South Fork Park

One of our other family traditions for the fourth is to take a family picnic in the canyon at South Fork park.  This year we had to change the plans for it a few times due to rainy weather, but the day we finally went the weather was perfect.

Camryn, Chloe, Abby, Gracie

 Chloe

 Abby

 This park is one of our favorites because a creek runs through it and there is a nice shallow place for the kids to play in.  It was Abby's first time playing in a creek and she loved it.  I couldn't get her out of it- despite the freezing temperature. Chloe loved it too and they had fun floating their boats down the stream.

Eating dinner

 Ethan and Abby

 Emma, Jackie, Abby, Ethan, Elissa

 Owen and Chloe

 Me and Aaron

 We ended the night with a pinata and everyone had their pockets full of goodies by the time we knocked it down. Everyone had a great time and we were all bummed when it got dark and we had to head home. 

 Go get it!!!

 

4th of July

This fourth of July was probably one of the most enjoyable ones we have had in years.  As per tradition, all of Aaron's family came into town for the week of the fourth and so the week was full of family events.  

We started the fourth off by going to the parade in Provo with all of the girls' cousins. We set up a shade tent this year and it made the parade so much more pleasant because we weren't all baking in the sun.  We even got clever this year and brought our own candy to throw to the kids since they don't throw much anymore at the parade. The kids loved it!

All  the cousins

 Go BYU!

 Daddy and Abby

 My sweet girls

 After the parade, we headed to the Searles for the rest of the day. Usually we have tons of games, activities, crafts, decorations, etc and it is so much work!  This year, we got smart and cut majority of that stuff out and we were able to just enjoy the day hanging out with family.  

 Maddie, Ashley, Chloe and Gracie

 All the cousins... well most of them =)

 Showing off their look from the "bomb hunt"

 Paula, Heather, Robin, Alison, Me, Barbara Ann

 Matt, Bob, Mike, Aaron, Travis

 Abby and Conner playing with the ice

 We ended the day with our own little firework show and then put our exhausted kids in the car and headed home. I don't think Chloe woke up until 10:30 the next morning!

Bell Tower Concert

A few weeks ago, I met up with some of my family at the BYU bell towers for a bell concert.  It was fun just to just have an excuse to hang out with family and it was a bonus that there was some music in the background.  Chloe was playing the waterfalls and stream and by the end of the night was wet from the waist down. Abby enjoyed just trying on her sunglasses and playing with her cousin Kiara. 

Then after the concert, we headed over to the creamery for some delicious BYU creamery ice cream. (Aaron was out doing visits for Elders Quorum so he wasn't able to join us.)

Chloe and Grandma

 Chloe and Great Grandpa

 Chloe and Great Grandma 

 Me and Amber

Abby

Adult Slip-n-Slide...Our Kind of Fun!

A couple weeks back, Aaron and his counselors planned an Elder's Quorum activity that featured, among other things, an adult-sized slip-n-slide. It was so much fun, but also a little intimidating at first. I mean, it has been along time since I have run full speed and jumped onto a slip-n-slide. To help make it more slippery, we poured tons of dish soap all over it. This also made it more fun for the kids to play on...and got them squeaky clean at the same time. All the guys had a competition to see who could make it the farthest. Aaron made it to the end of the 100 foot slide and even went off of it a few times!

In addition to the slip-n-slide (and BBQ, of course), there were four wheeler rides, pony rides and paddle boats! It was an awesome activity and everyone had a great time. A special thanks to the Hutchings for letting us use their property.