Camping in Cardston and Trayden's Farewell!

We had a busy weekend in August. It was the weekend of Aug 18th. On Friday was Spencer's birthday party, then Saturday was the Bowlby Reunion and Sunday was Trayden's Farewell. So we decided to pull the trailer up and just stay there for the weekend. I booked us in at the Lee's Creek Campground. The kids and I came up in the afternoon. Because everyone was going swimming at the Cardston pool before the birthday party.

So I pulled in and they told me what campsite was mine. I got there and it was tiny. But I started backing up. Eric got there to help direct me. But then a few other guys came over to offer their help. I was getting a little frustrated because they were all telling me different things....then one wanted to drive. I then said I was totally fine backing up. I told Eric to direct me and I just listened to him. It was a tight squeeze, but we got it in. We were unhooking and then the guy came running over saying a full service sight opened up if we wanted that. So we hooked back up and went over there. That sight was way better. By the time we got it all set up, I was sweating!! Sheesh....what a work out!

We went over to the pool and met everyone there. The clouds started coming in. But that didn't stop the kids from swimming. I was happy just sitting on the side of the pool. I then realized that Trayden was there lifeguarding. It was his last day at work. I got a picture of him! He was so excited to get his mission started!! He's going to do great! Love him so much. He's the one that made me an Auntie!! Anyways, there was lightning and we had to get out of the pool.

Then we headed to Spencer's birthday party at Grandma and Grandpa's house. The kids were all pretty excited about that. We had supper and then had cake and ice cream and Spencer opened his presents. Then they had a piñata! That was a big hit from everyone. It was funny to watch the kids try to hit it, especially when Uncle Brian would yank it up! Really funny!

DJ hitting the piñata! He was pretty determined!

Cadence trying so hard to hit it, but Brian kept pulling it up!

Brianna kept missing it too, because it was being yanked up, so this is her determined face...as she`s yelling! Ha ha!

Abbi was gonna hit it no matter what! Love the look on her face!

Cool picture of the Canadian flag from Shelly`s house. The dark clouds were coming in!

Picture of the dark sky! Cool picture!

Then on Saturday the plan was we were suppose to be in Waterton for the Bowlby Reunion by 11:00am. We woke up to cold and rain. It was actually kind of freezing out. I didn't come prepared at all for the cold. So we went to a store and got all the kids some socks and shoes. Then we headed to Waterton. It was really cold, rainy and windy out. We got there and nobody was there. It was just us, Curtis and his family and Eric and Shelly. We stayed there for a bit, and then came back home. Shelly was in charge of it and told everyone to wait for her call. They were going to change it and do it in Cardston instead. So she started calling and everyone was gone. So we had our own reunion. It was kind of crazy. Oh well. We had fun hanging out and playing games. Then we had a weiner roast for lunch.

We went back to the trailer to get the kids ready for bed. The rain had finally stopped by that night. We woke up Sunday morning and it was nice and sunny. Yeah!! Church wasn`t until 2:45pm. So we relaxed and watched some church movies I had found. Two girls walked over to Grandma`s house for a bit. Then we came back and got ready for church, after we had lunch. DJ wanted me to take a picture of him all ready! Then so did Cadence. So funny!

Handsome DJ all ready for church!

He had to pose with his sword!

Cute Cadence all ready for church!

Now she had to pose with the sword.

Sword fight!!

Trayden did such a good job with his talk. I loved it. He`s going to do so good on his mission. So proud of him! After Sacrament Meeting (it was last....they had classes first), we had dinner at the church. So we helped get things all ready. It was fun to eat and visit with everyone. We sure missed Stacey, Steve and the girls there. I know they really wanted to be there......it`s just too far away. I took lots of pictures!!

Trayden and his Uncle David!

All the guys!! Chris, Chase, David, Trayden, Richard, Cam, Cody and Dad!

Grandpa Pitcher talking to the Barfusses!

Trayden and Kyle sitting together. Kyle left on his mission 3 weeks after Trayden!

Trayden with his cousins!

Love this picture of DJ and Trayden! DJ is sure going to miss him!

Grandma with Nate!! I love his big bright eyes! Such a cutie!

After that, we came back and hooked up to the trailer and headed for home. It was a busy weekend. Then that Tuesday morning we all went to the Airport to see Trayden off! We all gave him big hugs and said good bye. He was so ready to go!

Abbi and Emmett! He just woke up and wasn`t too sure about where he was!!

Trayden and his Uncle Russ!

Trayden and Chase!

Trayden giving Grandma Paxman and hug good bye!

All my kids and Richard giving Trayden a hug good bye!

Bye Trayden!

Keira and Uncle Brent waving bye!

Aunt Shelley made it just in time to give Trayden a big hug good bye!

Emmett and Aunt Shelley!

Emmett was fascinated with Aunt Shelley`s hair!!

Watching Trayden board the plane!

There`s the plane!

Everyone watching Trayden get on the plane!

His plane getting ready to take off.

Emmett being so big and standing by himself!!

Bye Trayden, see you in two years!! We love you!

After seeing Trayden off we decided to go to IHOP with Brent and Tiff and their kids. It was a yummy breakfast and fun to hang out with them. Then we kind of made it a family day and hung out in Lethbridge all day!! We saw a movie, did some shopping, got some hair cuts and fit a chiropratic appointment in too. It was a fun day!