Flaming George

The Vernal-ish area is beautiful country, filled with creepy (but super cool looking) forests, red rocks and the loudest thunder clap I've heard in a long time. We went camping there this last weekend with the Lusty bunch. So. Much. Fun. Wet, but fun.

The campground had a lake, like, 5 steps away (also lots of cows, but Licky, Slicky and Booger Butt didn’t ever bother us) that was good for some fishing. Ryan was the only one to catch anything. Just a little guy but we threw him on the fire and he was actually pretty good…if you like that sort of thing.

We brought an inflatable boat to go fishing on the lake... and then never took it out on the water. We did however use it as a playpen

...and a lounge chair

...and a family hangout spot

...and a bed.

Speaking of beds, did I mention that Evan sleeps b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l-l-y in the mountains? No fights, no fuss, no okay, fewer random wakings in the middle of the night. I think I’m going to live in the mountains. He slept in the camper bathtub, but here’s him napping on the bed.

We also braved the hillside of death to visit Big Brush Creek Cave. After a trip back to camp to get the forgotten flashlights and much bum-sliding, we all made it. Rain made us worry that the hike back up would be treacherous, but it was actually a refreshing sprinkle that made it feel more like a hike and less like 20 minutes on the stair master.

Then, we went tubing down the Green River starting at Flaming George Gorge Dam. Ryan just loved navigating a raft with “4 women” (said with much exasperation.) We high centered on 2 rocks, missed several sweet looking rapids, and then finally got our rowing together and started hitting them just right. Ryan also taught us how to flip the raft over on shore and use it as a slide into the river (brrrrrrr!) And after a high-pitched girlie scream from each of us (Ryan included) for getting ourselves wet, it turned out to be a lot of fun. No pictures of the river, but here’s one of Evan with Nana (awwww.)

A non-Evan post. (WHAT!?!?!?!)

Not a long one though. I can’t take away from Evan’s dinosaur video (see below). Anyway it’s been a hot summer of killing mosquitoes. Thank goodness it’s only a couple more months with all these lame employees that drive me crazy. No offense if any of you are actually reading this. I really do appreciate all the work you do and you really are great employees. BUT YOU DRIVE ME CRAZY!


Anyway, here are a couple of places we treat for mosquitoes each summer. This place is right next to the landfill and you can’t tell from the picture but it stinks. Like garbage. The tire gives it away.

Each summer in early June the prickly pear cactus bloom and since they are an awesome manly flower, I can say I like them. The picture doesn’t do them justice because the flowers are really bright. And Kendra told me to put it in.

Last week I went to scout camp in Capital Reef national park. Never knew about this place, as in, I have never been there. Cool place. We camped at Fish Lake which is actually about 40 miles north of Capital Reef and loaded with mosquitoes. Pretty, but seriously. More mosquito bites there than at work!

I wouldn’t mind exploring Capital Reef a bit more, not as many people here as Zions or Arches and it’s pretty much just as awesome. That’s Brian, Jeff and Tyrel.

If you ever get the chance, I recommend it. Yeah that’s the arch in the bottom right corner. And my fat belly in the middle. It's the WIND I tell you!!!

Yeah okay, here’s a cute picture of Evan. The end.

E-Rod, the Noisy Noise-Maker

E-Rod is working hard perfecting his many impressions. He does an excellent squeaky door, a pretty good viper, and once in a screaming fit, did a near-perfect dog bark. Oh, and remember that really dumb horror movie where the kid meowed and the mom made that weird electronicy noise? If she scares you, then I don't recommend visiting us any time soon.

But the impressions that will make him famous when he opens his new Vegas show this fall are his wookie call and a little something I like to call "Conversations with Dinosaurs." Just imagine a velociraptor and a grouchy T-Rex getting in a fight and you'll see what I mean. Here' a sneak preview!

Happy Half Birthday!

Too bad he's sick! Shots yesterday... throwing up today... He's been so sad.

This past weekend was fun though! We went to Bear Lake with some friends, stayed in a nice condo, and went boating on the lake.

Evan sure hated that life jacket, but he loved zooming around the lake. Even on the way home when the wind picked up and we were all getting tossed around and thrown in the air, he snoozed happily in my arms.

Ryan got beat up on the tube. He went for "just one more ride" about 5 times :) even after the sun went behind the clouds, the wind kicked up and the waves got deadly! He got some good jumps in and a couple of nice wipeouts. Also, he beat Rod at tennis. Not that it has anything to do with boating.

Here's a Riddle

How many toys does it take to entertain a baby? Answer: a lot! I've found if I turn on some music from a toy piano, AND put him in reach of his lion chimes AND position the mirror to show his face AND put the toy keys in his had AND prop a stuffed animal near by, I can walk away and he'll play on his own for a bit. One less thing and I have to be there by his side. Ahhh. My spoiled child....

Who did you vote for? Evan voted for hand chewing!

The Pictureless Family Reunion

Why do I always forget to take the camera along? I packed a hairdryer that I never used, but I can't remember the camera?

Anyway, all the Allreds got together this weekend at my Grandma's cabin for our family reunion. I love this idea. We don't get to be all together in one place very often anymore and I miss it. Its nice to know I'll get to see my family all at least once a year (hopefully more!)

Ryan borrowed a 4-wheeler to bring and we had a great time exploring the mountain. It has a great view and some fun trails... also, lots and lots of mud when it rains.

Poor ryan got stuck in a hail storm and came home soaked from one run. Luckily I wasn't with him for that one. I was at the antique shop of exorbitant prices when that storm rolled through.

Evan did so great! He was happy all day long--quiet and calm and willing to let anyone hold him--and slept beautifully at night. He even slept 7 hours straight one night! And what did he do when he got home? Fell right back into his old habit of waking up every hour on the hour during the night. I think I want to live at the cabin. I get sleep there.

We had a lot of fun together. Ryan and I made tin foil dinners and dutch oven tater tots for everyone. Mom killed some dude with a BBQ fork (does that mean she won the murder mystery game or lost it?) Curtis got to be a Russian again. We made ice cream by kicking balls of duct tape around the yard. We jumped (or fell) off the porch. Grant played "Girls stuck in tree" with his sister. We guessed where Brad's going on his mission. And we all got to relax and enjoy each other's company.

First of Many Trips up the Canyon

Thank goodness for canyons, family and dutch oven tator tots. Last weekend Ryan and I took Curtis & Kelsey and Laura & Bryce (next time, Brad, you should skip your swim stuff, find a date and come with us! Next time, Lisa, you and Ben should not go on vacation and come with us!) up the canyon near our home for hobo dinners, s'mores and our favorite dutch oven recipe of tator tots, bacon, onions and lots and lots of butter and bacon grease. Yum!

We brought Evan up for the last couple hours and he loved looking around at everything, especially the trees. And he loved the sound of the stream next to our camp spot. He wasn't a fan of the cold, though, and he didn't sleep very well even when I covered him completely with a blanket. Next time I want to put him in the Baby Bjorn and go for a hike. I think he might like that.

Evan loved loved loved the mittens. I think he thought they were a new toy to chew on. Problem is, they were slobbered up within minutes and soaking wet, effectively making his hands colder instead of warmer.

My little sleepy head doing what he does best.

Love the hat Ryan bought for me.

I'm sure we'll get many more pictures of the boys out camping... starting this summer!