July - We Finally Got Out!

Beginning of July is MarySue's birthday.  We had Randy and her over for dinner on her birthday. 

 Two days later, on the 4th, we went down to Josh and Irina's to celebrate. We had a BBQ dinner and celebrated March, April, May, June, July and August birthdays.  We have been together before, but never planning for the birthdays. 

After opening presents we went to the front yard to try and watch fireworks.  We couldn't see them too well, but everyone had fun playing and talking.

One of Jacob's gifts was an electric stapler with USB ports! 

Playing Spike bal

 For FHE we got sub sandwiches and went to the backyard for a picnic and scripture reading.

 My friend Marcia...I go walking with her all the time....she has a neighbor with a pool.  The neighbor went up to their place at Bear Lake and lets Marcia use the pool.  She invited us over to swim a couple of times. 
She also invited our friend Andrea Timothy.  Here is Adam, Connor and Jacob playing and relaxing in the pool.

 Monday - Friday Marcia, Sherrie (my neighbor across the street) and I go walking.  This month they repaved 300 E. and it needed it!  Looks great now!

We planned a trip with Jared/Stephanie and Josh/Irina to Flaming Gorge in the middle of the month.  Josh has a raft, inflatable kayak and to inner tubes.  In preperation we purchased a raft to take, but Jared couldn't find one.  The stores are SOOOO sold out on outdoor equipment!  Everyone is looking for something to do outside.

Our neighbors were moving and so Jacob and Bridger had a hammock sleepover.  We don't really do sleepovers, but at times make some exceptions.  

Took a Saturday evening stroll at Silver 
Lake with Catheys.  Fun, but lots of mosquitos!

Tom came over to help secure our gutters

The night before we left was Lilly's birthday.  They brought over cake and we celebrated.  

We left Thursday morning for Flaming Gorge.  We had gotten as far as Coalville and Jared had a problem with his tire.  We pulled into a gas station and he changed it.  We then continued on to the Gorge.  

We arrived and it was WINDY!  The campground was a little barren, but it had nice bathrooms.  One weird thing was they had the sprinklers going for the first 24 hours we were there.  No directly on our site, but right next to it.  I wondered at first how it would work, but it did. 

While we waited for Josh and Irina to come we went down the the water.  It was still windy so we only waded.  

It was our family's turn for dinner Thursday night.  We did tacos and watermellon.  Josh and Irina arrived just as we were finishing.  

Kids played Frisbee

Robbie LOVED to play in the dirt!

Kids playing a card game.  Do you like that face now Jacob?  Wish you had smiled????

Jared and Stephanie cooked mountain man breakfasts.  They were good!

After breakfast we headed down to the reservior.  We floated, paddled, played all morning.  It was fun!

As we were leaving, around lunch time, the wind kicked up again.  So good thing we were heading back.  

We came back to camp, had lunch, some took showers, the others played.  We visited, played Mafia, elbow tag....

That night we had dinner of chili with potatoes.  It was good!

Then we did a fire pit. 

The next morning we had breakfast and packed up.  We came to the campsite going north and then coming down to the gorge.  Going home we sent south along the Gorge to see what else was there.  

We stopped at Lucurrine marina and a little past that was a swimming beach.  We could drive the cars right down on the beach.  It was great not to have to haul everything down....especially since we were packed to go home.

We played in the water and had lunch. 

Everyone was tired on the way home. Part was home the 4 Runner started to make funny noises.  We pulled off, everyone looked at it, but couldn't see anything obviously wrong.  The sound stopped when we were in higher gears so we had to keep going.  When we got home, the next Monday we took it in and they said the rear shock had rusted through and broke.  

Monday, after our trip, we met Ahyous at the park and had a BBQ.  The kids rode scooters and after dinner we played our own version of bacci ball.  Elias and Jacob won.

The winners! 

Irina had texted us about floating the Provo river that week. Jared had time off for the camping trip that extended into the next week.  So on Tuesday we did that.  The water was cold, but it was so fun! 

Josh and Irina coming up to splash us.  So Jason got them first.  

We have met up with Andersons a few times this summer.  We went to the American Fork Marina.  It was OK. A little overcast so the kids didn't try the water.  Then it got stormy so we left.  All Jacob and Chase do is walk around.  

Bike ride time.  Jason and Tom met up for a bike ride and I took the kids and drove them and their bikes up to Potato Hill trial head.  

Jason said they were having a great time.  Then they came to a wide, smooth part of the trail and the boys decided to try and go faster.  Jaxon hit some gravel and went down hard on his chin.  Split it open and had to go and get stiches.  

So overall July went well.  Jacob and I returned to our 4th Sunday church and I had to speak.  So glad that is over!  We got out a little and are headed down to St. George on Saturday for a last hurah before school starts.  

Speaking of school....we are sending Jacob back.  Everyone has to wear masks, they are going to sanitize, try and social distance....It is hard to know what to do, but we're moving forward.  

Corona has changed a lot of things...most of all human contact.  It will be nice when this is all over.