Marsh Family Bear Lake Trip 2014

Nothing like a Bear Lake sunrise to bring peace to your soul.

The lake and the paddle boards just call to me.

I don't know how it happened, but apparently we were having so much fun that I didn't even pull out my camera until almost the last day of our week long stay at Bear Lake.  My kids were so excited to see their cousins after they spent 7 long months in Europe, that they could hardly stand it.  It was so awesome to have Rich and Sandra and their kids along too.  They haven't been there with us in years!

A little cousin time in the pool.  We pretty much had the place to ourselves.  We are only missing Charlie, Clara and Collin.

Jack was in this picture under duress - in case you can't tell by the death grip Robbie is using to hold him on his shoulders.

Honestly, my kids had so much fun just hanging out with their cousins, I wish we could do it more.

Playing a game of Pigeon.

Robbie spent some time at the beach building a sand castle.

Robbie and Sandra posing with the castle.

Photographic proof that Judy was at the beach.  She hasn't ventured down there in years.

Some of our various watercraft awaiting our arrival.  Yep, we have all sorts of modes of water transportation.

  
On our last full day, we decided to take just the adults out boating. 

Rob managed to pull himself out of the water for a bit.

And it took several tries, but Rich was eventually successful, too.

And even Jake gave it a good hardy try.

Although he met slightly less success.

He moved on to tubes for a short stint.

But eventually gave up after sustaining an injury.

All of us were laughing so hard throughout all of the tubing episodes.   I had a great time driving.  Rich kept taunting me, so I made sure to throw him off a few times.  (He so can't blame me for his chipped tooth.  He was asking for it.)
There were lots of these.  So much laughing.

 

Rich and Shawn were determined to tube standing up.

It didn't always end well.

But eventually, they succeeded.

But not for long.

I think we can call our adult boat trip a success.

Jake and Sandra

Rich and Sandra.

Rob and Michelle.  

See, everyone is smiling.  Bear Lake does that to people.

And as always, our last day pictures.

These two have changed a bit over the years.

Cousins (and one friend).  Rich and Sandra and family didn't stick around for the last day pictures, but this is tradition for us, so we took pictures anyway.  One day I'll have to put them all together and see how everyone changes year to year.

The only way to get them to sit still and pose nicely is to promise a picture with silly faces.

Charming, aren't they?

And from cousins, we move onto family photo fun.

And silly faces.

Can I just say, eewwww? 

Yep, I just got licked.  Gross.

Just can't wait to come back!

I Just Keep Finding Pictures

More random pictures with no particular theme.

Tree climbing is a favorite past time.

More selfies

and other pictures.

Shawn has taken the kids and some friends rock climbing a couple of times.  They all seem to love it.

They found this tarantula one time.  Too bad it was already dead, that could have been fun.

In an attempt to go somewhere outside our norm, date night included a visit to Gilgal Gardens.

Shawn doesn't own this shirt, but probably should.

And once again, more selfie fun.

The Understatements at Summer Jam

We just had time to squeeze in a band concert before heading out of town.  We had everything loaded except for food, so it worked out alright.

As always, it is so fun to watch Jonas play.

This concert was a little bittersweet because he has played with this band for the past couple of years, and this was their last performance together.  Jenny is headed off to college, Rachel has technically already moved to Idaho, but managed to come back during the week for the summer to make it to band practice, and Shawn isn't coming back in the fall.

So, this is the Understatements final hurrah.

A big group hug after the performance.

Jonas was so embarrassed that Shawn insisted taking pictures.

So the only ones left are the 3 big hair boys.  (Really Jonas's hair is pretty small in comparison to Gabe and Brady, but big nonetheless.)  We'll have to see if they carry on as the Understatements or if they come up with a new name along with some new band members.

"U" for Understatements.

Random Photos

Samantha was so excited when Joey invited her to go to Comicon.  Here she is in her "Thor-ette" costume.

The kids have been participating in a fall water polo league at Kearns (unfortunately) -- and Shawn has been coaching, obviously.  Lots of our time on the weekends is spent at water polo.

Two sets of brothers spending their time how they like to best of all.  Jonas and Tanner.

Peter and Ryan, although these two would happily spend hours with legos, as well.  Thank goodness.  Funny how they divide up the computers in the house.

A Day at the Zoo

It has been a really long time since I've taken all the kids to the zoo, but Jonas and Samantha were insistent that we shouldn't go without them. It took  a while for them to be able to fit us into their schedules, and it was a really hot day, but still a good time.

Everyone had to stop at the lion drinking fountain.

The lion's did us the favor of sitting right up nest to the glass so we could watch them eat.  That was pretty cool.  We hung out there for a long time.

Mmmmm.  Tasty.

Since it was so hot, the kids took every opportunity they could to sit down and rest.

More close up and personal views.

We finished up by the only way that made sense - by going out for ice cream after.