Godfrey Family Campout 2010

The annual Godfrey Family Campout was last week. It was originally scheduled to be at a campground in the Uintas, but the rain washed it away and the only place we were able to find to accommodate my grandparent's very large family was Gray's River in Wyoming. It was beautiful.
We found out the day before we left that Mark would not be able to go with us. So I ran to the dollar store and purchased entertainment for the 5 hour drive -- just me and the kids. Huge thanks to Adam and Keira who let me follow them up so I wouldn't get lost.

After our arrival we set up and played a bit in the river (okay, so Adam played with The Queen in the river, it was too cold for anyone else -- thanks, Adam). My mom prepared some family history and told stories of our ancestors. I found out that I'm an 8th generation Mormon (on both my grandpa and grandma's side) and that I have an ancestor who crossed the Delaware with General Washington! Pretty fun stuff!

After the campfire, we bundled up and snuggled in for the night -- 35 degrees when we woke up. I made the kids snuggle in the sleeping bag with me until Lucy (my cousin's 8-year-old daughter) made a campfire -- THANKS, LUCY!

The next day rained quite a bit, but we managed to have some fun!
We were able to go on a short hike between rainstorms. Talena carried The Boy almost the entire way (could I ask for a better family? Nope, I got the best one!). My 80-year-old grandma even came...awesome!
There were plenty of ATVs. The Boy mooched a few rides, but The Queen was happy to play on them while they were quiet.
I need to thank my whole family for helping me out so much! Thanks for helping me up and back, and hauling most of my stuff. Thank you for playing with my kids, feeding my kids, taking pictures of my kids, setting up my tent, taking down my tent, and letting me sleep in yours! I couldn't have done it without you! I'll bring Mark with me next time!

Moon Lake

Last weekend we went camping to Moon Lake with Mark's family. Aside from an hour long splinter-removal-session, two kids with fevers, and one with an ear infection, there was some fun!

Anyone else seen these marshmallows that are almost as big as my kid's head?
We decided to move to the sandbox after this. Note to self, no more white shirts while camping (duh).
The water was cold, but the beach was fun!
In the end, we all wore out.
Can't wait until next time!

Grand Cayman

WARNING: Picture overload.

Back in January Mark received an email that indicated he'd been invited to join the "Golden Circle" in the company he works for. Apparently, the Golden Circle is for the salespeople in the company who meet their quotas for the year. This year, the salespeople were asked to nominate employees who'd helped them the most in their sales. Mark was one of them. Convergys flew us to Grand Cayman for a week to join the other recipients. We've been back for about a week and a half, but it's been an adjustment to get back to real life so I apologize for the delayed post. Because the majority of you who actually read our blog have already seen our pictures, I suppose I don't really feel that bad, but for the other 3 of you...

we stayed in this hotel...

...and spent most of our time at the beach.

The first full day, we were supposed to take a tour of the Norths Sound and visit Sting Ray Island, but it was closed all week. Instead, we enjoyed an outing in a glass-bottomed boat.

We looked at coral reefs,

and a shipwreck, and got an opportunity to snorkel afterward.

That evening, we went to dinner at The Wharf. We sat right by the Tarpon feeding frenzy.

These fish are HUGE and they eat meat. We tossed some bread out at one point and they didn't even blink (do fish blink?). However, if you dangle some meat out to them, they will do anything a fish is capable of doing to get it. Seriously, one of these splash in the water and it sounds like you threw my toddler in!

The next day we went to Georgetown and shopped. Probably the least exciting part of our trip, but the Tortuga Rum Truck was kind of fun!
We also got to go night snorkeling. Our guide took a lot of pictures and said she would give them to our trip organizer who would then get them to us. No luck on that yet, but if we ever get them, I'll be sure to share!

The last day we were supposed to go kayaking, but the seas were too rough on that side of the island, so we were treated to the Turtle Farms and Dolphin Discovery instead. This was THE BEST activity of the entire trip!

The turtles were fun, but the dolphins were certainly the highlight.
Mark "dancing" with a dolphin.

This is the "dorsal tow" two dolphins swim on either side of you while you hold on to their dorsal fin.

This is me on my way down from the "toe push". You lay on your stomach in the water and lock your knees and two dolphins come and push on your feet. They swim so fast that you push right up out of the water. WAY COOL!

Later that night was the awards banquet. The reception was held here.

This is Mark receiving his award. I know he does a good job with his work, and I am so proud of him!

Well, I've officially been on a tropical vacation and have been thoroughly spoiled. Thank you, Mark for the wonderful week. Love ya!