Friday afternoon we drove over to Flaming Gorge (about a 2.5 hr drive) for the annual ward float trip and campout. On the way there we had to drive up and over mountains, some with steep drop-offs. Whenever we got to a spot like that, Amelia would start whimpering. She is afraid of heights! We arrived just in time for dinner and too late to join the masses who left for cliff jumping :) The following morning, I think the troops were not able to wait until we got to the river because a large water fight ensued before we left. (Mostly involving the young people, including my own boys who love to be a part of any kind of mischief, and Bruce, the Young Men's leader) Frankly, I was worried to take my little girls on the boat, not knowing how they would do, and knowing that any water assault on them would not be taken with a smile.
I ended up on the "dry" boat with Lara, Judy, Jessica, Kari and her baby boy, and Korrine. Lara, Jessica, and Judy tried to maneuver the boat down the river as Emma and Amelia clung to me with a death grip. Amelia eventually lightened up and ventured into the boat, but literally freaked out any time anyone looked over the side of the boat, grabbing their life jacket and telling them not to fall in. I swear she'll have an ulcer before she's 5 the way she worries. Attempts to distract her were successful for only a few short minutes until she saw Clay (Martin), Korrine, or Emily looking over the side of the boat again. When we finally found Nate's boat, we passed her off, and Nate said she did better there. Emma took a nice little snooze and we enjoyed the beautiful day in a gorgeous spot! The boys were soaking wet with waterlogged fingers when we got off the boat. Sam said "Mom, we look like grandmas." And Clay said, "Mom, will our fingers ever go back to normal?" They had a great time and especially loved the part with rapids.
I would love to say that the adventure ended there, but I would be withholding information. We left pretty quick, hoping to get home and finish some projects that need finishing. We also wanted to get back to spend some time with Lindsey and Tereck, who were here for the weekend. On the way home we passed the turn off to a spot some friends had told us about, and Nate wanted to see it. So, we turned off and started down the dirt road to find the campsite by the lake. We saw a moose and the kids thoroughly enjoyed driving through such beautiful country.
After passing the lake we turned around, determined to make it to town quickly so we could feed the kids. I think it was all the running water mixed with 20 oz of Sprite, but regardless of the reaseon,the boys weren't going to make it another minute if we didn't make a pit stop. Nate backed up a little trail and gave the boys their choice of trees. We made our way again, but before long Nate was stopping again, this time pulling off the road as he had before. I didn't really have to ask what was wrong. I knew. We got out of the car amidst screams of protest from the girls. It didn't take a genius to hear and see that the air was very rapidly escaping from the drivers side rear tire. It was FLAT! What should have been a quick fix turned into a two hour event after the car rocked and the jack got wedged under some bar. After much digging, prying, praying, and maneuvering, Nate got the spare tire on the car. The children didn't have the time of their lives, as it seemed to be bathroom time for them all (again), and it was "buggy" and "pokey," but is was by no means miserable. All of that translated into me holding Emma almost the entire time, and finding some good and some not so good bathroom holes. But we made it! We had a couple of nice people stop and offer help, and we felt greatful that we had a spare tire and everything we needed to change the flat.
We were all relieved to be back on the road - goin' home! Until, just seconds after pulling onto the road, I heard a terrible hissing and sloshing sound. Another flat tire. We couldn't handle this one alone - cars only come with one spare. Nate jumped out of the car and tried to find a spot where he could get reception to call his Uncle Scott to bring us a spare tire from his Yukon. Before he could talk to him, a bunch of kids who were returning from a family pack trip stopped to see if they could help. (Just happened that their dad was one who had stopped previously to offer assistance) They were talking to their dad on the phone and he told us just to bring the tire in and he would fix it in his shop. They took us to their house, where we met McKenzie, they fixed the tire, and the kids played. The oldest boy came with us back to the car where we got everything situated. This time we felt greatful that we had cookies, marshmallows, yogurt, granola bars and water (Great Dinner!!!) and we were incredibly greatful for the kindness of that family and the willingness of McKenzie to drive us back and forth. We were home by midnight. WHEW!
Friday afternoon we drove over to Flaming Gorge (about a 2.5 hr drive) for the annual ward float trip and campout. On the way there we had to drive up and over mountains, some with steep drop-offs. Whenever we got to a spot like that, Amelia would start whimpering. She is afraid of heights! We arrived just in time for dinner and too late to join the masses who left for cliff jumping :) The following morning, I think the troops were not able to wait until we got to the river because a large water fight ensued before we left. (Mostly involving the young people, including my own boys who love to be a part of any kind of mischief, and Bruce, the Young Men's leader) Frankly, I was worried to take my little girls on the boat, not knowing how they would do, and knowing that any water assault on them would not be taken with a smile. 
Off they go on their first 2 mile run.
Sam on their second two mile ride. 
The happy couple, Andrew and Vanessa Perkins
Perkins Siblings 
