Drive Up Payson Canyon
For the 4th of July we decided to have a BBQ with Grandma and Grandpa.
After lunch we decided to go up the canyon for a hike.
We never made it on the hike but we had a really nice drive!
I was amazed how beautiful an area could be even after fire...in fact because of the fire!
4th of July Fireworks
We finished the night off at the Starr's house for pizza and fireworks.
Things have been really weird this year. No city fireworks and no parades.
It's just been very odd all around. I've missed celebrating!
Silver Lake Flat Picnic
To finish off the holiday weekend we enjoyed some time up at Silver Lake Flat.
Sunday we drove up there for a picnic and enjoyed the beautiful scenery!
Such a beautiful area!
Diamond Fork Camping
After all the craziness of life we started searching for a campsite so we could get away. We were finally able to find one at Diamond Fork but we had to schedule it out a few weeks. When it was finally time to go camping we were so grateful for the break! Marshal was so excited he packed his bags a few days ahead of time. We really enjoyed exploring the area.
The trip was much needed and yielded some beautiful sights!
Marshal really enjoyed the fire and the smores!
The kids had such a blast playing in the river. I enjoyed some lounging in the sun until it got just a little too hot for enjoyment.
We had quite the critter adventures.
Top Left & Bottom Right: We found a bat napping from the roof of the restrooms. It was interesting to watch. Top Left Middle: As we were getting ready to load up the Midgley trailer Kent found that the door was covered with these Elm Seed Bugs. I had never seen these before. Eek! Top Right Middle & Bottom Left Middle: One of the boys was startled by this beatle. Kent thought he had killed it but it kept coming back. Cort became intrigued by it...in fact I think it was Cort that it startled to being with. ha ha ha Top Right: The infamous cattle guard that a cow jumped over and ran after the YW and I at girls camp a few years back. Bottom Left: Look closely and you will see a rabbit in that grass. Bottom Right Middle: We had the most interesting trail of any come marching through our campground. I had never seen ants march quite like that before. It was fascinating!
The boys enjoying a lot of mud and river time!
More of the beautiful area!
I sure do love these guys!
Pioneer Day Fun
This is the Place Heritage Park
With scares of covid we didn't dare go anywhere south for the 24th of July so we decided to have a staycation. We loved exploring the This is the Place Heritage Park and learned all kinds of things about the pioneers...including that our mask was much more comfortable their the ones back in their time. We also learned about the many children who died along the trail to Salt Lake City. We learned how to pan for gold and the kids enjoyed that.
More fun at the park!
Guess time out was pretty severe back then. lol But seriously it was funny!
I thought this medicine wheel was very interesting.
Salt Lake City Cemetery
While we were in Salt Lake we decided to visit some of our pioneer ancestors.
We found relatives from the Kesler side of the family...
...as well as the Gibson side.
Then we had a fun hunt finding the graves of the prophets.
We even found some other notable people as well as what looked like some vultures.
Yikes!
Life in July
Ozzie and Ashley moved out of their house and we were certainly sad to see them go! They've been very good neighbors to us! Marshal took one last spin down the driveway on his wagon. Funny boy!
Top Left: Braxton showing off his chipmunk look. Top Left Middle: You know when the bag looks like this that Marshal was the one who opened it. Top Right Middle: Marshal pausing his wagon surfing for a photo op! Top Right: We could not find the ice cream maker. It just disappeared. I was happy when I found it hiding behind the camping supplies! Bottom Left: Marshal enjoyed the smores while camping SO much that has begged us to make them at home. Bottom Left Middle & Bottom Right: We have loved going Kayaking this summer at Bountiful Lake and we were enjoying the birds this time.
Middle: Cricket climbing out from his rock looked like an awesome turtle with it's shell.
Top Left: Getting closer to finishing the shower in Braxton's bathroom.Top Right: The new gray that 2020 has given me. 😊 Bottom Left: Getting excited as we finish up Braxton's shower. Bottom Right: The completion of Braxton's shower insert.
Top Left: A wasp decided I was too close to its home when I was weeding the front flower bed. Bottom Left: One of the wasps nests. Right: The other awful wasp nest. Yikes!
As we were canning jam we got a text from Ozzie and Ashley asking what was on fire in the neighborhood. When we saw how close it was behind White's house it was pretty scary. As we found out that it was an airplane out of airport 2 we were very saddened. A home was burned down and others were damaged. Multiple lives were lost. Very sad circumstances so close to home.
We've got a pretty good system down for chores. The boys do their chores for Robison dollars which they can redeem for a prize (or more) of their choice. I didn't think this worked the last time we did it but since Cort requested it I decided we would do it again.
Lot's of things have been taken away because of Covid. I was really grateful when I found out that our kids would be able to have lunch in the cafeteria and recess outside.
I've been reading the journal of Emma Seraphine West (Smith). When I got to the part in her journal where they killed the pig it just gave me a good chuckle!
I had to tell Uncle Brian about his mature age. lol
Beautiful July
"Then followed that beautiful season...Summer...Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
