6 Deans + a Dog

Since this summer Rachel has had EFY, Mike and Jake scout camp, Rachel Girls camp and Youth conference, Will has had soccer tournaments and football started July 30th we have not been able to go on any vacations except for Sunvalley. I am so grateful for my parents cabin that is just above Oakley that I can go away for a few days at a time with my kids and escape the heat and the every day busy life in the city. It is such a relaxing getaway of games, naps, cool weather, walks, four wheelers, junk food, movies, Summit Inn ice cream and pizza, and just spending time with our kids and family. On one of our visits the river was so high that it flooded one of the roads. Pretty crazy how the people that owned cabins on this road couldn't drive down it because the water was so high. I went with the kids last week and luckily the water was back to normal, but for a month or so it sure was dangerously high. Thanks mom and dad for having such a great escape and spending time with Me, Mike and our kids. The time we get to spend at the cabin with you is...PRICELESS :)

That is the road that was full of river water.

Will played in his first soccer tournament with his new Comp team this past weekend up in Layton. We decided Will was ready for a challenge so he is done with recreation soccer and now playing competitive soccer. He is playing with Blast this year which is a new team. It was so fun to watch these boys play together for the first time. We chose this team because 8 of the 14 kids on his team go to Driggs so it should be a lot of fun for these boys to play together. They did so well in the tournament. They took 2nd place which was so awesome for their first time playing together.

SCORE!!!They played in 4 games and 2 of their games were on Friday so during the 3 hour break we decided to go with the team and their families to Fat Cats in Ogden for pizza and bowling instead of driving back home.

One of their games ended in a tie so after two 5 minutes on each side in over time with no one scoring it went to a kick off. Each team picked 5 boys to try for a goal. Will was one of our 5 so needless to say my heart stopped... luckily Will and the other 4 from our team all made them in. Only 4 of the 5 from the opposing team made their goals so it was a win for blast. Very EXCITING finish.

Will's turn for his goal kick off...

YES...he made it :)

Waiting for all the kickers...Woot, Woot... we WON!!!Supportive fans.The last night of the tournament the team went to the Real game. It was fun for players that wore their shirts because they were able to go out on the field to meet some of the Real players.Can't wait for an exciting soccer season this year.
GO BLAST!!!

Last week I took Rachel to get her drivers permit. After spending a quality 2 hrs+ of waiting with her at the DMV she walked out with her permit :) Now she is able to drive with an adult next to her. The day she got her permit we went up to our cabin above Oakley and I told her she could drive from Oakley to the gate for the 10 miles. Well my mom was with us and she said Rachel just be sure you don't hit a deer. Ha, Ha, Ha. We were driving along and a deer ran RIGHT IN FRONT of our car. It pretty much shocked all of us and especially Rach since it was her first driving experience. Luckily she was going the speed limit and didn't hit the deer. The crazy thing about the story is I think in the 25+ years we have had the cabin a deer has NEVER jumped in front of our car. Watching Rachel drive under those circumstances just reconfirmed to me just how mellow and easy going she is. Made me happy to see how she handled the situation and that she will be a good, cautious driver. I have to admit since she has gotten her permit I have hardly driven and I am LOVING it (plus she likes to go on errands with me now, hmmm wonder why???) I can't wait until she can do errands ALONE for me.... now THAT will be nice :)

HAPPY DRIVING RACHEL!!!

What do you do on a hot day when you have 9 children at your house for most of the day? Well when the date is 7-11 you go and get FREE SLURPEES. We have already hit 4 (7 ELEVENS) today and it is only 5:30. It sure is fun driving around town with 9 children. Pretty sure we will go for family night too. Thank heaven for 7 ELEVEN!!!

We spent the 4th of July weekend up in Sun Valley, ID with the Nelson family. Everyone was able to come up but Troy, Mel, Brad, Chloe and Ezra. We had great fun the 4 nights and 5 days we were there. Some biked down the ski lift, swam, Red Fish Lake, 4th of July festival, celebrated Grandma Ruthie's 68th birthday, fireworks, played games, shopped, pump track, golf ball hunting and ate out at some great places. We just LOVE, LOVE Sun Valley. It is one of our favorite vacation spots. We can't wait to go back :)

In front of the condo.

The view from our condo balcony.Happy 68th Birthday Grandma Ruthie :)The adult birthday dinner at Trail Creek Cabin.

(Jed and Mandy weren't here this night)Ruthie's complimentary birthday dessert from Trail Creek Cabin.Mike, Steve, Amy, Jake, Alex and Adam all road down the ski lift.
Going up. On top.Going down.We rented 5 motor boats at Red Fish Lake.The water was pretty cold but it didn't stop all these CRAZIES.
James, Steve, Will, Adam, Alex, Mike, Sadie, Jaxon, Jake, GrandpaWill, Sadie, Ellsie, JaxonIn front of the pond in Sun Valley.

The 4th of July Festival.
Jake, Sadie, Rachel, Annie, Adam, James, JaxonCake walk.We have a winner!!!Twister.
Sadie, James, Will, Adam, JakeIt is so fun to see these 3 all get along so well.
Lindsey, Rachel, AnnieThe pump track.
The kids had a great time riding around in this pump track while we were there. I think every one of them fell and had wounds to show for it. The funny thing is it didn't stop them they couldn't get enough of it.

Watching the kids ride in the pump track.Ready to go swimming at the pool.Some kids at the pool.
Will, Sadie, James, Josh, Jaxon, Adam, Sage, Jake, Alex, EllsieLots and lots of game time.On the way home we stopped in Twin Falls to see Shoshone Falls. They were absolutely gorgeous and worth the stop.