Monday, July 6, 2015

Early July 2015

July 1st, Robert (my brother), Tracine (his wife), and Sam (their eldest son, visiting from his medical education), went down to SLC to get Spencer (not me) who returned from his mission to Virginia. On the 3rd, David Muncy came down from BYU Idaho to visit. Gayle and I took the guys up onto Bonneville Trail to get a good view of the fireworks (held on the 3rd in Logan).
 A dusk shot as we await the start of the show. L to R - David, Spencer, Sam.
 Avril dressed up the gorilla as a queen.
 She loves ponies.
 And McKel could not stop playing with her action hero guys.
 
 We filled a small pool so the girls could stay cool in the heat wave.
 And set up an umbrella (parasol) for shade, later putting covers over our dome for a tent to keep out the sun.
 Part of our set-up during a hot afternoon. Always a good time to swing, however (see background).
 Alicia came on Saturday. We got to ride bikes some more, and stopped by earlier landmarks. Here she poses with the girls and rooster.
 McKel is growing up so fast!
 
 Alicia and the girls. So sweet!! 
 
 Adrian and Arleen enjoyed being by the ocean on their recent California family trip.
 
 A Kodak moment for Sylvia (Arleen's mom) and her daughters.
Brittney now has her own car, a 2001 Dodge Intrepid.  Yay!



A Busy June 2015

We were able to have Avril and McKel in Logan several times in June.  We got to spend time learning to ride bikes without training wheels, riding scooters, taking swim lessons, visiting the cemetery, etc.
 Climbing grandma Joyce's big tree on the berm.
 The girls loved looking at the headstones and decorations in the "Babyland" section of the Logan cemetery. They liked learning the names and a bit about some of those resting there.
 Swimming lessons were limited to a few because Avril got an ear infection. McKel also had some ear issues. We hope to resume lessons later this summer.
 The girls loved the new splash pad at the Sports Academy.
We got to see Cinderella with the Kent girls (Nikki, Ella, and Audrey).
 Feeding the ducks and geese at 1st Dam is always entertaining. The girls also got to ride bikes and scooters on the new sidewalk across from the dam.

 It's great to be a kid!
A meal at the kids' table in the play area downstairs.
 We helped Jared remove a large branch that had broken on a tree in his backyard. It involved engineering a good placement for the fall by using a couple of ropes and strategic cutting.
 For old times' sake we visited the walking bridge in our old neighborhood to see Logan River flowing.
 On the other side of the bridge the girls found a "fort" under some pine trees. Here they showed their love for one another under the branches.
Cheri Murdock gave us a tour of her dad's farm in Millville. The girls got to pet goats and sheep.
 Avril, in particular, was thrilled to pet the baby goats. Note the cotton ball in her ear to help with the healing.
 One of the lucky goats with Avril. Note her faux tattoos.
 Next we checked out the hens and got to see where they lay their eggs. The farmhouse to the right also belongs to Rex Spendlove.
 Farm life can be fun!
 We went from seeing the chickens to going to eat some.
A little dessert to freshen up.
 
 McKel looks a bit drowsy while eating her ice cream.
 Two best friend sisters.
 A dance pose.
 Playing with a mist hose attachment.
 Shot from a bike ride we took in the cemetery (where there is very little car traffic).
 A neighbor's rooster.
 See the two new bike helmets -- Spiderman and Frozen.
Gayle and I decided to start doing some hikes together. We started by going up Cherry Peak canyon above Richmond. A new ski resort, Cherry Peak Resort, is being finished for the 2015/16 season. We were impressed with the size of the lodge. The resort is starting with 3 lifts.
 Here's a shot of the lift that takes skiers up to one of the two other lifts. The trailhead for hiking is behind the lodge and can take those interested all the way to the top of Cherry Peak, 3rd tallest in the area, after Naomi and Doubletop. We didn't allow enough time to go all the way to the top, but had a great workout anyway.
 Feeling my oats, and wearing a T-shirt from the First Dam Pancake run I participated in last year.
 
 The growth was thick around the trail, which followed a creek.
 One of the creek crossings.
 Gayle, being very supportive.
 We had to take off the hats occasionally to cool down.
 Rock climbing, after a fashion.
 Some of the scenery on the way up.
 Back down after the hike, looking at the back of the ski lodge and noting the "grooming" of the area going on (since the lower altitude means less snow than some other resorts, so you've got to take out boulders, tree stumps, etc., and make snow sometimes).
Looks like they are getting close to completion.