BEAR LAKE

The family pictures are finally in the past. I must admit that the picture taking process wasn't as bad as I imagined it being, but it is still so nice to have it over with. :)

I made a promise to Gage the last time we went boating that I would learn to Wake Board this year at Bear Lake! He didn't forget... We got the boat out on the water and I was first up. After 5 minutes of trying to get my feet in the binding, I could only imagine what was gunna happen next. But surprisingly after a few attempts I got up and stayed up!

I had a lot of fun and paid for it for the next three days. My whole body hurt, every time I went to sit down i thought my legs would collapse and Trevin was at least twenty pounds heavier!

The whole Bear Lake trip was a lot of fun. You can't avoid that with all the Crabtree's together! We had Crabtree Idol, where everyone got a chance to show off their skills playing the rubber band or the comb, not to mention charades.

I almost beat the Crabtree's at Five Crowns (a card game), but lost my lead in the last hand. Trevin got to sleep in a tent for the first time and did really well. I thought that would be a long night but it went pretty smoothly. Trevin Loved the beach and playing in the water with dad.

Gage showed off his skill slalom skiingand wakeboarding .

Ryan decided to take it easy this time on the boat so he wouldn't break anything.

Erwin drove the boat and gave Gage and Ryan a wild tube ride.

Aanika Road the tube and didn't fall off. Gerin was creative in the sand.

Sierra and Savanna worked on their tans, while I tried hard to not let Trevin get a sunburn.

Papa treated everyone to a Giant bear Pizza...

...and Erwin dazzled us all by eating at least half of it!

I can't wait for next year!

EVERY DAY LIFE

Between our trips we really do just hang out around the house and work.
Painting still isn't complete, those finishing touches are endless. We finally finished painting doors and they are even hung. I never thought I would think it was wierd to have doors on all the bedrooms and bathrooms, but after living without them for over a month, it seems wierd. The privacy thing is definatley nice to have back. Each room is slowly getting decorated, even though there are still a couple of boxes through out the house. Gage has been working hard outside to get ready for sprinklers and grass!
Trevin and I love walking to the pond to watch the ducks and get some sun. Then Trevin likes to distract me while I attempt to clean, or cook, or try to organize the house. Just your average everyday stuff, but I couldn't ask for anything more.

YELLOWSTONE

Another summer adventure... I haven't been to Yellowstone National park since I was just a kid, and let me tell you I pry didn't appreciate it as much as I should have... We had a chance to spend the weekend in West Yellowstone with Miles, Sherry, Ryan and Gerin. It was a blast. Bison are always bigger than I remember and slower. The slow part I will definately remember after this trip. We waited for two hours for a herd of buffalo to cross the road, not as fun as it sounds. We only saw a few stragglers by the time we got to the front of the very long line of cars, but like I said very memorable! The geysers are always impressive, I loved Old Faithful! I took video so you could all see it too, but me being as computer illiterate as I am , I've tried to put it on here...TWICE... with no luck....maybe I can get Gage to help.

Earthquake lake was quite a sight to see, I never believed that an earthquake could form a lake but I was wrong. ( A little history, 1950's there was an earthquake that caused a huge landslide, that stopped the river that was flowing through the canyon. As a result the water built up creating a lake.) The Pine trees that used to line the banks of river are dead, but still standing, only now you can only see the tops sticking up in the middle of the Lake. Pretty impressive...Don't miss this if you ever make it to the Yellowstone area:)

I think Trevin's favorite stop was the grizzly bear museum, only because he wasn't stuck in the car. Bears are so lazy, but alot of fun to watch. The bears put on quite a show, finding food that had been hidden. Sam was our favorite, he was the biggest and the most aggresive to find the food.

We made it home, and now it is back to real life... for a while ;)

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

We love getting together with the family every Sunday, but it's even better when there is a holiday to celebrate. Like the majority of Sunday afternoons we started at the Crabtree's (so we wouldn't interfere with their bed times, just kidding). We had blast and I think combined we pry ate 2 chickens a 1/4 cow and 50lbs of pasta and fruit salad... Okay, that might be exaggerating but you get the point. I was stuffed. Papa opened all his presents and we all sat around and talked while Aanika, Sierra, Savanna, and Trevin kept us entertained. Chersti looks so cute, finally showing off that she is pregnant! It's gunna be a house full with another set of twins running around the Crabtree home. I can't wait.

The Canova house had two parties... Cassidy turned 11 on Wednesday, so it was cake and candles and presents... HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASS....

Chief was next in the spot light. He opened his presents and then enjoyed playing with all of his grandkids. Something all the kids love too. We spent the rest of the time talking and playing a board game. We hand a lot of fun and to every one's surprise Travis didn't win! By the time we made it home we were all ready to hit the sack.

So to all the dads...Papa, Chief, Nate, Kyle, Darin and James and especially Gage... HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

Getting Closer

We finally finished painting and now we can check off another box on our " to do" list. :) Painting the whole house was a big project but well worth it. I finally feel like it is our house... even if I do still call it the "stinky house."
I love the color we picked for Trevin's room. It's fun to have one room different than all the rest and it was fun to see the change when we painted!

We should have gotten carpet this past Wednesday, but long story short, the carpet wasn't in yet. I was ticked, but it all turned out okay. We found out that it is in now and it can be laid next Wednesday. Whoohoo! Another week to get ready. I drew this family portrait on our living room floor. I thought it would be a good way to leave our mark... and it will be a fun surprise for whoever rips out the carpet next :)
Our projects in the house are finally winding down, at least the ones that have to get done before we move in... cleaning the bathrooms and the floors one more time and wiping out all the cupboards and then of coarse PACKING. I don't think the 5 boxes I've packed are considered a good start but hey, I still have 4 days! In Gage's opinion we shouldn't pack for our 1 1/2 mile move anyway, it should all get thrown into cars. If only I had that same philosophy.

Trevin is getting so big, I'm not sure when it happened, I looked at him yesterday and saw a toddler instead of a baby! Wow, don't I sound like a mom... So while I'm in the "mom mode" let me just brag a little... he finally decided to prove he could roll over. Even dad got to see! Then just 5 days later he decided he could sit on his own, and loves it! He has toppled over quite a few times and shed a couple tears but it is still his favorite thing to do, along with reading books with Dad and of coarse eating!

Dust, Crayon, and Dirt

What a mess! Although I never cared to know, I have experienced first hand what it is like to clean four years worth of dust build up. Not to mention the crayon and grim on all the walls. I spent a few hours this morning just on the hall way and stair case, I feel like it is the never ending job. I get done with a wall just to look back and think "It looks like it still needs to be washed!" I must admit we are making progress on the smell. In an attempt to start destinking we tore out all the carpet and padding, it has definitely helped but the scent/odor still lingers. The outside of the house is looking much better, thanks to Gage. He has done a lot of weeding and turning over dirt. Anyway, to sum it up... A week of cleaning up the house and we made it out alive, with the exception of the many "Mr. Clean Magic erasers".
On a totally different note, I got to pamper myself yesterday, I got my nails done. Charlee is in cosmetology school and needed a to practice, I was a willing volunteer. She said this was her first set... I think she did way good, Thanks Charlee.