"You will have significant experiences. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh your memory of those meaningful and significant things. Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you. Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experience." Gordon B. Hinckley, 2006

Friday, September 18, 2009

Summer Traditions

The Family: A Proclamation to the World states that wholesome family recreation is important in building successful families. I know that by creating traditions that bring us closer to God, we can strengthen family bonds, fortify commitment to religion, and teach important principles.

"Who must know the way to make a proper home,
A quiet home, a kosher home?
Who must raise the family and run the home,
So Papa's free to read the holy books?

The Mama, the Mama! Tradition!
The Mama, the Mama! Tradition!"

I've been singing the song about "TRADITION!" from Fiddler in the Roof in my head all day. That play is about a father of five daughters who vows to protects his family's ideals and traditions despite outside worldly influences. Oh, how I can relate to that.

I believe in family traditions. I love them. I need them.

And for me, one of my most prized, sweetest family memories of my childhood is our summer trips to Bear Lake. I often think about the time up there at the lake, and how happy I was to be with my family.

And so I couldn't be happier when after our most recent trip to Bear Lake over Labor Day weekend, when we were driving home I asked the kids their favorite vacation we'd ever been on. Joey said, "I think it might have been this one!" They love Bear Lake as much as I do.

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Here are some of our Bear Lake TRADITIONS:

Games--We often gather around the table to play games. This trip my dad taught Joey to play Chess. He's such a great grandpa.

Homemade rootbeer--my mom's specialty, and everyone's beverage of choice!


Time on the lake. Clean. Beautiful. Warm. Okay not warm, but still clean and beautiful.


Tubing--We were able to meet up with the Kopayghoras who were also up at Bear Lake for an afternoon.

Playing on the beach

The kids bury their dad every year. I always smile at this, because I remember burying my dad as a kid too.

Spending quality time together. This is my sanity. Life is so busy. I came home from this Bear Lake trip feeling completely rejuvinated!

Digging in the sand...

...while being constantly interrupted by Mom, petitioning for another picture!

Wakeboarding, waterskiing, wake surfing (our new discovery of this summer), and knee boarding

We always go get our picture taken up the canyon after church on Sunday.







Riding the four-wheelers

Reading a good book.



More late night games.

Hikes

Golf

And LOTS of food. Too much food. (Is there such a thing?) As a cooking sidenote: I made this peach cobbler on Sunday afternoon. I forgot to bring up a can up Sprite, a key ingredient in my opinion to give it a nice fluffy texture. So I poured a can of Black Cherry soda over the top before cooking. Pretty, and delicious.

None of us spend much time primping or bothering with hair up at the cabin. Brian was the exception to that this year.

*Have you been to Bear Lake?*
*What is your most memorable tradition/vacation from your childhood?*
*What traditions are you creating with your families now?*

8 comments:

donna said...

I think one of my favorite trip we took with our family, was the road trip from Washington to Arizona. We all talked to each other sang songs and ate road trip food! :)

Heather S. said...

Yay for Bear Lake! It was fun seeing you guys. Sorry we didn't get to spend more time up there. Forget the expensive trips/cruises/etc. Just have more trips to Bear Lake! And then we can see you more too.

Super Angie Супер Энджи said...

Great pics. Do you guys have a cabin up there? Where do you normally stay?

Never been to bear lake.

Most memorable tradition/vactation: tradition--going into down town Seattle after eating Thanksgiving dinner to get the first look at the store front windows before everyone else did. Cold nights but always special.
Vacation--camping on either Whidbey Island or San Juan Island.

Traditions we are doing now: going to Keystone, ice cream at maggie moos, dizzy lizzys for special occasions and family rock climbing outtings.

Photo Crazy! said...

Looks like so much fun! So much needed R&R&R (I added reconnection as well). I think you should have did the last pic really large!LOL Love the pics of the family. Tanner recognized Isabel from the pics. Love the update! I think I need to sneek along next time. he he he...

Nana Candy said...

Remember the monster movies? They were great. And what about the Island of Beautiful Women?

Wendi said...

Oh do I ever. Best movies ever.

Desiree said...

Fun memories!

Cara @ Gardenview Cottage said...

What a fun trip and such cute pictures! I love the one of you hiking in your cute shoes and necklace - and how do you make a cobbler with sprite? You may have to post that recipe♥