How a Real Man Does It...

Asher wants to do everything that Eli does, because he's the cool big brother.  On our last trip to the cabin, Asher and Eli were catching small fish in a trap they hung from the boat dock.  Eli was trying to convince Asher to pick up one of the fish, but Asher was nervous.  Eli kept telling him, "That's what real men do!  They aren't scared or cry like a girl.  Real men can pick up fish."  I guess at the age of three it's already important to show you are a real man.  Eli wasn't successful in convincing Asher to pick up one of those floppy, slimy fish.  But when Asher came running down the plank of the boat dock, he came to me and said, "Do you want to see how a real man does it?"  and proceeded to run off the end of the dock into the 65 degree water.  His teeth were chattering, lips were purple, and he was happy to get wrapped up in a dry towel- but he was quite proud of himself because Eli refused to jump into the cold water.  So who is the REAL MAN- the one who dares to pick up fish or the one willing to jump into freezing cold water?  I'm assuming the next ten years and beyond will be a continual contest between brothers trying to show "how a real man does it!"

The SCAG...

With the size of our yard, Scott needed more than an average riding lawnmower.  He did his research and decided a used landscaping-type mower was what he needed.  He purchased one he thought would work out, but ended up being a heap of junk from day one.  It required 2 hours of tuning up before each time he needed to mow.  I did not like that Scag mower and told him he just get something new so he didn't have to waste so much time on the hunk of junk.  I don't know if I would have made that statement if I'd realized the cost of a new Walker Mower was near the price of a college education!  Scott was able to find a fantastic deal and what a relief to have a functioning mower when there is an acre and half of grass to be mowed.  Now it was time to say adios to the Scag.  Neither Scott nor I had nice things to say about that mower, which obviously met the ears of Asher.  The night after we sold the mower to some guy who was sure he could get it fixed and running great, Asher said in his prayers that night, "Thank you we could sell the crap mower."  I try to envision Heavenly Father's response to such prayers...

So long Scag...

Palisade, Round Three...

After two years of too-cool temperatures, the annual Palisade trip was moved from the week of Grandpa's birthday in June to Scott's birthday in July.  It was a good decision, the temperatures were perfect for daytime swimming and cooling off for sleeping at night.  This year Jeremy and Emily's family came along for the fun.  When Grace was the only one in her preschool class who hadn't been camping and sat around a campfire, I think the pressure was on to finally take on the challenge of camping with kids.  As Emily as often stated, she is "not an outdoor kind of girl," but discovered it's one of the things you do because "the kids love it so much."
Many of the activities remained the same...

Kayaking...

When just paddling around in the water got too boring, the guys decided to add some variety by trying to stand up in the kayak.  Although not very successful, it was entertaining to watch.

Asher gave Grandpa a pull while Oakley was the motor (his face in the water, blowing bubbles, and making motor sounds) giving him a push in the kayak.

Four-wheeling...
 
"Anyone wanna take me for a ride?"

Golfing...

Playing in the Water...

A swim out to the floating dock

Grandpa held the grand kids at bay with his water squirter

Catching minnows

Craft Projects for the kids...

Making visors

Asher models his final project- worn rap-star style

 Decorating cooking aprons

I just love the look on Asher's face in this picture.  Not so flattering of me, but I love the look on his face, "Yep, that's my Mom and we're making an apron together."

Sitting around the Campfire...

 Enjoying s'mores

And a few things that were added to the week at Palisade that were new...

Having the cousins there to wrestle with

Grandpa's new tent that fit on the back of his truck.  Oakley and Dad got to sleep there this year.

Celebrating Scott's birthday with fruit pizza and SPARKLERS

A trip to the Manti Temple

...which had to include rolling down the gigantic hill.

Turning the hamburger joint in Ephraim into a DISCO as the kids demonstrated their best dance moves to the music they selected to play on the juke box.

Oakley wanting to push Juliet in her stroller and keep her entertained at all times.  The smile says it all, he loves babies!

The big tent being completely blown over and destroyed in a sudden storm.  Thankfully Juliet had been retrieved from her crib just minutes before.

The trailer getting a flat tire on the drive home.  Thankfully Grandpa and Dad had us on the road again in no time.

The old, the new- it was all fun at Palisade!

Memorable Asher quotes from the week:
We had been talking for weeks about our trip to Palisade and had the boys all excited about it.  The first night there, Asher turns to me and asks, "Is this Palisade?"  In my most enthusiastic voice, I say, "Yes!  This is it!  We're at Palisade!"  Asher's response, "I thought Palisade was a ship."  The poor child thought we were going on a cruise and Palisade was the name of our ship.  Thankfully he's only three- his mind went from a week of cruising to a week of camping without a hitch.  Had I thought I was going on a cruise and found out it was actually camping, I would have needed to be sedated I would have been so hysterical.

The beach was right across a small road from our campsite.  When we were setting up our chairs and things for a day of swimming and playing in the water, I noticed Asher didn't have his life jacket on.  I told him to go back and get his life jacket off of the bench.  After he'd been gone for too long, Grandma went over to see what he was doing.  She found him in the trailer and when he saw her he raised his hands in a questioning gesture and asked, "What's a bench?" 

Pee-free hair...

We have been giving Asher a "trial-run" of sleeping in undies instead of a Pull-Up.  When he had an accident the other night, Scott was giving him a bath and told Asher after his body was washed he needed to wash his hair.  Asher looked at him and stated, "But I didn't pee in my hair!"