Raspberry Days

It has become a tradition in our house to drive to Bear Lake and join in on the celebrations of "Raspberry Days." We loaded up the trailer and headed up Thursday night. There is always a small crafter's fair and the kids, well mostly me, likes to wander through and see all the fun crafts. We even found a booth there selling "True Hawaii shave ice" so, of course, we had to stop. Hmmm, they were good, but still nothing like the shave ice we enjoy in Hawaii. Oh well, it still hit the spot on that hot, sunny day. The next day, Grandma and Grandpa McGee came up and we all spent the afternoon playing in the beautiful waters of Bear Lake. The kids are so amazed that they can see the bottom and had fun walking far out into the lake. They had fun finding all the little seashells along the shore and bringing me their collections, which I discreetly left on the beach when it was time to go.

Saturday night, we all headed out to the rodeo. That was a lot of fun and the kids even got to go down and compete for a prize. They tied a ribbon to the tail of a calf and set the kids loose to chase the calf down and try to grab the ribbon. We were laughing so hard! At one point, Adam was really close to getting the ribbon and Alex ran so hard. It was a great night!

We had a great weekend up in Bear Lake and can't wait to do it again. Plus, we bought some YUMMY raspberries and came home and made this:

Now we have delicious raspberry jam that we can enjoy all year long!

Here is our home away from home

Aaron and the kids enjoying their shave ice

Playing in Bear Lake

First Day of School Pics

TAKE ONE: "Adam, relax."

TAKE TWO: "Not any better"

ABBI ALONE TAKE ONE: "I don't know what this is."

ADAM ALONE TAKE ONE: "Really?"

MOVE TO BACKYARD FOR BETTER LIGHTING

TAKE TWO: "Much Better"

ABBI TAKE TWO: "Very Pretty"

ADAM TAKE TWO: "Cool!"

Now off to school... don't want to be late for their first day!

Campin' with the Fam

What do you get when you combine The Marshall 5, the Rasmussen 3, and The McGee 2? The First annual McGee family camping trip! (We missed you McGee 5 and Kevin).

We loaded up the condo on wheels (as it so lovingly called) and headed up to Soapstone in hopes of cooler weather and some good riding trails. We had a blast riding the four-wheelers, playing ladder ball, sitting around the campfire, eating yummy dinners and desserts (doesn't everything taste better when it is made outdoors? Yummy!), building forts with lots of (d)sticks, fishing, playing card games in the tent, and enjoying each others' company.

Can't wait to do it again next year!

Our Warriors

Ali and Ben layered on Nixon's clothes during the night. Nixon was so bundled he could hardly move. Needless to say, none of them slept very well that night. "I can't put my arms down."

Mmmm, Bacon!

Ali, we totally had Dad and Ben.... up until they made a comeback and won.

Me, Abbi, and Ali heading out on the trails.

And what camping trip would be complete without making beaded watchbands with Grandma and Abbi.

Happy 4th of July

Centerville Parade

July 3, 2010

Kauai - 2010

When Aaron and I decided we needed a relaxing vacation, one destination came to mind... Kauai. We absolutely loved vacationing there last year and couldn't wait to return. So, in a matter of three weeks, we secured our lodging, booked our plane tickets, rented a car, got my sister and grandparents to watch the kids, and hopped a plane set for Kauai.

Our first full day in Kauai was spent hiking the Ne Pali Coastline. It was so beautiful. We hiked 2 miles in and came to a beach only accessible by hiking or boating. Afterwards, we picked up what was to be 1 of many Hawaii shave ice to cool ourselves off and went back to the condo and slept for 4 hours.

Throughout the ten days in paradise, we:

Played on the rope swing at Kipu Falls - Note to self: If your first swing was done flawlessly, don't be brave and try it again. You will only cause yourself bodily harm... just don't do it!

Kayaked up the Wailua River

Hiked into Secret Falls and swam in the waterfall

Visited Waimea Canyon and enjoyed the scenic views along the way

Cruised up and down the island in our convertible jamming out to the iPod

Snorkled, played in the water, and dug our toes in the sand

Aaron went deep sea fishing while I stayed back and relaxed by the pool. He brought home the catch of the day which we were able to take to a local restaurant where they cooked it up for us for free.

And on the last day, a sea turtle came to tell us "Aloha"

There is nothing better than vacationing with your very best friend! I enjoyed every minute together with Aaron. I can't wait to do it again!

Oh, by the way, here is what our kids did while we were gone:

Aaron's Birthday - iFLY Utah

Aaron is such a brat! I know, I know.... nothing you don't already know or haven't heard but it is especially true today. Let me start out by saying that every time I have tried to surprise him for his birthday or Christmas, he always finds out. Take the time I bought him a new guitar for his birthday last year. He hadn't asked for one in quite a while and I thought I would finally be able to surprise him. Nope! He went through my internet history and found out I had been to a few guitar store websites. Aaron is like a large child when it comes to surprises... he can't stand the not knowing and does everything possible to figure it out. This year was going to be different. I was finally going to be able to surprise him, or so I thought. I planned a date to go up to Ogden to iFly Utah. It is a skydiving experience without actually jumping out of the plane. I told only one person... my mom. Everyone else that asked what we were doing was told NOTHING! I couldn't risk it! So, last night he asks me, with a huge grin on his face, if leaving at 4:30 would give us enough time to make it up to Ogden. I, trying to play it cool, said "Who says we're going to Ogden?" To which he replied "So, we can go to iFly." BRAT! (Although I think I used a little more colorful language). I told him that was it, I was cancelling the date, we were staying home, and I was going to make him German Pancakes (his least favorite meal). To which, he gave me his "I know I'm a brat but I'm a cute brat" look and I kind of forgave him; At least enough to actually follow through on the date. It was so much fun. We were able to "fly" in the air chamber twice and we had a blast. I guess the next step is to actually jump from an airplane.... maybe! Happy Birthday to the biggest Brat I know! I love you!