Camping at Aspen Lakes

We went on our ward campout at Aspen Lakes in Heber this weekend. After setting up our tents on Friday evening, Kjell took the boys for a short canoe ride followed by climbing at the obstacle course. That evening we roasted marshmallows and visited with friends. Marcus and Holden slept well but baby Wether insisted on snuggling with me. He didn't cry and it was nice and cool that night, so I did get a few winks.

Saturday we woke up early to a hot breakfast made by the men in the pavillion. Afterward we went on a breathtaking hike where we saw a fox and found the second lake available to the campsite with not a person around (everyone was on the other lake) - so Kjell took the boys fishing (no luck). We finished the morning swimming with some friends and Kjell and I had to try the zip line over the lake!

Photo 5 - Kjell and the boys canoeing on Aspen Lake

Photo 6 - A view from the hike

Photo 7 - 3 brothers in a canoe

Photo 8 - We trapped W.W. in his pack n' play so he wouldn't play in the fire...it didn't last long

Photo 9 - Making s'mores with surprising patience

Photo 10 - Marcus shared his glow-in-the-dark bracelets with all the kids camping. Here are M & H with Bailey and Emma

Photo 11 - Bailey playing in the tent with Marcus and Holden before going to sleep.

Summer Vacation

Unlike last year, we had gorgeous weather every day during our visit to Connecticut. Therefore, our days were spent swimming at the beach (in Marcus’ case, collecting rocks and shells), kayaking, playing doubles tennis with my parents and heated games of badmitton, and lots of boating of course. I. Am. Tan.

I flew into JFK with Wetherill on a Saturday night...actually we didn't end up arriving until past 3 am on Sunday morning due to a 4 hour delay! Still, I was able to see my cousin Jackie and her family for a few hours before they headed back to their home in Washington D.C. (they had been visiting my parents along with Aunt Sandy and Uncle Bill). Group picture to come.

Kjell, Marcus, and Holden arrived late on a Tuesday night. We spent the next day aboard Maramor visiting the Sand Hole, where we kayaked and swam. Actually, Marcus and Holden were wimpy this year about getting in the water. We went to a friends’ pool a couple of times where they swam like fish, but the “ocean” (actually, the Long Island Sound), was scary for them. Holden was braver then Marcus. Good thing Grandpa and I weren’t shy about throwing Marcus overboard so that he got in a few good swims in the refreshing water! Holden fell out of the kayak one time too. Finally, on our last day at the beach they swam around for quite a while. Still, the boys LOVED the boat and asked to go on it constantly.

On Saturday we spent the day in Cutchogue with Aunt Darcy, Richard, Tom , and Marianne. After a delicious breakfast and some World Cup Soccer, Kjell and I kayaked to a beach by ourselves (so nice!). Later Tom, Marianne, Kjell and I took the boys to the beach. After an amazing dinner, Kjell and I headed home (with lots of goodies for the boys), tanned and happy, if not rested. Thank you for your exemplary hospitality as usual Aunt Darcy!

Another highlight of the trip was the Norwalk Yacht Club Lobster Bake followed by fireworks viewed from the boat. What a show! Holden serenaded us with a rousing rendition of “You’re a Grand Ole Flag”. About 20 people joined us on Maramor.

Photo 1: Boys played in the sprinklers daily. Grandma and Grandpa's "castle" in the background.
Photo 2: William Wetherill Love III meeting William Wetherill McCord. Instant kinship.
Photo 3: Grandpa and WW enjoying lunch together aboard Maramor.
Photo 4: Grandma and WW aboard the launch. All the boys were good sports about wearing their life jackets.
Photo 5: Kjell and I back from the beach. Yes, that is a baby bump, not too much lunch. OK, it's both.
Photo 6: Richard and WW.
Photo 7: My cousin Tom and his fiance Marianne with Kjell and I in Cutchogue.
Photo 8: Aunt Darcy, WW, Olivia
Photo 9: Enjoying appetizers with Aunt Darcy at the Lobster Bake.
Photo 10: Lobster Bake
Photo 11: Uncle Tom, Holden, and Kjell at the Lobster Bake.
Photo 12: WW, Marianne, and Aunt Darcy at NYC
Photo 13: Captain Grandpa and his first mate Marcus bringing Maramor alongside the dock for everyone to board to watch the fireworks.
Photo 14: Thomas Wetherill Love and William Wetherill McCord
Photo 15: Photo taken by Marcus of Olivia and Tom.