Black's Fork

From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.

I love that song. Going up to the high Uinta Mountains every year is so pretty and majestic. It makes me think of that song. It's also, full of bugs, dirt, allergies, animal poop, tired kids, sticks, rocks, coyotes howls, horses, dogs, fishing, hiking, gun shots, chain saws, campfires, card games, laughter, family, quite, naps, and did I mention all the dirt?

 

Our annual, big family, Black's Fork in the Uinta's trip has come and gone. The boys have been asking all summer when they get to go. And now it's all over. It's A LOT of work to go and come back and unpack - that's the worst part. But it's always a lot of fun. A little boys dream, right?

 

This year we did a lot of "hanging around". It was our last time with the stroller, it makes a great high chair and does great "off road" for the hikes. And the last time for the port-a-crib & diapers. Next year will bring big changes for us. I look forward to those changes. It was so nice to not have to worry about bottles, night feedings, baby food, etc.

 

Creed slept like a log. Bodie woke up once the first night, scared about not knowing where he was. Rafe did ok, I think he got cold the first night, so we put a blanket on him and he was good about keeping it on himself, he knew it kept him warm. And Jax stayed up with the adults and went to bed when we did. He slept good until the last night. He was up multiple times, scared, worried, talking in his sleep. And then ultimately pulled out his own tooth. That was part of his waking's being worried. It was kinda funny to hear him, but also tiring.

 

Speaking of sleeping, that is one noise I have to mention. I am a light sleeper. So when I think of the Uinta's the sound I think of is all my little boys snoring. All of them. Our noses were stuffy with the dry air, and camping boogers :) . And it made all of them breath loud with a little snore. And then Greg's big snores. Music to my ears, not!

 

This boy had a blast. If he wasn't being an airplane he was wandering, finding sticks, going to the bathroom - like the big boys, he said his favorite part about camping was fishing. We got Bodie his own fishing pole this year. He was so excited. He loved having his flash light and "new" shoes to wear. (Jax's old ones.)

 

 

 Here is Greg and our bro-in-law Abe on a boulder fishing with the kids. I guess it was a good spot, we didn't see them for a while. Greg didn't even bother to bring his fly fishing pole as he knew he'd spend his time helping the boys. Next time Greg.

 

Since fishing with mom's bait, a pretzel, didn't work, Bodie was patient waiting his turn to get help from daddy for a worm and then catching a fish. With the important help from daddy. And then Jax is showing me the size of the one that got away. Jax's favorite part was fishing of course.

 

Creed's line caught a fish, then got stuck around a rock or something. So Greg got the log to try and maneuver it out. No luck. And Rafe had help from his brothers handing him rocks to throw in the river. Snacks and lunch along the river, then back to camp for naps and playing.

 

Jax wouldn't ride the horses this year. He went to pet them earlier and was reminded how allergic he is to horses. He was miserable, like his mother. He didn't want to be near them. I can't blame him. Kinda makes me sad though. Creed loved riding solo again. And Bodie was too scared to do it alone. Luckily Rafe joined him while daddy had the reigns of "Bonnie". Rafe was thrilled the whole time. I got Bodie to wave one quick time. He wouldn't let go of the saddle. What cuties.

 

 A must is to always walk down to the river to throw rocks in. It was low this year, but I guess it was easier for our cars to drive through to the other side.

 

 

Rafe drank so much juice, which he NEVER does, just wanting to be like his brothers drinking Capri Suns. But it resulted in him getting diarrhea and had a sore, sore, bottom. He would cry, wouldn't walk or sit. So he laid around for half a day. The boys loved having hot cocoa every night Here is Bodie drinking his. Creed said his favorite part camping was roasting marshmallows. And then the last 2 pics trying to figure out a setting on our camera at the campfire. Jax likes his 2 faces. He said it was his "Spirit".

 

Our last morning. While we packed up the boys entertained themselves by the fire with uncle Chris. I don't know if I ever mentioned this in years past. But all the dead burned trees in the back ground are from a forest fire back in 2002. The summer I met Greg. It came right through and burned the camp spot Greg's extended family has been at for decades along with thousands of acres across the mountains in the area. His Grandpa Bangerter has been coming up here since he was young. For the last couple years we have luckily ventured back over to the same area with all the re-growth. It has patches of live trees.

 

 

I suppose Rafe's favorite part of camping was throwing rocks, the fire, or being in the camper trailer. Greg said his favorite was going on his 4:30am horse back ride with others and seeing the most amazing sky and mountain views at sun rise and seeing the heard of 80 elk. Getting him all excited for the elk hunt in October. And my favorite part was um, um, probably that it didn't ever rain this year! Yeah! It was a fun, mellow, perfect weather time!