The Guys Go Camping (by Karl)

Since Sarah was out of town for her big race last week, I decided to take the boys camping - my style. I don't plan particularly well for such things, partly because I'm not too organized, partly because I don't have the most spectacular memory, and partly I don't usually feel like planning.* So the plan was simple - head up Squaw Peak Road until we find a spot.

Finding a spot on a random Thursday wasn't hard, although we weren't alone.

First item of business: check out the area.

That includes bugging little creatures.

Then they had to get themselves to the sweet mud puddles

that we drove through on the way in.

That meant bikes, which is always fun.

Then the good stuff. The mud.

Next: clean up a bit. You'd think that we wouldn't need to do much of that, since we had their rain gear on them, but oh no. The video only shows the first few minutes of mud play. It got much more, uh, involved after that point. The mud was inside their boots, all over their hands, and much more. They did an excellent job of getting their skin muddy. Max was actually rolling in a huge mud puddle at one point.**

The boys are still trying to block the clean-up part of the trip from their memories, because

a) it's tough for young lads to part ways with mud, and

b) the water I used to wash them off was cold.

Next item of business: get warm by a fire. Unfortunately, the same rains that had caused so much lovely mud had also made all the wood wet. It took some serious wood collecting and lighting and blowing and relighting, but we got it going.

Then after a while they started getting comfortable enough to get goofy...

...which continued while eating dinner when it started getting dark and cold.

There was no need to tell the boys to go to sleep.

Once Noah was in his cocoon, there was no resurrecting him until morning.

Max was out pretty quick too.

We missed Provo Canyon!

*He also likes to take a break from my planning-frenzy. I am a planner and I just can't help it!

** I am sure glad I was not there for that part!

Thanks, Karl, for coming up with your own father-and-sons camping trip! The boys had a great time and I am so lucky to have you around!

Perfect Spot On Our Way Home

We decided to break up our long drive home. Originally, we were planning on camping for a couple of days but seeing how Karl needed to go on the pioneer trek Wednesday morning we thought it would be smart to be home by Tuesday night. And I certainly was not ready to leave any earlier than Monday morning.

We took a nice break in Cedar City and then headed up the canyon to see what we would we find. We stopped at a spot near Duck Creek called Lava Flats and it turned out to be perfect for a quick over-night stop.

It was beautiful, quiet, sunny, and next to a trail. Just right for us! So we set up camp, ate dinner, and went on a little exploration.

The boys were thrilled that it was an ATV trail. Max could not get over the fact that the sign said ATVs were allowed. He loved checking out all the ATV tracks. We did not ever see any ATVs much to the chagrin of the boys but Karl and I prefer it that way.

Then, of course, we had to have a camp fire. Karl and I are not big fans of camp fires but with two little boys there is no way around it. The place had plenty of dry wood and even a fire pit. Max was rather interested in putting out the fire as soon as we had it going and with no marshmallows to roast, we called it a night soon and went to sleep.

Karl went out for an early morning run and, while my boys ate breakfast, I got ready to hit the roads on my bike to see how far I could get before they would catch me in the car.

Although my bike looks rather out of place in the below picture, I only had to push it for a minute until I was on a very smooth, perfectly quiet road. I loved biking up in those mountains and then down into the next valley. I made it almost to Kanab before getting caught and after some ice cream I was happy to sit in the car for the next few hours.

Cramming in the Fun

Our Jaguar at the Zoo

No matter how long we are in Utah, there is always so much to do the last few days before we leave. We went to the zoo with some very good friends. After taking this one picture above, my 4 friends with their 10 little kids showed up and that was the end of my taking pictures. Craziness and lots of fun!

While I was biking the Alpine Loop, Karl took the boys on a hike to one of our favorite rock places in Slate Canyon. Purple and green rocks. A gushing river. The boys love it.

We spent lots of quality time with friends and family, went to the outdoor pool multiple times, saw a reptile show, explored Bridal Veil Falls, and were too busy to take pictures. One rather quiet afternoon, we got out the slip'n'slide and had a great time in the backyard. Excuse the nudity, but we were trying to have as little traction as possible.

There was no way I was missing out on the fun. Why did not we have slip'n'slides when I grew up in Germany? We definitely missed out big time.

Then we made some gigantic water balloons. I sure will miss having a backyard when we get home!

The boys were very excited about walking to church with Grandma's umbrellas. Karl and I don't own such a thing.

We sure miss you all already! Thanks for making our visit fantastic! Now come see us in Flagstaff.

Still in Utah...

... and still loving it!

It is so true: Time flies when you are having fun.

This is our last week here in Utah and there are way too many things left to do.

This is (some of) what we've been up to so far:

Biking

Scootering

Making Boats

Floating Boats down the River

Playing with Eric and Rubie

Enjoying the Puddles

Building Forts

Finding, Making, Painting Swords

Hiking the Y with Cousins

More Trampoline Fun

Visiting BYU Campus

Splashing in the Fountains

Playing with Toypedos

Making Masks

Wearing Masks

Being Superheroes

Hope you are enjoying summer as much as we are!

Tree Streets

Karl's parents live on Locust Lane. It is pretty much heaven. If we ever were to move to Provo, the Tree Streets is where I would want to live. In the foothills of my favorite mountains. Close to BYU campus, the temple, Kiwanis park, 3 gorgeous canyons, 7 Peaks water park. Filled with good friends and great neighbors. Karl grew up right here. I spent a year as an exchange student on Apple Avenue and then had the time of my life on Cherry Lane with 6 roommates. Good times!

The kids' favorite part is undoubtedly the Ellis' trampoline. We walk/bike/scoot over there at least every other day. Whether it is warm enough or not, we turn on the house and turn the jumping into a water party. Noah has always been in love with jumping. The higher - the better. The crazier - the better. He has gotten quite good at it. When he is not on the tramp, he is practicing on the old beds downstairs. Off the dresser, onto one bed, over to the other one. I really wish I could join him...

Max is also a fan by now. Before, he would struggle with Noah's high bounces and keep falling over and get frustrated. There was no way I could get Noah to take turns. Impossible. This visit he is bigger and stronger and quite the match for Noah. His favorite part, though, might be regulating the water. Those two have a blast together for sure.

PS: Noah always wants me on the tramp jumping as well. That way he can bounce even higher. I don't mind. Not at all. One time, however, I bounced him right off the tramp. Head first. Oops.

PPS: He got over it pretty fast. He told me he likes me even more now. Phew.

LoveLetter to Utah

Mount Timpanogos from Locust Lane

Dear Utah,

We had no idea how much we would miss you! We really wanted to get out and now that we are out, we really want to come back! Who would've thought? However, we don't have a choice at this point...

When we entered you in the southeast corner, I almost cried because everything seemed so beautifully green. Green? You? Well, not only have you been getting rained on a lot but you have fields and grass and trees with leaves... Heaven!

You are also home to so many people we love very much! Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends. We miss them much and are enjoying every minute we get to spend with them. Life without family and long-time friends is just a little harder than we had hoped.

Squaw Peak

Sure. Flagstaff has mountains. But they are nothing like your mountains. I love being surrounded by snow-covered peaks. Love seeing the sun rise from behind them. Love the many canyons we can hike, bike, and explore in. All right out our front door.

Have I mentioned that Flagstaff is dry? Once the snow is gone, there is not a single drop of water in town. We are in love with your rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, fountains, and outside swimming pools. It would be very nice if you could warm up just a little and let the sun shine on us a little more, so we can fully indulge in all the water fun!

You sure spoiled us. Now we know. It will be a while, but I think we might come back. Unless, of course, we go to Europe. But then again: the grass is always greener on the other side, right?

Love, the Jarvis Family

Family Triathlon Festival

If you wanna know how our races in Moab went,

check out my other blog here.

There is one post about my race and one about Noah and Karl's.