Dahlberg Trip/Redfish Lake

REDFISH LAKE

Every year we try to do something fun with my sister and her family. We usually go to Featherville, but this year we decided to go to Redfish Lake. Redfish is absolutely breathtaking. On Thursday, we enjoyed a breathtaking hike, and simply playing around the campsite. On Friday a rainstorm hit, and we were too waterlogged to stay--we wished we would've stayed longer! Waterlogged or not--Redfish is one of my favorite places. Nothing compares to its beauty and peace. I love it!

The Mornings in Stanley are Freezing

Fourth of July Lake Hike

Jacob had a wart on his foot, so it took him longer to hike the trail. He was such a trooper hiking with a hurt foot. I didn't realize how bad his foot was hurting until I noticed him limping--he limped the whole way without complaining. My heart broke.

The kids had fun hiking up the stream once we got to the lake.

This makes my stomach lurch. Danner was dared by his brothers to eat a worm. He never actually ate it, because it was too hard to swallow, but he definitely attempted. YUCK!! Do all boys do this?

On the way back from Fourth of July Lake, I hiked with Jacob. He wanted to show me "HOW" to cross the stream on rocks. I loved my time with Jacob on this hike. We had so much fun bonding. I wished we could have hiked the whole day!

 

REDFISH LAKE

Danner and Dave took the canoe through the river to Redfish Lake

Cooper always holds his hands in a T-Rex fashion. We love it! We had to do it too!

We had to leave early, but it was such a fun trip!

Look at Jake's jeans!

We ended up leaving Redfish Lake earlier than we had planned. Our tents were wet, and many of our clothes. We enjoyed the time we had there, and we can't wait to return. Hopefully, next time it won't be raining so much.

Featherville

Trip to Featherville

Hailey fell in the mud, and landed on her back. I totally warned her seconds before it happened!

This is what Amber is doing 90% of the time.

Ivy Wild

IVY WILD

We bought swim passes this summer, and IVY WILD became a favorite swimming place. My kid's absolutely love the slides. At the beginning of the summer, Jacob wanted to slide on the slides with his sisters, but he was too afraid to pass the swimming test. Jacob has been learning how to swim. He's made so many improvements that I was sure he could pass the test. After much persuasion, I convinced him to take the swim test. This was a huge deal! Jacob has been afraid of swimming for quite some time, so for him to take a test without an adult next to him required great courage on his part. As he got ready to take the test, I was nervous--not because I was worried at his ability, but because I worried if he would perform to his capabilities when he was so nervous. I knew that if he was able to succeed, this would be a huge deal in overcoming fears. I prayed silently as he begun. I cheered him on the entire time, and in the end--he passed! Success! I can't describe the excitement in my "mom heart"! Fears have been our constant companion for the past four years. Each new success brings us closer to trusting in God, and leaving our fears behind for I truly believe that fear keeps us from our God.

Here's an excerpt from another post that describes this experience in other words:

Jacob and I have been working on swimming for quite some time now. He has been in swimming lessons for years, and somehow...he simply wasn't getting it--he was too afraid to trust the lessons he was receiving. I finally pulled him from lessons, and started working with him individually--just the two of us. As I started teaching him, he started making huge improvements.  Those improvements; however, came through a lot of sweat and tears, a lot of patience, and a lot of persistence. I think Jacob finally realized that I wasn't going to give up or go away. Once he realized that we were in it for good, he started listening, and trusting. His improvements were so great that I finally convinced him to take the swim test at the IVY WILD. I held my breath as he swam, and I prayed my heart out. I knew that his passing or not passing could be either a huge triumph or a debilitating defeat. I can't tell you the relief I felt as the lifeguard passed him. He absolutely needed this accomplishment for his confidence in the water. He also needed it for his confidence in life. Fear has been a constant struggle for us. This was just another moment in teaching Jacob that he can overcome--that we can all overcome. I am thrilled at how far he's come! I am so grateful! So very grateful! With hard work--hard things can be accomplished! Here Jacob is at the Natatorium completely confident coming out of the tube.

These pictures are from two different swimming trips: August 8 & August 18.



One on One Date

USWIRL ONE on ONE

Hailey and I enjoyed talking over yogurt. I am so grateful for these moments. I am grateful to a friend who inspired me to make time for one-on-one dates. Every single time we have planned these activities, I am provided an opportunity to learn more about my children--it's like a window into their lives--parental bonds are developed, trust is fortified, and love abounds.

Education Week

Education Week

We love Education Week! This is my third year, and my kid's second year going to BYU Idaho for Education Week. Each of the kids have classes they attend, and it feels almost like a Mini-EFY. Jacob and Amber both have counselors that teach them lessons and play group games throughout the day. All three of my kids look forward to the event. I truly feel blessed to hear ways in which I can do better and I also look forward to the inspiration. Someday, I might just teach at Education Week...  

FEEDING FISH

We spent our first evening in Eastern Idaho with my parents. We decided to go to the PLAYMILL, and on the way--we stopped to feed the fish.

I love Hailey's zest!

The fish would come right up to the rocks to get the bread!

Grandpa and the PLAYMILL.

We went to the PLAYMILL with my parents our first night in town. We had such a blast! Amber and Hailey got to sit right in the front row with Grandma, and they were often teased--they loved it!

 Ropes Course
We were able to participate in the ROPES COURSE as part of Education Week. It is a challenging course that reaches over 80 feet in height. It's unnerving to look down, and it takes courage to pull your body from one pole to the next. Along with the climbing, there are also team building activities in which we were able to participate--SUPER FUN! I loved that my kids could "problem solve" with family and strangers. They were able to go outside their comfort zones, and solve difficult tasks, and then they were able to apply these tasks to real life situations. 

Problem Solving Activity

Amber made it to the top!

Hailey on top!

Mom on top!

Facing Fears

Zoo & Natatorium

We had a great time at the Zoo and the Natatorium. We enjoyed the hot sun, and then we quickly cooled off by going swimming. I love these summer days. I love the time I have with my children. I love the pure enjoyment of watching their excitement over life. To be a kid again...I learn a lot from my children. I want to be more like them. I want to enjoy life to the fullest, to love, to giggle, to be more carefree, and to simply experience life with pure excitement. Can you see it in their eyes? Childlike Faith. Childlike Joy.

NATATORIUM
Jacob and I have been working on swimming for quite some time now. He has been in swimming lessons for years, and somehow...he simply wasn't getting it--he was too afraid to trust the lessons he was receiving. I finally pulled him from lessons, and started working with him individually--just the two of us. As I started teaching him, he started making huge improvements.  Those improvements; however, came through a lot of sweat and tears, a lot of patience, and a lot of persistence. I think Jacob finally realized that I wasn't going to give up or go away. Once he realized that we were in it for good, he started listening, and trusting. His improvements were so great that I finally convinced him to take the swim test at the IVY WILD. I held my breath as he swam, and I prayed my heart out. I knew that his passing or not passing could be either a huge triumph or a debilitating defeat. I can't tell you the relief I felt as the lifeguard passed him. He absolutely needed this accomplishment for his confidence in the water. He also needed it for his confidence in life. Fear has been a constant struggle for us. This was just another moment in teaching Jacob that he can overcome--that we can all overcome. I am thrilled at how far he's come! I am so grateful! So very grateful! With hard work--hard things can be accomplished! Here Jacob is at the Natatorium completely confident coming out of the tube.