{Conference Campin'}

Did I just not vow in my last post, three weeks ago, that I would not get behind on blogging again? Yea, so much for that! So, guess what? I'm playing catch-up again today.... be prepared, lots to come!

As a family, we always try to plan a little outing over General Conference weekend. This year we hooked up the trailer and headed over to Kanosh to camp for the weekend. We invited whomever wanted to come, and my parents took us up on the offer. Derrick wanted to do a little scouting, since he had a spike Elk tag, so that seemed like a good place to go.

Aren't those the cutes little dirty camping faces you've ever seen? Why is it, that they never look quite as dirty in the pictures as they do in real life? Believe me they were DIRTY! and their feet.... ICK! For some reason they all thought it was great idea to go without shoes more often than not!

The only thing Kaleb needs to make him happy no matter where we go is lizards! If he can find a lizard, the trip is a success!

The kids spent plenty of time playing in the stream, and we all went on a few good four-wheeler rides and mom and I took a few walks. But, my favorite part of camping is just hanging out and relaxing, and we did plenty of that.

I just love a good fire.... add a few marshmallows, some Fudge Stripe cookies and some Starbursts and I could just sit there all night! Poor Brock, one of his Starbursts got a bit too gooey and dripped on his wrist and burned him. When he wiped the goo off, the burn blister and everything came with it.... OUCH! He still has a pretty good scab and it's been more than a month now.

I was especially glad that we were able to find Conference on the radio. What could be better than sitting out around the fire with your family, listening to the things the Lord wants us to hear from the leaders of the Church?

Awwwww, camping happiness!

{Oh, What Do You Do In the Summertime?}

How many of you know that song? Around here lately the answer has been..... Go Camping! The first weekend in June was the annual Beckstrand Family Camp out! We take turns being in charge, choosing the location, assigning meals, etc and this was Kyle and Katy's year. They picked Palisades. None of us had ever been there, but I'm pretty sure we'll be going back.

The kids loved playing in the lake with their cousins and the rest of us just kicked back and relaxed! In fact, I relaxed so much, I didn't even get my camera out until right as we were getting ready to pack up and 1/2 the family had left already?!?

On Saturday morning, the grown up girls headed into Manti and Ephraim and hit a few yard sales and shops, got some ice cream and of course a fountain soda, aka real soda, to take back to camp, while the guys hung out with the kiddos!

The guys scheduled a tee time for right after lunch and spent the afternoon golfing (I'm pretty sure the golf course had quite a bit to do with Kyle's location pick). We rented a paddle boat for the day and it was in use way more often than not! We had a blast-so much fun in fact.......we came home for 4 days and headed out again, this time with Derrick's dad's family to Sand Hollow! I was worried it was going to be miserably hot......nope! The weather was perfect, while the rest of the state was cold and got rain, it was a splendid 80-85ish there (which was plenty warm for me....Sheri and I even snuck off a few different times to get a yummy shaved ice)! It did rain for maybe a half hour one day and the wind blew off and on, but mostly at night. I can't think of a better place for the Dearden's to go...... sand dunes with ATV riding and a lake all in one spot!
We spent the first day riding. I'll be honest, I was a bit nervous......the sand is deep and the dunes are steep. I wasn't sure I could keep up (I had the only four-wheeler that wasn't four wheel drive and it also has the smallest engine). I've come a long way when it comes to riding. When we were kids I'd hang out in the cabin while the other kids zipped around the circle in front and up and down the road to the side. When Derrick and I were first married, I was completely content to ride along behind him......well that doesn't work with kids! Anyhow, I've gotten much better over the years, but we hit a few hills that I couldn't help but think, "Are you freaking kidding me?" I'd sit back and watch the others go up still wondering if I could do it, then suck it up, hit the gas and head up. It was a great day, pretty riding and the kids had a great time playing in the sand and climbing on the rocks. The next day we got the boat out and played in the water! None of the kids except Sydney (Derrick's little sister) wanted to ride on the tube..... they were perfectly content to just float and play on it (I guess they may be related to me?) But, I'm getting better..... I voluntarily jumped on the tube and took my turn, and actually enjoyed it!

Since no one else wanted to tube, Derrick did and then he spent some time wake boarding. I was excited to actually be able to take some pictures of him, I usually don't get to since I'm driving the boat most of the time!

Derrick's dad even got in on the action while we were there and jumped on the tube with Sydney and then broke out the water ski.

I have to admit, as much as I LOVE camping, I was ready for a shower and my bed! But, after a week home, I may be ready to go again pretty soon!

{A Camping We Will Go....}

A camping we will go, off into the mountains- a camping we will go!

This last weekend was the annual Beckstrand family camp out! We go at different times every year, and each of us takes a turn being in charge and picking our spot, but every year we go and every year we have fun! This year it was my brother Shad and his wife Julia's turn and they chose...

Tropic Reservoir
Derrick and the boys had been there before, but the rest of us hadn't. I was seriously wondering about their choice as we drove the entire way into a headwind. Once we got there and got settled it turned out to be a great spot, even though it was a bit chilly!

This was the first real camping trip we've taken in our new trailer, and I have to say it was a big improvement! I was especially thankful for the heater and the hot water. Brock spent the first night in a tent with his cousin Carson and everyone had their own beds and the extra room was spectacular. Carlie loves her bed and woke up both mornings with crazy hair. We all split up the meals and it was so great to only have to cook once, actually I just had to help a bit, since Derrick made omelets for us all, another thing that I think has become a tradition.

We all split up a bit on Saturday, part of us going on a hike and the other going down to the lake to fish. Brock and Kaleb both caught fish of differing sizes, and they were both happy with them. Derrick cooked them up and that was their lunch. (We probably wouldn't have kept Brock's but it swallowed the hook) We all split up again that afternoon, some of us napping, others reading, riding four-wheelers or playing games.

What sweet (but dirty) little girlies!
Tylie, Kamryn, Carlie & Addison

And the silly (and dirty) boys!

Kaleb, Brock, Bryson & Carson

My mom and dad have 4 grandsons, and then 4 granddaughters. Shad and Julia are expecting....wonder what the tie breaker baby will be?

The Entire Fam-Damily

Robert (aka Dad), Carlene (aka Mom) Shad, Julia, Kamryn, Bryson, Kyle, Katy, Brock, Tylie, Carson, Lisa, Jeremy, Kaleb, Addie, Mo, Derrick and Carlie

Derrick and I

Me and Lis

I really didn't want Carlie's cast to get all dirty, since she has to keep it on for 3 1/2 more weeks, so we wrapped it with and ace bandage. It still got a bit dirty around her hand, but for the most part it worked wonderfully!

And here we are all hooked up and ready to go home! That's quite the load wouldn't you say? I have the best family and I really love spending time with them.....I'm already looking forward to next year!