely agreed with him.

We packed up and said our goodbyes, then pulled away. The girls had so much fun with their cousins and it was fun watching them interact with each other. We may need to make this camping trip an annual event.

And, because we were on a donut tire, our 2 hour trip turned into 3.5 hours thanks to us being able to go 55 MPH maximum. Some cars were very unhappy with us. Oh well, we eventually made it home and found all was well.

We made it to this gas station and saw these gigantic sticks, and I thought they were hilarious! My favorite comment was Greg: "Hey Heid, can you get that spot? Nevermind, I got it 🤣." After 3.5 hours going 55 MPH, I'd say I was a little slap happy.

Until next time, City of Rocks! ✌

Wind Stormageddon 2020

We've had a pandemic, an earthquake, and the earth decided it was time to throw a wind storm at us. And holy freaking cow was it a windstorm! We knew it was coming - the meteorologists said it was - but I don't think people truly believed them, because honestly, how often are they really right?

The night before, my dad called and told me to tie my trampoline down. I wish I had taken his advice.

They said winds reached upwards to 90 MPH in our area, Hurricane wind speeds. Luckily our tree's survived, thanks to Greg and his quick thinking, but our neighbors weren't so lucky. But, it knocked out power, so that was fun to deal with as well amid all of the other crazy going on.

Turns out we didn't have rope, so Greg grabbed extension cords and held the tree's in place while I tried to secure the cord to the stakes Greg had pounded into the ground. Quick thinking on his part, and a learning experience for us. Buy rope!

The aftermath.

We were foolish and didn't pull our peaches before the storm. Lesson learned.

Power got wiped out. This was the 3rd time in 3 years we have been so grateful to have this little stove. Our neighbors aren't so lucky and had to go elsewhere. Not us! We cooked on the camp chef and stoked the fire. It was awesome! It was fun to use lanterns at night too. It helps having excited little girls - they make everything more fun.

I saw this porta potty and was dying! I pity the fool who had to clean it up.

Cooking crepes on the stove. They were delish!

Once the power was out, and Greg wasn't able to work from home. He promptly left us to fend for ourselves and drove in to work where life was normal. I'll be honest, I was really upset with him for abandoning us while everyone else's husbands stayed home to help clean everything up. While I flipped the tramp back over (with the help of Sofi), cut and raked up the limbs, cooked on the camp chef and kept the house warm, Greg was in his office, blissfully typing away. Don't worry, I've gotten over it. But boy was I mad at him for awhile.

Pics Greg got on his way to work.

I really hope this isn't our future

Aftermath of the storm down in the Hollow. I went running down there the night after the storm, and couldn't even get my way through. It was so crazy down there I had to bushwack my way up to the main road and hobble home from there.

Logan and Peach Days COVID Style

We've been planning all summer to make a trip up to Logan, and when we heard Peach Days in Brigham were cancelled, we knew we had to do something. So, we loaded the girls up one morning and off to we went to Cache Valley. 

Going through Sardine Canyon, Greg and I were amazed that we finally owned a car that could sail up those hills without a problem; bless those college cars. 

I was nearly Giddy with excitement when we coasted down into Cache Valley and Logan came into sight. Cache Valley has a special place in my heart - it became my home away from home and was the perfect escape for me in a critical time in my life. It is my happy place, and I absolutely love being there whenever I can.

The first thing we did was go up to the USU campus and get Aggie Ice Cream. Claire downed her Blue Mint and the ice cream was just as good as we remembered it.

I want to always remember the major unicorn phase Claire went through this summer. Please notice the pink slap bracelet unicorn on her wrist. It went everywhere with her. Everywhere! And I love it!

Next, we toured the campus, and it was so HOT that day. We made our first stop in the Library to get out of the heat and reminisce on old times. I even got to show Greg and the girls the Old Ephraim skull. I couldn't believe Greg spent 4 years in that library and never actually explored the place. Such a waste! It was weird being back in the library with the glass partitions, thanks to COVID, and mask signs everywhere. 

Greg is pretty proud of this shot.

There was this weird branch house outside, so we of course had to go explore.

We ventured over the Old Main and walked around the building. They have added these beautiful fountains on either side of the main staircase, and the girls had fun playing around in the water. We even got some cute shots on the 'A.' Sof refused to be in any and all pictures, but Claire did not disappoint!

So many memories on this sidewalk. 

That foot pop though!

After leaving Campus, we headed to Al's Sporting Goods to check out their Labor Day Sale. Greg ended up getting a cute bell for his bike, and that's about it. Next, we took the girls around the neighborhood to see our cute apartments. We lived in a fun area of town and had some amazing friends. Have I mentioned I love Logan?

Next we went to the Cheese Factory where sadly they weren't giving out any free samples, but we spent way too much on cheese and the awesome shelf milk stuff (food storage, camping) it has so many uses. Luckily we brought a cooler, or our cheese would've gone bad in the heat. It was so hot!

On the way out, we stopped at Cox Honeyland and, well, bought some honey. I love that place. You can take whatever container in, and they will fill it up with honey, you just pay by the pound. Sadly I didn't bring a container, so I had to pay full price in the store. Oh well. Next time.

The girls couldn't wait to get to Peach City. We've been talking about it all month and how it was such a special place, and how grandma LuAnn used to work there. The girls couldn't wait to go! The food is always so yummy, and the peach shakes are incredible! We definitely left way too full. Especially Greg - the girls hardly ate anything and he took it upon himself to leave nothing behind. Literally.

This is the only picture I got all day of this girl looking at the camera. She's a stinker when it comes to taking pictures! So let it be known that it can happen, I just have to be sneaky about it.

On the way out of Brigham, we stopped at a Peach Stand and bought more peaches, which was a good thing ... our peaches didn't fair well. I'll get to that in a different post.

All in all, we had an amazing day, and I'm so glad that even though COVID has ruined all the fun, it has also allowed us to get creative and plan some fun events just for our family. Sometimes it is nice to be forced out of our comfort zones, to learn to adapt and go with the flow. It seems like it's only the adults who are doing all the complaining anyway. Maybe there truly is something we are all needing to learn from this pandemic.

Regardless, we had so much fun as a family, and it was a sweet thing to be able to take the girls back to where our cute family began. 

Kindergarten, Here She Comes!

Sof started Kindergarten! I am so glad she was able to start at all, during this COVID time of life. She had to wear a mask, and only went Monday and Wednesday for the first part, but a few weeks later, they opened it up Monday-Thursday, with Friday being a remote-learning day. She has loved having a social life again and is thriving! She is one of the smarter ones in class, so she is a good helper for the other kids. She is reading so well and rarely needs help anymore.

She has Ms. Loosle and goes in the afternoon, which is ideal on the days she decides to sleep in. She has made so many cute friends and I have loved having her come home and tell me what she learns each day.

Greg worked from home and was able to walk her to school, her dream come true. Sof is thriving and is so grown up. It is going to be a fantastic year!