Bluff

I love Gerald Lund. I love his style of writing (although I can only take so much at a time). He is great at developing characters and his story-telling way, with just enough detail, wraps me up like I am there living right along with the characters. What I really appreciate is his research and the amount of time he puts into each project. See http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6601008-the-undaunted for others' opinions.

The Undaunted book is no different - and I had a hard time putting it down. I kept wanting more...but I think that is because I knew about the land and territory he was writing about. I was familiar with many of the names and settlements that are featured in his book. But I had no idea what kind of history was behind them.

One of the settlements that played a significant role in the book is a town we drove through as kids every year on our way to visit Grandpa in Moab. The town of Bluff. So, being the history lover that I am, I couldn't resist stopping at the Bluff Fort. I was worried that the kids wouldn't like it as much as I would, but hey - if I have to suffer, so must they :) Much to my surprise - they loved it. It's just a small fort with some original cabin work, but mostly replicas of what the Bluff Fort was like when it was settled. The layout was great. There were lots of signs and plaques to help learn about what happened. You could walk into the cabins and get an idea of what it was like to live back then. Aside from a huge sand-with-a-few-drops-of-rain storm that forced us rather quickly into the visitors' center (which has a nice movie to view as well as souvenirs by the way), we had a blast (and not just from the sand).

It is worth the stop, if for anything else - to let your kids get out and walk. For more info: http://www.hirf.org/bluff.asp

View of Bluff Fort from the road...see the storm behind it? Um ya, it came lots closer :)

Talk about space saver...rocking chair, storage, and table all in one!

Next Stop: Grandpa Scharf's

Grandpa Jim's cabin. Nice cool mountain air, clear night sky, and the gravel-ish old voice full of laughter echoing in the background. There's no place like it. I wasn't able to see Grandpa last summer, so we had to come this summer - and it didn't disappoint. The kids went straight to the dirt - digging roadways and tunnels. They shuffled back and forth between riding 4-wheelers (note to self: When letting Aleana "drive" the 4-wheeler - hold on tight and be ready to use the foot break) and eating (Grandpa always has candy or junk food somewhere). It was just a short visit - as we had to get up to Aspen grove - but I loved every minute of it. We were able to enjoy the first night of the Scharf family reunion - and I got to meet a lot of my cousins that I never knew. What an awesome family to be part of.

These are some pictures that I will always treasure. Luke took to Grandpa Scharf like no body's business. I don't know how Grandpa does it - but I haven't seen a kid yet that doesn't love to be around him.

By this part of the road trip - Aleana was getting tired. After the meltdown, she felt better - but still didn't appreciate having her picture taken in mid-meltdown. I thought the timing was perfect.

Dirt

Her favorite place to be

Stupid sand. Stupid sun. It's too hot, and she's done.

Having too much fun isn't a bad thing...

Aspen Grove Family Reunion 2011

Where do I even start?

A week-long reunion/vacation where...

-your kids had something to do and a place to be at from after breakfast to dinnertime

-there is free childcare...oh what a sweet blessed thing this is!

-all breakfast, lunch and dinners are provided - no cooking = sweet bliss for me

-sports - And I could actually participate in them this time!

-adults can have fun too - got to spend some awesome time with hubby playing basketball and racquetball

-ropes course

-rock wall

-family nights

-staying up late playing games

-paint ball

-crafts

-pen making

-time to take naps

-ice cream shop

-bonds made between cousins that will last forever

-hikes

-tournaments

-getting to play said tournaments with my hubby

-getting to know the in-laws and out-laws better

-----------------------------------------

Man, oh man - I could go on forever. What a special time Aspen Grove was. The Giles family members (hubby, his siblings' families and parents) have contributed and saved for over 15 years to be able to make this happen. I hope and pray that my kids remember how special this time was and know how blessed they were to have this much fun with cousins and family galore because this experience cannot be quantified.

Because we were too busy having fun, most of these pictures are compiled from everyone else in the family who were smart enough to take pictures. Thank you guys!

Aleana on a hike with Uncle Monte, Aunt Nancy and cousins

The whole fam-dam-ly - we sure are a good lookin' bunch!

Paint-ball, which I will never forget, nor will my leg.

Family games

Big ball

These next three pics crack me up - I don't know what joke Trace told, but it had to be funny:

Kayley, Brooke, Aleana and Jessica getting ready for the ropes course

Cousins from the Cubs group - Trent, Eli, Brittany, Trevin, and Jasmine

Trent, Eli, and Brittany

Trent was so bummed that he was too young for the ropes course - but he felt better as he climbed the rock wall. Go Trent!

Putting the kids to be at night was so easy...Hannah loved her "Stomper Friends".

Staying up way too late playing games with the fam

Oh yeah, we're awesome :)

some the guys waiting for family pictures. Check out the second guy from the left - he's HOT!

Bright and shiny at breakfast time...wish I felt the same

games

more games

such skill...

athletic skills require grace...even with a plunger

on the count of three...

These girls spent every second they could with each other...I would have to hunt Aleana down just to be sure she was still alive. She had a blast.

We had way too much fun

a view that fightens this mama bear. Aleana was fearless on the ropes course. She rocked it!

Go Aleana Go!

Both hands PLEASE!

We. Had. A. Blast. (well aside from me and Trace getting some stomach bug the last two days we were there. It's bound to happen when that many people from all over the country get together. And yes, the country store does sell pepto...at a steep price).

It's great to be 8

Trent was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on August 6, 2011. What a special day it was. I am proud of the decision he has made. It was wonderful to have family come and be part of this blessed occasion.

Trent is one of those kids who's wheels are constantly turning in that bright head of his. He always has questions and he always has something to say. However, he doesn't share those thoughts until he is ready. I used to think I knew what was going on, what he was thinking. But to be honest, most of the time, I don't have a clue. It surprises me when he speaks and asks questions and wonders "why" out-loud. His questions are deep and his convictions are even deeper. Listening to his testimony reiterated that for me. He bore his testimony on Sunday, in front of the whole congregation. It was simple and powerful. None of us had even discussed the whole bearing-your-testimony-thing with Trent. He didn't even tell us he was planning on doing so. He just got up and walked all the way up there all by himself. I was surprised. he doesn't like being in front of a crowd, as he embarrasses easily. It's amazing how our children continue to teach us through their courage and humility.

Trent - what a special spirit you have. I am so blessed to be your mother.