Camping Up Porcupine

We haven't been able to go camping all year because last year Bryce noticed that the trailer axle was causing the tires to be worn down quickly.  After doing some research and looking into prices, he decided that we either needed to sell it or replace the axle with a new one. Needless to say, Bryce replaced the old axle.  It was a huge project and it took all day, but it looks good and Bryce did a great job fixing it!

We were now ready to embark on our first camping trip of the year.  We decided to stay close to family, so we headed up to Porcupine, which is located south east of Avon and Paradise.  Bryce took Friday off of work so we could camp an extra day and not feel so rushed.

When he got home from work on Thursday, we got everything loaded up and headed up to Cache Valley.  We were a little worried about the weather because it was extremely windy and the sky was darkening with clouds.  A small rainstorm moved through Cache Valley right before we got there, but was gone within a few minutes.  It was clearing off as we headed up the canyon to the campgrounds.

We got up to the campgrounds around 7 pm.  We set up our trailer in the most perfect spot up there and then started setting up our camp chairs around the small fire that we built. We weren't sure if we were supposed to have a fire or not, so we kept it very small. Ty and Jocelynn came up for a few minutes on Thursday night.  Ty played with boys and they ran around the camp before it got too dark.

Paul let us borrow his kayaks but we needed to go get the life jackets, so Friday morning, Bryce got up early and headed to Smithfield.  He got back around 10 and then started cooking bacon, eggs, and pancakes.  We ate breakfast around 11 and the by that time it was warm and the hundreds of bees were out and swarming the food. The boys did not appreciate this at all.

Tawni came up to eat breakfast with us right after her soccer practice.  After she ate, she went on a small walk with the boys. Clayton woke up that morning and said, "I feel wet. Why am I wet?" He must have peed sometime during the morning hours (since he slept till 10) and he didn't even know it.  Tawni was kind enough to take all the bedding and pajamas home and wash them for us....another advantage of camping close to where family lives!

 On Friday we spent quite a bit of time shooting the BB gun with the boys.  Bryce and I enjoy it as much as they do. There was another camping area right next to ours that was completely shaded, so we took the boys over there to shoot. Clayton informed us that he wants a BB gun when he turns four! We better get another one soon, because one isn't enough for all four of us.

After we shot guns, and ate a little lunch, we got into our swimsuits and went down to play in the river for a few minutes.  We found a spot where we could stand in really shallow water on top of the rocks.  The water was so cold, it was almost numbing.  We took a few pictures and the boys walked around for a while.  Bryce and I had a hard time standing in the water for too long!

 After that, we took the kayaks and headed up to Porcupine Dam. The beach is on the east side of the reservoir, so we drove for about 10 minutes and then unloaded the kayaks.  The beach was not was we were imagining.  It was very muddy and sticky.  Bryce and Cooper got in the kayaks and headed across.  It was windy and they had to fight it the whole time, but they were able to go out for a few minutes.

Clayton and I went over to the small waterfalls and climbed up through the water.  The water was freezing cold, but refreshing at the same time.  The water was cascading down rock, so we could just climb right up the rock without slipping.  We saw a water snake come down one of the falls.  After that, we went back to the lake and Clayton went on a small ride with Bryce. 

Friday night, we went into town to grab some ice and a few items.  We let the boys play at Jocelynn's for a few minutes and then headed back to camp.  For dinner, we made walking tacos.  After dinner, Ty and Jocelynn came up for an hour. The kids ran around and jumped from rock to rock.  We had a small campfire and the boys roasted marshmallows and made smores!  The boys were ready for bed by 9:30 each night. 

 Bryce and I would sit out by the fire and just enjoy each others company under the stars. One of my favorite things about camping was waking up before the boys and getting a chance to enjoy the cool weather out in my camping chair.  I would take my scriptures out with me and enjoy the peace and quiet for a few minutes each morning.  I even saw a deer prance through the campgrounds one morning.

On Saturday morning, Ty and Jocelynn came up just in time for breakfast.  Afterwards, we got out the BB gun and bows so all the boys could shoot.  Bryce was able to spend some time shooting his bow as well.  After that, we headed into town to grab more ice and drinks, and then let the kids play again at Jocelynn's for a little while.  When we got back to camp, we ate lunch and waited for Paul, Steph, and family to arrive.

Later that afternoon, Jaden and Addey showed up with their BB guns and all the kids shot their guns for a long time.  I think this was their favorite activity of the day.  We also went back to Porcupine so the kids could kayak and play in the waterfalls.

For dinner that night, Jocelynn and Kyle brought us some Chinese food.  It was so nice to have them come up and spend the evening with us.  We just ate, visited and watched the kids play "Ghost in the Dark".  Clayton ran around with the kids like he was as old as them!  They all had a great time spending the day with each other!

 After the boys went to bed, Bryce and I sat out by the fire and talked for a long time.  The sky was beautiful and clear and the stars were so bright.  We even saw a shooting star or two.  We also saw some light flashing in the sky.  We weren't sure what it was until we headed back home the next day.  We realized that some dry lightning had come across the valley and had started some bad fires in Millville.  Its seven days later and the fire has reached all the way to Blacksmith Fork Canyon.  It's burned thousands of acres and they have firefighters from many states here to fight the fires! Crazy ending to a wonderful camping trip with our kids!

 Its always a nice thing to be able to do these kind of activities with our children.  Bryce and I value the importance of spending quality time with just our kids.  We feel it important that the boys also spend time together without friends, so they can build their relationships and learn to rely on each other.  We want that bond to be strong between them as they get older.  We are thankful for them and the time we have to make those special memories with them!

Boating on the 4th of July

On the fourth of July, we went out to Pineview to spend the day at the lake.  We took a shade canopy out and set it up for those who were on the shore. Cooper and Addey enjoyed their swim break!

I was able to ride on the boat, but not do any of the activities.  I enjoy the boat, but despise the loud music that they play.  When I get on the boat, I would rather talk to my family, then listen to loud, annoying music.  He made me not want to stay on the boat for very long.

Clayton loved spending time with his cousins.  Ty made sure he stayed on his bum most of the time.  They all watched out for him. He only tubed for a few minutes, but he liked riding on the boat and having swim breaks with Bryce.

He also had a fun time on the kayak with mom.  We didn't go very far, but he took me over to show me where some water runs into the lake.  He even paddled a little bit. He had a good time playing on the rocky beach and filling his shoes up with rocks. 

Cooper and Addey knee boarded together.  At one point, Cooper fell off  the front of his board and it took him a few seconds to come up.  This kind of scared him to the point of tears, but as he was crying, he said, 
"I want to try it again." He loved it and he did a great job.  I was really proud of him. 

Here comes the boat, loaded down with family! It ended up being a fun activity.  The lake started feeling up with boats and it started to get wavy and windy.  We headed back to Big J's around 5 to eat dinner.  We ended our day by watching the new Jackie Robinson movie. It was a great movie!

Summer Activites

 At the end of May we went with Steph and Paul to the Richmond Parade.  It was still a little chilly and it rained all morning right up until the parade started.  Clayton was in heaven because he got so much candy.  His bag was mostly filled with taffy.  We warned Shaylee as she danced by us in the parade.  There was horse poo everywhere.

 Addey and Cooper enjoyed the parade from the top of the Merrills car.  They thought they were pretty special to be on top of the car.  I cringed every time the people in the parade threw candy and it bounced off the window and exterior of the car.

 Grandma and Grandpa got this new outdoor swing this past month. Clayton and Gma Cooper were enjoying a little swing while dad mowed Grandma's lawn. Love this picture!

 Grandpa Hatch came to see us and stay at our house for a few days. The boys roped him into doing a science experiment with him. I don't know that any of the experiments worked, but they enjoyed their time with Grandpa none the less.

 When we were up in Cache Valley, Grandpa Hatch took the Cooper and Addey on a hike up Green Canyon.  They took off in the Razor and headed up the canyon.  It was a hot day and grandpa said the hike was really steep, but they all had a great time!

 In June, Bryce and I were able to go the Logan Temple with Jocelynn and be a part of Johnny's first endowment.  It's always nice to get to the temple.  I love the peaceful feeling in the temple.  Johnny seemed very happy and I am glad he was able to have his family there with him! Families are Eternal!

I couldn't pass up this "picture perfect" moment.  What a cute little bum!  Gotta love dad helping his become one with nature!  It was a dry day, so I am sure the plants appreciated the moisture!

 After we went to the Logan Temple, we decided to go four wheeling up to Inspiration Point.  We haven't been up there in a few years.  Cooper decided to spend the weekend with the Merrills, so we took Clayton and headed to Mantua.  It was warm when we started on the trail, but soon it turned into a very windy and cool day.  When we stopped to eat lunch, we felt like we were going to get blown away.  We ended up turning around and heading back to the truck.  It was a small ride, but we still had a great time together!

 When dad was back in Texas, there was a Lavor Hatch Reunion in Franklin. Bryce and I went with Mom so she would feel a little more comfortable.  We knew a few family members, but it was nice to see "Little" Grandma Hatch.  We spent most of our time over at the park with the kids.

Before dad headed home to Texas, we decided to have a little birthday party for him.  We met at the Tabernacle and everyone brought food and we just sat in the shade and enjoyed each others company.  We took Dad to his favorite sandwich shop in Cache Valley...The Italian Spot....they have delicious steak, egg, and pepper hoagies.  Sherrie, Jocie, and I ordered dad a Gonzaga hat for his birthday.  It showed up a little late but he was really excited about it!

 For Bryce's birthday, Mom watched the kids while we went to Iggies for dinner and then headed to the theater to watch Iron Man 3.  The food wasn't very good, but the movie was enjoyable.  This is an activity that we love to do, so it was nice to spend that time together. The next day, we had a little party.  Mom and I made chicken taquitos and cottage cheese salad for dinner.  We also had cheesecake for Bryce and real cake for Jacqui! 

Logan Aqautics Center

On Friday the 19th, Bryce took the day off of work and we took the kids into the Logan Aquatics Center. We had Jocelynn, Steph, and Mom come in to spend the day with us.  We all brought lunch and ate during the little swim break.  We enjoyed sitting in the shade and visiting with each other.

The boys had so much fun wrestling with Bryce in the shallow water.  Jaden and Ty kept trying to attack Bryce and he would just throw them away or do a gator roll to them.  Bryce rubbed all the hair off his knees while playing with them!

Steph always loves to buy Creamies when we go to the pool.  Everyone took a break and ate their creamies! What a cool treat on a hot summer day!

This summer, Cooper has become brave enough to do the straight slides at all the pools.  He will go down it over and over again and he thinks it is great.  Him and Ty went down so many times!

Bryce and Clayton had to go down the curly slide at least once while we were there.  The lines were really long, but Clayton loves this slide so much that it is worth the wait to him! He spent most of his time in the pool playing with the big boys! He thinks he is as big as Cooper and his cousins!

Hardware Ranch

While Mom and Dad were up visiting us, we decided we better take them four wheeling again.  This time we decided to take them up near Hardware Ranch.  We had to do a trail that was not real bumpy (because I am pregnant).  Anyway, we were able to get machines for everyone. We even had Bryce's parents join us!

Here is picture of Paul and Steph in their razor.  This trail was perfect for machines of all sizes. They wished we could have gone a little faster, but with a group this big, that can be hard.  We had 3 Razors and seven four wheelers in our group!

Brittney and Tawni rode on the four wheeler together and had a great time bonding with each other.  It was a really pretty ride and weather was decent. We stopped in a little clearing to eat lunch and take a little break.  The bugs were pretty annoying so we didn't sit for too long.  That's when my machine decided it would not start up because it needed a new battery!

Mom and Dad had a good time on the Goddridges machine. Dad's only suggestion for next time is that we stop more often and for longer periods of time.  He would really have a good time looking at and collecting plants if him and mom would go on a ride by themselves!

Dad picked purple flowers for all of the girls and then we posed for this picture!  Jocelynn looks like a "little person" in this picture with her short legs. We were all so dirty, but it was such a fun time!

Thanks to Kyle, we made it back to our trailer.  He pulled Bryce, who was on my machine, all the way back to the trucks.  It was nice to have Kyle join us for the ride.  He is so busy with work, but I am glad he took the time to hang with his family!

Cooper and Jocelynn were able to bond on this ride.  Cooper told Jocelynn that he wants me to have a girl, but sometimes he wants a boy, so that the boy and be a pest to Clayton, just like Clayton is a pest to Cooper! Cooper liked riding with Jocelynn because then he got to sit in the front seat.

Enjoying the beautiful scenery up at Hardware Ranch.  It was warm this day and extremely dusty. In fact, the last half of the trail got really dusty.  The wind kicked up and it was ridiculous.  We could barely see who was in front of us.  I felt bad for all the family that didn't have goggles or helmets!

Once we got back in the car, we tried to wash off a little bit.  Clayton and Brittney grabbed drinks and we headed down to the little park in Hyrum to wash off in the river.

Dad and Jocelynn obviously did not have helmets to protect their faces from the dust.  In fact, if you look closely, you can see the mark from Jocelynn's seat belt on her shirt.  We were all looking forward to a nice cool shower to rinse off all this dirt!