We drove out to Helper to check out trailers. They had one model which we thought we really wanted, but that had already been sold and another model that Derek really wanted me to check out but I didn't think I was interested in. We looked through the already sold model and then looked at the model Derek really wanted me to see with a couch/bunk set up and long slide out. Turns out, we both really liked that model even better than the one we thought we wanted. Of course the trailer salesman had to also show us a super nice, slightly bigger, slightly more expensive model which may have resulted in a slight argument at the trailer lot until Derek again convinced me that we really wanted a smaller easier to tow model. So, we put a down payment down and then returned to Helper a few days later to pick it up.
It proved quite the feat to get home. Just as we were leaving Helper all hooked up to our Expedition to tow our new trailer home. We had driven about 4 miles outside Helper, when our transmission in our car completely quit. Derek was pushing the pedal all the way to the floor and car was not responding at all. Luckily, we were at that point right night to a pull on on a curvy canyon rode. So we pulled off and Derek walked back outside the canyon to cell service to call Uncle Jon. I'm so glad we stopped right there close to the entrance of the canyon and cell service instead of several miles in away from cell serve. Uncle Jon just happened to be at the mouth of that same canyon on the other side about to pick up his boat from the place he had been storing it over the winter. He instead of picking up his boat gladly came to get us instead. Derek also called a tow truck which was luckily not too expensive since we were not too far from Payson and a Ford Dealership. Our car spent 6 weeks in Payson working with the warranty company to get our transmission repaired (but we were so glad that it was under warranty so we can't complain too much); however, that did not stop us from going on the inaugural campout we had planned for that evening up Hobble Creek Canyon at Balsam campground! We came home, quickly packed for the campout, and packed up the trailer, got all the food and headed up the canyon with the trailer being towed by Derek's truck instead.
The campout was super fun. Jon, Chase and Karlee and Tanner all joined us. Camden insisted on bringing his ukulele to play songs for people at the campsite. The food consisted of hamburgers and hot dogs the first night, Jon's famous Mountain Man breakfast, dutch oven lasagna, one of Derek's peach cobblers, and breakfast burritos.
The boys brought their bikes and had so much fun riding them around the paved campground road and through our campsite. One day we took them down to the mouth of Hobble Creek Canyon and rode up the canyon on the paved bike trails which was also fun.
Camden at one point had one of his extreme temper tantrums and decided to put himself in one of his self appointed time outs to cool off.
There was lots of horseshoe playing.
We also did a quick hike on Sunday morning from the campground before we headed back home. It was a quick 2 night campout, but such a great way to break in the trailer. Unfortunately, I left my cell phone on the back of the truck and drove off without realizing which resulted in a completely smashed up, no longer useable cell phone. So that prompting new cell phone purchases. I'm super glad we didn't let the events of that Friday morning trying to get the trailer home from Helper get in the way of our fun weekend! And looking back even though it was a difficult situation, I can see plenty of ways that Heavenly Father blessed us to make that situation run as smoothly as could be.
Liv ended up having a callback audition that weekend, so she and I decided to stay home. Both boys had to ride for most of the drive without any electronics as punishment for the fence. Babi and Papou decided to join in on the Bryce Canyon weekend too, but stayed at the hotel close by. 
I got a call that morning from Derek asking what to do about a Carter who was okay but fell hand first into the fire right on a coal and burned his hand pretty good. The got some medicine in him and bandaged it up and then he was able to go on a pretty awesome hike with the group. 
Steph did a Shepherd’s Pie in a dutch oven and it seemed to hit the spot for everyone. We had a great time around the fire and enjoyed Derek’s cobbler. Then, the next day, we got to see some gorgeous views at Rainbow Point and did two great hikes. 
We really enjoyed playing in the water and under the waterfall of the Mossy Cave hike. 
