Doing all the Moon Lake things

This is one of my favorite views. Right out the door of our little cabin. Breakfast cooking and the sun shining on the lake 💕

We planned to go on a horseback ride this morning. We had hoped that Ethan would be here with us, but he had some car trouble on the way up last night and didn't get her in time. Halli came along with us in his spot. 

Everly was NOT feeling confident about being on that horse. The only reason she ended up coming was the guide taking her horse on a lead line. 

And there was really no other choice. We were all heading out on horses and we couldn't leave her behind. 

That's a nervous look. 

There was a forest fire a couple years ago. The vibrant green saplings, the black trees and the bright blue sky were tragic and hopeful. It's so sad that all of those tall pines burned. It will be decades before they replace the old growth. But they will. 

We had to be careful not to let the horses pass to close to the burnt trees. The remaining branches were like knives. 

It was fun! I think we'll go again next time and see how much the saplings have grown. 

We spent some time down at the lake. Lara had a floating chair she wanted to try out. 

So, naturally, she stood on the beach and held a rope so the little girls didn't drift away. 

Meg and Laney found a quiet spot to do some sketching.

And Ethan finally arrived!! He wasted no time setting up a questionable target practice out the front door. He never got caught, so it must be ok!

Back down to the beach for a little hole diggin.

Some wildflowers from my firstborn pup!

Showing the cousins the wonders of color-flame packs!

Redneck's got redneck...

It was Kaira's night for a treat and she introduced us all to mango coconut rice. 

Live changing!! 

And the perfect ending to the perfect Moon Lake day. The sound of the heater making me feel perfectly happy. 

Mark's 44th: Guns and Cake and Grandma Sycamores

 At this point in our lives, what we really want boils down to just a few things:

Kids that care enough to hang streamers for you

A wife that is willing to go shoot some guns with you, even though it causes her to feel a  visceral desire to run far far away. (You gotta respect the decor choices in the ladies bathroom.)

THE CAKE

And a shipment of soft, divine Grandma Sycamore's from your mother-on law. 

Mark has a special talent for knowing the best way to say thank you. Here's the picture we sent to my mom after he opened his birthday bread. 

The world is a better place with Mark in it! Happy Birthday!

Day 12 - Guns and Baptisms

We hit Wasatch Crossfit this morning. Their team won the Crossfit games in 2017...we couldn't pass up the chance to drop in and do a WOD. It was a cool place! They were fun and easygoing and reminded me the most of On Track of any place we've been.  We also forgot to take our picture, so Mark just photoshopped us onto another photo...haha! See if you can find out where the picture came from!

Mark took kept the kids busy today so I could get the packing and meal planning done. Trying to grocery shop for a week is serious business when you go out to Moon Lake. A grocery store trip once you get up there is takes about 2 hours out of your day. Planning now means sparing us a frantic run to Duchesne.

Mark took the kids out shooting again.

And then to the Payson temple to do some baptisms.

 Tomorrow we head out to our beautiful Moon Lake!!

Day 9-When in the West

In our continued effort to not return to Kansas fat and sassy, we dropped in to Spanish Fork Crossfit for an early morning WOD. This is one of our favorites!

Next up! Mark takes the kids out to shoot! They borrowed my dad's (on mom's) guns she stores at Lara's house.

We spent the evening hanging out with Lara, her cutie daughter, Kylie, and Kylie's husband, Rylie.

That's right! Kylie and Rylie....if that isn't fate, I don't know what is....

We played several rounds of humongous Jenga.

Kylie and Rylie schooled us all.

 And Lara was on stand-by to save Anna's toes!

Those two are also crazy about horsed and let the kids all take turns grooming them and riding. It was one of the highlights of the entire trip!

 I can't think of a single thing that could make this day better...I mean, maybe a cute puppy to play with?

Oh...look at that!