All Summer in a Day

When my parents found out they would be moving to China for a few years, they wanted to get our entire family together for one last time before they left. We all spent a wonderful weekend at the cabin in Bear Lake together where we attempted to squeeze an entire summer of fun into one weekend. As you will see by the pictures below, I think we did a pretty good job. 

 We started out with a trip to the swimming pool. Always a favorite with the kids!

After the pool, we went to the playground. While Gracie and Abby played, Grandma started a little baseball game with sticks and pinecones with Garrett and Brooklyn.

My mom was hoping for a nice picture of all the kids on the beach she could look at and enjoy while she is away. This is the best we got.

The sunset was absolutely beautiful that night. My measly photograph skills do nothing to capture its splendor.

My parents kept telling the kids they had a really big surprise for them. They guessed everything from renting a boat to seeing the Bear Lake monster, but none of them could believe it when Brett and Chelsea showed up from Connecticut to spend the weekend with us.

Notice Garrett's little hand on Brett's neck...so sweet!

We hit up the go-carts and had a delightful time. As the token pregnant lady, I stayed on the sidelines and took pictures. Our family filled all the go-carts and took up the entire course. It was fun to watch, so I can only imagine how much fun it would have been to ride.

Brian and Sher hadn't made it yet, but here is the rest of the crew.

Some sweet lady insisted I get in the picture and took this one for us.

Next, we headed to the Bear Lake Chevron for our "Dog Run." Our family spends a lot of time at Bear Lake during the summer and most days at least somebody ends up at the Chevron for a drink, hot dog, or shake. One of the kids started calling it the "Dog Run" and the name has stuck.

There were some Army guys in uniform at the Chevron and the kids were totally enthralled. My dad (the friendliest man alive) struck up a conversation with them and got all of us invited to their community day at Rendezvous Beach. The kids got to tour their camp and the highlight was definitely going inside the helicopter. Garrett has been quite concerned about the Bear Lake Monster this summer and was very relieved when one of the soldiers told him they were camping there to catch the monster and had used their helicopters to snatch him right out of the water.

Sean rented this little scooter for Em to enjoy for the day. Isn't it cute? I think she needs one to keep!

Oh Garrett...he saw a snorkel set at the Chevron and was determined he should have it. It looked like a piece of crap and they wanted $14 for it, so his mean mom and dad said no. He was devastated, but found a pair of goggles at the cabin and made his own snorkel out of a straw. He wore it basically the entire time we were there and was so thrilled with himself.

Several of the family members took the scooter out for a spin, but I only got a picture of Chelsea.

We went back to the pool and you'll never believe what Grandma found...a real snorkel! Somebody was very happy.

A summer at Bear Lake wouldn't be complete without a trip to the beach, so we even ventured down there for a few minutes.

I told you he loved the snorkel...

Brett and Chelsea surprised us all that night with the news they are expecting a baby in December. Yay!

The boys gathered around the computer to watch "Hot Rod." It's a pretty funny movie, but watching them watch the movie was absolutely hilarious!

Little Miss Ella didn't have the best night and ended up asleep on the cabin floor.

Garrett couldn't get his goggles on fast enough the next morning.

We all went to Church together and then came back to the cabin for lunch and a nice game of wiffle ball. Everybody joined in and we had so much fun!

We were so sad when it was over and we had to go home and back to reality, but we feel we "did it up good" (as Grandma Ila would have said) and hopefully had enough fun and made enough memories to last us all until we can be together again!