Ghost towns and Wildfires

We love to find and explore new things. Since we have lived in Southern Utah we have heard about the many mining Ghost towns in the area. We also bought a rock hounding book that lists all the gems and stones that can be found in the state.

A few weeks ago we decided to go exploring. About an hour to the NW of us is the remains of the mining town Frisco. We did some research before we left to learn the towns history. At its peak a little over a hundred years ago this town was populated by 6000 people.

We were able to find some amazing remains, these are the furnaces used to make charcoal for the mining equipment.

These are in remarkably good shape for being neglected and left to the elements.

With Kolby running by you get an idea of just how large these structures are.

And is it just me or isn't the brick work amazing?

We took a bunch of dirt roads looking for the rest of the town but were not able to find much. We did come across the old town cemetery. Very very strange to walk through a desert ghost town cemetery, with markers over 100 years old.

Our rock hounding adventure although fun for the boys to dig with shovels and buckets led to no huge discoveries. Mainly because I saw no polished gems lying on the ground so other then that I didn't know what I was looking for. Apparently we need to do a tad more research on rocks and what they look like in there natural state, before we find some good ones.


On our way back into town this was our view

A lightning strike fire started about 20 minutes to the South of us. It was left as a "controlled" burn but as soon as the winds picked up it quickly become out of control. Thankfully the fire is now out but we lived for a solid week in a smoke haze smelling like campfire.

Luke's first day of Preschool

Luke's first day of preschool was Monday, to say he has been excited is a huge understatement. This morning he was up at 5 am (as a side note we are never up at 5am for any reason, we are happy if we make it out of bed at 6) He fully dressed himself, shoes and all and was sitting on the couch waiting for us to take him to school.

This is one little by who LOVES school, he loves everything about it, the kids the projects, the teachers. He asks every night what he is doing the next day, he is none to pleased on the weekend when its mommy daddy time :)

As I'm dropping him off and seeing kids crying begging not to go I feel so lucky to have found the right choice for Luke.

This is his first day outfit picked out by Luke himself.

With Luke in School it leaves more Mommy and Kolby time. So far I seem to be fun enough for Kolby he doesn't seem to mind not going to school with Luke, but we will see how long I can stay entertaining and hold the little guys attention :)

Warner Family Reunion

A few weeks ago was the Warner family reunion in Spanish Fork.

It was such a fun day!!

The boys had a blast, they loved meeting a lot of their second cousins for the first time. And they really loved having so many kids their own age to play with.

The Warner clan went all out and rented a HUGE water slide for the kids.

See Luke and Kolby, one on each side...... not going down the slide?

Dad came to the rescue and clothes and all showed the boys how it was done. What a hero Dewey is.

Cassidi was able to come over for part of the day. She was in huge demand for the face/arm painting crafts. She is so creative, as soon as she would walk away from the table the kids would go looking for her.

Kolby and Luke were both more interested in the Pirate crafts, Kolby showing off his eye batch and pirate face. Luke was hard to pin down to take pictures he was literally running the whole time.
It was WONDERFUL getting to spend time with the whole family. The day just flew by with great conversation, great food and fun activities. ( I took tons of pics but don't like to post to many of others without asking permission)



Grandma Warner lives in a beautiful farm with stunning views in Spanish Fork.

Kolby was fascinated by Uncles Randal's cows. Dewey finally took him out so he could get up close and see them.

I love this next pic, Kolby likes cows much better from a distance. I told Kolby he was safe with me, the cows know I don't eat them they would leave us alone :)


They didn't seem to mind Dewey to much.

It was a long ride back to Cedar after such an action packed day. The boys both fell asleep before we were even out of Spanish Fork. And to be honest I was not to far behind them.

Thank you so much to everyone who worked on the reunion, I know it was a lot of work and took a lot of time and effort to pull off such a fun day.

We really appreciated being able to attend. And look foward to more to come.

Mountain Biking

Our first mountain bike ride of the summer. ( I know its mid August and some might say the summer is nearly over but I'm being "half is glass full" and looking at it as a first of many rides)

We found a BEAUTIFUL trail around a lake. A friend told us about it and how its the perfect ride. They just failed to mention that its a VERY narrow trail. Not the perfect trail for pulling a trailer with two boys. Dewey had a workout and a half trying to pull them up hills through shrub.

We stopped about half way around the lake to cool off and enjoy the scenery.

The boys ended up stripping down to "birthday suits" to enjoy the water. The water was nice and cool and almost crystal clear. So fun to play and slash around in.

Dewey and I are thinking we might try to have a date day and try the ride ourselves. But then if we don't make it the whole way we won't have an excuse ;)

Have a great week all!!!!

Splish Splashing Fun

Wow its August already and we have not posted swimming pics yet, where has the summer gone?

This is the boys pool in our backyard. Its just a couple inches of water but tons of fun. I can't believe how pools have changed since I was a kid.

The boy's love it, the hard part is getting them out.

A few weeks ago the Allreds invited everybody to their St. George house for the weekend. It was 115 degrees in the shade and a blast. The swimming pool felt more like a bathtub with its 98 degree water. It didn't stop any of us from jumping in.

Liz and Gary came down for the fun, this is Liz and Kolby.

Kolby and I splashing in the water after going down the slide.
Luke and Kolby started to get really good at holding their breathe and going under water, they both practiced in the low end. As long as they had their goggles on they were good to go.

You just can't have summer without swimming.

Kids First Fish

Very bad no good awful week...... and fishing

Have you ever had a week where something bad happened everyday? I'm pretty good with the general life stuff that happens but when it starts to pile up its a little tough.

A quick rundown...... broken toe (who would have thought that a little toe I only ever notice to occasionally paint could hurt so bad) Broken front tooth ( so not cute and so fun to be out in public smiling). An 8 hour car trip to the big city for a 10 minute doctors appointment with a specialist for Kolby. He has a cyst on his eyebrow that will need to be removed. (It only took 4 doctors and several tests to find this out) Lots of other little things but we all had some sort of medical issue. And our biggest worry is that Grandpa/Dad our family rock has not been feeling well.

But its a new week, I started it off bright and early at the dentist getting front tooth fixed so thats a good start. I saw grandpa with my own eyes and he says hes feeling better so hopefully we are all on the up swing.

Yesterday we tried for the third time to take the boys fishing. And third was our lucky charm...... 4 fish were caught between Luke and Kolby. It was perfect weather and a beautiful lake. A calm and relaxing way to end the week. (from hell)

Luke had to make sure the net works

And Luke proudly showing off his catch. I took videos but couldn't upload them. Pretty funny stuff. So hopefully now that the boys know what the point of putting your pole in the water and sitting there without moving is, it will be a LOT easier on Dews nerves.