We always try to get one last camping trip in with our kids and Daddy after the potatoes have been harvested. This year we headed up to Ashton area and had a wonderful time together. The second day we decided to take a drive and go see Mesa Falls. We took the long way around the back of the mountain to get there and it ended up being slightly miserable. The kids were having nothing to do with the drive. We were so happy to finally arrive at the falls.
But that excitement only lasted a couple minutes. Kids just don't understand the beauty of the earth. They just wanted to climb down and touch the water :)
Pictures then got rather interesting. For some reason Trayvn decided that he needed to take off his shirt, Maylie did not want to look at the camera and Rhev went into goofball mode.
It was still a great adventure!
After Mesa Falls we headed back to camp. We took a little pit stop at the Ashton cemetery where my Grandpa and Granny Carlson and my Uncle Merle are buried. Rhev was just little when my grandparents died and it is so important to me that they always remember and know who all of their great grandparents are even though they didn't get the chance to know them in real life.
After we finished at the cemetery and minutes before we lost cell service, I received one of them most difficult phone calls I've had in a long time. Kim called me in tears to let me know my Daddy just had a heart-attack. At that point she didn't have any answers as to his condition, just that he was headed to the hospital in Pocatello. We waited on the side of the road for quite a while to stay in cellular service, but eventually we headed back to camp. I couldn't stay there knowing that there was something seriously wrong with my daddy so my sweet husband volunteered to keep the kids camping and let me drive to Pocatello to see my dad. It was the longest drive! Once I arrived at the hospital I was greeted by nearly all my siblings. It was so comforting to have them there. We got the chance to go see my dad and even though he just had heart surgery, he was still acting like to same old man that I love so dearly. The doctors placed a couple stints and said he had a long road ahead of him, but his chances were good. It was such a huge relief. It was something we all needed to hear. I stayed the rest of the evening with my family and waited until I was sure it was good to leave, then I headed back to the mountains to be with my family. I was just hoping everyone was okay and Tyce had a good day. When I pulled into camp, there was a fire going, but no other lights. That worried me. I quickly climbed into the camper and found all 3 of my kids sound asleep and Tyce reading a book. He said he had a great day with them and had no problems. I am so grateful to him for all he does! We stayed there a couple more days and had a great time. Maylie is trouble and we really have to watch her, but she was still fun.
It ended up being an extra adventurous week. I'm so grateful that at the end of the week everything and everyone turned out okay. I love my family so much. They are my greatest blessing!
