Bear Lake

My family was able to spend a few days in Bear Lake at the beginning of this month.  Wow, it was fun.  We had enough time there to play at a couple of different beaches, see "Bandito Rides Again" at the Pickleville Playhouse, and sample raspberry shakes in original, raspberry lime, and chocolate raspberry.  All equally good and equally necessary.

Our drive up began with the only appropriate way for a trip to Bear Lake to begin - a stop at Maddox for fried chicken and rolls.  Maddox: for people who care about excellence.

Upon arrival, I found the view from our cabin's deck to be acceptable.  : )

The boys were pretty excited about the fire pit.  We made s'mores a couple of times and no one jumped head first into the fire.  So that's pretty good.

Morning hike.  The kids loved it and practically raced up the trail.  I had to stay behind from the hike (recovery from ruptured cysts and appendicitis is not a great time for hiking, I find) but luckily I got to watch Carly back at the cabin. 

 Grandpa & Co. enjoying The Reflection Point.

 Pretty classic shot there.

So in the cabin next to ours, a group of Young Women performed a great service by painting this shed.  This is the AFTER photo.  I strongly recommend their leaders plan a "paint mixing" lesson for the near future and certainly before any one of them tries any more painting.  We couldn't stop laughing at this.

 Beach Day on the North Beach!!!

 Yes, Jess really is that gorgeous on a day-to-day basis.

 Carly learning about mud.

 And loving it.

The boys in their boats with their squirt gun paddles.  Which were only to be used as paddles, and not sand squirters.  Do you want to guess how that turned out?

Boat Ride!!!  They were pretty excited to go in a fast, red boat.

Tyler and Bryce were excited about Carly's FIRST EVER BOAT RIDE.  Never mind that their first boat ride was about 10 minutes prior.  They were now experts and Carly was a first-timer.

 Does anyone else think those two look alike?

 Like, A LOT alike?

Lauren loved the boat.  It also put her right to sleep.  Tanner was the only one of the kids who didn't really appreciate the boat.  He sat still, for quite possibly the first time in his life, on Aunt Heather's lap and told her he was kind of scared. 

Outside the Bear Lake Pizza Company.

Love that smile.

We accomplished a long-time family goal of finishing off an Old Ephraim pizza.  We couldn't have done it without Tanner.  And if you think I'm joking, you've never seen the kid eat.