We started out the summer with the Nestle 5k in June. As we pulled into the parking lot Timmy lost his cookies (or banana, juice box, and granola bar) so I cleaned him and the van up and sat this race out. I am so proud of our two older boys. Noah ran and walked the whole thing. Benjamin got a few rides, but did the majority of the race-- great for someone just out of Kindergarten. Here they are entering the track for the last part, and at the finish line. Timmy won a stand mixer, even though he wasn’t in racing form. Here he is during the drawing.
Mark and his brother Brent took the boys to the air show at Hill AFB the next day. I stayed home with Timmy to make sure he was feeling better. Ben and Noah thought it was great. They got to sit in a plane cockpit, see all the planes do cool tricks, and got little model airplanes to play with. They weather was rainy and cold so that helped keep some of the crowds away.
We built (or shall I say assembled) a shed to get some of the stuff off the bottom patio. The kids helped with the assembly. Not one minute after we finished it started pouring. Good timing!
Mid June we hiked up waterfall canyon. Ben and Noah did great, despite Ben’s poor choice in shoes. Apparently he didn’t hear Mark or me any of the many times we told him to get his shoes, so he arrived in sandals. It was a good hike, and they were troopers the whole way. Timmy was good too. It’s always good when Dad gives you a ride.
I finally got a haircut.
Founders Day was great here in PV. The kids attended the parade with Grandma S. and Dad. Then that night we had the friends and family over for fireworks. For those who haven’t been here for Founders Day or the 4th of July, they shoot the fireworks off from the high school, just on the other side of 500 W. We have a fantastic view. Here are our kids and the Messerly kids doing sparklers before the big show.
We went to the Stuart’s cabin over the night before the 4th (I guess that would be the third, wouldn’t it). The boys had fun shooting our nephews bow and arrows. We also rode the 4-wheeler and hiked to the old bus. The boys thought it was great.
We returned on the 4th of July just in time to host for fireworks. We had root beer floats while we watched the show with friends and family.
We took a staycation in Logan for our trip this year. We got a room at the Crystal Inn and used it as our home base for lots of fun. The first day we had lunch at the Coppermill, and then headed over to Willow Park Zoo. The water was out in the hotel, so we took the kids on a walking tour of USU’s campus. Look at our cute junior Aggies! That night the water was on, but there was no warm water. The boys were tougher than me as they showered in the polar shower. The next morning we headed up to Bear Lake for the day. We stopped at the overlook and my favorite quote from the whole trip came from Noah. As we were staring at the HUGE, aqua lake before us he says, “I don’t see no stinkin’ lake.” I laughed so hard I almost fell down. He felt silly when he shifted his vision up and saw the “stinkin’ lake.” Here they are after Noah’s enlightenment. We toured Minnetonka cave before lunch, and can say that we don’t need to ever do that again. They tend to drag the thing out--the 45 minutes to walk in was crazy, considering it only took us 10 minutes to walk out. After that we had some lunch and hit the beach. Swimming was fun, and we could have had more of that. The next day it was time to head home, but on the way we decided to go to Porcupine Reservoir. We can see it from Scare Canyon (where the Stuart’s cabin is) but we’ve never been there. It was fun. We found a little beach, had some lunch and blew up the boat. We paddled around, the kids splashed and played, and then headed home around naptime. Overall it was fun, and even though it wasn’t far away, it was new to our kids.
For July 24th we went to Ogden for the parade. Then we headed home for some brauts and gift opening--Brent and Gary joined us. That evening we went to the Layton to see the Riders in the Sky at the ampletheater with Grandma and Grandpa Thomson. Noah got to sing with them on stage. Not many kids can say they shared the stage with some crazy cowboy singers on their birthday. I can’t believe he’s eight, but I should. He is exactly one foot shorter than me. Before long I’ll be looking up to him.
On July 25th we were excited to join Matt and Michelle Eberle at the Ogden temple where they were sealed together and to sweet little Daxton. What a fantastic day!
August 1st was a great day as well--Noah was baptized. I am so proud of him for taking such a big step. Here he is with Mark in their white duds. After the baptism he changed and came out in his new suit and tie. It took my breath away, he looked so handsome and grown up. Mark and all the priesthood holders confirmed him and gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost. We had a party afterward at the house. About 50 friends and family came over for dinner, croquet and good company.
This year we had our first good crop of corn. Here’s Mark cheesing with the first sampling. Yum!
At the end of August we took the boys camping in the Uintahs before school started. I haven’t been there in a long time. But being there made me feel like I was home. I felt as if a part of me that has been missing for a long time was found. That sounds cheesy, but I love the Uintahs. I decided if I didn’t already have a plot to bury my old body in (Christmas gift last year. No really, I’m not kidding.), I would want my ashes spread there. We camped at Moose-horn Lake, and had a great campsite, with a fabulous view of the lake and Mt. Baldy. The boys were so helpful and well-behaved; it made me wish we had gone camping more this summer. But at the very least, I will not hesitate to go next year. It was rather cold the first night, as a cold front had come in, but we were prepared and the boys stayed warm all night. The next morning we set off to conquer Mt. Baldy. It wasn’t easy, but those little troopers of ours made it all the way to the top. Ben wanted to quit part way up but he kept going and learned the benefit of not giving up even when it’s hard. The view was incredible, and we even got to see a goat on the way down. Not to mention Ben’s favorite find: a stick shaped just like a gun. What more could a boy want? At night the boys, especially Noah, loved looking at all the stars. That, plus the smores made the evenings about perfect.
Our nephew David married Shalee in August. Another fantastic day! Another nephew, Blake stopped in for a week between S. Korea, and his new assignment in California. We got to spend some time with him and meet his new bride, Ikbihn.
All in all it was a wonderful summer. But really, why does it have to go so quickly? My boys are already wishing for Christmas. I keep telling them to enjoy fall.
