Christopher Creek Camp Out

We had such a great time camping. I love having all the family together hanging out and playing. It was almost a perfect weekend except the rain. I really do not like camping in the rain. I don't like to be wet and I really don't like worrying if all my stuff in the tent is getting wet. But here in AZ when you pray for rain cause it's needed so badly I can't complain too much about getting wet while camping. Besides a good lightening and thunder storm is always fun to watch and listen to. We had a great time and I am already looking forward to next year. It just makes me smile thinking about it.

24 of the 26 grand kids. Only Ryan and Austin are missing. I see this picture and it makes me smile. I love knowing my kids will know their cousins and know their heritage. 

 Joe put together a horseshoe tournament complete with a bracket he made using a Capri sun box. Matt and Kyley were the champs and now get to brag about it for a year. I will go on the record saying I am horrible at horseshoes. I can't seem to throw straight or on target. But I played and tried.

The boys at the water hole. They hiked to the deep water hole and took turns jumping in.

The kids around the campfire and walking the Loop. I love that my Grandpa and Grandma Taylor always walked the Loop when we camp and it's a fun tradition to keep.

 Jack and Jay jumping off the cliff. I wonder how soon they will be doing back flips off cliffs like Ryan? I hope they hold off on that.

Kate with her cousins, Annie, Keelie and Lucille. I am sad that Kate won't have a sister but I love that she has three girl cousins her age. Almost like having three sisters. Kate's favorite part of camping was hopping on the rocks. She loved being in the creek and outside.

Jack catching crawdads. No camping trip is complete until Jack can catch the biggest crawdad. He still has the touch and could spend hours catching crawdads.

Rathen's Homecoming

On July 17, 2013 Rathen J. Ricedorff returned from his mission in Raleigh, North Carolina. We were all so excited to see him and to see how he has changed and yet remained the same. His family changed a lot while he was gone. He gained a nephew and a brother-in-law in just two short years. It's crazy how much can happen in two years and yet so much stayed the same. We are happy Rathen is home and I think my favorite part, aside from seeing Rathen, was having Randy tell me that Jack said "Rhett is next, then me and then Kaden, then Jay. I love that Rathen set such a good example for his brother and his cousin and I love that Jack wants to serve a mission.

 The Randy and Rebecca Ricedorff family after two years. Ross, Duke, Brookelyn, Randy, Rebecca, Rhett, Rathen, Alexis and JT

Kate finally likes Rathen. It took a two year mission for her to grow up and like him. I loved listening to her pray for Rathen. 

Rexburg, ID

On our drive home from Yellowstone we drove through Rexburg, ID and Ryan got to travel down memory lane a little bit. We played a little football, walked around the field house and just enjoyed Rexburg. It was a great place for Ryan to have gone to school. He loved playing football and enjoyed the good atmosphere of a church school.

 We had to stop and eat at Big Judd's. It was the biggest hamburger I have ever seen and I won't eat a hamburger for a really long time. Along with the hamburger we got two huge orders of fries, two drinks and two ice cream cones. Needless to say I think we all felt like Jack in the end.

Yellowstone Finally

 

 Yellowstone National Park

We finally made it to Yellowstone and it did not disappoint me at all. I have been wanting to go to Yellowstone for a long time and I am glad I made. We did a lot of driving but it was incredible to see all the animals and the scenery. Holy cow it was beautiful. I loved how there was water everywhere and the rolling hills with mountains in the background. Here we are at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. It was 300 and something steps down but well worth it.                                                                                                       
The kids and Ryan playing in the water. I really think one of Ryan's goals is to do a back flip off as many cliffs as he can. I loved this spot on Lamar River because we were by ourselves except for one couple. I kept waiting for the bear to wonder down by the river to get a drink. But I think we were a little bit too loud for that. Besides if that did happen we would have freaked out.

 

Some of the views of Yellowstone. I wish I had a good camera and could take good pictures because these pictures don't do Yellowstone justice. We had rain a few days in the park which made for come chilly nights and some beautiful rainbows.

 

Some of the wildlife out on the range and Old Faithful. Funny story about the elk. We all got out to see the elk except Jay and Jeremy. I had given Jay a peanut butter sandwich that he needed to eat before he could have anything else. The day before he had a sandwich and it took him almost an hour to finish it. Well we all got out to see the elk and when I came back the sandwich was gone, including the crust which he never eats. So I asked Jay if he ate all of the sandwich and he told me he did. I was impressed since it had only been about 10 minutes that he had it. Later that night we were talking with Jeremy and I mentioned how Jay had finished his sandwich. Jeremy then laughs and says really because as soon as you all left the car to look at the elk, there was a lot of movement in the car and it looked like Jay was up to something. He never said Jay threw the sandwich out the window but it was implied. I have since asked Jay about the sandwich and he swears he ate it. I have no choice but to believe him but I will monitor his peanut butter sandwich intake from now on.

We had a great time and we really do live in a beautiful world. 

Grand Teton and West Yellowstone

Grand Teton National Park. 

The entire time we were there the primary song "My Heavenly Father Loves Me" kept going through my head. I am truly "glad that I live in this beautiful world Heavenly Father created for me." We had a great time walking around Jenny Lake and finding water to jump in. My kids are always happier if they can play in the water. The Grand Tetons really are awesome and incredible.

 Once we left The Grand Tetons we drove through Yellowstone on our way to West Yellowstone to see "Beauty and the Beast" at the Playmill Theater. As we were watching the play we recognized two of the actors as Rebecca's nephew, Jacob, and niece, Camilla. We had to snap a picture and text it to Rebecca. It is amazing what a small world we live in. We really did enjoy the play. Jack said that if the movie were as funny as the play he would watch the movie more often. It really was a great play.

Jackson, Wy

 I loved Jackson, WY!!! Someday when I am rich I will have a house there and can visit every summer. I do dream of being a snowbird someday. But right now since I am only 38 it is still a dream. We had a blast in Jackson. We river rafted down the Snake River and wanted to go again the next day. If you ask my boys the best part of the entire trip their answer would be river rafting. I owe Karrie big time for taking Kate and staying behind so I could raft. Levi, our guide, was great and told great stories while we rafted and he also managed to keep Jay from falling out. I thought for sure Jay would go over board. I wish I had a waterproof camera because the best part of the trip was watching Ryan, Jeremy and Levi do a back flip off the front of the boat. It was awesome. I really want to go back and raft again and this time take Kate. One more year and she can go.

 When we were done rafting we went and ate and then hung out in the park. The kids loved being outside and listening to the singers, playing football and hide and seek and trying to catch the ground squirrels. I just loved watching them and laughing. We had a great time in Jackson and I am really looking forward to going back again.

Brigham City and Bear Lake

 On our way to Bear Lake our car started shaking really bad so we stopped in Brigham City to have it checked out. Thankfully it was only the tires and nothing else but it sidetracked our plans for about 3-4 hours. So while in Brigham City, Utah we toured the Tabernacle and Jack was able to play the organ. We also watched a film about the building of the Tabernacle and then looked at the temple across the street. While we were eating lunch a mean game of Heads Up Seven Up ensued and we were all entertained. I guess if one finds themselves with car trouble while traveling through Utah, Brigham City is not a bad place to be broken down.

We finally got to Bear Lake around 4 in the afternoon. I was surprised by how clear and warm the water was. The kids were so happy to finally be at Bear Lake. The Platts rented a jet ski and the kids all got a ride on it. We had a great time at Bear Lake and wish it could have been longer. But I guess that means we will have to go back.

Salt Lake City

 Salt Lake City did not disappoint me. It has been a really long time since I have been to Salt Lake City and Temple Square. We went on Sunday morning and were able to see "Music and the Spoken Word." It was the patriotic program and I am so happy we went. Before the program started the conductor introduced the important people who were in the audience. The last people he introduced was a husband and a wife who lost their son in Afghanistan early in the year. After he was done introducing them the entire audience stood up and applauded this couple for their sacrifice. It really made the program special. To see all these people support this couple who we didn't know and appreciate what their son died for. Our freedom. The conductor than commented that this was what the Fourth of July was all about and then the program started.
After "Music and the Spoken Word" we toured the conference center and Temple Square. I think I need to go back without my kids to see all of the stuff I missed.

My family with the Salt Lake Temple in the background. So dang pretty. 

 Touring the Tabernacle and inside the conference center waiting for "Music and the Spoken Word" to start.

All around Temple Square. Kate loved seeing all the temples throughout Utah with the Angel Moroni on the top.

 

Yellowstone Drive Up

 Our family left for Yellowstone on a Saturday and took our time driving up to Salt Lake. We stopped at Jacob Lake and I'm so glad we did. First of all some of the best cookies are at the lodge but more importantly we stopped for lunch and met a young woman from Indiana. As we were talking to her, Ryan made the connection that he had baptized her parents way back when. It was really neat to see this young woman and who she had become because of the gospel in her life. It was a great reminder of missionary work and what missionaries do.
Jack, Kate and Jay with Karrie photo bombing at Jacob Lake Lodge. I really do love Jacob Lake.

When we left Jacob Lake we drove up to Panguitch, Utah to meet Tosh and his family. Ryan was remembering his mission. He met a girl whose parents he had baptized then he met up with his old missionary companion. We love getting together with Tosh and Lisa and wish we could more. They are great people and we are trying to get them to move to AZ. Maybe someday but for now we will have to be content seeing them about once a year.

Lisa, Tosh, Ryan and myself at the Panguitch street fair. 

Jay's baptism

My handsome Jay was baptized on June 15th by his wonderful dad who also got to conduct the baptism. I am so happy he made the decision to be baptized and that he has joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Jay got to plan the entire baptism since he was the only one getting baptized on this day. He had Grandma Goodman and Ricedorff give the prayers and Grandpa Goodman and Ricedorff give the talks. He chose the songs "I am a Child of God," and "Choose the Right."  Jack was able to accompany "I am a Child of God" on the piano. He did such a great job. My favorite part was watching the conformation. I told Jack if he wanted to see the priesthood power in action to take a look at the circle for the conformation. Jay had Ryan, Grandpa Ricedorff, Grandpa Goodman, Great Grandpa Adams, Uncles Dale, Mark, Matt, Joe, Jeremy, Randy and Jason and JT. Lots of people in the conformation circle. It was a great baptism and I am so proud of Jay McRae Ricedorff.