Fishlake 2011

Summer vacation wouldn't be summer vacation without our annual trip to Utah and our family reunion at Fish Lake.  Kelsey looks forward to this more than anything throughout the entire year!  She is most excited about sleeping in the cabin, fishing for perch, and roasting smores.  This years reunion included the extended Parkinson family and it was a joy to visit with so many family members that we rarely get to see.  It was great to have Bob and Sharon from Texas, Jay, Louise, Kim, and Nina from California, and many members of the Bob and Judy Parkinson family in attendance.  The weather was less than cooperative this year for fishing with the wind and white caps acting up most of the day.  Despite the naughty weather, Kelsey did get up early for the first time and joined her cousins Lindsey, Brenden, and Chandler for trout fishing.  Spencer got out on the boat once, but due to wind, was not successful at catching a fish.  He did however manage to learn to cast his line a good distance and learned to reel it back in.  He was plenty happy to practice this around the cabin, off the deck, and in the bushes and rocks.  We spent a lot of time in the cabin this year and the kids had some great games of BINGO with grandpa Del.  Kelsey and Lindsey along with the Chapa cousins made bead bracelets for hours and hours (that was a genius of an idea, thanks grandma Linda).   The other highlight of the Fish Lake trip was hunting for chipmunks with Nina, I think Kelsey could have easily been entertained for days with this one.  Overall a disappointing fishing trip, but a wonderful time visiting and catching up with family members. 

A very special day was had on Tuesday for Chandler (our nephew) as he chose to be baptized in Fish Lake.  Wow, if you are at all familiar with Fish Lake, you know this is kind of a crazy idea!  Fish Lake is one of the coldest lakes around and the excitement and anticipation leading up to this great event was priceless.  A short baptism service was held in the lodge and then he was dunked by Scott (Brian's brother) followed by a return trip to the lodge where he was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  We were proud of him and we know that he will remember this experience for the rest of his life.  We felt privileged to be in attendance and know that we are blessed to belong to a church that has the fullness of the gospel restored in these the latter days.