Kevin, Gretchen & Madelyn: A weekend in Island Park

At the end of June we went on a weekend camping trip with my parents, and older sister Natalee and her family. I went up Friday afternoon, as I’m not working right now, with Natalee and Adam and then Kevin came up that evening after he got off work; mom and Wayne were already there. I was still pretty limited in what I could do physically, but I helped set up our tent and bed and then relaxed for a little bit. Kevin got up there just after dinner and I was happy to see him! That night we enjoyed the campfire and watching Austin and Brody, my nephews, make their s’mores.

Saturday Kevin, Adam and Austin went down to Ashton and golfed for a couple hours while the rest of us hung out at camp. Mom was in need of a perm and haircut, so I cut her hair (and no I don’t do hair I was just cutting where she told me too) and Natalee did the perm but don’t worry she’s experienced with those haha. We will save the embarrassing pictures for our enjoyment only but it was pretty funny. After the guys got back from golfing Natalee and Adam decided to take their boys floating on the buffalo river. Kevin and I couldn’t join them because I still had my staples from surgery and Kevin had stitches in his leg from a cut. I’ll tell you that story at the end of this post.

The rest of the day was just a lazy one and the heat was causing me to not feel the greatest, so I was oh so happy when it finally cooled down. We all relaxed around camp and just enjoyed being in nature and not at home. For me it was a real treat to get away for a few days. For the last 3 weeks I had been cooped up in the hospital or my house and I was starting to get a little stir crazy as you can imagine. That night we stayed up and enjoyed the fire for a while. It’s truly the little things in life and we need to be grateful for them!

Sunday we got up and started packing up after breakfast. We decided to stop at Mesa Falls on our way home. I haven’t been there since before Kevin and I were together and so it was fun to experience that for our first time. Also my nephews thought it was pretty cool too. They really should put in moving staircases there though. I was so tired and hot after walking down to the upper falls from the parking lot. It was the longest and most strenuous walking I’ve done since surgery but I did it and that’s what matters!!

It was a much needed weekend away from life and I’m so grateful for the many beautiful creations we have to enjoy that are so close to home. Also on the way home I felt the baby move for the first time!!! It took me a minute to realize what the funny feeling was but it was so cool! I can't wait until Kevin can feel the baby kicking and moving.