We joined my parents and two sisters in our favorite place for the 4th of July... Bear Lake! It has actually been 6 years since we went there for the holiday, but when I was growing up it was a family tradition. My parents grew up in Cache Valley and in fact just bought another home there, so I'm sure the tradition will continue!
The first order of business was telling my family we were expecting! I was 13 weeks along but I hadn't seen them (besides Dana, who I told early for support!) for awhile, and Mike likes to tell in person for best effect. It was also my Dad's birthday, so we focused the surprise on him. When we pulled up, the kids walked in first each with a gift for him: pink and blue leis, a pink and blue beach ball, and finally a pink and blue balloon. I followed up the rear with a baby bump! The funniest thing was he didn't get it at all... Mike had to say something about a baby, and then he said, "Are you serious!?" and gave Mike a playful shove. Then it was all hugs and excitement. My sister Emily is pregnant too, so this will make 13 grandchildren for them!
After the stop in Logan we headed up to the cabin to check out the lodgings. It was situated up a mountainside with a beautiful full view of the whole lake from the deck. Every family had their own room and the kitchen and living space were just right for our group.
That night we went to a yummy pizza dinner and then celebrated the birthday boy with Dana's homemade chocolate cake.
Friday July 3rd was the first day of the Cache Valley Cruise-In. I also have many memories of this place as a kid, and of course Dad wanted to check it out. In hind-sight it was not the best ideas for a mom of 4 1/2 kids to wander outside in 90 degree heat for 4 hours, but we got some good pictures despite the exhaustion.
The kids sure enjoyed a little break by the stream to cool off.
The Ninja Turtle cars were a big hit.
After the cruise-in I needed a major siesta. We headed back to Garden City and got raspberry (and blueberry, cookie dough, and peach) shakes and ate them in the shade.
After a big long nap I was finally alive again. We met back up with everyone for dinner at the cabin, and then headed down to the lake to wade and explore. We didn't plan on getting very wet, but the kids couldn't help themselves!
Finally our beach day arrived. This is what my kids had been waiting and begging for! We left early in the morning and spent the entire day of the 4th playing on the lake.
Grandpa rented a boat and took all the grandkids and a few Mom chaperons out for a ride.
What a cute bunch of cousins!
Grandpa gave each kid a chance to man the wheel for about 1 minute.
There is no way to justly describe the beauty of Bear Lake. It is the bluest body of water I have ever seen, although I've never been to the Caribbean. :) The water is my favorite color of aqua!
Grandpa also rented a bunch of ocean kayaks and paddle boards for the morning. It kept us all busy making the most of our rental time.
Of course many hours were spent playing in the sand. Jake especially loved it. I think the water was a little cold for him!
I wasn't sure what to do about his nap, but he finally got pretty exhausted and sat in my lap long enough to fall asleep... a very rare occurrence!
The other three kids loved the water! They spent hours with various floaties exploring the swimming area.
A favorite activity ended up being having Daddy through them into the water. Funny kids! We could have stayed longer, but it was time to head back for dinner and fireworks (which we just watched from our deck). It was a perfect day!
2 comments:
Looks like blogging was on both of our agenda's today. :) Your trip looks like so much fun. I want to take my family there someday soon! And those ninja turtle cars - Bryce would have been in heaven.
Melissa just got back from there too and said the same thing about the water. I really need to go there! And so fun that they bought a house in cache valley! Is it in Logan?
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