Lyman

Aunt Valerie invited our family to join them for their annual Lake Lyman camping trip in the Uintahs. It was so fun to be with my cousins and their families and the kids sure had a ball!

We had quite an adventure getting up there. Everyone that wanted to caravan met at Val's at 10 am, but true to Davis tradition we left around 11:30. It usually takes about 2 1/2 hours but due to about 6 ft. of snow about 5 miles from Lyman, we had to turn around and go up the other side of the mountain. So all in all, we ended up being in the car for about 7 hours. This might seem like a nightmare with 5 small children but the kids just watched movies and Sammy was his usual easy going self!

The kids enjoyed a variety of activities which included: canoing with Dad on Saturday and Monday (no fishing this trip because we ran out of room in the van-go figure), lesson by Aunt Val on the creation complete with a picnic and hike around the lake (for those who could make it-we opted out), dress ups, bubbles, shooting, games, coloring, a treasure hunt around camp, smores, getting really dirty and goofing off!

Because there was over 30 of us we were able to share the work load of meal preparation and clean up. This worked out really good for us because we were in charge of the dutch oven dinner on Monday night but the trip was cut short by Aunt Val falling and hurting her ankle. She's one tough cookie and was trying so hard to be brave, it takes a lot to get her to stop and she was completely unable to walk. Instead of leaving right after dinner or on Tues. morning, everyone got to work and we had the lodge and cabins clean in a few hours. We felt quite guilty about dinner because that was our ONE assignment, oh well, what can you do?

It was so great to be able to catch up with my cousins, play games and just enjoy nature. My favorite part about camping would have to be the camp fire. There's something so soothing about a fire, ahhh!

One other sad thing about our trip is that my parents and Jace were planning on joining us. Unfortunately, they ended up turning around right before they were there because they thought they had taken a wrong turn. They drove around for hours and ended up staying at another campground. Not to mention my Mom hitting a rock, causing transmission fluid to leak everywhere! We're glad they made it home safe but are sorry they missed all the fun-maybe next year!

I took a few hundred pictures because I'm kind of a spaz! It pretty much takes me that many shots to get a handful I really like. Here are a few of my favorites!

"The Lodge" is so large it could easily accommodate all of us! We decided to stay in the lodge this year instead of one of the small cabins because we wanted to be able to stay up and play games and not worry about the kids. It worked out really good because both Boyd and I could be part of the fun! And the kids thought it was great!

This was one of the friendlier rounds of Pinnacle. Poor Preston and Libby. When Andrew stepped in the canoe it tipped and water poured in!! They were such good sports though, no tears or anything. There really is a trick in getting in, you had better be in the middle.

Conner, Libby, Broden, Shaylee and Emma. What a cute bunch!

Aunt Val is the bomb! She did such a great job organizing the lesson, picnic, nature hike, and scavenger hunt. That is no easy task with that many young children.

Emma loved having girl cousins to play dress up with! They pranced around all day playing house and princess. Notice the Caden and Preston having a light saber duel in the background.

I think they are a little excited about going canoing. Hip-hip Hooray!

Isn't that gorgeous????

We were PACKED in so tight! Good thing Dad is a safe driver.

Our little explorer. Emma was so excited about the "nature hike". She collected all kinds of flowers, rocks, pine cones and leaves.

During the scavenger hunt, little Declan stepped right off the dock! Good think his aunt Lauren was there to quickly pull him out. He was not a happy camper, but I couldn't resist taking his picture!

We are so blessed to have such a happy easy going baby! Sammy was so content to hang out with everyone. With all the commotion going on, he still managed to sleep through it all! He loved all the extra attention he got, especially from Lindsey!

The treasure! Val had all the kids line up and go in order from youngest to oldest. I was impressed with how patient the kids were, what a great bunch!

After her fall, Val was promptly laid on one of the picnic tables and her boys took care of her. Good think she packed ice packs and Ibprofin-those were a lifesaver! Val was determined to make sure we cleaned good enough so her sons had to carry her around so she could check, what a nut!

Part of the treasure hunt included a trip out in the canoes. That was quite a site!