~Water Slide Party and Search for Jared~

Our sweet stake president has the funnest yard! Every year he has a big BBQ/waterslide party for the stake high councilmen and their families. Our kids had been looking forward to this party for weeks. The afternoon of the party, I got a call from Dave to say that he wasn't going to be able to make it to the party, but that he still wanted me to go with the kids. He had just gotten news that our cousin, Jared, was missing up in the Uintah's. He and his brothers, uncles, cousins, and grandpa were heading up to go search for him. I really felt guilty going to a party and having fun while Jared was lost up in the mountains.

Lexi playing on the splash pad.

Hunter didn't eat anything the entire night. He was to busy going down the waterslide :)

While we were playing in the water, Dave and his family were searching the mountains. They ended up forming a search group with family members and searched all throughout the night. It was cold and dark but they kept going. All they could think about was that Jared was out there and they needed to keep looking for him. And they were also determined to finish the grid the sheriff gave them to look over. It was a scary, long night, but Jared was found first thing in the morning. He used his scouting skills to make him a lean-to for shelter through the night, and he also covered himself with dirt to keep himself warm. What a smart kid!!!! We are so glad this situation ended happy. Jared is one tough kid and we are proud to call him family!
Jared and Hunter. Hunter really wanted to go and help Dave look for Jared, and was a little bummed that we didn't let him. After hearing Dave's story about their all nighter, I'm glad we didn't have him go.