Labor Day weekend

For Labor Day weekend, we headed back up to Tinney Flat in Santaquin Canyon for our traditional end-of-summer campout! We have done this for the past three years (and once a couple years before then) and have loved it! (Well...Jeff and I absolutely love it, but the boys seem to miss their friends a little when there is no cell phone or physical connection...still, they have fun and make the best of it!) During the day on Friday, we headed up the canyon to set up camp. I have to be honest, we are the best "campers". I think you could refer to us as "glampers". Even though we did sleep in a tent, it was a nice, spacious tent with air mattresses inside for comfort. I'm to the point in my life where I enjoy the little things that bring comfort.

After we set up camp, we headed back down the canyon to the Springville Museum of Art where our neighbor's daughter was having her wedding reception. Tayler was Laurin and Amber's friend growing up. I can't believe we're to the point of attending receptions for kids our kids' ages. Yikes!

We only stayed briefly then headed back up the canyon; however, it was fairly late when we got there so we simply headed to bed.

I love my silly boys!

The next day was spent playing cornhole, shooting pellet guns, hiking, cooking, chopping wood, etc. Jeff's parents and grandma even drove up to join us for lunch. I can't begin to tell you how much I love being in this canyon! I love the tall pines. I love that our little campsite is tucked away from the others so that we feel alone. I love that families of deer come tromping through our site. I love that there is no cell reception. I love that we actually spend time together playing games, hiking, or enjoying a movie projected onto the tent at night. I simply love being with my little family. We were lucky that Laurin was able to join us on Saturday. Zack Told, Jeff's best friend's son, also joined us. He just returned from his mission and moved to Utah to go to school.

Morning snuggles in the tent.

I'm so glad that Jeff enjoys cooking while camping!

Afternoon snuggles

Sunday was much of the same. We did go down the canyon to go to church then returned to the campsite after church to enjoy a delicious dutch oven dessert and late night movie in the tent. Monday morning (Labor Day, September 3) we packed everything up, but stayed long enough to play a few more rounds of cornhole and some card games before going home. Once at home, we unpacked and cleaned up before going to the Payson Onion Days (I still hate that name) Festival. We walked around the car show and the craft booths. Jonas even got to experience his first carnival ride - the Fun Slide. He went down twice with Dallin and once all by himself! He needs to stop growing up! He loved every minute of it.

That evening, we had Jeff's parents, Greg and Katie over for a nice BBQ dinner. That's it...summer has officially ended! While I'm excited for the new season and all the activities and flavors that come with it, I am a little sad that time seems to be passing so quickly. There are several anticipated changes that will occur in our little family in the next year; they're all good changes, but change is still hard. It has been a busy summer, but I've absolutely loved every minute of it. There were so many moments to cherish for years to come! Good-bye Summer 2018....Hello Fall!