Our New Jeep

This is something that we have been discussing and thinking about since we moved to Tucson.  The time has come to trade in the Ford Taurus for a new set of wheels.

We didn't tell the kids.  We were outside and Todd turned down our street and Tanner not thinking it was Todd said "there's dad, then a quick...I wish, then ...wait...wait...wait...IT IS DAD!  The boys were jumping up and down so happy to have a man jeep.

We are sure to have a ton of fun in this bad boy!

Grandpa Mons would have been 60 years old!

To celebrate Dave's would be 60th birthday we went and got a cake.  We sang happy birthday and blew out his candles.  We watched his memoir video and the kids asked Todd questions about his dad.  They were really intrigued about his Blazer.  Todd looked up pictures and talked about the fun they had in the Blazer.  Every year we talk about him is a reminder of just how young he was when he died.  We sure do miss him!  Carter was a bit young when he died, but Tanner still has memories and it broke my heart to see him cry uncontrollably while watching his movie.  One thing about Grandpa Mons was that being a Grandpa was his favorite thing and he told us so right before he died that the thing he would miss the most was his grand kids.

Todd's Birthday Celebration

I forgot to post pictures of Todd's birthday day.  The morning of his birthday he went and helped a new family move into their house.  So, while he was gone the kids and I headed to Costco and this is what they picked out.

They were so excited to give it to him or rather play with it themselves.  Some giddy boys right here.

Later he got to watch his Utes play and at the last minute I had a friend call and invite me to the Rascal Flatts concert.  He was nice enough to let me go...on his birthday...what a great guy!  We did take him to Red Robin before I left and he had his favorite cake...Mississippi Mud.  YUM!

1st Annual Carter Camping Trip

We all met in the mountains above Vernal Utah for 4 days of camping fun. 

I found these racoon hats at Sportmans and couldn't resist getting all the kids one.  Hopefully they will bring them again year after year!

 A bunch of cute hickish kids.

I'm kind of an all or nothing girl...if I can't be totally clean I'm going to be completely dirty.  Not this man, oh no showers everyday.  He made himself a shower and I'm not going to lie by day 3 he was hinting pretty good that I needed a shower.  Not too bad, even though I had to pump my own water with my foot.

 I would say Cali's dog is done...well done that is.

 Kelsey and Cali.

Moutanin breakfasts are the best.

 Kelsey's new dog Benny (and the jets)!

 I made Cowboy Zack a cowboy out of playdough.

 The kids made this hut.

 Pretending to be bears and waking up Grandma.

 Onto my favorite part of the trip. Running the Green River.

 Dad and I in front doing most the work.

 The Rebel boat.

 Might I add that the water was freezing.

 The Rebel boat had one thing on their mind...getting Todd in the water.  His shipmates fought a good fight to keep their captain aboard their boat.  Seriously this got a tad bit ugly and some family members almost lost fingers, not to mention they about killed Grandpa off.

Best Buddies!

Justin took the boys down a few days earlier to fish the Green.  The comment was made that they had never heard Tanner be so quiet...I for one would have liked to have heard that.

We found a nearby lake where we rented paddle boats.

Tiff why do we not have life jackets on girl!

So, there we were getting done with paddle boats when Todd arrives from fishing at another near by lake wanting to know when we were heading home to make dinner.

Dinner was quickly forgotten when he found out there was crawdad fishing to be done.

 

More pics of the raft trip. Cali decided to ditch our boat about 5 minutes into it and ride in Uncle Justin's drift boat.

Good times ya'll.  Can't wait for next year!