Back to Baumgartner

 It has been 9 years or so since I've been to our favorite Baumgartner campground!  I so miss camping in the pine trees in the fresh mountain air that is pretty secluded from everything. It's mostly the same as i remember it but there was a land slide and a fire in the spots where we'd usually camp that happened a few years ago. Still, it is breathtakingly beautiful and I love telling my kids about all the memories I have there. This year, everyone but Justin's family came. We had the theme of the Olympics since our camping trip landed right in the middle of the 2020 (2021) Olympics. These pictures are all out of order but I'll do my best to explain them! 

Everyone is always happy to be out of the car and finally at camp. Especially since it was a 6 hour drive for us! I found the hammok ASAP and snuggled the niece!

That evening after everyone arrived, we had our opening ceremonies. Jord explained the activities and competitions over the next few days and the medaling system. He and Tay had a lot of fun things planned. 

There were all kinds of things, tiki toss, football toss, javelin toss, frisbee toss, and a corn hole tournament that went on constantly over the first days. But we also snuck away for plenty of water time. I was afraid the river would be too low to float and it really was, but Carter talked the uncles into doing it and later, Mollie and I did it. It was horrible. I had to stand and walk in several places just to keep moving. The few places it was deep enough was very relaxing! 

A heated corn hole tourney. There were some hurt feelings but I believe Chad and Carter ended up winning the competition!

Of course we hit the hot pool every morning! The kids loved running to it whenever they got a tiny chill. Waking up in a mountain hot tub every  morning is how I should start every day! 

Another competition we had to work on in advance was a boat race! We had to gather materials from nature only and build a boat that would float. You could team up with someone if you wanted. So here and Mollie and Ashton working hard on their boat!

Cute cousins! The kids all got along and did great!

We were supposed to dress up one day in a family color. We chose tie dye! Here are our socks and our shirts are a ways down below. 

One day was track races! It was very convinient we were camped in a loop! We had a foot race, bike race, relay races and a stick horse race!

Rylee and Roman spent lots of time hammering nails and pulling them out. I think they both had black eyes by the end of the trip from wacking themselves with a hammer. 

Each night we had a medal ceremony. Here is Bri getting a medal. 

Yum watermelon!

Medal board!

The gang in mostly matching t shirts!

We all had to make a family flag too. Here was ours. 

Here are some home made boats. 

We went down to the bridge and the brothers put them in the water to race. It was fun cheering them on from the bridge. Good times. There were some very creative ones and so not so creative ones (ahem...CHAD!) but we had a good time. 

Grandma bought stuff to do a fairy garden so we found a spot where there was a cross in the ground and did it at the foot of the tree by the cross. 

Grandkid pic!

The whole gang!

I've been dubbed Aunt Candy so here I am feeding the girls some candy just before bed. 

Jilly pup did pretty great with all the people around. She likes being outdoors. And she snuggled up right on our feet for bed. 

And just to prove I did it, I jumped off the rock without a life vest, and lived to tell the tale. It's always a great rush but on this hot day, it really felt nice!

I hope its not too long before we get to go back but in reality, I know it will be. But we sure loved our time! We made the long trek back to Utah Sat night. And we were all glad to be back home at 1AM! 

Jilly is ONE

We moved in on the 20th of July and Jilly's birthday was the 21st! As we stumbled around boxes and tried to pry open our tired eyes, we presented Jilly with a treat basket for her birthday! 

I found a HBD cookie at the pet store so I had to get that for her. And the big bone she really wasn't too impressed with. 

Man, she is a spoiled doggie! 

And whenever I have popcorn you know she won't be far away! Silly girl!

Birthday cupcake that was torn to shreds in no time. She is so good about not ruining anything but if she is given a stuffed toy, she really goes crazy ripping it up! 

And this is how she is found most of the time, sprawled out on the floor, not very lady like. 

Jilly has won ALL of our hearts and is even getting a little closer to being friends with Carter. She has been the perfect dog for our family and we love her SO much. I think she is a little lonely since we moved but she has a golden doodle boy friend right next door she will get along great with. Happy birthday Jilly-dog! You sure have made our family complete!
 

Hello 1202 Providence Way

We had one last get together with ice cream with our neighbors the night before we left our house. Kaycee made this adorable wreath as a going away gift. Cue more tears! At this point, I've cried so much over every little thing I can't cry anymore! When we spoke in church I knew I'd be emotional but I had already cried every Sunday for a month before that. So I knew Chad would have a hard time and he did. We sure have loved our ward and neighbors but believe there is something pulling us to this area in Overlake and we are hoping to give our kids the best chance at having a happy childhood and keeping them on the right path. 

This cute sign was also left as a gift from the realtor. Here we go into OUR NEW HOME! 

As promised, Alex delivered on the goods! There were baskets of goodies and even a basket for Jilly pup. 

Lots of cleaning supplies, s'mores and house supplies were gifted to us. 

Alex stocked the deep freeze with SO many popsicles. She was so good to us! 

In the garage we found a new GAS FIREPIT! We couldn't wait to get this set up and find a patio set for our patio!

Jilly approved of the new grass and new toys. She had her toy chewed to fluff in no time. 

The saddest part of moving is that our new couch wouldn't fit down the stairs! We tried every angle, even considered breaking it apart to get it down there. When we were finally defeated, and there were holes in our new walls to mark our defeat, we decided to sell the couch and find a new one. We were able to sell it close to what we bought it for so I was happy with that. These men worked tirelessly and were determined to get that thing down there! 

A friend text me the next morning checking in to see how I was. I was SO tired. And as I got dressed for the day, it showed. I sent her this to prove my tiredness. 

Alex and Tripp came over to welcome us and snap some pictures. They themselves are moving to AZ in a few weeks so we will miss seeing them around! 

It took several days of eating out before we had our first meal in our new home! 

We got the tramp set up quickly but then we had a storm and it blew up sideways on our home. So we took it back down til we could get some anchors. 

And everyone asks Rylee how she is liking her new room....this picture will tell you. 

And I LOVE snuggling in my new Minky blanket that Alex also gifted us. She is seriously the best! I sent her this pic to let her know how much we loved it. I use it EVERY night! 

 We are so happy in our new home. We love having members in our neighborhood and being in a big family ward. We love the extra space, the grassy yard, the finished basement and that everyone has their own space to decorate and care for. We can't wait to have parites and BBQ and have new (and old) friends in our home. Welcome Home!