Spin the Boys

Who do you think hung on the longest?

Were you right?

The Gutter of Fire

In Utah, July 24th is a holiday called "Pioneer Day" to commemorate the Mormon pioneers arriving in the Salt Lake Valley. To celebrate, our neighbors threw a firework party dubbed "The Gutter of Fire", a spin off of the July 4th firework display, "The Stadium of Fire". Here are some pictures I took of the party.

It was the best "Gutter of Fire" that we've ever attended.

Folk Music in a Pretty White Pavilion at the Park on a Peaceful Summer's Evening

Last night we were treated to a melodious summer evening at the park for Onion Ring's folk music class concert. Here is Onion Ring's solo:



(Whistle and shout) Yeah Onion Ring!

Here is Onion Ring stressing about his solo beforehand:

Have you ever seen someone fiddle and clog at the same time at a breakneck pace? I hadn't. The teacher of this class is the star of this next performance and if you think she starts out fast, just wait until you see the end.




Their rendition of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" was fun.

I love summer evenings at the park. Especially when it involves banjos, fiddles, guitars, clogging, and Onion Ring in a fancy pavilion while I sit in a cush chair in the shade.

Easy Cheesy

This boy knows cheesy.

Junior has a way with words. Lately we've been hearing this phrase quite a bit:

"That's a piece of cheese!"

For example, "Swinging myself is a piece of cheese!"

Junior does love cheese. He likes cake, too, but he gets cheese more often.

Best Camper Awards

It is now time to commence with the Best Camper Awards, awarded to participants of the Big Family Camp-Out which occured on July 9-10, 2010.

Best Hot Chocolate Drinkers: Junior and Cousin Seth

Best Teamwork: Cousins Dana, Ty, McKay, and Megan

Most Sleepy Camper: The Silly Grandma

Best Tent Setter-Uppers (Children's Division): Onion Ring and Buttermilk Sky

Winner of Tent Setter-Upper Marathon: Uncle Curtis (in the background of the photo)

Best Marshmallow Torch: Cousin McKay

Most Pregnant Camper: Aunt Jenn

Most Ill Camper: Cousin Emily

Most Creative Magic Dust Tosser: Uncle Curtis

Closest Call: Eggs on Toast (notice singed hair and eyelashes)

Biggest Hot Dog Bite: Cousin Jayden

Most Unique Pancake Topping: Onion Ring

Best Wildlife: Deer

Cutest Jammies: The Silly Grandma

Best Camping Hair: Uncle Logan

Best Camping Hair (Runner-Up): Eggs on Toast

Most Engrossing Conversationalist: Cousin Grant

Most Imaginative Playmates: Cousin Seth, Junior...

...and Cousin McKay

Most Still Waking Moment for the Kids: Early Morning

Most Enjoyable Time Had: All!

Stewart Falls

We hiked up to Stewart Falls during the 4th of July weekend with the Silly Grandma and some cousins, aunts, and an uncle.

It was a beautiful day and rather cool for the season.

Normally, hiking up to Stewart Falls is a three or four mile hike, but the Silly Grandma informed us that she had an "in" to a short cut. And a short cut it was! I think it was a fifteen to twenty minute hike one way at a nice, easy pace.

Good thing, too, since some of the boys were tired after being at the parade all morning.

After our short cut trail met up with the "real" trail, the people that we passed who were leaving the falls gave us encouragement. "Just a little bit farther!" and "You're almost there!" Words that would have been appreciated had we hiked the full distance but after our mini hike made me giggle inside.

Being the 4th of July weekend, it was really crowded at the falls.

But still very beautiful.

As we drove away after the hike, Eggs on Toast asked if we were going home. When we affirmed this, he said, "Finally! Now we can have some fun."