Bushy Christmas Tree

Usually we head to Cedar Mountain to get our Christmas tree but this year we stayed in Nevada and got a big ol' bushy pine.
It took us a while to find the perfect one, but Dustin always comes through!

The kids enjoyed the "cold white stuff" as Mark called it.

The Whipple's got the biggest tree I've ever seen!!

When we got home we were so excited to get to the decorating.. but half our lights didn't work. Dustin made a quick trip to Home Hardware and then we were back in business.

Our little elves :)

Even Luke helped a little!

We love our big ol' bushy Christmas tree!

Splash Pad Second Edition

We had so much fun at the Splash Pad last week we decided to go again!
And we had lots of fun.. again!

So much fun, Mark didn't want to go home!

How are you keeping cool this summer??!

Ride with the Whipple's

Last Friday Dustin and I double dated with our cousin's Don and Raegan. We saw Avatar in 3D at the IMAX theater in Vegas! That is for a whole other post.. all I will say now is that if you are planning to go see Avatar in the theater DO NOT get a large Icee! That is all.

Anyway after our date we decided that since the weather had cleared up we should take the kids out on a ride. So Saturday morning we loaded up the trucks and drove out to Buffington pockets.

There is an old dam out there that Don and Dustin both remember going to as kids.

The couldn't decided when exactly it was built but they are guessing early 20's.

The kiddos loved playing in the mud and climbing on the rocks.

Mark

Allie and me on the rocks. Aren't the colors amazing?!

There was also some really neat Indian writings out there. Click here to see Dustin's panorama shot of them.

The water was all puddled up after all the rain last week!

Allie made "snow balls" out of the mud.

Estefan and Hans explored caves!

Hans

The Whipple's and the Nelson's

Then we made the entire loop and came home on the North Shore road.

It was long and bumpy but it sure was fun!!

East Pass

Saturday Dustin took me out for a great day in the hills. We went with our cousin, Don to East Pass. I am the worst at remembering directions and places and he isn't here right now to remind me so here it is from my remembrance....

Starting out, the long road ahead.

We took the Carp Elgin exit toward Sam's camp...

A beautiful view.. but not East Pass yet.
Dustin and Don
After a long climb up many scary slopes and over many bumpy washboard roads we made it! Here are me and Dustin at East Pass. Don came here along time ago with his dad. He said he remembered there being lot and lots of trees. There aren't so many now.. probably due to fires.
It was an amazing view. Nevada is the best state ever! What beautiful country, right in our own backyard.
After we reached the top of East Pass we decided to loop threw to Pine Valley Reservior. When we got to the reservior we discovered it was more of a waterless basin. But there was a nice little camping spot there.
Then we drove to Barclay. There is an old brick farm house and wind mill, along with some other little houses and trailers. Mostly cattle grazers but there where some hay fields.
Barclay
Then we drove along the railroad tracks to get to Caliente for lunch. We got about half way and ran into a dead end. There was this huge gate blocking our way! Don was ready to jump the tracks and go around it... but we decided to be good and turn around. It was after 1pm and we were all pretty hungry. We finally made it to Caliente on the Beaver Dam road and got to eat! Overall it was a great day. We had great conversations and yummy rice crispies (thanks Raegan!!!) to keep us going. I'm glad I got to tag along on the trip. I had a great time! I missed you Raegan! Next time you are coming no matter what!!!