Pioneering

July 21-24:

Ally and her family came and stayed with her brother in law in Lehi for a few days which meant we got to hang out with her family.    On the top of Ally's (I live outside of Utah but adore LDS boutique clothing) to do in Utah list was to stop by City Creek and shop a brand new store based out of Logan called Roolee.  We soon realized that 6 kids and shopping is far from ideal so I ended up at the fountains while Ally had some quiet alone shopping time. 

Meanwhile up in Bountiful,  I signed Aaron up for a Lego camp with Phin and Suzanne was nice enough to host Aaron for the couple of days.  He loved all the extra attention and apparently all you can eat Watermelon that came with his stay with the Robertson.  It also looked like he and Phin had a blast building at the lego camp.

Later that day we met up with Suzanne at the Expo Center where the Days of "47 parade floats were on display.  The kids were willing to stand in super long lines for face painting and balloon creations so Suzanne and I didn't fight it.

On the 24th we went with Ally's family to This is the Place State park.     The perfect place to be on the day set aside here in Utah to remember our pioneer heritage.   Highlight of the day was the watermelon eating contest.  Aaron feeling so confident after so much practice eating watermelon at Suzanne's house stepped up to the plate and pounded his wedge of watermelon so fast he won in the 0-6 age category (he also may have had a height and weight advantage but he legit is 6). 

Happy 70th

July 27:


My sisters and I threw my mom a 70th birthday party.      It turned out great.  The weather was a perfect 80 degrees at the Teasdale Park and so many of her friends from all over came for the occasion.    We had the band Rough Around the Edges who my mom plays with entertain us.  We served Taco salads and fruit.  I made a big buttercream frosting birthday cake as well as 5 other different bunt cakes.  My sister made a video and the kids had fun together playing on the playground and the adults enjoyed time catching up. 

My mom with her childhood friends Lila and Flora Bell

My mom's childhood friend       gave my mom a nice letter with a few pictures from their childhood.   In the letter she wrote that she often shares this story about my mom.  When she was in her early teenage years she got a moped sort of motorbike and would come and pick up my mom and go for rides.  One day she and my mom were on a ride heading up a hill and she got a feeling to turn back but was too embarrassed to say anything to my mom so she continued up the hill.  Soon after my mom tapped her on the shoulder and said "I don't feel good about going up and over this hill maybe you should turn back".  In that moment my mom's friend knew the Holy Ghost was speaking to them and she has always be so thankful my mom had the courage to speak up.      I've always admired my mom for always having the courage to speak up, befriend everyone around her and make others feel more confident just by being in her presence. 

After the party we met up at the Bingo (my dad's ranch at the entrance of Capitol Reef) and took family pictures.  How lucky we were the rains came down right in between my mom's party and the photo shoot.    The air was crisp and clean and the greenery on the ground was fresh from the rain.

  

To end the night my mom gave each of us girls a hand painted picture of the Bingo.  Every June the Entrada sponsors "Art in the Park" and artists all over come for a week and paint the beautiful scenery surrounding Capitol Reef.  At the end of the week their work is auctioned off.   Many of them over the years often choose my dads Ranch to paint and my mom has bid on a few pieces here and honored us each with a painting.   Mine fits in perfect with my house.  I love it!!!

  

While moms away the children play

July 29-Aug 1:


Ally and Raquel stayed at my mom's house the week after the party and was kind enough to take Jane, Aaron and Spencer for the time I was at girls camp.    They had a blast with the cousins.  Raquel told me Jane was so helpful and took care of all of Spencer's needs including packing his swimming suit, towel and her stuff when they went swimming and up to Palisades Park.    I heard that Spencer and Clara became fast friends and spent hours on a log at Palisades Park instead of playing in the water.  They all went to the Lion King movie and had lots of time playing outside and taking rides on the 4 wheeler and Cam am.