35 Years and counting........

On August 19, we celebrated 35 years of being married.  We didn't have the $$$ to fly off to some fun city like Seattle, Portland or San Diego, like we have done in the past.  We went camping instead.  We found a private camp spot 4 miles out of Garden Valley, on the road up to Placerville.  We did alot of 4-wheeling. 

The first evening there we rode the 4-wheeler into the tiny town of Placerville (not even 100 people).  The only people we saw were a few couples in the historic cemetary.  It is a very quiet little place.

The next morning we wanted to be adventurous and right across from our camp was a trail to explore.  We had only gone a little ways when the trail was covered with branches and logs.  We turned back and went further down the dusty road.  Headed up another trail -same thing - lots of timber on the trail.  So we went down by some construction work, looked like they were enlarging a bridge.  Headed up that trail and this time we kept on going.  We climbed the mountain and got up on a high ridge.  It was very steep and lots of big gulleys that the 4-wheeler hugged the side of the mountain.  I was anxious to get down.  We finally started to go down the mountain.  Before long, we came to some timber on the trail and we thought - hey, this looks familiar!   We were on the very first trail that we had started on that morning - we knew it was right across from our camp, so we got off the bike and cleared the trail.  It wasn't too far from camp.   It ended up being a 6 mile loop.  It seemed alot further.

The last day we checked out Grimes Pass, another trail on the way to Placerville.  It was a good road this time and pine trees everywhere - just beautiful and the kind of rides I like (not scarry).

Some of the pics above are of our ride up there. The 4th one down is our view on top looking down at Garden Valley below.  It was a long ways away.

It was a fun time.  We packed light and didn't even get out the Camp chef for cooking.  We didn't even make a campfire. No kiddos around to roast hot dogs or marshmallows.     Are we getting old or what?

I love you Honey - Happy Anniversary!   (Next year let's do the Payette)

Our final Reunion of the Summer

We started this summer with Kent's family having a reunion up near Featherville Idaho in June.  His younger brother, Steve, and his family were in town from Florida.  It had been almost 10 years since their family had been back in Idaho.  Kent's 3 sisters weren't able to attend the camping part of it, but they were altogether for a 1 day picnic at a park in Meridian.  We had a crowd of about 30 people up camping.  It was cold for the Floridians, but we still had a good time.

Then last month the Carlson side got together in Alpine Wyoming to join forces with the Nordfelt's for a rafting reunion down the Snake.  There were about 35 of us and about 45 of the Nordfelt's.  See previous post for pictures.  We had a great time!

Then this past weekend, we had the Kent and Wendy Mortensen reunion down at Lagoon.  We were all there but Randy.  He had recently started a new job, so couldn't get the days off to come and play with us.  Sorry i don't have pictures - we forgot the camera.  Maybe one of the DIL's will post pics.  Carl's family stayed with Robert's in Bountiful.  Then Wayne and Sherstine camped with us at the Lagoon Campground.  That in itself was an experience!  It was very loud and very crowded!  It was very convienent though to just walk across the parking lot to get into Lagoon.  We rode rides one day and the next we got wet at Laguna Beach.  The Bounce Back program made it more affordable to enjoy 2 days of playing.  The little ones enjoyed the bumper cars and the older ones enjoyed Wicked and Colossus.   Kent and I enjoyed the Ferris Wheel.   The favorite was Rattlesnake Rapids where we all got wet - it felt great on such hot days!
One thing we did miss was the gathering of all of us around a campfire just talking and telling stories of younger years, and the roasting of marshmallows.
The first day some of us wore BSU shirts so we could track each other easier while in the park.  It was amazing all of the Boise State fans that happened to be there.  WE would pass and give them the thumbs up or a "go bronco's" shout.  In our campground there was a big group of 17 tents that were BSU fans. 
The first day there we ran into a  family from our stake and a newly called missionary from our ward.  (he wasn't on his mission yet - he goes to Carl's mission - Recife Brazil.)
It seems like wherever you go in this world, you run into someone you know.
Little Gage, our youngest grandchild, just one years old doesn't say words yet.  He just has this funny little sound he makes to let you know what he wants.  It was the cutest thing to watch him go up and scare Grandpa by making a bear sound.  Of course Grandpa would over react to make him laugh, and then he would do it some more.  It was the funniest thing.  He is Mr. Smiley.
It was good for all the cousins to be together again - it's been almost 8 months since that has happened.
We're already talking of plans for the reunion next summer and the summer after that.
Isn't family great?

Carlson Reunion

Robert - these are for you since you don't have Face Book to see all the pics.  CJ, Dad, Nate Packer, Kallee and Dunc sitting around the campfire.

Denise, Deb, Doug and Dick sitting around after dinner.

Morty just chillaxing.

Kallee and her s'more.

The Mansfields and the Carlsons eating breakfast.

Dick leading FHE and Blake roasting either hot dogs or marshmallows.

The first group down the river.

This was the "Milk Run" crew on the second day.  I loved it - just enough rapids for me and kiddos!  Mine and Debbie's grandkids.

Cute little Paul was excited to go down the Snake.

the Milk Run boat

Den was our boat captain.  He was so awesome!  He was our guide for 6 trips down the Snake.  The river was high and fast and not too many Nordfelts wanted to go down.  Poor Den was the lucky one to take all the Carlson's down.   We love Den and all the Nordfelts!  But Den was our hero!  thanks so much Den!

On Wednesday night we had a potluck dinner with all the Nordfelts and Carlsons.  Then Brother Joseph came to visit and share his story.  It was wonderful!  and so neat that all the Nordfelts got to see Chris' presentation on the prophet.

Proud Papa Dennis - he shared his experience of hosting at the Conference Center and looking at a statue of Joseph with his arm around his son.  He had Chris, the prophet, come up for a very touching tribute of that statue.

This is the crowd gathered for the Wed. evening presentation.

I think the reunion was a great success!   Thanks to all who came and participated - we had great food, scarry rides down the river and lots of memory making family time.  Love you all -  Wendy

Kent's Family Pic

This was the first time in about 10 years that all his sibs and his mom had been together.  Steve's family from flordia came up and then connie came down from Wenatchee.  Dave has lost about 100 pounds, so he's looking buff these days.  And Janiel has lost 60 pounds.   We had a picnic at the park, then in the morning we go camping for a couple days.  fun, fun, fun!

PROM

Kara posing before the date arrives.

the date arrives and she couldn't get him to smile.

This was the best face we could get from him - Matt Rollins.  He is a good kid.  Reminds us alittle of Carl.  He is smart, non-emotional, and has a quirky sense of humor.
The best part of prom was Kara's whole outfit was under $50 - yeah!

Our Blondie

Kara was in the high school play "Steel Magnolias".  She played the part of Ouiser, a 66 yr. old woman.   Kara really gets into her part - so much though, that she got her hair dyed.   She did a great job and got lots of laughs from her part as Ouiser.
Years ago she played the part of a pick-pocket kid in "Oliver" and she had her hair cut short like a boy.
Okay - enough all ready.  where is my Brunette daughter???

CARLSON REUNION

Okay Family -  A decision has been made for the Carlson/Nordfelt reunion this summer.  We are going to a  campsite in IDAHO - yeah!  It is 2 miles west of Alpine Wyoming, but yes, it's in Idaho.
Some of us talked that if we didn't combine with the Nordfelts this summer and they did their own, we would have very few, if any  of the Nordfelt's attend the Carlson reunion.
Pam was supposed to be in charge of the Nordfelt one, but since her and Shawn are moving to Washington and more than likely won't be around, Marcel and Den will be the ones planning theirs.  I got elected to plan the Carlson part.   so here's the scoop:

I talked with Marcel today and the Nordfelts are camping for 5 days.   All the group sites were already reserved for the weekends, so the Carlson's will camp Monday July 18 starting at 2:00pm and we will leave on Thursday, July 21 by noon.

We are in a group site that will hold 50 people.  If you want to look it up on the internet, go to Alpine North Loop.   We are site #2.  The campsite has vault toilets, water and garbage service, but NO electricity.  It has picnic tables and fire rings.

We can have up to 12 vehicles, so please try to carpool as much as possible.

There is Palisades Lake about 2 minutes away and then the Snake River for rafting that is 5 minutes away.

For the cost - I figure it will be about $1 per head, per night.

There are no cabins in the campground, so for those who don't have camping equipment, there are motels in the town of Alpine just 2 miles away.   I know some of the Nordfelts have stayed in town, so ask Julie if you have questions about staying in Alpine.   Jackson Hole is 40 miles away and very expensive to stay.  Fun to visit though!

I figure the first night we get there we can roast hot dogs and have smores for FHE.   We will have one other meal with everyone - Nordfelts too, but the other meals will be by campsite.   After I find out how many are coming and staying in the Carlson group site, I will make food assignments accordingly.  I think we will plan breakfast and dinner together, but have lunches on our own.

So please pass this on to all the Carlson relatives and I will email the main 12, then make sure your kids and grandkids get this info.  Please let me know if you can or cannot attend, so I will know if I do need to find some more campsites.    

THANKS!