{Catch Up #6- Annual Friends Camping Trip at the Lake}

Evey year (OK in all honesty we just started this last year, but I really hope we do this every year, because I love it) we plan a camp out at Yuba Lake with a group of friends. The guys (Brandon, Brett, Derrick and James) have been buddies forever, but luckily all the wives and kiddos get a long great too!

Carlie is my little water baby. She loves being at the lake....she was sure we needed to celebrate her birthday at Lake Powell.

Mr. Brock.... quit growing up so fast, would ya?
(Love the crazy boat hair)
Isn't she just cute?
Baby Callie, with Uncle Brett....ummm, yummo SAND!

Carlie, Kady and Paige

Derrick and Brock just chillaxin!

SO, Brandon and Christie brought Kami's brothers water weenie (call it a banana if you will, but to me it will always be a water weenie). Are you impressed I got on it? Yea, well Christie and Ronni basically gave me no choice. Yes, I was terrified. Yes, I may have said a few not nice words. Yes, I did have fun!

All the kiddo's lined up (minus Callie).... Brock, Carlie, Damon, Tyce, Kaleb, Kady, Kyle, Paige and Colby. Yep-we have 10 kids all together, how did that happen?

Most of the kids took a turn!
While we chilled in the boat.
Kaleb of course had to surf on the weenie!
Then the Cummings Clan took a turn!

and Derrick wasn't the nicest driver, in fact he may be fired!

Sorry, Christie I had to add this one.... it cracks me up every time I see it!

Good times! I can't wait till next year, and hopefully James and Kami won't have to go home early!

{Catch-Up #1- Yuba with the OK Dearden's}

I'm super behind on blogging, but there are a few things I want to make sure I blog about so it will be preserved in the bloggy book (when I finally get it printed, yet another place I'm a slacker) so it's catch-up week! Hopefully I can get all caught up this week so we can return to our regularly scheduled blogging life! Be prepared for (hopefully) a post or two everyday.

Back in July.... yes, JULY! Derrick's brother Nick and his cute little family came out from Oklahoma (thus, the OK Dearden's.... I'm not at all sayin' they are just merely ok) for a week to visit. They spent the first half of the time here at Ted and Sheri's (Derrick's dad) and the last half of their trip in West Bountiful at Jeannie & Mike's (Derrick's mom). While they were here, we (our little family, Nick, Amber & Kanyon and my little sister-in-law Sydney) took a little trip to Yuba Lake for the afternoon. Honestly it wasn't the best day at the lake, but the kids had fun, so it was worth it!

Who wants to ride on the tube, when it makes the perfect play island?

Miss C
Kaleb gettin' some sun on the tube!
Kaleb & Kanyon chillin in the boat!

Mr. Kanyon loved the water!

Brock found the mud.... ICK!

Nick and Kanyon..... I'm sure you all knew that's what the life jacket strap was for, right?

Miss Sydney (who is growing up WAY too quick)

After the lake we headed back to Ted and Sheri's for yummy dinner. Like I always say, even a bad day at the lake beats a day at home! I had to crack up at Derrick taking Nick for a ride on the tube.... they may be in their 30's but it didn't show.... I could just see them as teenagers again, trying to get the best of one another.

{Camping at Yuba}

Every summer we try to plan a camping trip to Yuba Lake. We try to go during the week, it's not so busy and crazy then. We survived a few dust storms, got to see a gorgeous double rainbow, hung out with the family and some friends, and just enjoyed being there. Poor Bryson broke his elbow just a few days before we went out. He felt so bad that he couldn't get in the water and play with the other kids.

We fished!
We played in the boat!

We water skied! Carson was the only one of the kids that would try and he did GREAT! Some of us also knee boarded and wake boarded.

We jumped on the water tramp!

We played in the sand and water.....LOTS!

Carlie played so hard, she just kept crashing as soon as she sat down!

We tubed.....even Chevy got in on the tubing action. And to eveyones amazement, so did I! We even got my mom on the tube for her first time ever! I'd love to post pictures, but that was one of her conditions if she went....no published pictures!

We jet skied!

We just plain had fun with our family!

You all are welcome to join us next year..... I'll let you know when we are going!

{I ♥ a Good Day at the Lake}

I love me a good day at the lake! I DO....(I know what some of you are thinking), but I truly do. We decided to head over to Yuba lake on Wed afternoon. Brock was at scout camp so we invited my nephew Bryson to come with us. As we cruised around the lake, played and enjoyed the day I kept thinking how crazy it is that this girl who really has a phobia of the water really, truly loves being at the lake.

I love Carlie's glee full giggle and that she always wants dad to hit the "bumpies". I love the fresh smell of the water. I love sandy feet (and other body parts). I love that the lake is only 35 miles away. I love the gentle rocking of the boat, as I watch the kids play on the beach. I love the coconut mango smell of our favorite sunscreen.

I love the"O crap" wide eyed look Bryson gets when he sees a big bump coming up. I love the sound of the ski flag whipping in the wind. I love the white capped swells as we ride out a windstorm, and the mirror glass of calmer waters. I love the quick detour to Nephi for yummy Mexican food at the end of the day. I love that the boys are so much braver than they were last year, and that they had a blast riding in the tube. I love the unexpected spray of water that takes your breath away (as long as it's not on my face). I love K's toothless grin. I love the silent ride home because everyone is exhausted from a fun filled day.

I love that he's my man, and that he loves every minute we spend on the lake, whether it's a good day or even the not so good days.

I ♥ a Day at the Lake!
And just for a laugh I had to add this picture! What mean brothers she has!?! "But it's a sanchez, Mom," they say.