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!
This is me, at my wedding, with the most adorable flower girl.....my sweet girl, Skyler (not literally, but to me, she's just always been my girl). Really, it seems like just yesterday Derrick and I were getting married. Well, obviously it wasn't because this last weekend......SKYLER got married! 
We had a shower for her a few months ago, and since it was the day after Kaleb's baptism, I just never got around to blogging about it. So, I thought I'd throw it in here. It was nice, the food was yummy, and she got some great gifts. Now, back to the real post!
