We also made it up to the cabin with GranDan to check out the damage to the mountain. You had to be a land owner to get through so we were really glad he took the time to take us up. I can't believe the difference between last year and this year. One of the little sheds burned down and the outhouse(can't say I'm too sad about that one :)). Middle mountain is completely burned, but GranDan is always the optimistic about everything and just kept saying, "you know it will grow back and be just as beautiful if not better". He's been really busy trying to keep cows fed, but I think now he's got some land leased so that has been a big help.
Joe surprised us at the arena earlier than expected. He wasn't supposed to get to AZ until Saturday, but showed up Friday morning and we were so excited. From then on Brindi only wanted Daddy and no one else would do. Grammy wasn't sure that she liked it, but there was nothing we could do. I was so glad I didn't even worry about him driving all night because I didn't even know he was driving!!!
We also got to go kayaking out at Lyman and went across the lake to the Indian drawings(sad I know I can't spell what they are called :)). Brindi went with us and my parents watched Brooke. We had a great lunch together and left just as the rain started to come. My poor parents didn't get a chance to kayak, so that was a bummer, but we'll take the rain over kayaking!
Joe even got a chance to go branding a few places with GranDan and had to stop a couple of times on a count of rain, which was great! He had fun and I admit I was jealous so grammy,the girls, and I tagged along even though we weren't much help. They branded at the Creaso, Section 5 and Black ridge. Joe had fun talking to Spencer and McKell.
We of course hit up El Camino once or twice and just had a blast not having any responsibilities :) while in AZ.
Then it was on to UT. We drove to St. George and spent the night with Robert and Kari. We got to go swimming and had a blast. Joe and Robert went to Zions the next day and JaCee our niece watched Dax, Brin, and Brooke while Kari and I did some shopping. If anyone needs help shopping Kari is great! I had a lot of fun especially since we hardly ever get to see each other.
After that it was up to Leamington and then on to Yellow Stone. The cabin in Island Park was AMAZING and so fun. Brindi had a blast with her cousins and had fun riding in their cars with them and every once in a while we had a stow away in our car too. Beware of picture overload from Yellowstone.
The last day in Yellow Stone ended up being the best. We didn't think we were going to get see any bears, but we FINALLY did. We missed seeing 5, but ended up seeing 2 REALLY close so it was all worth it. Yellow Stone was beautiful and it was so nice to see BIG mountains again. That is probably what I miss the most about being in the Midwest.
After Yellow Stone we drove down to Rexburg and spent the night with Trent, Adelle, and Wyatt. Brindi had a lot of fun and if you ever drive through there during the summer they have an amazing park with a really cool water part. Trent took us fishing and they spoiled us with Joe's favorite meal, roast, potatos, and corn. It was really good to see them and Adelle is beautiful pregnant. The temple is beautiful and it was fun to walk around the campus. Joe has decided if he ever got the chance he would love to teach there :)
We also went to Bear World and it was totally worth it. Brin had a blast with the rides and we were so close to the bears. Almost a little too close. I thought they were going to damage our car. At one point there were 4 around the car and I was getting a little nervous and kept telling Joe to go and he just kept laughing. It was fun and all Joe could say was "Look at the rack on those elk". It was pretty funny.
We made it back to Leamington in time for the 24th celebration. It started out with the Hinckley Parade (by the way the candy lasted us all the way back to MO) which is always fun. Then we headed to Grandpa and Grandma Petersen's house to relax and get some Rook in. They we went out to the Plant for the big Petersen reunion and had a good time playing volleyball and thanks to Grandma Lovell Joe and I had a blast playing. After that it was back to Hinckley and Grandma Petersen's to wait for the rodeo. Brindi kept wondering where Grandpa Lovell was and why he wasn't at Grandpa Petersen's and wouldn't let it go until I told her he had to change the water.
Brindi, Easton, Jordan, and Tristen all got drawn to ride sheep. Brindi was not at all excited when it came time to get one, but we made her ride anyway. She actually made it kind of far and the announcer was quite funny describing our situation. He just said "look at those parents, how mean of them" and then "well it's a good thing kids can't sue their parents at that age" and then "don't feel bad, I did the same thing to my kids when they were that age". Funniest part about it is the next night in her sleep she was yelling "I don't like to ride sheep"...I guess we scarred her :).
Next was the Leamington pioneer parade. Brin was dressed as a cowgirl sitting on a horse and JaCee pulled her around in a wagon. She had fun and Brooke slept through the whole thing.
Then it was on to the Petersen camp out. Brindi had fun riding the 4 wheeler and got to ride the horses that Joe's cousin's brought up. She had fun playing with Easton and Kadee and of course Abi and Lexi who were great at watching her. I wished we lived closer so she would get to play with them more!
We had a great time and after 20 hours we made it back to MO. And I really don't know what has been going on since we got back....
