Fun on the Fourth!

Mommy and Samara
Granddad was dreaming of his cows.
Chet, Shelly and Little Lanie

We just got back from such a sweet weekend with my family.  On Friday we all packed up the truck and Tahoe and headed to Black River.  If you have never been there it is on the reservation about 2 and a half hours from Show Low.  We drove about 17 miles on this little dirt road that gets really bumpy and steep as it winds it's way up the mountain and then back down to the river.  We pulled into a beautiful spot with a sand bank and two rope swings tied to a huge tree over the perfect swimming hole.  The water was refreshing and the rapids were fun!  Samara and Kate jumped in with Jer and I and we rafted and swam around for a while.  Kate was splashing everyone and Samara was loving every minute in the water.  Granna and Granddad, Aunt Bev, Uncle Tom, Ryan, Aunt Ginna, Uncle Farrell's family and ours were there.  Ethan was the first in the water of course, so that means Amber was second. I don't think those two ever got out all day.  It was so peaceful and relaxing.  Jer's raft went flat as we went down these wimpy shallow rapids but mine stayed afloat.  The guys caught tons and tons of fish and the babies ate tons and tons of rocks and dirt.  The most exciting part of our trip was the ride home.  It had rained a couple times throughout the day and left the road really muddy and slippery.  As we started down the Tahoe began to slip every now and then and Kara and I started feeling a little sick to our stomachs.  I kept thinking what will I do if we slip off the edge with five little ones 3 and under in the car.  Needless to say we got through it with a few, a lot of prayers.  Jer did great!!  An exciting end to an exciting day!!  Can't wait till next year!!