Just before school let out for the summer we split the family and headed to the States for the summer.
Amber and the younger boys flew first. Finding our assigned seats were separated we asked to be placed closer together, putting us on the very last row near the flight attendants, who pampered us well. As we were the last to get off of the plane, another flight attendant insisted that we wanted to see the cockpit. She banged on the door until they let us in. Boys loved playing pilot. We sent Lane the picture, he was impressed and asked why it looked so real??!
Once the whole family was back together again, the first thing we did was send the boys to various camps. Guy and Duncan went to Timberline and loved every second, even the faked crisis of multiple injuries which ended up sending one boy into real shock. Although intense they were glad to experience the challenge.
Grahm soccer camp. He is wearing a black shirt in the middle. He won the black shirt for his awesome skills.
Small town opportunities around every corner. Children's Day on the Heber Creeper. Popcorn, mustaches, pictures, themes on every car and a ride out and back.
While Granny's was open we had to take advantage! Look at the shakes, they don't let a little thing like the top of the cup stop them! No siree!!
Utah fish free day!! All the cousins got in on the fun.
Only one caught a fish, although, everyone took a picture with it. 😀
This is how the cousins play.
This is how the adults play. "He is still alive, right?"
My boys were so happy to play with dogs!
Next, dropping my son and nephew off at EFY (Especially For Youth). Can this be?!
Part of our daily view, Mt. Timpanogos. Boy do we love this site!
We took full advantage of being State side, including more of our favorite activities. Number 1 on the list, Geocaching! Lane made sure to find at least one e.v.e.r.y. single day we were State side. Anyone who would join in was invited. New records were set, places never seen before were discovered, obscure facts were learned, pictures were taken, snow was played in, elements were battled, wounds were received and one bee sting made these adventures complete.
;.
This is one of our favorite finds.
An old family rule was, once you turned 10 you could start golfing with dad. Well. . .two boys have now passed that mile stone and they finally got to cash in.
Another fabulous small town festivity. Although Drake looks upset, he isn't.
Another item on our list, Merit Badges. Guy completed 3 and Duncan 5. We tried for a few more but no luck finding counselors. Also hit a couple of Scout Stores for random supplies. Not a bad way to spend a summer.
Next on the list Temples!!!!! The first one was Payson Temple to witness my brother and his wife be sealed!!!
We went as often as we could, especially so the boys could go.
Provo Temple
As my parents work in this temple we visited more than once.
Provo City Center Temple
Mt. Timpanogos Temple
Provo Temple
Payson Temple
Salt Lake City Temple
This is the temple Lane and I were Sealed for time and all eternity.
We spent this day in SLC geocaching, visiting Temple Square, Utah Natural History Museum (for Merit Badges) and showing the boys our old stomping grounds.
Pioneer cabin in front, Tabernacle in the middle and the Temple behind, all built by the pioneers. My favorite fact about the Tabernacle is they built it without nails.
The blue building in the back, top left corner is where we lived when Duncan was born.
Can you guess? You got it, Natural History Museum!
Duncan worked on finishing up his hiking MB. And what do you know, there was a geocache or two along the way.
One of my personal favorite traditions is to watch a play at Hale Center Theater. A mom and pop start up theater, where back in the day, tickets were $7 and you could show up for a play the night of. . . now they are so popular that is no longer the case. We watched "Freaky Friday" at their new Draper location. Our theater was not in the round, which was a slight bummer as I wanted the boys to see how that worked. I have seen some amazing talent and special effects throughout the years, a pond in the middle of the room deep enough for a raft to float, and for only part of the time, the rest of the time it was a normal floor. Rain, a styling salon where they did a lady's hair from shampoo to fully styled through the scenes of the play. Circular moving floors, sometimes in different directions. Just a few of my favorites.
More hikes around the area. We enjoyed clean fresh air and mountains!
We also enjoyed Root Beer!!!
Off to visit the Christensens who had more dogs for the boys to love!
Pow Wow season was upon us.
This gentleman is legit. He took everything seriously, from his dancing to each item of his costume. If you notice, the picture above is full of color (specifically non traditional colors) and fake feathers, the man below is all about leather and real feathers. Yes, I know, different tribes had different colors, but none of them used neon anything!
After watching people walk by carrying food, and the guy next to us kindly showing us exactly what it was. . . double cheese burger in fry bread. . . we were off for some of our own. They use to do Navajo Tacos (or Ute Tacos if your from this area) with this bread, but it too has been modernized. 😀
Double Rainbow and able to see all the ends!! How cool. You may need to adjust your screen to see the second bigger rainbow.
Grandma and Grandpa Christensen took us to Nine Mile Canyon to check out petroglyphs.
And play in the water.
Lane and I took the boys to one of our favorite High School lunch spots, Round Robin. Great hamburger joint, owned by a family who open when they want and will randomly close when they see fit. You never know if they will be open when visiting. If they are open, we go! Almost every time we run into an old face.
Vernal is just down the road so off we went. Growing up I would have to make the 30 mile trip 2 to 3 times a week. Of course we pointed out all our historical sites.
Vernal Temple
Since Lane and I were married we have planned to go visit his Grandparents. We almost made it one year until a last minute cancellation of our flight put a stop to that! I guess better late then never. . . we wish it would have been sooner. Jumped on an airplane and flew to. . .
First stop on the way, Portland Temple.
Second stop, the very first ever geocache!!! How cool is that!
And then we made it!
They didn't have any dogs, BUT they did have a horse!!! Duchess.
Guy's birthday is around the corner. Although he won't be getting his driver's license for sometime we thought he should at least get a tad bit of experience.
\
The boys got to ride the last day. Talk about delighted!
Just a short drive from Grandma & Grandpa's was the Coast!
Newport Aquarium
There may or may not be a geocache on this yellow submarine.
We learned a cool fact: Captain Cook sailed to the Oregon coast. His writings inspired Thomas Jefferson who then hired Lewis and Clark to find their way to the coast line.
Who is the tallest in this picture? We aren't sure as there were too many cheaters.
Now begin all the lighthouses.
I might mention here that just days before this excursion, Lane and I were playing racquetball. I had a spectacular jump, missed the ball and landed wrong on my right foot. It is still healing to this day. You will notice the purple bandaged foot. I am sure a boot would have been a better choice.
We were able to watch about 5 whales play in the water. Only a couple of times did one actually show its body and flukes. See the puff of water shooting up in the air? That's it. I did get some pictures of the bodies but they just look like rocks so I figured the spout would be better.
Devil's Punch Bowl
A few beaches to play on.
Although there are people up in this lighthouse we were not allowed to go up.
But the boys got to go up in this one.
See
Pretty cool!!
A little further south to Crescent City to check out the Redwoods.
Although while growing up, both Lane and I went on many trips along the coast, Lane had never actually been to the Redwoods before. I think he loved them best of all. They are truly awe inspiring!
Suddenly these old cars came driving by!
Lane enjoyed driving the car through the tree.
The Crescent City Lighthouse can only be reached during low tide and is one of the few still lived in.
One last trip to the beach before heading back to Utah.
Once back in Utah we headed out to the Basin for UBIC, their big community celebration.
Lane and the boys signed up for the 5K.
Our two Scouts were able to help with the flag ceremony for the big parade.
As we began to wrap up our summer trip we decided to get a jump on things. Guy's 16th birthday was in a couple of weeks so we decided to surprise him with an early surprise birthday party. Good Move Café is a place you can play any board game they own and eat your meal at the same time. Guy is into Bob Ross right now and we found a Bob Ross game we all enjoyed. I think he had a great time and was pleasantly surprised it was in celebration of himself.
Last good-byes with family. It may be another few years before seeing them again.
Back to China!!
