homemade vs dairy

They are equal I say. Cooper and I stayed back in the Falls for a week to hang with the parents a bit longer while dad went back to work. We started the week off on a perfect summer evening with a classic Olson treat of homemade rasberry ice cream. We played on the grass while it froze. Cooper didn't like the grass.


But he loved the ice cream. Cooper never passes up ice cream.


Kate was hooking him up. mmmm.


A constant favorite at grandma's, the tramp.


The Valentines joined us and it was fun playing with baby Kelsie.


The next night for FHE we ventured to the next stop on the list, Reeds Dairy.


MMM, ice cream has to be one of my favorite treats.

And Cooper sampling everyone's flavors.


And we were lucky enough to enjoy a nice sunset with the silhouette of the cows ;)



They had a small petting area and Cooper loved the goats.

over the rainbow

And we're off to see the rainbow



A sucker along the way makes for a happy boy.



It never gets old seeing this thing. (and taking pictures with it)


The whole gang (minus the cousins who were too cool to come today)


All the grandkids with grandma and grandpa.


Showing this boy the wonders of the world.


Now a little further up the lake is Hole-IN-the-Rock Hike.


Up at the top, we all signed the registrar book.


Showing the big guns.


A little solo shot near the edge.


The next day ride back home. Kate and Cooper wearing matching outfits.


Representing our LP souvies from our parents - the t-shirts. Thanks for the trip mom and dad!

surfs up?

Yes, on a lake, not the ocean. This has become one of my favorite things.


We spent the day on the beach playing and doing all the water sports. Steve even mastered his surfing skills.


Cooper had fun chilling in the shade. and yes, please note the stache update.


We had to get an awesome pic with the gramps.


Who doesn't love a football at the beach.


Kenedee and Livie got on the kneeboards, Jake rode with the little cousins in the tube, and there were water wars.

a true discovery?

I don't think so. You may remember this from last year but the first hike of the day is to Adam's rock. (He thinks he discovered it but it was already labeled on the canyon map as a generic ' slit arch'. We will, I am sure, be calling it Adam's Rock for the rest of our lives though.)


I was el prego last year so I didn't hike to the top VIEW HERE, mostly because it is super steep up the sandstone face. This year I was excited to see it up close.


The Olsons in the slots / Liv's and Kristopher made the climb as well. Go Liv's!


KateO and me on the way down in the slots.


Next stop was West Canyon but we endured a very quick downpour WITH HAIL for a few minutes sitting towards the end of the canyon in our boat. Needless to say we all got soaked without getting in the water. But these wondrous quick showers bring cascades over the canyon walls - a rare sight.


Coop's got to come on this one.


This is the first of the multiple Falls we hiked to.


And this is the second on the right which was only flowing because of the rain shower...awesome. Cooper thought they were really cool.

We all had to get pictures, Coop was in a flashy mood that afternoon.


On the walk back, isn't it beautiful here? I love it.


I can't get over this kid's faces.


The sand mountain we had to climb down with quick sand at the bottom (not really but you sink to your knees).


And what hike isn't complete without finding frogs.

I see you window

The infamous Wahweap Window was on deck for the day. Steve got a little too much sun the day before so he was taking precautions.


It was a bit of a walk to hike up to it but Cooper was a champ, even in his mid-riff.


Mom and her photo opps, we love them.


Almost there.


The family pic looking outward


Hanging out inside the caves



Yes, that IS quality you're looking at.


The grandkids (minus 1, Benson. Kurt's fam couldn't make it this year cause he started med school)


Exploring the rocks


Fun in the water commenced after that. Grandpa had a new tube and the kids were excited to try it out.


And what day is complete without getting ice cream.