The Hike to Hanging Lake

Here are the Priers, Preparing for a "leisurely hike to a nice lake".
Here is me, and Adalyn, quite unsuspecting of the challenge to come!
"Um, where is our nice dirt path?"
This is us, resting. We had to stop and rest about 57 times. The trail, was an hour and a half of uphill rocky climbs and ledges. So much for our nice dirt path up to the lake! The weather was great and the scenery beautiful. Everyone that we passed on the way up, gave us an understanding smile and said "it is worth it, keep going". My Mom was about to give up and go down, when we came upon a very elderly, hunched over man using hiking poles to climb the mountain. My Mom said, "okay...if he can do it, than I can too!" My Aunt Lisa, was in great shape. She is an avid tennis player, and she couldn't even wait around for the rest of us! She did awesome! Adalyn was at the head of the group for a lot of the way. I was even worried about her, but I guess I forgot how much energy kids have.
My Dad was great. He stayed back with me- the prego, and my Mom and Uncle David. He too is in pretty good shape. He runs a couple times a week to stay fit.

Okay, On to the goal: Hanging Lake!

Weekend in Colorado

Adalyn and I were able to take a mother-daughter trip to Colorado. We went up to Beaver Creek with my parents to join my Aunt Lisa, Uncle David and their three kids; Kyle, Kevin and Lexie. They had a very nice condo on the side of a very beautiful ski resort. We had a blast! We started the trip off with a feast. We grilled salmon and filet mignon. We had specialty breads, organic risotto, grilled pineapple, salad, and much more! This was followed by a dessert buffet, with specialty cakes, tarts and brownies. We always eat like kings, with the Priers!

Exciting thing this week!

This week, Joshua put his hand on my stomach and felt the baby move! It was his first time to feel it move, and he finally believes me, that there is a baby in there, and I am not just eating more and gaining weight because I want to! We are both so excited and a bit nervous. These kids all want to come down so fast, it is hard to get things in order before another one arrives! We love it! We love kids, and if it were up to me, we would have ten (at least today, ask me tomorrow and I will probably change my mind!)

Our nephew's baby blessing

Joshua's brother Kyle and his wife Paige, blessed their darling baby, Kaden, a few weeks ago. We were able to go up to Idaho for the blessing and to visit them and Joshua's parents for a weekend. We had such a great time. It was good to see them all and stay up past 3 am, most nights!

The picture on the right is Brother Mann, Kyle, Joshua's Dad -Gary, and Joshua.

Waterpark fun!

We have really great neighbors at our new place! They are always inviting us to do fun things. We always have a blast with them and the our kids are even in the same class at school. Thanks for a fun day in the sun!

Fishing in Alaska!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joshua went to Alaska fishing for 8 days! He went with my Dad and some friends from Texas. He had the time of his life! Here are just a few of the many pictures that were taken.

Italian Sausage soup

Okay, this is a weird thing to eat in the summer, but we are having it tonight and it is one of our favorites!!! It is from Cooking Light magazine and it is their staff favorite pick from a couple of years ago. It is so easy and my husband (who doesn't like spinach) loves this. My kids eat it really well also ( I cook extra sea shell noodles and add them to the kid's soup). So, if you don't want soup in the summer, save this till it gets cold, it is sooo worth it! We always double it, because it really serves about 2 people!

Ingredients

8 ounces hot or sweet turkey Italian sausage
2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano (I put mine in the food processor, because we don't like chunky tomatoes)
1/2 cup uncooked small shell pasta
2 cups bagged baby spinach leaves (stems removed, and we chop our leaves into strips)
2 tablespoons grated fresh Parmesan or Romano cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (optional)

Preparation

Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Remove casings from sausage. Add sausage to pan, and cook about 5 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble. Drain; return to pan.

Add broth, tomatoes, and pasta to pan, and bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until pasta is done. Remove from heat; stir in spinach until wilted. Sprinkle each serving with cheese and basil.

Yield

4 servings (serving size: 1 1/3 cups soup, 1 1/2 teaspoons cheese, and 1 1/2 teaspoons basil)

Flashback....let's get ready for another one!!!

Adalyn is just a few days old!











A big sister at 19 months old!






Our first boy! Little Ethan








(I don't have pics of baby Caleb on this computer, so I will post some later)





So, we are sooooo excited and a little nervous to welcome baby number 4!!! I am due Feb 2nd (Addy's birthday) and I am 3 months along.

Visit with Grandpa

We got to see my Grandpa last week. It was great to see him. It had been over two years since I had seen him last. He is staying at a Rehab Center in Idaho. He looked so handsome in his bright blue shirt. I am so glad that he is doing better.











We also were able to see my cousin Rachelle, her husband and brand new baby. We stayed with her Mom, my Aunt Liz, and really enjoyed our visit with all of them! Lucky for us, Aunt Lisa and her son Kevin (from Texas) came up for a visit at the same time. We got to see so many people this trip! We even got to go see my old Room mate from college, April, and her adorable kids.

It was a fantastic trip!!

The wonderful world of make believe

The kids in Great Grandpa's boat.















Addy's island.


















Ethan's island.












Just woke up from a long nap at the beach.














The older kids could spend all summer creating their own worlds on that beach.

Of course there is going to be fishing!

We had a funny fishing outing while at Bear Lake.
My cousin's kids were so excited to fish. My kids just wanted to play in the sand. But, as soon as they hooked a fish, Addy and Ethan came running. They wanted to get that fish in their hands. Their cousins wouldn't even touch the fish for the picture. My kids didn't want to put it back. "Let's keep it as a pet!" They are too funny. They love anything that breathes and moves- fish, grasshoppers, snails, worms, cats, dogs, otters, horses. . .well, except the bats at Bear Lake made them a little nervous! They made me nervous too! One almost hit me in the head!

Summers at Bear Lake - Oh the life!!

Summers at Bear Lake are almost magical. Summers at Bear Lake are a gift to me and my family- given to us by my wonderful Grandpa who passed away this month. To me, there is no better place! Swimming, fireworks, playing in the tree house, fishing, s'mores, tree swings, sleeping bags, breakfast outside, roasting hot dogs, picking raspberries, apples, apricots, sweet corn, cousins, sandcastles, kites, potato guns, skiing, dogs, sunburns, outhouses, naps under the tree, horseshoes, volleyball, basketball and building relationships. There is so much more! I have been coming to Bear Lake since I was a baby. And I have brought each of my babies to Bear Lake. I wish every family had a Bear Lake- a place to gather together, a place to take a deep breathe, soak in the sunsets and feel connected to this beautiful earth and the extraordinary gift of family. Thank you to my Grandma and Grandpa for magical summers.

My little Caleb is growing up!

Well, I couldn't resist posting these! He is getting so big! He will be three in just a month and a half! My baby isn't a baby anymore! I guess it's time to have another one!

More to the carnival story