Road Tripping

The first week of May we loaded up the motorhome and headed for the Oregon coast. We left at 4:30 am so the kiddos could sleep for the first few hours. 

 

Our first stop was in Winnemucca. Yaya really needed to burn off some energy.

This was a pretty spot in the Nevada desert.

We drove and drove and drove, and then we found the straightest road in America and drove some more. This part of Oregon is so beautiful. I loved feeling like we were high up in the mountains, then passing a field with cows in it. It seemed so out of place, but it was gorgeous.

We needed another driving break, so we stopped to check out this cool bridge somewhere in Oregon.

Cole climbed out on one of the cement pillars. It was spooky.

But not spooky enough, I guess, because then he climbed out on these little rails on the side of the bridge.

Someone has a bad example for a father.

See what I mean? 

We found a pretty little place to pull off the highway to camp that first night. It was in a forest, and when we first pulled in there were deer running around. It was magical. We made dinner, rode our bikes around, played catch, and Rand climbed every boulder he could find. It was a fantastic start to our adventure.

 

Final Freshie Choir Concert

Caulder performed another solo at his final choir concert of the year. I love hearing him sing, and I think it's amazing that he's brave enough to perform in front of so many people. 

He was allowed to bring 3 guests (covid rules), and since Grandma Kathy hadn't had a chance to attend a concert all year we gave her the lucky ticket. 

It was such a fun night. 

 

Behold, the Glory

 

I think Caulder said it best when Cole walked out in this outfit and Caulder immediately said, "It's a great day to be an American." 

#mountainbikingCole #barfingsharkcatcowboy #merica

Only in Santaquin...

Only in Santaquin can you get a sweet ride to school with Rusty the horse. 

He pulled Rand right up to the bus lane.

 

April 2021

We've dragged the parents into our web of e-bike addiction. Cole and my dad spent weeks watching KSL like hawks for good deals, and they finally got both my mom and dad set up with new bikes. We took them for a ride on the trails behind our house. 

We also had a bonfire at The Babe's. 

I ran the Three Falls trail in Alpine and decided I need to live there. But first I need to make about 30 million dollars, soooo... it might be a while. 

We had a barf fest of epic proportions. This little smoochie probably threw up 15 times in 24 hours.

Once he felt better he made this magnificent waffle. 

He also got (another) cavity fixed. This time he needed a crown. After they gave him the laughing gas he kept smiling and telling me, "I feel silly!"

We had a standoff on the wall. Soos was brave enough to stare them down, but there were about 15 of them, so I'm not sure it was the smartest choice. The deer finally left, though, and no blood was shed. Soos stood a little taller that night.

My running buddy Saundra and I ran in a rainstorm. I'm still not sure why we would do such a thing.

And that was pretty much our April. 

My Favorite Breakdown Buddy

 If you’re going to be driving down the freeway, going 70 mph, and have your truck die, the power steering go out, and your husband say, “I think I’ve got about 3 good pumps before we lose the brakes,” it’s nice to have Caulder around for comic relief.

Me: I think we should just head back home.

Cole: Nah, we can make it. I’m pretty sure I’ve got it fixed.

*truck breaks down after we get back on the freeway*

Caulder: You flew too close to the sun, Icarus!

Cole: Caulder, are there any tools in your door?
Caulder: Looks like we’ve got zip ties and an empty Rock Star can. We just need to build a cylinder for the injector tubes. We can MacGyver this, Dad!

Me: Even if we do manage to make it to Lagoon, how are we going to get home? I can’t take the stress of driving the truck all the way back.

Caulder: There’s a little phrase I like to think of in a time like this: That’s a problem for future Caulder.

Lagoon

Jed invited us to Lagoon with his girls, so we decided to get crazy and take the kids for the first time ever. We even took Fourth Son, Cade.

We decided that our kids really just keep us around to pay for them, and hold their garbage when they're done with it.

But this melts me. I love how close these two are.

Cauldy agreed to sacrifice and watch Rand while the rest of us rode Cannibal. It was such a fun ride. Hopefully we can get him on it next time - he just worries about the barfing situation.

This was when we broke the news to Rand that he was too little to ride Cannibal. It did not go well.

We made it up to him with a ride on the Ferris Wheel.

And some Piper playtime.

Everyone should have the opportunity to ride a Ferris Wheel with Caulder once in their life. He hates them so much, and we love to torture him by making him go. He's scared of heights, and the more afraid he gets the faster he talks, and the more sarcastic he gets. Sarcasm is a healthy coping mechanism. Everyone knows that.

We took a break halfway through the day for custard.

Rand rode the bumper cars, but he liked the roller coasters the best.

At the very end of the day Cade told us we HAD to ride Rattlesnake Rapids, and that we probably wouldn't get wet.

Fourth Son is a dirty, dirty liar.

We were soaked, but laughing our guts out.

Tukk had to windshield wiper his glasses afterward.

Rand was already wet, so we figured he might as well go run through the splash pad.

We were a little unsure about Lagoon, but we had such a fun time.