Camping!

Last week, the boys and I went up the mountain to camp with grandma Foulger who was up there for the week. The boys were in absolute heaven: water and sticks and rocks galore! Our first day, we walked around the entire Sibley lake. It was fun to explore what was out there. The boys decided next time we go, they need to bring their water shoes, swimsuits and nets so they can get in the water and catch minnows.

The beginning of our walk.

 Some sights from around the lake:

I loved all the flowers!

We fed this momma duck and her ducklings some bread that we had brought with us.

Part way through our walk around the lake, it started to rain pretty good so we stopped and took shelter under some trees. The boys found some good places to sit while we waited it out.

We had bbq beef sandwiches for dinner that night.

 The boys were super excited to try to build the fire on their own (with supervision). The ended up building a great fire that we were able to enjoy that night.

building the fire.

 We enjoyed some smores for dessert!

Landon spent forever trying to start a fire by rubbing down the stick.

Wednesday morning, we woke up and made pancakes, eggs and bacon for breakfast and then got ready for the day.

the boys were watching our neighbors load up their stuff while we got breakfast ready.

Once we all got ready, we went for another walk/hike up some "falls" (which were actually where the water from the lake come out into a stream.

Grandma and Landon on one of the rocks in the stream. The boys did a pretty good job of not getting wet.

The boys were super interested in every dead fish they saw.

Hiking up the "falls"

 We discovered fresh raspberries all over the dam when we were walking. They were few and far between, but yummy. Here in a couple of weeks, they will be everywhere!

Wild raspberries!

Carson taking a sample.

Yummy raspberries!

There were so many Indian Paintbrushes around.

After our walk, we went back and had lunch and then hiked up the tipi that the boys had found on a previous visit.

About the time we started our hike, Grandpa Foulger had shown up to help load up the camper and take it back down the mountain. We took a hike back down to the falls and played a game of chicken foot before we left to head back home.

Ward Family Day Camp

This last Friday, our ward cub scouts had a family day camp. Since the day camp we attended earlier in the summer didn't have very many things the boys needed to pass off, we decided to plan another one so they could pass off a bunch of things. We drove up to the Ewing/Snell ranch and began with a flag ceremony and then each of the dens split up to work on various requirements for about an hour. The Webelos worked on setting up tents and learned how to build fires with out matches.

Carson helping put up their tent.

Travis was just as excited about the day as anyone! He was right in the middle of everything they scouts were doing. He can't wait until his birthday so he can attend!

Travis, Jacob B., Jared M., and Carson inside their tent.

There was a pond right next to where we were working on things that Landon had a blast exploring with his friend Jordan Mangus!

Landon and Jordan...and their sticks.

The boys learning how to start fires.

Carson was able to get his started pretty quick.

Carson and Jared working on getting their fire going bigger.

 Around 3, we headed out for a hike. It was a pretty steep hike and I was impressed that all of the cub scouts went the entire 3 miles. I think they were motivated by the fact that there was a waterfall at the end that they could get fresh spring water from! Landon was a trooper and made the entire hike also. It was a beautiful hike, but man was it hot! I was thankful every time we had a breeze and some cloud coverage.

Getting ready to take off on our hike.

I am so thankful for the beautiful area that we live in and can enjoy!

On our hike, we participated in a service project for the Park Service. We were supposed to clip bushes and trees so that we could fit 2 people across the trail.

Travis and I along the trail...like I said, it was hot and our faces were red!

We made it to the top! It was beautiful and the water was cold and refreshing!

 Once we got back from our hike, we started cooking tin foil dinners for dinner. While they were cooking, we split everyone up into groups and prepared skits in a bag. After everyone had eaten, they performed them. When the skits were done, we had closing flag ceremony, cleaned up our camp and then headed home.

Our camp site.

All the foil dinners cooking. Each family was supposed to bring their own. It was fun to see the different things that people put in theirs.

Carson and Travis performed skits together. Carson was the narrator for the good Samaritan story. Travis was a pirate

Landon was a tiger in another skit.

 Closing flag ceremony.

Jacob, Jared and Carson.

Our cub scouts and leaders:

Hugh C., Halen, Jay, Parker, Talon, Declan, Owen, Jared, Jacob, Carson

Leaders: Ranee, Gerry, and Mary.

I am so thankful for great leaders that love cub scouting and the boys. They always go above and beyond and do wonderful things for them that will help them become well rounded young men!