Cabin for Labor Day

Over Labor Day weekend the Randall family was able to visit the Fowler family cabin and we had a wonderful time. We are so thankful for the cabin and it being so near for us to enjoy. Friday after work, we packed up our things (I thought we were only going for a few days, I think we packed enough for a few weeks!), picked up our pizzas at Domino's and headed up to the cabin. Grandma and Grandpa Randall followed us up from our house and Aunt Michelle and Uncle Dave met us at Kohler's in Highland as were picking up groceries and pizza. It worked out great. We ate dinner and then to honor the first game of the BYU Football season being played the next day, we watched the DVD, Spirit, Tradition, Honor. It was very good, although Gavin was anxious to watch Cody Banks and I don't think he fully appreciated the message! After some talking and bribing we finally got the kids in bed. Greg, Kate and I slept in the bedroom. Grandma and Grandpa took the futon in the living room and Dave, Michelle, Gavin and Enoch dealt with the bunk beds in the loft. A special thanks to Uncle Dave who was the nigh light monitor for Enoch!
The next morning, Greg spoiled us with a great breakfast of pancakes and bacon. We also had fruit and juice. It worked out well to have everyone help with food. Uncle Jarom and the Ford's came up for breakfast and stayed the morning. After eating and cleaning up, Grandpa took the boys out for a ride on the 4-wheeler. My boys absolutely loved it. I admit, we forget helmets so I wouldn't let them be too wild, but they still had a good time going slow on the roads. Gavin loved, loved, loved the 4-wheeler and can drive it better than me. After letting him drive it down to the gate he said, "Now I"m a man." Okay, but you are still only 10! Please remember that.
We hooked up the paddle boat to the 4-wheeler and let Gavin tow it down to the reservoir. We had never been on the paddle boat so this was new for us. We had a great time. Aunt Michelle, Grandpa, Aunt Valerie, Carson, Enoch, Gavin and I went out for rides (not all at once!). It was fun and the perfect size to toodle around the lake. Enoch loved it and kept asking all weekend when we could go again.
After paddle boating, we headed back to the cabin only to be surprised with the news that my parents had been holding out on us and really did indeed have their mission call. We had all called them on Wednesday and Thursday to ask if it had arrived and it hadn't, but on Friday the post office called to tell them it was there. We all thought we would have to wait another week. We were so excited! We all took our bets as to where they were going, none of us were right. They are serving in the Kenya, Nairobi mission with the Employment Resource Center. They are to leave on Jan 5 and are thrilled with their call. (I think they would be thrilled going anywhere, but Africa is definitely somewhere new!) It was a wonderful experience to have the entire family there to open their call. We will certainly miss them but are also grateful that they are willing to go and serve where they are needed.
After a lunch of roasted hot dogs, chips and fruit, everyone but the Fowlers packed up and left, heading for home and the BYU football game. We stayed at the cabin, took walks and watched the game. It was so fun to watch the game in such a beautiful setting as the cabin, and we are relieved that we won. After the game, we packed up a few things and drove home so we could shower and be ready for church the next day.
Grandma and Grandpa came to church with us on Sunday and I am so thankful they did. It being a holiday weekend and a fifth Sunday lesson we were short teachers in Primary and so I put my parents to work. Thanks Mom and Dad for being willing to sit with classes and take care of Kate. Grandpa not only held Kate the entire time, but also sat between our Valiant 10 boys. I think he deserved his nap after church!
After a quick change of clothes, we headed back up to the cabin after church (all of us except Greg, who had clerking responsibilities and came up when he was done). We ate lunch and then played Candamir. It was fun and relaxing. That afternoon, Grandma and Grandpa went up to Ogden to visit with my Uncle Alan Price, who was in the hospital suffering with the last stages of cancer. The weather was a bit chilly so we stayed in the cabin, watched a movie and then went to bed. The boys were beyond disappointed that they couldn't ride the 4-wheeler on Sunday. They put on their helmets and sat on the 4-wheeler making engine noises for 1/2 hour!
In the morning, we ate a quick breakfast of cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs and fruit. We played one last game of Ticket to Ride; Greg won, of course. Then we spent 1 1/2 hours cleaning up the cabin. Because it rained the night before there was mud tracked everywhere in the cabin. It took us a bit of time to mop the floors and make sure everything was sparkling clean for the next guests. Kate had fun going on walks with Grandpa, who bundled her up with blankets and two pairs of socks. We had an incredible weekend and are looking forward to visiting the cabin again.