Duck Creek

We had been home from Utah for 2 days when Clark and Katelyn got to go on another mini-vacation with some friends of ours.  The rest of us were invited as well but Joe was on call and nervous about not receiving cell phone service out in the woods.  So we lost our two oldest kids to the Chugg family for about 4.5 days.  Although I did have some empathy for Geneva and Jared, who were probably feeling like the Von Trapps hiking through the mountains of southern Utah with seven children, I do have to admit that it was pretty nice to give our youngest two some well-deserved attention and we had a lot of fun with just the four of us. 

We do appreciate the Chuggs for taking along some extras and their sweet kids that are good friends to our children.  Carter and Clark get together quite a bit and are really good buddies, but Hanna and Katelyn have had a difficult time making their schedules match so it was a great opportunity for them to get to know each other better.  Geneva sent me a bunch of photos of their trip but I am stealing some photos and dialogue from her blog since I wasn't there to capture it all.  Thanks, Jared and Geneva! 

The brave souls

Highlights from the trip (as I've heard):
*Carter found a lizard named "Spike" and they chased him throughout the trip
*An amazing fort behind the cabin that the boys played in for hours
*A huge thunderstorm the first night that scared the girls and started a game of musical beds
*Telephone calls from my children giving me updates
*Texts from Geneva giving me updates
*Playing in the woods
*Hikes straight up the mountain causing rock slides with Jared yelling at them to come down
*Riding four-wheelers
*Cute hair-dos for Katelyn from Geneva's sis-in-law
*Carter taught Clark how to play one of his favorite games: RISK.   Clark loved it!
*Meeting up with the Hackmans (another family from our ward) for fishing on Panguitch Lake
*Lots of noisy children scaring away the fish but having fun
*Hanna and Katelyn looking cute all day even though they are in the woods
*Using the bathroom not in the bathroom, led by Geneva's example???
*S'mores by the campfire with chocolate swirled marshmallows and reeses peanut butter cups
*Fishing early in the morning with less children and noise and this time Clark caught a HUGE one!
*Hiking in Cedar Breaks
*Deer, squirrels, and lizards up close and personal
*Taking pictures of all the beautiful rock formations
*Playing "spider" on the swing for hours
*Picnicking in Bryce Canyon National Park
*Watching a movie about the rock formations at the Visitor's Center
*Playing the "Name that Native Bird" game and taking Geneva's money
*Building on great friendships
*Very fun times
*Late nights with movies and games
*Getting dirty and playing outside FOREVER
*Playing with friends for hours without ever having to go home or end the "playdate"

The incredible fort

Carter is holding Spike

They've got their walking sticks and are ready to hike

Risk it all, Clark!

The Hackmans, Chuggs, and 2 Stuarts

Look out!  Here they come!

Some cute little hikers!  All seven of them!