Skousen Family Vacation 2017

Skousen Family Vacation 2017 in Show Low, Arizona!

We started our vacation camping with all of my Aunts and Uncles at Canyon Point Campground.  It rained nearly the whole time we were camping.  We were able to start a fire and roast marshmallows.  The boys loved it so much!  This was their first time sleeping in a tent with their new sleeping bags.  I slept in Jared and Sandy's camp trailer. I went for a 3 mile run around the camp site first thing in the morning and on my last mile, I grabbed all the boys and we ran together.  It was a perfect start to our vacation.

We were in charge of feeding the entire family Tuesday night, so we spent much of Tuesday preparing food.  It hailed on us as we tried to cut tomatoes, cook meat, and heat up rice.  After feeding the family, we drove an hour back to our cabin in Show low.  

 Wednesday, we spent the day at the pool.  Kendra got the worst of the sun.  Her burn lasted all week!  The pool was extremely relaxing.  We ended up waking up each day and doing the Tone it Up workouts as a group.  It was so fun!!

Thursday, we rented two RZR's and went motorcycle riding.  We were out nearly the entire afternoon.  A few of us had to drive the RZR's on the high way.  It was accelerating driving 60 miles an hour with out a windshield.  I tried to capture a photo of my funny face!

Friday, we spent the day relaxing.  Jared woke up nearly every morning and went fishing with the boys.  Stephen and I got massages then I went with the girls to get pedicures.  While we were getting pedicures we heard a gun shot.  It was CRAZY!  It took me a while (like 2 minutes) to decide it was really a gun shot.  The guy doing my nails grabbed my phone and started walking around the salon so I couldn't call 911. I asked if anyone was going to call 911.  Then Sandy told the owner to lock the door to the salon.  He locked it and called 911.  The police came within minutes.  Such a crazy incident.  I guess some guy stepped in to stop a girl fight and one of the girls had a gun and shot the guy in the leg.  He was flown to Phoenix to be treated.

 Friday evening, we sat in the hot tub and chatted with everyone.  

Saturday, we all headed to Lake Hollow!  It rained.  We rented canoe's and paddle boards.  We all jumped in to the muddy water and swam around until lightening chased us away.  Saturday evening, we took family pictures in the rain.  

Sunday, we packed up and went to church.  My sweet little boys headed to Kingman for the week.  I miss them already.  We really had the best time with family.  I am so blessed.  My family is THE BEST!!!      

 

A Hunky Birthday

Today, Stephen is celebrating his 37th birthday!

I love him.  

I love him more and more each day.  

I am so grateful he is in my life.  

I have learned this year to support my husband.  I am surprised at how much I was not supporting him.  Marriage is a true learning and growing experience.  I know that I love Stephen.  Now, I must show him, daily, that I love him.  

Stephen is extremely supportive.  

He is kind.

He is selfless.

He is a hard worker.

He loves video games, so the boys and I got him the playstation virtual reality set.

Stephen is a great cook.

He has a funny, quiet sense of humor. 

He is one of the healthiest people I know.

Stephen is constantly researching new ways to improve our family's health.  

Stephen is loving.

He is a great father.

Stephen is my very best friend.  I love spending time with him.  We have tried to go on a date once a month to strengthen our friendship and our bond.  

We spent his birthday as a family.  The best way to spend a birthday, in my opinion.  We got him a chocolate cake and went out to eat.

I love this man.  

I really love this man.

He has made me a better person.  

More than anything, I appreciate his sacrifice, example, and love for me. 

A Swim Meet

Today was our last swim meet of the season.  We are missing the last two weeks of swim team this summer.  The boys were a little reluctant to get out of bed this morning.  They are finally feeling the effects of late summer nights and early summer mornings.  I am looking forward to relaxing a little more these last few weeks of summer.  I know the boys are really looking forward to just goofing off until school begins in August.  Why does summer have to go by so fast?  I love summer SO MUCH!  

Nolen and Edward did not want to swim on the team medley relay's today; however, they swam on the freestyle relay's at the end of the meet.  This meet was really fun because the pool had an out door hot tub that all the kids could climb in after their race.  Edward and Nolen spent most of their off time in the hot tub.  

Both boys swam the freestyle.  Nolen swam his favorite stroke, back stroke.  Last week, he got an eye lash in his eye while he was swimming back stroke and I had to fish him out of the water.  It was hilarious and anxiety ridden all in one moment.  Both boys swam breast stroke in the same heat.  

I love swim team.  I am so glad my boys really love it.  I spent my childhood at a pool nearly all summer.  Swimming has been such a great way to relieve stress.  I have been swimming almost every morning while my boys have been swimming with the team. 

Swim Hungry.

An amusing day!

We spent the day at Cliff's Amusement park as a family. It was so fun! We had gone a few weeks ago but got rained out so we made a plan to go back before the end of the summer. We went to water mania first and the boys swam for an hour. Then we rode all the rides together. I love being a family of four. Edward rode the Rattler for the first time.  He said it was so fun! We had a blast! I love spending time together as a family!