Busy But Fun!

Grandkids and family are great! It has been a great few weeks. April came back with us from Missouri and we have been able to spend lots of time with her family and some of the rest of the Hale Clan.

We spent a day at Bear Lake with Niccole, Chris and boys. It was Cayanna's birthday. We all went out to the beach. Niccole had packed some sandwiches and drinks for lunch so we could picnic while the kids spent the day swimming and building sand fortresses.

Crossing a HUGE puddle to get to the beach.

Cayanna made a pretty good "moat"!

Meanwhile, Hiram and Brigham just "chilled" out on their towels!

Enoch, Caleb and Isaac enjoying the water.

Noah says it's warmer in the "big puddle".

It was a bit cool out but the kids made the most of their time at the water's edge. April, the kids and I started back home about mid afternoon after a really great time. Thanks Nicci and Chris!

Kaden, Ivan, Tuck and Coop came to stay the weekend while Marc and Gretchen attended a wedding in Idaho. They returned on Sunday in time for Niccole and Chris to stop by on their way back to Pleasant Grove. We had a barbeque dinner in the backyard and also cake and ice cream to celebrate Cayanna's 7th birthday. Living in Missouri, it was the first birthday with family and cousins all together. With all of the Logan family, we had all 19 (20 with the one on the way) grandchildren and their parents. Everyone was there but Bart who is at military camp with the Air Force. It was nice to have nearly everyone together again!

Gretchen and the boys continued on with their stay with us for a few days while Marc went to scout camp for the week. It gave the Hale and Worthington children time to stay together for a play time. We were able to spend some time with Christina, Carter and Caitlin, too. We spent two afternoons at the park playing. One of those days we bought some lunch and ate it as the kids played on the playground. It is fun to watch the kids interact and play with one another.

We went up to Cub River Tuesday afternoon. Phil and Kristen had taken their family up a few days before to camp a night or two. So we joined them for a hot dog roast and to go on a hike.

Phil & Juliana on the hiking trail.

Five adults and 13 kids made for a great adventure! Kristen had quite the workout trying to keep up with the older group while April, Gretchen and I "brought up the rear" coaxing the smaller ones along. Come to think of it, April and Gretchen had to do a little coaxing and coaching "Grandma" along as well!

"Over the river and through the woods....."

(Tucker, Jenicca, Cayanna, Caitlin and April cross the log bridge)

Once we got to the top of the trail, we paused to drink from the springs. Phil filtered the water and we each had a refreshing drink before starting back down.

Caitlin stopped along the way to pick the beautiful wild flowers.

Phil and Tucker do a little fencing after returning from our hike.

"Tucker, The Victor!!"

Christina was a good sport through the whole day. The heat and activities make it difficult for her but she willingly stayed at camp to care for Eli while we made the hike.

Phil was super entertainment for the kids.

It was a great day and all of us went home tired and ready for a good night's sleep!

Back at home we spent the time resting and enjoying the things that only Grandpa can do with the kids.

Enoch takes his turn riding the scooter with Grandpa.

Grandpa took the kids for scooter and "whoopie" rides as well as for visits with the horses when he went to feed.

Gretchen left on Wednesday to return to Salt Lake but we sure hated to see her leave! April left on Thursday to go to Niccole's for a few days while I stayed in Logan to get some yard work taken care of as well as canning more peas!!

On Saturday I traveled with Kristen, Amanda and Christina down to Salt Lake to join the other girls for a "girl's day". We try to get together at least one day or, if possible, for an overnighter each year. It is a good opportunity for the girls to get away from their kids and just enjoy shopping and being together.

Of course, the first thing we did was find a good place to eat! Seems to be a Hale thing! We love our food!! We went to the Cheescake Factory. That is a favorite place of ours. We went there last year and it was just as good this time. It wouldn't be the same if we didn't order plenty of cheesecake for dessert. Good stuff! We got enough to share and try several kinds of "heaven". We then went up to Park City Outlets to spend the afternoon shopping. We had left Gretchen and April's kids with Jenicca at Marc and Gretchen's home in South Jordan. Marc came home from scout camp fairly early in the afternoon to help her with the babysitting. We arrived home late afternoon and everyone seemed to "fare" pretty well .... even Jenicca. She is such a sweetheart and is so good with the smaller kids. It was nice to be able to spend the afternoon and know that they were well cared for. I'm sure they kept Jenicca busy but she seemed to have at least survived all of those boys!!

We (April, kids and me) are currently staying with Niccole for a few days to get some of the final preparations done for the Fackrell Family Reunion. It is our turn to host the reunion this year and it takes a lot of effort to get it all pulled together. Once again, I am thankful for such a supportive family and especially the efforts of ALL of my daughters. Thanks so much girls!!