Bear Lake with the Jacksons

This past Labor Day, we once again tested our friendship with the Jacksons (1st test was my trip to NYC with Molly) and we passed!  We took a little overnight trip to Bear Lake to hang out at the "beach," play games past bedtime, and sample Bear Lake's famous raspberry shakes.  The kids had a blast, and it was a nice little break from the norm.  It took us about three hours, some thunderstorms and a near-accident to get there, but when we arrived, Molly's friends, Dan and Darcy, who offered us their time-share were just leaving.  They couldn't stay the entire week, so the condo would've just sat unoccupied had we not come!  Score.  

Bear Lake totally reminds me of the east coast.  Maybe it was the fact that it was pretty cloudy (and the east coast is overcast 99% of the time) or maybe it was the boardwalk...

This is the last known sighting of the soccer ball.  

Although I had a fantastic time with my cute family and our friends, I think Bear Lake is a little overrated.  It's one of those places where I think, "Why do I leave Park City?  It's so much better than everywhere else!"  The answer to that is "because you live in Park City full-time and need to get away from the daily grind once in awhile."  Bear Lake is just a little...bleak.  And I'm only saying this in case you were thinking of taking a vacation.

These guys didn't seem to mind!  

Well, Aiden had a thought or two about the wind.  Not a fan.

Now those are good friends.  They're like a couple of penguins trying to keep each other warm!

The number of pictures with tongues stuck out exceeded the proportion of shots I chose to post.  It was high.

That's more like it.

I can't get over how tiny Zoe is!  Aiden could eat her for lunch, yet he is terrified of her.  Look in the mirror, child!  

We didn't spot Isabella on this trip, the Bear Lake Monster.  

We saw this weird thing happening on the way to the car.  I still don't know what is going on here.  Is it shedding skin?  Being eaten?  

The temperature wasn't the only thing falling at the end of the day...

We ate at La Beau's Too for dinner that night and followed up dinner with some rich, sugary shakes.  Look at these pictures; it almost looks like they like each other!  

Mr. Vic told the boys some magical bedtime stories to wind them down.  They got to share a bed, but by the morning, Liam bailed to sleep on the couch because I'm pretty sure Peter's feet were up Liam's nose.  

We didn't get much sleep that night.  Aiden decided he likes Park City better as well.  I just wish he had chosen a time other than 3am to tell us.  

I'm married to this man...  

And this one, thankfully.

Good times with good friends.  Thanks for the invite, Jacksons!  The real test of friendship was yet to come...Two families.  Nine days.  The Charles house.  Stay tuned to see if we're still talking...