Island Park Party

We had my side's campout this last weekend in Island Park. We had a great time camping, boating, wheeling and floating the river. The weather was awesome and my brother and his wife put on a great party. While we were there my nephew Zac celebrated his 18th Birthday, so that was a bonus! The water was contaminated at the campground so we had to haul in all of our own water which was a bummer and super annoying. Everything else went really well though so it was okay.

On the way to Idaho we saw this bear off on the side of the road, sa-weet!

Island Park 

Chillin' back at camp, "Joe Dirt" and all!

Zac's Birthday ride on the Rhino. They all came back with moustaches:)

Zac's Birthday party!

Out on the Lake....

The tube tipped over and everyone toppled with it.

River Float
We floated the river together as a family on Monday. The water was freeezing, shallow and moving very slow. We all had a great time the first 1.5 hrs but the second 1.5 hours was a little tiring. We all got baked from the float and were sore....yeah, sore. I think if we do it again we will do half the float instead of the entire thing.

Gearing up for the float

"Live Like You Believe"

Now that I'm in Young Womens I get to go to to GIRLS CAMP! We went to Hyalite Lake last week for camp with the Stake. We all had a super time and I really came to know all the girls sooo much in just a few days.

We had perfect weather, fun activities and a lot of laughs. I seriously cannot wait until we get to go again next year!

These girls are so stinkin' spoiled! When I went to camp we stayed in tents and there were NO showers! At this camp we all stayed in a cabin together and there was the option of daily showers.

Our hike to Arch Falls!

Me and a couple of my "B's"

Seriously...I could live here!

Finally....

....we got out on the Lake last weekend. 

Brock has been working hard to get our boat up and running for the season and it hasn't been the easiest project he's encountered. It seemed like it was one problem after the other but Brock finally figured out the problem and got it fixed. 

Saturday afternoon Brock came in from working on the boat and told me to grab my suit because we were heading to the lake! I was soooo excited, surprised and a little nervous. We headed to Canyon Ferry and launched our boat for the first time. With a few tweaks while out on the lake and she was running great-not completely perfect but good enough to cruise for the day. The sunshine was out so we enjoyed a couple dips in the lake and burned up some fuel. I seriously love being on the water, everything about it is nostalgic to me, including being in my Papa's old boat!

(we did have one problem, one of our boards on from the trailer came off with the boat when we were launching it).

 

Proof that she runs!

Gotta love the rooster tail! Sooo cool:)

More Rafting

Yet again Brock and some friends braved the raging Gallatin River last weekend. We went up Friday night and Brock floated with the men and the women watched and took pictures. After the float we had a campfire and made dinner and S'mores. Most the peeps spent the night because they planned on a morning float. They were trying all night to convince me to come back and float in the morning with the guys. I told them I would think about it but Brock and I planned on going on a hike the next day so it wasn't likely. We we opted to go home for the night and the whole way home Brock was trying to convince me to make the journey.
They were planning on leaving at 9:30am and we decided right before 9:00am to go raft. Yes...I said we. I decided to brave the river and face my fear of House Rock. We had to bust it over to our friends place to find gear for me and we booked it up the mountain and caught the group in time. (a part of me was hoping that we would miss them).
So we geared up and I voluntarily put myself in the boat with a bunch of dudes. It was actually a really fun and exhilarating experience. We did a longer float this time than what they normally do because we were NOT planning on going through the Mad Mile. (We put in at Moose Creek Flats and were planning just floating to Lava Lake). Once we got to Lava Lake we were having so much fun and I agreed to continue through the Mad Mile. It did get pretty mad through that stretch. The river narrows and the waves get CRAAAZY! I actually only got nervous a few times and one of those times was when we were approaching House Rock. Things seemed to be going good but just as we were passing by the rock the boat spun and we lost 2 of our guys, one being our "guide". As soon as we got them back in the boat, Brock popped out and another guy as well. I was pretty proud of the fact that I was one of the only ones to stay in the boat. After passing house rock the river stays pretty crazy so it was kinda nuts there for a minute while people were falling out and the boat was spinning. Luckily, nobody was hurt and we got it under control and enjoyed the rest of the float. Even though it got a little wild that's what made it fun and exciting!
I actually really enjoyed the ride and I would do it again in a heart beat! I am glad that I was pressured into it and faced my fear

Round 1

ready, set, go!

Captain Aaron

 Round 2

Moose Creek

Here we are ready to go! Don't we look so fashionable:)

I love this country!

I'm so grateful to live in a free country! Brock and I were able to celebrate our freedoms this weekend by spending time out in nature. One of our favorite spots to spend time is by Quake Lake and Hebgen Lake. We enjoyed the weekend relaxing, fishing, swimming and spending time with some good pals. We had a lot of fun celebrating the 4th!

We met up with Brock's Parents & Grandparents in Island park for lunch and dessert.

All good things must come to an end...

...I'm okay if this is how it ends!

Brock's Trip Down the Mad Mile

Brock and some of our best peeps like to raft the Gallatin River near our home every spring. I think it's pretty crazy and they haven't been able to talk me into it quite yet. Who knows, maybe I will crack to the pressure someday, until then I will leave it for the crazy people.
(There are also some sweet videos that were caught by Claudia)

The group before the trip

House Rock

I love the Gallatin

Kirtsten and little miss waiting to watch Daddy float by

1st Trip down

Storm Castle

Round #2, it got a little crazy by the rock

I had to stop and grab a pic of this Big Horn.