Great Grandmother

We picked up a passenger while we were in Montana.  Gary's mom spent 3 weeks with us in August.  She really enjoyed seeing all the kids/grandkids.  Boomer became her best friend over the course of the visit.  Unfortunately, she got tangled up with him when they were both headed the same direction into the kitchen and down she went.  A couple of fingers got sprained and we are glad it wasn't worse.  We had a 72nd birthday party at our house for her with a couple of her brothers and sister and their families.  I didn't manage to get a single picture!  There was also a fireworks show that somebody at Thanksgiving Point did so we enjoyed that one night on the back deck.  I did manage a couple pictures during the trip to the gardens.  It was a good visit. (8/2011)

Thanksgiving in the Summer

Georgetown Lake was the site for this years PGA (Pettet Gathering Association).  One of the things I really appreciated was that nobody had to drive on treacherous winter roads.  It was a beautiful spot with lots of trees on the shores of a large lake.  Rene and Anne (Dave & Tom) did a ton of work to make sure everyone was fed, busy and happy.



Several of us took jeeps (3), motorcycles (3), and ATV's (2) up past some old mining locations and ending at Racetown Lake.  Mark would have liked to go on for several more hours but I was mean and pushed for a return to camp in a timely manner to meet up with those who had gone hiking. 

Everyone enjoyed the dessert burrito demonstration by Tanner (in Spanish that's burrito!).  Our cousin Darla and her husband Martin visited on Thursday night.  As we struggled to make some sort of music come out of our harmonicas we discovered Martin could actually play the thing and had his own with him in his vehicle.  Who knew! 

On Friday there was a trip to the playhouse for a melodrama and the "Sweet Palace" for rows and rows of sweets in Philipsburg.

It was great as always to see everyone.  Thanks to those who made it happen.  (8/2-8/6/11)

July Parades - #2

In an effort to wipe out the first parade of the month we once again decided to sllep out on the street with several thousand strangers.  This time we kept to our tried and true 24th of July Parade in Salt Lake City (Days of '47 - a founders day sort of thing that is huge in Utah). 

Ahhh, much better.  The night before the parade the street fills up with classic cars of all sorts cruising up and down.  The kids play, the old folks play cards, we all sleep.  The street fills up early with marathon/half marathon and 5k runners.  Neither Jeff or Trystal ran this year, maybe next year?  Street vendors are everywhere.  (7/24/11)

Then the parade itself.  It moves right along and there are plenty of marching bands, floats, politicians,  horses, carriages and a good time for all.  I think we'll stick with the Days of '47 Parade--don't forget!

July Parades

I can't explain why we thought it would be a good idea to go to the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo.  When we first moved here it was so exciting to get up while it was still dark, wrap up the breakfast burro's and head for Provo to see the balloons take off in the early morning light.  Great memory.

Last year we tried to share the experience with the grandkids.  Alas, strong winds made the morning less than spectacular and grounded all but a couple balloons.  So, not discouraged, we set out to make a day of it this year.  The bright idea was to sleep out with everyone for the parade and make the quick trip from the parade route to the balloons first thing in the morning.  The night was pretty good, considering we were sleeping with several thousand strangers along the street.  However, once again, the balloons were stymied by the winds.  Oh, well, back to the parade.  

Then, when it was too late, the memory of how really not enjoyable this particular parade is.  The one highlight for the kids ws the Star Wars float which included a bunch of storm troopers walking in front.  I'm not sure we even get points for effort on this one.  (7/4/11)

MoMo is 6

Miss Marti lost her front tooth just in time for her 6th birthday.  She is getting so big and is so much fun.  We went to the Discovery Garden where she got soaked around the ark.  Grandma should have been thinking and had her wear her swim suit!  A local theater group was doing Cinderella (Roger & Hammerstein) so we went to that.  Marti should feel pretty special because Grandpa doesn't go to a play, especially a musical, just for anyone.  It was a good production.  The staging and special effects were especially good.  Marti reminded me of her mother when she wanted to meet Cinderella afterward but didn't really want to approach her. [Flashback--Tawnia  meeting Reba and not being able to say a word]. (7/2011)

Navy Buddies

We met an old navy buddy in southern Utah and spent a couple days going to Bryce and Zions.  It was so much fun!  At Bryce they had some people with solar telescopes so we got to see the sun; up close.  Very cool (or should I say very Hot)!  (6/30-7/2/11)

The Boys

"The boys" spent a night with us so we took the opportunity to go to the gardens.  They loved the fish and the waterfalls.  We managed to get a few good pictures--a rare occurance.  (6/11/11)