Oh man, What a trip!

Just got back from the Jorgensen Family Camp Out 2011. We had a smaller group this year. Things did not go according to plan. Or did they? Who's plan? Mine, or someone who knows better? I think it was the second. I'll explain later. I LOVED being out doors. It was peaceful, and stressful, and I had a great time!

We were camped near Capitol Reef, in Fish lake National Forest. We've never been there before, and it was really beautiful. All of the 4 wheeling trails were new to us. It rained 3 different times while we were there. And while we tried to see the park on two different occasions...(Capitol Reef), we never made it there.

The girls love to crawl into bed with me in the mornings. In our trailer :)
Where we were camped, we found this little cabin, and another teepee in the woods near by. Most likely made by some boy scouts or something. Who really knows.
Ready for our first big ride. We had (18) 4 wheelers along on this ride. Most of which had a couple of riders. It was a great group!



Stopping half way for a snack!
And getting ready to move on out.

Our home away from home.
Fun around camp! Twirly fliers. Even the adults LOVED them :)
So many machines....and so little time! Bwaaaahaahaa!

Movie Night. A night under the stars, like the drive in. The big screen, surround speakers, the works! We watched movies two different nights. An old retro "I Love Lucy" movie about living in a trailer and collecting rocks. It was hillarious!! Loved it :) And another night geared more towards the kids with a showing of Megamind!

Then it was FRIDAY! Oh, a day I would kind of like to forget all together. But in some ways, we were so very very blessed! Chris and I had discussed the fact that since we were only camped about 45 minutes from Capitol Reef, that we would go and see it. We talked several others into coming with us. So 3 cars set out for a great adventure. We were just 4 miles from the park when our truck broke down. The Serpentine Belt broke! Oh man, I was trying to look calm, but I've gotta say, I was kinda freaking out!!! Who has money for costly truck repairs, while on vacation? Out in the middle of no where! Would it have to be towed? How much would it cost? Could we fix it ourselves? A couple of the boys, including Chris, went into town to retrieve the new belt. While the rest of us, walked behind the hotel we had barely pulled off the road into, and sat in some chairs in the shade to wait.
The boys worked to put the new belt on. But when starting the truck, realized that one of the Idler Pullies had gone out. The bearings were gone, and it had froze. So we got in the remaining 2 vehicles and were dropped off at a place where we could eat some IceCream while waiting for the boys to come back yet again with another part. Come to find out, the nearest town with that part, was a long 50 mile drive down some canyons, etc... So they didn't come back right away. They wouldn't be back for more than a couple of hours.

While at the restaurant, Bree lost her 2nd baby tooth! Forget the fact that we had packed lunches to take into the park. They were in a cooler in the truck down the road. We all ordered some lunch. And the tooth fell out while taking a bite of her grilled cheese. Oh man, she almost swallowed it. But we were able to retrieve the little tiny tooth and save it for the tooth fairy :) I had thought to bring 1 diaper and I had my camera around my neck. Which I'm glad for, so that I could document the loosing of Bree's tooth!



We finally decided that we couldn't sit in our cars and wait for the next 3 hours, so the last car was piled full, and we were taken back to camp. While 2 guys stayed stranded in town, to meet up with Chris and Roy, when they returned with the parts.
Well, poor planning.....I had no way to get in touch with Chris! I wanted to know if they had gotten the part. If they could fix it themselves. If we were going to need to leave the truck, or if it would have to be towed. The girls and I were at camp, but Chris had the keys, so we were locked out of our own trailer. I only had 1 diaper for Elle. I couldn't relax. Lois gave me a magazine, and I placed my camp chair where I could see the road, and read articles to keep my mind busy. It seemed like forever!! Please, just let our truck come driving up the road!! Please let them have fixed it for a minimal cost. I was in the dark. No cell reception, and no way to know what was going on. But Chris, Roy, and especially his brother Mark can fix anything! Mark is so good at restoring vehicles, motorcycles, and is really a good mechanic. And sure enough, I looked up, and here came our truck!!!! I was so relieved. I was being strong for everyone else, but I couldn't wait to get into the trailer, so I could have a good cry :) But I was most of all impressed by Chris' wonderful family. Some of them had spent all day shuttling us in different directions, driving Chris to a far off town for truck parts, and wasting a perfectly good day working on our truck. And not one person said anything negative, or complained even once! I think I was feeling so worried, and trying to act like I was fine. But I was so very grateful for each and every one of them!!! And the reason I mentioned earlier that it might have been someone else's plan for us that day, is because if we wouldn't have broken down on Friday, with tons of family around, when stores were open, ..... we might have broken down today. On a Sunday, alone, on the freeway, pulling our trailer home, with 2 little girls, and no stores open, or the best brother Mark, our personal mechanic! YIKES! Can you imagine. I'm so not worthy. But he blesses me anyway!!! I am eternally grateful that we didn't get to see Capitol Reef, and that I was able to drive home safely today :) Count your many blessings name them one by one!!!
I'm not sure how, but my little one loves to fall asleep on the 4 wheeler. In fact, we went on a long ride, and I think Chris held her on that 4 wheeler for over an hour while she slept. Amazing. We went all over the place. Crazy bumps, and she slept through it all :)
Our special Camp Fire! A copper tube full of holes, with a garden hose inside, and you get some amazing colors in your camp fire! Just don't roast your marshmellow's over it :) I counted....and one night we had a huge circle of 30 around the fire. Different conversations going. Time to talk to one another.

Saturday! Games, prizes for the kids, and a Potluck lunch!





Ok. One more try. There was a road right around the corner from our camp. It is the only access to Capital Reef in the top part of the park. We drove the wheelers down there, to see Cathedral Valley. And when we got to the Park entrance, I got really excited!
And then we saw it.... the sign. No 4 wheelers allowed. It's a National Park! So here we are. At the sign, but we went no further :) We have teased about the fact that we had unofficially been banned from seeing the park this trip. We came all this way, and on 2 different days, were denied. But that's ok. We had a lot of fun. Plans changed. And now we have a reason to go back again! It really is a beautiful place :) Oh man, What a trip!

Pool Time

This week, while watching the cousins, I let them swim in the girls new pool. They had a blast. Didn't want to get out. But I think 4 hours was a bit long. Bree spent the entire night throwing up. She did that very thing, the last time the kids swam all day. Too much sun is never a good thing. But they did enjoy themselves.

Date Night :)

Chris and I haven't been on a date in quite a while. So we called his Mom and asked if she could watch the girls for a few hours while we had a date night. We took the girls down to Pleasant Grove to grandma's house, and decided that instead of the usual movie or dinner, we would go on a little hike. There are some falls right above Pleasant Grove, and it's not a long hike. I mean, lets face it, I've gained a lot of weight and need the exercise, but I'm not ready for any marathon hikes, that's for sure!

We took our time, walked hand in hand. Talked and talked. It was so much fun. Just the two of us, outdoors, enjoying our beautiful surroundings, and having a great time. The falls are called Battle Creek Falls. When we were dating Chris hiked up there with the scouts, but I've never been. It's always nice to experience something new. We did end up and Chili's for some yummy salads, and yeah, some calories. But I figure, at least we did get a little exercise. We were hiking and out walking around for 2 hours :) The perfect summer date!

KSL.com

Well, I was just thinking, that if I was really going to use this blog as a journal of sorts, that I couldn't miss posting about KSL.com! ha..ha.. I mean, we use it so much. It's how we buy and sell so many things in our lives. Including, our trucks, trailers, 4 wheelers, snowmobiles, snowblowers, bike racks, tent, porta potty, metal detectors, and so many other things. I could seriously go on and on.

Right now we are looking for a garden trellis. We've seen 2, but you have to be quick when you find something good, and they were both sold before we could get to them. Which brings me to the pictures I've posted today. We got this awesome hammock for christmas 2 Christmas' ago from Cord and Adelle. But the hammock stands are a little pricey. Around $150.00 or so. But earlier in the week, we found one on KSL for $35.00! Score!! Yahoo.

Seriously, I think we find some pretty great stuff and get it all for really great deals :) I'm excited to be able to enjoy our hammock from here on out!! We've been sitting in it almost every night until it gets dark, and forces us into the house. I love it. Thanks again to KSL.com :)

Summer and Stuff

I feel like I haven't posted for a while, but when I look back, it was only a week ago, that I posted about Bree's Birthday. You know how summers are, so much going on every single day. I Love summer for that reason. The days are so much longer, and you can linger out doors until the sun goes down. The smell of fresh cut grass, or the BBQ grill, making something wonderful. Living in a swim suit, and lying under a Shade Tree. We have seriously spent more time in our wonderful backyard in this, now our 2nd summer, than we did 6 years in our other house. I Love it here!!! I love my home :)

I have so many plans!! So many project on my list. It seems like it will never get done. But then I remind myself, that I'm going to live here for the rest of my life, (I hope), and that I will have plenty of time to make this house look awesome inside and out!!

Yesterday I had a bit of a rough day. I watched that story of Jaycee Dugard in the morning, and it just made me feel sad, and yucky all day. I couldn't shake it. And then we met all the kids at the splash pad, and Nicholas got hurt. I was frustrated and hot, and came home and cried to my husband.

Thank goodness I have a wonderful BEST friend, that is always there for me. I can tell him everything and anything. I can cry, and he is there to comfort me, and make me feel good again. And last night as I watched him in the yard, I felt so lucky to have him!

I have been watching kids this summer, which has been good and hard all at the same time. I definitely have my moments. And sometimes like yesterday, at the splash pad, I watch everyones babies, and wish that I could do it just one more time. Yes, I still dream of having one more baby. Uh... sigh....

I think the girls have been having a lot of fun this summer. And the summer seems to be going by so very fast. When I look at the calendar and plan out the vacations, and things left before school, it seems like it will all be over so very fast.

The backyard is amazing!! The cherries are ready, and my Mom is coming over tonight to pick some. The tomatoes, of which I have 10 plants have really taken off. Even more than this picture. I have a couple of planter boxes. I'm even trying to grow some peppers this year. I am hoping to bottle salsa this year. And of course, we can't wait for those yummy grapes. We've been watching our jelly disappear, and counting our bottles....and I think we'll make it until Oct. again, when the grapes are ready. I think I'll have to bottle twice as much jelly this year. We have loved it so much! The juice is amazing too.

Bree has learned all kinds of things this summer! Her cousin Aleigha has taught her how to climb all over the swing set, and jump from the swings. She is a little monkey now. She just had her birthday, and I can really tell how much she has grown. She asks me everyday if we can drive by her school. She is so excited for 1st grade to start. So I guess we'll have to drive by soon. We already picked out her backpack and matching lunch box for the school year. And she'll need some new shoes.

Elle is so cute, and communicating so much! She has a mind of her own, so we've been slow on the potty training, but this week, she has asked twice to poop on the potty, and went right in and did it. I think she's getting tired of dirty diapers, and has now decided that going potty is a cool thing. It won't be long before we aren't buying diapers anymore.

Here are the girls in the tree swings in the backyard. Oh, how I love the trees!!!!

Chris found some of those toys....you know the ones, where there is some little plastic animal, or soldier with a parachute. We spent the better evening one night playing with them in the backyard, and had a blast! It's amazing what you can do with one little toy! :)

Me and my Best friend!! My husband is so amazing and funny!! I'm in love :)

We bought some fireworks the other day, and let the girls stay up late. We had a blast in our driveway with sparklers, etc... And I think Chris probably had the most fun of all.

One of our little pools got popped at the first of the summer. And while at East Canyon over the 4th my girls have really taken to swimming. I seriously think we play in the water almost every other day. So we went on a little family shopping spree the other night, and bought a new pool for the girls. A bigger one. They had a blast swimming from one end to the other. It felt huge to them. And afterward, we went to dinner at my parents house, to celebrate my Dad's Birthday. I didn't get any pictures of the birthday dinner, but it was some of the best food I've had in a while. My mom is the best!

And finally, yesterday at the Splash Pad with all of the cousins. We were only missing little Kycen. The kids went back and forth from the Splash Pad, to the Playground. We were there for a really long time. It's funny how time flies when you're having fun. Until my nephew got injured. They wanted to put 3 stitches in his chin, but he opted for the glue instead. I hope it holds. He has to sit still for 5 days. We'll see......
I didn't even post any pics of our fabulous 6 day trip to East Canyon. But I did post most of them on Facebook. So if you're curious, you can look there. I had my underwater camera and took pictures of everyone in my family at the pool one day. We played tennis, had campfires, great meals, celebrated Bree's Birthday, and a whole lot more. I can't wait for the next camp out. It will be with Chris' family. Ok, I'm getting loopy. It's time to go get dinner started. Until next time.......

Bree turned 6!

Friday July 1st 2011, Bree turned 6! I've been telling her for a while, that she wasn't aloud to get any bigger. But she's been telling me for a while now, that she just can't help it. I LOVE her so much!!

Having a Birthday so close to the 4th of July, just means that we almost always celebrate it on a Camping trip. And we always tell her, that the Fireworks are for her :) Pretty cool, if you ask me.

Here she is in the trailer this weekend, in her Birthday shirt. What a beautiful girl :)

A few days before we left for East Canyon, we gave Bree her big present.....a new Bike! Littlest Petshop. The theme of her Birthday Party this year. She loves it!!

Her Party!!!

Grandpa gave her a Pink Fishing Pole, and a bag for all of her fishing gear.
The whole Belnap clan was there. Eating Cupcakes and IceCream! We had a blast.
Grandma Jorgensen made a trip up, the day before and brought Bree some fabulous presents. Happy Birthday my little one!!! Daddy and I Love you so so much :)