We made it back to the USA! My only goal was to get home for my favorite holiday, Independence Day, and I'm happy to report that it happened. All that and so much more.
Adam took a leave of absence for the entire month of July. It was such a fun month to have him all to ourselves.
We had a great first week at my in-laws' home near Denver. Adam's sister, Natalie, and her family came into town for July 4th. Every part of that day was my favorite.
We started the day at a pancake breakfast hosted by KC and Diane's ward. Actually, KC was in charge of it, so he and Adam went early to set up and cook. It was lovely.
Lunch was tamales. Yaaaasssss. I definitely have not had a tamale in three whole years.
The neighborhood pool was hosting an all day celebration and we came and went as we pleased. Natalie and her boys entered one of the swimming relays. They had to do it with a floaty around their waist. Really funny. Here's Sam about to start the race.
Max jumped in and Natalie was getting ready to finish strong.
Evening was Rockies game! What's more American than baseball?! I was in heaven!
Hot dogs. Yeah.
I got teary eyed three times that day. And, no, it wasn't from all the patriotic country music (is it just me, or has that gotten a little out of hand?). It felt good to be back on my home soil.
The fireworks got Noah like ...
Week two was Roosevelt! We hung out with my friend, Shanna, and her son.
We hung out with my parents. Adam and my dad had a contest with the potato gun to try and shoot the potato sky high and get it to somehow land on the roof of the dilapidated RV next door. Classy, guys. Classy.
My dad took us to the Uintah Mountains. We were not mad.
We rode 4-wheelers.
My kids fished a bit with my dad at Paradise Lake, my old stomping grounds.
We went to Vernal to see the dinosaur museum and quarry.
The kids did workbooks and became junior rangers. So cute. They did a little swearing in ceremony with a real ranger and everything.
We ate glorious Mexican food at Plaza Mexicana. I was a happy lady.
Last but not least, we ate at Marion's. HOLLA. Their double BBQ burger was even better than I remembered.
Week three was my family's reunion at Bear Lake. Everyone came except for Allen and his family.
We spent our time hanging at the beach, boating, and generally acting like fools.
Oh, and don't forget the glamour shots. Obvs.
Owen was mad that I was falling in love with La Croix like a dumb American hipster with bad taste. I had to concede that, on occasion, I did just want it to be soda. He caught me trying to add Capri Sun. Busted.
I'm going to stop exercising in 10 years and embrace a chubbier lifestyle. Until then, these are my abs. Adam worked dutifully on his tan on this trip, and I have to say I was impressed.
No trip is complete without weird sister pics.
Amelia let me hold her for 5 seconds and that made me happy. She was not loving it but not hating it. A victory for sure.
Sienna met her match in cousin Robyn. These two could play outside for days, years, eons, and not even realize time had passed. It was a gift to us all.
Adam telling everyone about Amazon Prime Day. It's the new Black Friday, ya'll!
Road tripping, family hanging, we're not sick of each other so far.
Sand babies staying out at all hours and leaving us alone and being cute.
All the sibs watching SNL vids while everyone sleeps. We missed you, Al!
Mom did homemade ice cream, of course.
I did the wake skate for the first time. It made me nervous. I'm not the adventurous young lass I used to be. I just want to stay alive and watch my kids grow old. I can't be taking these kinds of crazy risks! Yet, being behind the boat reminded me of countless great memories of kneeboarding and tubing and skiing. Ahhhh. Those were the days.
Heather's family brought the kayaks and they provided endless fun!
Cap'n Mark & his corn cob pipe manning the high seas in his trusty speed boat.
Mark teaching McKenna how to get up on the wake skate.
Wendy, Heather, Noah, and Bella in the background.
Raspberry shakes from Le Beaus.
GOOD. TIMES.
After Bear Lake we drove up to Twin Falls to hang at Heather's house for a bit. She made me get up early to do her High Fitness class. It was already sweltering by 6 am, so good thing she brought the fans.
Party van!
Splash pad fun.
Ice cream outside.
Children of the corn.
Sisters of the corn.
Heather's magic tricks, making me laugh really hard.
More ice cream outside.
Pioneer Days festival.
Heather panning for gold on everyone's behalf. The kids were greedy little buggers. "I want more!" - Robyn and Noah.
This guy shoots coyotes and skins them.
Larnin' 'bout warshin'.
Boy howdy that there was a fantastic celebration!
While we were pioneering, Adam and Tyler were biking 100 miles for fun.
We met them at the finish line at the Perrine Bridge.
Week four was spent in Winter Park, Colorado, for Adam's family's reunion.
We did lots of outdoor activities and the cousin fun was off the charts. Here we are, getting ready for the alpine slide.
Played corn hold afterward.
Little kids hot tub sesh.
Hanging on the porch.
Chatting with Natalie.
We met baby Kolbie and new sister-in-law, McKenzie, on this trip.
Kids loved piling into Grandma Diane's bed every evening for story time.
The run squad just being hardcore.
Inspired by the new baking show, Nailed It, where contestants attempt to recreate Pinterest works of art, Natalie led us in a cake pop making contest. Those things are hard to make! Here were the results from all the teams.
Adam and Max got the Rudy Award because one of the pops reminded the judges (Jason and Kenzie) of their dog, Rudy.
James and Joseph got Most Creative.
Diane and Levi won Best Makeup.
Devin and Ian won Best Presentation.
Noah and Julia got 3rd place.
Sam and I got 2nd place.
And Sienna and Natalie got 1st place.
Phew. Stiff competition!
Day hike...
Concert in the park.
Last day was YMCA day .... lots of different activities. One event was "hanging with Huskies." We got to play with/pet huskie dogs and learn about their training to pull dog sleds in Alaska. All we got was this picture. Haha.
The kids became obsessed with mini golf.
Lunch in the cafeteria. I'm just now noticing Adam's photo bomb. Creepy!
Some of the kids had a fishing lesson.
Sienna caught one!
I will claim Levi as my third child anyday. Such a sweetie.
Meanwhile, his little sister, Hailey, is a total crack up. The best entertainment is just watching her busy little body navigate a whole room. She was having a great time trying on Levi's light-up shoes.
We sang happy birthday to the oldest grandkid, Ian.
Really fun time with everyone! So happy we could all get together.
July OUT!
