Independence Day 2017

The moms don't like to let any grass grow underneath their feet so they kept the kids busy right up to the Fourth of July. There was a Rock Canyon hike to find some climbing spots, Costco runs, canal walks, and some 4th-of-July-eve fireworks at Millie's. On the day, several participated in the Freedom Run, Auntie Em made breakfast, and in the evening we met at Steve's for the traditional dinner and fireworks.

 It was dreamy to have Costco all to ourselves

 Tucker drove us to Rock Canyon

 The hikers

 Clara wet her head on a very hot afternoon

 That clear, cold, delicious spring water is wonderful

 Directly below Squaw Peak

 Posers

 Headed home

 All these people joined me and Evy on our walk

 Popper fest

 Fireworks audience

 Freedom runners

 Pancakes at Auntie Em's

 4th of July breakfast

 Evelyn was ready for the day

 Gathering in the shade

 It was good to have Will here

 Deep thoughts

Cooling it

 Bonding with Boris

 Those legs are brighter far than noonday sun

 Traditional races

Almost dark

There was much more in store, but this is all for now.

OXO

D.

Harry Potter Cousins' Camp 2017

With loads of serious preparation, the aunties pulled off another fantastic Cousins' Camp, this year with a Harry Potter theme. It was a one-day affair in which the cousins found clues and destroyed horcruxes in a series of clever adventures. It all took place on 1 July 2017 after days of hard work.

 Making wands

 Making ties

 Painting wands and candles

 Finished wands

Silly Millie and Dickie

 Keeping Evy entertained while the mommas worked

 Another day, another walk

 Tons of work for everyone (except for me)

 All work and no play makes everyone a dull girl, so dinner

 Bombay House

 Full bellies

 Dobby the free house elf

Everyone was thrilled when Dumbledore arrived

 Ravenclaw!

 This young wizard was overjoyed with the wand that chose him

 

 Lined up at Olivanders

The new class at Hogwarts

Lunch at Hagrid's Hut

 Pop Pop and Pippy making pasties

Sybill Patricia Trelawney, the Divination professor at Hogwarts

 

 Making butter beer

The final banquet

 

 Festive table with house mugs

The spread

There was so much more not shown here, because these are the parts I was involved in; Phillip and I spent the day in the kitchen baking. The kiddos had a great time, even though it was a rather warm day and they were dragging a bit by the end. Thanks again to the aunties who made this so much fun.

That's all for now.

OXO

D.

June 2017

The first part of June was like most other months with walks, Mondays with Evy, group dinner, cousins' breakfast, theater, family Sunday dinners, etc., but the difference is that Phillip's family was in Hawaii and we got to have him with us every evening for supper and an episode of Grand Design. We had a delightful afternoon and evening in Salt Lake City with Stephen and Ann, visiting the studio of Justin Wheatley, driving neighborhoods looking at fun architecture, and dinner at Copper Kitchen. As the end of the month approached, Phillip's family returned, Maren and Anna's families arrived, and summer fun was off and rolling.

 Lunch with Evy

 Group dinner at Jerry and Lynn Astle's

 View from the Astle's deck

 Early morning walk in Rock Canyon

 South Utah County, and Timp on a morning walk

 Frontrunner to meet Annie in SLC

 Justin Wheatley

 Ann's purchases

 Former Roosevelt Junior High (now Roland Hall/St. Marks)
where I attended 7th grade

 Lovely al fresco supper at Copper Kitchen

 Saturday at Hale Center Theater

 Loco Moco with Phillip

 Another morning walk...

 ...To see some water fountains

 Supper at Chom

 Cousin love after Sunday dinner

 So, yes, I do walk with my hands behind my back

Walkers

 Run free!

 Porch time

It was delightful to have Anna join us at cousins' breakfast

Much more to follow, but this is all for now.

OXO

D.