Summer Vacation--The End

Andrea and Tyler came to Grandma's house in SLC for a farewell dinner.

Thanks Grandma & Grandpa!

We had a lovely visit!

They will be coming to Yuma in October for Erin's baptism,

so we'll see them again relatively soon.

Saturday morning, we left bright and early and took Grandma Tsukamoto with us since she needed a vacation. Hence the reason for bringing Amelia back with us too--our plan was to drive Grandma T down using her car, then have Arthur and Amelia drive her back when he is done with the field work in July. 

On the way, we stopped in Mapleton to say "hi" to Hal.

 His garden rivals the Crooks' garden.

We got some peas and a cabbage.

 The drive back to Yuma was uneventful other than we saw a few forest fires along the way.

Summer Vacation--Part IV

The Ostergars were so sweet to plan a BBQ potluck dinner especially for us.

They invited the Crooks and the Woodlands. 

The children were all mesmerized by their adorable new puppies.

  

 Other dog, Jones, still got attention from the older girls.

 

We admired their chicken coop.

 Next time we visit, they'll be producing their own eggs!

 Friday morning, our trip was at an end, and it was time to head back south.

Kevin & Jim

Dixie, April, & Jennifer

 Ian, Luke, & Andrew

Melody & Erin

 

 Megan, Amelia, & Emily refused to pose for a final photo.

 We had to take one of the Crooks' fabulous garden.

And, surprise! We stole Amelia and took her with us! 

Details as to why will be given later...

(Needless to say, Megan was elated.)

Summer Vacation--Part III

Returning to Logan on Wednesday, we stayed at the Crooks' house for a couple more days.

Brooke H., our former piano teacher, had a few minutes between lessons for a quick visit.

 She graduated with her M.M. in Piano Performance and Pedagogy

and is now teaching full time.

 Afterwards, the older children were able to do Baptisms for the Dead at the Logan Temple.

There was more game playing,

collaborative writing,

garden harvesting,

and playing with more friends (Sam & Lilly B.) at the park.

Tanzi had a new baby named Rose.

Erin and Dallin visited with Hannah and Sam W.,

and April had fun talking with their mom, Brooke.

Kevin and April also visited the Brodies, but we didn't get a photo of them this trip.

There were a lot of people to try to see in a short time, 

and we still missed seeing many other friends.

Summer Vacation--Part II

Friday we drove up to Logan, got take-out from our favorite  

Tandoori Oven restaurant, and ate with Chris at Elk Ridge Park.

 

 We camped out on her futon and floors, and the next morning

we admired the killdeer nest in her back yard.

We spent the morning loading up our trailer with the remainder of items in 

our garage that we were unable to fit when we moved. Our tenants are taking good 

care of our Logan home, and they are glad to have a full garage now.

Saturday afternoon found us up in Cub River, Idaho, 

where we planned to spend a few days visiting the Wallis family.

The girls camped out together in a tent in the yard since Amelia

and Melody graciously gave us their bedroom for our stay.

Dallin caught a tiger swallowtail butterfly in the yard!

Monday, we all went back to Logan where we attended a summer music recital 

at the Tabernacle, went to see the summer movie "Hop," 

and visited with Aurora and baby Bridgette.

Ian finally got to give Bridgette the cap that he knit for her last winter.

It still fit, and she loved wearing it!

Back at the Wallis household, Megan painted the girls' faces.

Melody chose to be a tiger.

 

 Erin wanted a snake on her.

Megan painted her face like a character from Avatar, the Last Airbender.

We talked late into the nights, played lots of games together, ate delicious food, and had a great time.

Summer Vacation--Part I

This year, we planned a two-week vacation to visit family and friends in Utah and Idaho. We left Yuma relatively early (for us) and drove all day Monday, arriving at Grandma's and Grandpa's house in Salt Lake City very late. We decided it is just as easy to do one big all-day drive rather than break it up into two days.

Natural History Museum of Utah

On Wednesday, we visited the new Museum of Natural History with the Buchert Family. It was great to spend time with them again.

Al still greets visitors at the museum entrance.

The boys thought it was nap time on the observation deck.

The girls visited and enjoyed the view of the city.

There were new interactive displays,

cool insect collections,

pressed plant books,

and DINOSAURS!!!

We have a photo of Megan and Ian in this same dinosaur footprint from years ago.

(Don't ask me to locate it right now--it's in a box of photos someplace.)

Guitar Lesson with Grandpa

Megan wants to learn to play the guitar. Grandpa gave her one of his in preparation for her upcoming lessons with a friend in Yuma. Thanks, Grandpa!

Visit with Great-Grandma Young

Thursday morning we spent time with Great-Grandma Young at her house. 

Beau, her cat, was friendly as usual.

Great-Grandma was having a good day, and we enjoyed talking with her.

The children played the piano for her, too, which she always enjoys.