July (a busy, fun month)

For the 4th of July we always do our own fireworks in the street in front of our house. Logan has a tradition of running to the end of the street with sparklers at the end of our festivities. When he first started, it was hard to get to the end without the sparklers burning out. Now he can get there easily. Easton and Lauren were a little nervous with the neighbors doing the "now legal" fireworks that shoot up in the air. Lauren was convinced our tree was going to catch on fire. We put Easton to bed before we finished, he was just too tired and grumpy.

David's sister came to town with her family in July and we loved playing with them. Their kids are similar in age to our kids, and it's always fun to get together. While they were here Logan and Lauren got to go sleep over with them at David's other sister's house, and they all had a great time. We went and hiked up to Timpanogas Cave together.

Hiking Cousins

Easton was quite the little hiker. He would stop every time there was a bench to get a drink, but he never sat on the bench. He just took a drink and went on.

Then we took a family vacation. On a Monday we drove to Grand Junction, CO.

Easton

We had dipped cones at the Tastee Freeze, and swam in the hotel pool. The next morning we went and saw the Colorado National Monument, which was perfect for us. It's about 1/2 hour drive through the park, and we stopped for a few lookouts, a small walk, then the visitors center and a small hike.

Then we got on the road and drove to Littleton, to visit my sister and family. For the last hour of our drive we had a huge lightning show.

Then, right as we were getting off the freeway there was a torrential downpour. There was lightning so close I couldn't even count to 1 between the flash and the thunder. We finally got to Suzanne's and had a lovely visit.

Rozanne & Suzanne in a Tiny Town house

Lauren & Easton riding the Tiny Town Train (they're in the first green car)

Lauren, Jessica & Easton in the Tiny Town windmill house

One of the kids' favorite things at Suzanne's house was catching this squirrel and setting it free

On Thursday we drove to Breckenridge for my family reunion. My dad, brothers, sisters and our spouses and most of our kids were there. We had a great time visiting and eating and playing games at the house. We went to a resort and did an alpine coaster, bungee trampoline, pony rides, a maze, panning for jewels, the alpine slide, and we visited the first aid trailer. Twice.

Sarah & Logan after riding the Alpine Coaster

Liz and my dad on the coaster

Richard & Easton on the Alpine Slide

When I took this picture I thought Easton was laughing, turns out he was crying after their little wipeout coming down the slide.

The next day Logan and Lauren went with aunts, an uncle and cousins to a few museums in Breckenridge while David & I took Easton shopping and cleaned up his owies. Then we all met up and went to a gold/silver mine.

Jessica, Lauren, Logan & Derek dressed as Breckenridge settlers

Our family in the mine

Panning for gold

Sarah & Lauren with the flowers they found

My dad with his 5 kids and their spouses

The cousins having fun in the middle of the night

As always, we had a great time and we are looking forward to next year's reunion in Idaho!

Richard and family came to stay the night when we got home, our kids love to play with their kids. Logan is so nice to them, way nicer than he is to his own little siblings.

Luke & Logan

Then on the 25th we went to our city's 24th of July celebration.

One guy let Easton get in his car at the car show . . . lucky duck

Two of David's sisters and families met us there and we watched the excellent fireworks . . . in the rain.

A few days later Logan left for his first Youth Conference, and Elizabeth, Del and Kelly came, followed by my dad and Liz. It was fun to have everyone stay and enjoy the new bathroom! Nobody had to trek up the stairs in the middle of the night. And, luckily, nobody broke the shower door. On Friday, it was Lauren's birthday. We had monkey bread for breakfast (Lauren's choice), then she opened presents and we played. Del (thank you, thank you, thank you) drove up to pick up Logan from Youth Conference, and made it back in time to go to Arctic Circle (Lauren's choice) for lunch. Kim and the kids also met us there, and we ate and played. That night we had Lauren's baptism. She was beautiful and happy and it was a really nice evening.

After the baptism we had a family dinner in the cultural hall and had a pony cake (thanks Elizabeth) and ice cream. Logan went back up to Youth Conference thanks to a ride from the bishop. After we got home and got Easton into bed, we let Lauren stay up and watch "Tangled". She really had a great day. The next morning Elizabeth & family left early to drive home. My dad and Liz were here until the afternoon, so they took Lauren to Red Butte Gardens before they left. She had a great time, and always appreciates the one (two) on one attention. They left and Logan came home, and the next day we had his birthday! He got an R2 D2 cake and I think it turned out cute, if I do say so myself.

That night we went to David's brother's new house and so did David's parents and some more of his family. We got to sit on the back patio and visit and watch lightning. Again.

Then . . . phew . . . July was over.