Annual Roosevelt Camping Trip

In August we took our annual trip to Lake Roosevelt. We were going for just 10 days this year (a short trip compared to some past years). Bryce & Elke were not able to join us this year because they were on a mission trip. The Ducoings were there as usual and this year we also invited some friends from church, the Gomes family.

The weather was not very great this year. In fact the first night we were there we had an AMAZING thunder and lightning show – like nothing I have ever seen before!! We all ended up huddled in the camper. (The Ducoings hadn’t arrived yet).

Michael and Kate were seriously beginning to question us because we had been going on about how great the weather is and how nice Roosevelt always is and how much we enjoy camping there. Well… long story short we did get some good weather for the trip, but mostly it was just an *off* year I guess. Ah well, we still had a great time relaxing.

We were able to get all of the Gomes kids up on skis which was great fun.

After watching Kurt and I wakeboard, Michael wanted to give that a try. After just a couple tries of getting up, he totally got it and went like crazy! We were all blown away by how well he did. I still can’t believe it! He even attempted to do the Macarena while wakeboarding!!

Once the Ducoings arrived we got right to the usual tubing, frog hunting, wakeboarding, skiing fun. We missed out on the rope swing this year, though. We did go once with the Gomes, but the water was too low. We never did go back again (besides… it just isn’t the same without Bryce!). The kids all made some friends with other campers there – Makenzie and Chandler. The food was awesome and the sun even showed up enough for us to all get tan. :)

It was a really great trip – soooo many pictures to share. Here is an album…

View Full Album

It seems like it was all over way too fast! Can’t wait until next year!!

Hike at Wallace Falls

We've have had some record breaking heat here in the Northwest this summer. I believe we got up to 107 one day!! Youch!!
Rather than sit around the house boiling to death, we thought it would be fun to spend a Sunday afternoon hiking up to the lower falls at Wallace Falls out past Gold Bar.
It was a rather long hike for the girls - about 5 miles round trip when it was all said and done. But it was really beautiful and the girls really enjoyed taking a spontaneous dip in the swimming hole when we got to the lower falls.

Farewell for now, Grandma Kirk

On July 2nd my Grandma Kirk passed away after a brief battle with bladder cancer. I was able to go to Santa Barbara to help my family celebrate her life as we had a memorial service for her at her long time church - St. Andrew's Presbyterian.
It was so nice to be together with family and to hear all of the great memories of Grandma Kirk and the impact she had on so many people.
I will forever be grateful for the amazing woman she was and for the legacy she has left for me to carry on in my family. A legacy of loving Jesus and pointing people towards Him.
I will miss you for now Grandma, but look forward to seeing you again in heaven one day.

Camping at Lincoln Rock with friends

Every year for the fourth of July week we take a trip to Lincoln Rock State Park. Kyle and Terra have made it a tradition to camp with us and this year was no exception - even though Terra had just given birth to baby Caleb a few short weeks before the trip! We also invited our friends from church - The Merwins - to come for a few days. Krissy and her girls, Abby and Halle were able to come, but Jon and JD had to stay behind for some All Star Baseball games.

A great time was had by all. I was particularly impressed with how well Terra did in the heat with Caleb. Allison and all the girls got along great. Even the adults enjoyed the water sports and great evening time conversations around the fire.