Ever since we got back from Fish Lake our lives have been a blur. More on that later but I wanted to post our Knudsen Annual Fish Lake Adventures before I totally forget this trip. It just wasn't the same without Grandpa Ivie there (Grandma too but she decided to stay home last minute). I am so glad that we got to share what memories we did with Grandpa Ivie at Fish Lake. He loved this place.
Of course we sang "Hello to Fish Lake" as we entered the park. The family was all there a day before us as usual. We like to make an appearance when we come, luckily they had saved all the fun activities for us until we got there. Except I saw a pan of peanut butter rice crispies that were all gone when we arrived but that was quickly forgotten. Dinner showed up not too long after getting there served by Jody's family which was super yummy. After, we hung out and ended up watching a movie on the big screen outside. We watched "Up" while we ate cereal treats under the stars. Not sure why the camera didn't make it out to capture some of this.
The next day we all decided to go hiking or as Jensen calls it "hoking". Grandma Cindy stayed home with baby Reid but the rest of us were ready for an adventure. Even though Cindy hadn't gone she had given all the kids hiking packs filed with treats. Jensen jumped in the lead and led us most of the way up the hill. He did stop multiple times to find the best walking stick after he saw that Grandpa Knudsen had one. We finally talked him out of it and we continued with our hike.
When we got up to the trees in our hike, the mosquitoes put our hike to a stop. We tried to think that they would stop biting as we got further way from the lake but it just seemed to get worse. I think we would of paid big bucks for a bottle of bug spray. We all decided finishing the hike was not worth looking polka dotted with red bites so we headed back. Lucy did really well on the hike as she walked most of the way. Jensen, our leader on the way up struggled on his way back. His energy was gone but we all made it down itching and hitting bugs off us the whole way. Jensen despite being tired, even picked a flower boquet for his Mama.
After the hike we knew the kids would be hot so we planned to take the kids swimming at the lake. Matt pumped up all the tubes. By the time he was done a black cloud was headed over the lake. We decided to go swimming anyway. That lasted all of 10 minutes before it was raining hard and the kids were freezing. That is typical Fish Lake as we know it.
We went back to the cabin to warm up and then had a nice dinner by Matt's family. It was also Jody's birthday so we celebrated by eating blondie brownies and picnic cake.
Jensen was entertaining the family in multiple ways this trip. He sat at the table and would answer questions from the family. His responses always gave everyone a good chuckle. The other way he was entertaining was with his bathroom issues. Once on the first day while Quincy and I went to unload our stuff at the cabin, Jensen at camp pulled down to go number one (He's in the wilderness so why do you need a bathroom?) and more came out. Matt and Missy got the job of cleaning him up. What a great Aunt and Uncle! So we gave him a big lecture on where he needed to go next time if that happened. So the next day Jensen said he had to go the bathroom. We said hurry in the car and we will take you. Well he couldn't wait for us to load the car I guess so he rode his scooter all the way down to the potties. This is how we found his scooter by the bathroom. He had another accident on the last day there. This time Mom and Dad had to clean them up and it wasn't too funny anymore.
After the birthday party we got in our warm clothes and decided to have a dance party while we roasted marshmallows. Jensen loves marshmallows, so by the time we opened them they were a bag of mush. Luckily someone else came to the rescue and we still got to have a toasted marshmallow. Grandma and Missy had brought glow in the dark sticks for the kids to wear while they danced. Lucy got into it at first but then got tired. She must of tagged Jensen because he got into it at the end and even wanted his mommy to join him.
The not so dancing partiers.
The next morning after breakfast we made lip gloss while the men and kids played some whiffle ball. Quincy headed up that of course. The women also put together binders of family histories of the past year of our families. It was fun to see how everyone completed theirs and read them. We also learned some new things about what everyone did that year. Hopefully we can keep up that tradition.
Of course it wouldn't be Fish Lake without the Fish Pond. Grandma spoiled the kids with new clothes, toys and packs of gum.
Later in the afternoon we all headed up the canyon to do some shooting. We did stop by the lodge to have some yummy fries and onion rings before our adventure. Mother bear was a little nervous letting Jensen and Lucy shoot but they did a great job. Lucy even wanted a second round. We had picked a spot that had a fence to keep the little ones back so it worked perfect. I think everyone got a chance to shoot before the ranger came and put a stop to our fun.
Grandma Cindy even gave it a shot!
Grandpa shooting his gun that we got him for Christmas for the first time. It would let out smoke every shot.
Quincy even got to shoot dad's new gun.
That night it rained and didn't stop. Walkers were in charge of dinner so we all crammed in the cabin that Jody and my family were sharing to eat Taco Soup. We redeemed ourselves by making homemade ice cream. (A couple of years ago we made it and got the recipe all wrong.) It definitely turned out better but wasn't the best dessert on a cold night.
We enjoyed staying in a cabin by the lodge this year. That is the Walker way of camping. Before we were leaving to say goodbye to everyone we had to take pictures of course!
All 13 Knudsen Grandkids!
Jensen also had to do "the trick" with baby Reid. He didn't want to be left out of the fun his dad was having. He thought of this all by himself.
It was a great reunion and were sad to leave the family. We talked about San Diego next year but maybe Fish Lake Adventures will draw us back in.
