Azusa Parkinsons and 4th of July Events

On the 3rd of July we took a family trip to Bear Lake. Shelby, Jesse's brother, took this shot of the entire Spencer K. Parkinson family. Jesse, Alicia, yours truly, Gayle, Jared with Avril, Adrian, Arleen, and Brittney. Ray, Arleen's dad, was also with us but standing next to Shelby.

At the edge of the parking lot at Rendezvous Beach, south end of Bear Lake, UT.

Adrian, Arleen, Ray, and Brit, ready to hit the beach.

Avril, posing with Jesse. Believe it or not, it was cool and we even got some rain drops for awhile. But with the sun poking through the clouds later, and on the lake, we managed to get burns.

We rented a boat and Brit had fun telling us how to drive and ski.

Jesse was first to attempt it. We had trouble figuring out the right speed and trim. Also, the throttle was difficult to dial in for consistent speed. We still had fun.

I'm sitting high while driving to see above those sitting in the front of the boat. Jared's facing backwards to watch the skier and hold the flag when they're down.

Jared, ready to hit it.

Shelby also got up on his first day skiing. We didn't get a good clip of Alicia skiing, but on her very first day of water-skiing she got up and did very well. I skied too.

Jared spent the most time up on skis. However, on this, his first run, he did a pretty cool forward flip (accidentally). Again, part of the problem was our inexperience with the boat and its throttle, and controlling the speed properly.

After several hours at Rendezvous we stopped for the traditional shakes at Garden City. Here are Gayle, Ali, and Brit savoring some LaBeau milkshakes.

Avril, rapping at LaBeau's. She just gets straight mom's milk, then shakes it up herself!

After a fun day at Bear Lake and a pizza, we drove up above the grandparents' house (above Lundstrom Park) and caught the annual fireworks display put on at Romney Stadium (generally on the 3rd in Logan). The next morning, on the 4th, our ward held its traditional Independence Day neighborhood breakfast at the River Hollow Park across the walking bridge.

Here are Jared, Adrian, Brit, Ray, and Arleen.

Two weekends in a row I got to be involved in group breakfasts. The prior week was Youth Conference, and here I have the important duty of cooking "Texas toast" while Sherwood Hirschi reaches for the canola oil.

Ali, Avril, and Jared showing some sun from the previous day at Bear Lake.

Avril shows her rap face while Brit holds her little cousin. Brit actually has an even younger cousin because Arleen's sister, Maribel, gave birth to a baby girl the very night Adrian and family drove to Utah. After the neighborhood breakfast, we all high-tailed it over to the growing metropolis of Hyrum, UT to see their parade.

Resting and drinking water during the Hyrum 4th of July parade. Arleen, Adrian, Brittney, and Gayle.

What Utah town parade would be complete without some vaqueros (unos charros) in the line-up. Yes, I think it's cool that Hyrum has a significant hispanic population now. I listen to several Spanish radio stations locally.

And Jesse's own AA Stampede had a float (of sorts), although Jesse had to work and didn't get to see it.

Afterwards, Hyrum always gives away free, very cold, watermelon. Brit loved it.
Next we went to the Cache fairgrounds to see the Cruise-In car show.

There were several low-riders. These use pneumatics (or hydraulics, I'm not sure which) to raise or lower the vehicle body. After the Cruise-In car show we met mom and dad (Joyce and L. Spencer) at the Golden Corral (again) for a nice meal. Then we went to see the Cruise-In parade on main street. What a busy day! The next day, Sunday, after church and haystacks for lunch, we went to first dam to feed the ducks.

Brit, feeding the ducks at first dam in the evening. What a peaceful setting.