The Rickards Family

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Camping in the High Uintas

The day after 4th of July, we packed up our quads and camping gear and met some of Jason's friend's from work for a short camping trip in the High Uintas. Austin and Lauren had other commitments, so we just took Jessica and the little girls.

We followed the directions we were given, and after miles of dirt roads on steep mountain sides, we eventually found our campsite. It was literally in the middle of nowhere. No cell reception, no official camp ground. The only running water was from the stream near by. It was beautiful!!

We set up camp as quickly as we could so we could squeeze a ride in before dark. Paige and Ashlyn couldn't wait to get going!

Paige wearing Lauren's first helmet.

Jessica

Mark and Alexis, Ashlyn, Paige and Jason, Wynn and Chandler, Jessica

It started to rain and thunder and lightening while we were out! The cracks of thunder were so loud and the lightening so bright, that for the first time in my life, I thought there was an actual possibility that someone could get hit! We flew back down the dirt road to our campsite, staying as close to the trees as we could. The rain seemed to fly directly at us! It was so crazy that I tried to take a picture while still trying to hurry back to camp! Haha! The things we do for pictures!

We made it back to camp safe and sound. And wet and dirty! Jason had a permanent grin on his face, even as he helped me trench the tent to keep the water from seeping in. (My years at Whiskeytown taught me a thing or two about camping in the rain.)

We huddled under an easy up to try to stay dry. We had a great evening. We made dinner and even had a fire when the rain slowed to a drizzle.

Wynn, Alexis, Mark, Jessica

Paige was pretty worn out so I headed to the tent early with her. Without cell reception or a book, I just sat and listened to the rain and tried to help her get comfortable. I don't think a lot of sleep took place that night! Paige ended up in my sleeping bag, tossing and turning all night. Ashlyn had to go to the bathroom sometime in the middle of the night. I started to take her and I realized I was a little nervous!! Haha! It was totally dark and who knows what was living in those woods! Paige and Jason woke as we were unzipping the tent anyway. We decided to make a family trip of it! It took a while to get everyone back to sleep. (Sleep is used loosely here.) I'm pretty sure there were a few times that night that I asked myself why we take small children camping!

It was so pretty when we woke up! We made breakfast and played by the stream.

We spent the rest of the day exploring the mountains on our quads.

Ashlyn, Paige, Jason

Back: Jessica, Alexis, Mark. Front: Ashlyn, Paige, Jason, Chandler, Wynn.

Tara, Jessica, Ashlyn, Paige and Jason

Left to Right: Chandler, Wynn, Tara, Jessica, Ashlyn, Paige, Jason

We rode to the top on a mountain. The views were beautiful!! The mountain just dropped off though and it made me a little nervous to have the little ones running around. I think I'm turning into a paranoid mom! We kept a close eye on them and Paige mostly stayed in Jason's arms.

I'm pretty sure this picture almost gave me a heart attack! After the initial freaking out over how close they were to the edge of the cliff, there was a "don't move!" moment because I needed a picture! Haha! It was really pretty and an awesome sight.

Jessica, Ashlyn and Chandler

Mark, on the other hand, is a giant kid! He climbed right down the side of the mountain to find some "cool rocks" and crystals.

I tried not to mother Jessica too much, but held my breath as she checked out the edge.

We rode until our arms were tired and then headed back to camp to pack up. It was a short trip, but so much fun! It was fun to get to know Mark and Alexis and Wynn better. (Wynn's wife was pregnant and wanted a weekend to get ready for the baby so she stayed home while he took their little boy camping.)

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

4th of July

This 4th of July was a new experience for us! For as long as I can remember, our 4th of Julys have been spent with friends and family either on the lake or in a pool during the day, barbecuing in the evening and watching fireworks on a blanket in the grass at night.

This year, we didn't have a pool or a boat or close friends to spend the day with. We didn't even barbecue and I'm pretty sure we ended the day without a sun burn or any more tan than we started that day! Sad, I know, but we ended up having a really fun night as a family.

We heard there was a great fireworks show at Thanksgiving Point. We loaded up our blankets and snacks and headed over early to find a good spot on the grass and wait for it to get dark.

Jessica made some yummy caramel popcorn that we ate while we played UNO

When we were done with UNO, we goofed off with each other,

listened to music,

and played on our phones.

When the phones came out, Jason suggested we play Duck, Duck, Goose! The teenagers asked if he was joking and looked around at all the people around us and said, "No way! That would be so embarrassing!". It didn't take much convincing for them to agree to play. After all, it's not like we knew anybody there!

It ended up being hysterical! We all had a great time and played until we were either too tired from running or too tired from laughing!

Then, we ate more popcorn,

Enojyed the sunset, relaxed, and talked until the sun went down.

The firework show was one of the best that I've seen. As Jason likes to say, "It's all about the real estate." We had a great spot and the fireworks were directly over us! Paige buried her head for most of it, but by the end, she peaked out to watch and even clapped when it was over.
We will put it down for a good family memory and new experiences.

Hanging With the Hankes'

One of the things I love about being in Utah is that a lot of friends visit! It was fun to have a couple of days with the Hankes'. Nick and Kristie want to move to Utah, so we spent a little bit of time driving around and looking at different areas. From experience, that can be really stressful! Utah is very different than California! I think of it as unorganized. I had a really hard time settling on a place to live because it was all so different than what I am used to. I could tell they were feeling the same way. I'm glad I understood what they were going through. It can be a bit overwhelming.

We took the kids to the Dinosaur Museum. It doesn't get old to me!

Jessica and Kailey

Ashlyn, Kristie and Kailey looking a fossils.

Gannon and Nick

Paige, Jessica and Ashlyn

Paige

Paige, Gannon and Ashlyn

Kristie and Tara

Kailey, Kristie, Paige, Tara, Ashlyn, Jessica, Nick, Gannon, Jason

Another night, we went out to dinner with Nick and Kristie, and her brother and his wife who live in South Jordan.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Jessica Turns 14

Jessica's friend, Chloe, had been texting me for weeks, wanting to plan something fun for Jessica's birthday. Many different plans were made. In the end, she settled on kidnapping Jessica in the middle of the night and taking her to Denny's. (Jessica is not a morning person, so the middle of the night was a better option.)

I was afraid they would wake up the little ones if they all came tramping upstairs at 3:00 a.m., so I agreed to be the one to wake Jessica up and get her out to the car where they would be waiting.

I went into her room and quietly woke her up. She asked what I needed and I just told her to put on some shoes. She thought something was wrong and like a good girl, she just followed directions. Seeing she was in pjs and a tank top, I whispered for her to grab a sweatshirt too. She looked concerned, but followed me outside to the car full of giggly girls.

She opened the car door and the lights came on in the car. Her friends laughed, said surprise and happy birthday and Jessica looked at me and said, "you could have told me to get a brush!".

Halle, Katie, Vaeland, Chloe, and Jessica

I had a fun night with these girls. We got home as the sun was coming up. Jessica slept for a few hours and then met up with her friends and spent the rest of the day at Seven Peaks water park.