Star gazing and fish tales…

July 24th in Utah is a holiday.   It is a big deal.  As a little girl I looked forward to the huge parade down Main Street downtown SLC and you either had to camp out to get a good spot, or your dad worked for someone that had a stand and seats set up for there employees and family (which my dad did) anyway…it is a big deal with Days of 47 Parade and Rodeo’s happening and events galore.  But since I have moved to Southern Utah, I only get the benefit of getting an extra day off of work because it is a state holiday! yipee!  You can go to this web site to read up on it if you  like:  http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/pioneer-day

Anyway…the point is…I had an extra day off on Monday the 25th.  We decided to make a weekend of just goofing off since huh-honey had worked his fanny off during the week pouring footings for my son in his yard so he can build a brick wall.

Well Bob and I decided to go to the desert on Saturday after a relaxing day, seeing a movie, (Harry Potter) thank goodness they are done…hehehe

We got out into the desert around 9:30ish, I missed the sunset but did find some color in the red sand.

 

 

we were alone…and surprised there was not more activity and cars and off road bikes buzzing by…

 

we wanted to be as far away from city lights as possible to get a good show of the stars…

 

 

I even put a Native Trilogy flute CD in for special effects….hehehe

 

 

 

we got comfortable…even had some binoculars so  we could see satellites zooming by in the pitch black sky.  It was amazing…we only saw 2 shooting stars, but lots of satellites and millions of stars!

It was so quiet and peaceful.  The desert night air even cooled off.  You never know what may appear out there in the middle of the desert so you have to be on your guard at all times…

actually the “Desert Bush Man” is very harmless, he is friends with “Big Foot”

As you can see….we had fun being silly…

scary right???? LOL

It is amazing what can entertain you when you are in the desert…at night….around 11 pm!

 

so…on Monday…(Utah State Holiday) I know your all confused right? anyway we took the day and went fishin’

I was so excited…the weather was perfect…most everyone had packed up and was heading out…as we were heading “in”.

The reservoir was so full!  There was a gentle breeze and it was picture perfect

 

 

 

 

 

I had fun playing with my camera….

 

 

 

 

 

got myself all comfy with my pole in the water…watched a family of ducks swim by…just kickin back and enjoying the beautiful day.  The sun was shinning down on my bare shoulders and legs…

I got the good fishin ‘ chair, Huh-huney got the old padded chair cushions we take along just for days like today…

Actually he was very comfy…

THEN IT HAPPENED…MY FISH STORY BEGAN….

LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME…

I THOUGHT I HAD CAUGHT THE MOTHER-LOAD!

BUT THERE IS A CATCH….

SEE WHERE IT SAYS:  IMMEDIATELY RELEASE ALL TROUT 15-22 INCHES! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

THE INSIDE OF MY ARM FROM MY ELBOW TO THE TIP OF MY FINGERS IS 15”

No matter what we did to pinch his tail….and stretch the truth…HE came in at 21”.  Yep….had to toss him back….well we didn’t toss him…he was a little stressed….KIND OF LIKE ME!  It just wasn’t worth trying to fudge….for an inch and take the chance of having fish and game come around and check….possibly get fined and loose our fishing license.

Hey……………IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!  I was ready to put the ole spawnner (I know not a real word) back into the cold waters and try and hook his “BIGGER” brother.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know there are a lot of people out there that will think we were crazy to toss these crawdad’s back…truth is…they are plentiful and love to tease your line….making you think you have the “Big Daddy” when you don’t!  Just not as mouth watering on the BBQ to me, and not worth all the work involved.  I would need 50 of these to wet my appetite!

Well all was not lost…even though we did not take home any fish, the day was beautiful…..peaceful, relaxing and so much fun.  Lot’s of laughs and even sweet silence just taking in the beauty around us.  I feel so blessed to live in such spectacular surroundings. 

IT IS JUST A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN IN MY BOOK!  Until next week…….be safe my friends.

Until we meet again….

That sounds like an awful title doesn’t it?  It isn’t meant to be by any means!  Honestly if you had any idea of how many pictures I have taken over the past 3 weeks you would be saying the exact same words.  It seems like I have sifted through a million pictures all of which I became attached to…but know in my heart of hearts that only…maybe…20 out of a 100 are worth keeping.  I think my camera downloaded over 700 (GEESH).

So on FB I posted like a hundred.

All of which I have become attached to and it will take me a minute maybe two to delete, delete, delete all of the ones not worth keeping.

Yes the girls came and went.  The pool got used A LOT.  We ate out a lot of the time only because we were OUT a lot of the time, doing this and that.  But I feel like I really didn’t do a whole lot either!

Time fly’s when your having fun as the saying goes.

I did….take some awesome pics of the grandies….and because my subjects are…well……………..BEAUTIFUL, I can say I think I did a pretty good job since I don’t have a clue how to photo shop.  All of these are yes, straight out of the camera with no extra whatever’s.  Oh and if you haven’t seen the hundred that I posted on FB, if you have an account, feel free to check the many new albums out. hehehehe but here for your view pleasure or not so viewing pleasure are my beautiful grandies…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the color contrast on this pic

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uncle Mike’s house had plenty to keep the kids busy.  Brook loved visiting Uncle Mike’s farm.

 

 

Moon walking at the Planetarium downtown SLC.

 

 

 

   Lauren and Brooklyn had some fun little colorful extensions clipped into their hair.  I love how the sunlight shines around her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trampoline was a lot of fun and water balloons seemed to be a big splash hit!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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There were bugs….and play time in the canyon

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There was toe painting and the 4th of July parade to attend and snatch up as much candy as you could possibly think of…

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Heads were dunked in icy cold water in the canyon….it was AWESOME!

but I think the most fun of all was had on the slip ~ slide.  NO ONE has a slip ~n~slide like the Higgins have…. Thanks to Mike ,squeals and giggles were on going…  If only I were 20 years younger…ahh I just felt like I would have been one huge blue bruise if I had done what the kids did…

PREPARATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART

LOTS of water and most important GARBAGE BAGS.  Yep..GARGABE bags with slippers soap and baby oil…give you the UTIMATE SLIDE~!

I just love this one of Owen…he is having so much fun and on the run to start again!

see the big puddle at the end of the slide…that is what you want to aim for.  Mike was the ultimate pusher.  He is running to give Ryan a shove…into the puddle, and boy did he take off!

 

 

there were some wild and crazy moves…Mike must have played on that slide for an hour while I took pic after pic trying to get the ultimate shot…hehehe

 

the water was cold, so they tell me but that didn’t stop the kids.  The bags actually helped keep them warm!

 

 

 

Madi, Lauren and Brooklyn all had a good time.

 

 

With just a gentle push…

 

 

 

 

then when all was said and done Ryan got to blast his dad with the hose….see the little pool it is full of soapy water, they kids still needed a bath in nice warm water to warm up…

Everyone sang Happy Birthday to America and the amazing cake was cut.  Camille makes amazing cakes…check this one out!

It looks like the flag…

Can you believe this?  and I watched Camille make it….still it just didn’t make sense to me.  But then again, I am ok with that hehehe.

 

the grandies enjoyed a few fireworks in the back yard then they were put in the back of the truck (honestly they were very safe) and we headed down the road a bit for the big display which didn’t last very long….but, that’s ok too.  It was a fun packed day and they didn’t mind coming home and jumping in bed.

So that has been the month of July for me.

It is quiet at my house right now.  I have nothing planned even for Labor Day, which I will NOT be laboring on.   I think I will stay home and let all the other crazies be out on the road.  I will be in my pool soaking up the sun and sipping a cool tall something….