Eagle Creek: Experienced and Written by Carson

Every August the Deacon’s Quorum goes as a scout troop to hike 7 miles of the Eagle Creek trail.  We always stop at a campsite that has nice access to the river and lots of areas to explore.  This year I got to swim in freezing cold water with my friends, chase after giant salamanders and use a fly fishing rod for the first time.  It was a tiring trek, but worthwhile experience.  I can’t wait to go up next year.

Tanner's Home!

Between summer and fall term at BYU Tanner came home for a little visit.  We picked him up from the airport and drove straight to the beach for a little uninterrupted family time. 

Once there we all donned our Team USA gear (aka: Tanner’s) and watched the Olympics.

We went to see Jake the alligator man and get McKenna hermit crabs.  She was sad she didn't get them last year when we were at the beach.  

Austin starring as Super Chicken

It is always fun to tool around beach towns and check out their novelty shops.  We made Tanner take the Love Meter test, just to make sure his college social life was under control.  We really had nothing to worry about based upon the results.  

We happened to be in Longbeach the same time as Scooby and the Gang.  We figured we could act as their stunt doubles in the next movie.  What do you think?

Our beach time consisted of reading, flying kites and building fortresses to keep out the incoming waves.

McKenna and Dad also took the canoe out on the little lakes behind the cabin we were staying in. They had a great time until they had to wade through goose poop to get out.

It was a nice opportunity to have Tanner, the local celebrity, to ourselves for a bit before we hit the ‘Couv and all his normal distractions.

Happy Birthday, Carson!

Someone couldn't wait to try Carson’s fresh blackberry cobbler and Mom is definitely not as good at the birthday candle puzzler as Grandma G.  Can you tell how old Carson is this year?

Yes, 14 and that means he gets to go to church dances…

Carson’s dancing lesson with Mandy Temple, Austin's girlfriend, before his first youth dance.  I danced him around the living room earlier and gave him some pointers, but I guess he wanted to make sure what I taught him was right since I am so old and not quite as cute as the girls he will really be dancing with.

Carson's birthday present: a big-boy bike with shifters and brakes that really work.  That means it isn't a hand-me-down from his older brothers--brand-new and waiting for Carson to break it in himself.

Anderson Island Camping Excursion

Still a tradition in the summer, though the group is shrinking as the years go by, is a camping weekend with good friends.  Quite often this happens at Anderson Island.

Relaxing at the campsite with a good book or a rousing game of Phase 10

Pancakes anyone?  Breakfast compliments of Claudine and Lamar.

The McKagues and the Sorks packed up in the middle of August to take the Island by storm.  Going earlier in August (rather than the traditional Labor Day weekend) afforded us some really nice weather to enjoy the fishing hole, the swim park, and the sound.

The 'Ole Swimming Hole - Jumping off the dock, backwards?

We spent a lot of time with the Arzolas trekking around the island.  We went to Orzo Bay with Bruno and his son Ethan to bait and drop some crab pots then picked up Megan and the rest of the clan to hit Andy’s Marine Park (Sand Dollar Bay).

The Men:  Readying the Transport 

The Boys: Checking and Baiting The Pots

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

The How To Of Cleaning Crab

When we were done there we collected the crab pots and Ethan taught the boys how to kill and skin the crab while Bruno taught Claudine and I how to cook the crab meat.   Mmmm, they made a tasty second dinner.

We love Anderson Island.  Going a little earlier in the summer had only one downside – the huckleberries were not quite ready for picking.  No huckleberry jam this year :(