Camping Mantua June 18-20th, 2010

We went camping in Sardine Canyon near Mantua lake with Tomas and Amie this summer. We had a wonderful time. The first day we took our kids down to the lake. They played in the water on tubes and on the beach while we parents cooked in the hot sun. We should have been smart and also got into the water. We enjoyed watching the kids play. This was the first time Lucy had been swimming. Landon had to coax her into the water. I am not sure she will be retrieving us any ducks from the frozen water in the fall. We also got everyone else to come up the next evening and have dinner with us. Chad came while on a short weekend visit from Boise. Mom came and brought Ahmed who was here from Egypt. Drew and Rae, and Melissa and her kids also joined in for the fun. We had tin foil dinners, played games, got dirty and laughed. The kids found a rope swing near out camp. They loved it and spent many hours playing on it.

Adams turn on the swing

This picture shows each one of these girls attitudes so well. Anna is a little shy and happy. Megan just loves the camera and always strikes a pose, and Lena is throwing us the peace sign.

Rachel, Amie and Tom enjoying their yummy tin foil dinner

Meg on the swing

The posies were out in full bloom up there! It was very pretty!

Brent cookin' up some grub

Rob on swing

Carson got going like super man

Tank taking a rest from Trevon. Trev loves tank, but he wants to carry him all the time. I mean ALL the time. He does not put him down even to eat.

Its sizzlin' must be done!

Uncle Chad even took a turn, He hit the ground a time or two!! :)

Melissa and Rae visiting around the cooking fire

Go Tanner... Go Tanner!

Anna was a little cautious!

Meg and Trevon are good friends.

Taking the tubes out and teasing each other.

Lucy trying to swim. I am not sure she likes this!

The "young" and "young at heart" of Day 1 family reunion

The little ones, young ones, and young at heart decided to go to the swing while the others went to the tight rope zip line. They also had some of the same activities to learn some valuable lessons. The big swing was a lot of fun for all the kids. More of Day 2 to come!

Day one of Izzy Family Reunion 2010

The reunion this year was at the girls camp in Heber City. We really didn't know what to expect. It really really was a fun and beautiful place. The first night we arrived we did a variety of activities. This first activity shown in to teach you trust, balance and working together. The object. Two people stand on a thin rope course that is far apart from each other. You have to lean in and against each other to be able to walk the course. The others surrounding you were there to protect you if you fell.

This next challenge was to see if we could raise the tire up to the top of the log, without letting the tire touch the log the entire way up! We have such an awesome family. It only took us a few minutes to get it put together and accomplished the challenge the first time.

The third challenge. Everyone in our group had to pass through a whole in the spider web. Each person had to use a different hole. If we touched the sides that hole was gone and we could not use it again. This took a lot of thought, trust and strength.

Fourth Challenge. Each and everyone of us had to climb on to the log one at a time and keep it balanced for 3 full seconds without falling off or letting the other side touch the ground. We passed and then they made us do it again with our arms behind our backs.

The final challenge. The 30 foot climb up, walk across the tight rope, and zip line down. I think that many of us thought this was not that high.... but many, many were quite surprised when they got to the top at how scary this was. Aunt Michelle and Aunt Kelly and Colby were the brave ones of the day. Colby has never liked heights and the Aunts were terrified of doing this but were able to accomplish it and we were so proud of them. I was also proud of Tanner. I think he thought this would be no big deal at all. He did a great job. I do think he was a little scared!

The scenery there was just beautiful! I enjoyed taking pictures. The company was wonderful as always. I have never taken for granted the wonderful heritage that I have with the Israelsen family. They all are some of the most wonderful people that I have ever had the enjoyment of knowing in my life, and I get them as family! :)