Fourth of July to Hyde Park Days

Oh my heavens, I was just scrolling way back into the blog and remembering how cute our tiny munchkins were.  Don't get me wrong--they are still beautiful and wonderful and adorable young humans, but they are big!  Half of our kids are adults, and the other half are more than halfway there.  Also, I used to be such a cute Mom with such creative meals and activities and decorating ideas.  I don't know what happened, but somewhere along the way I lost my "oomph."  Plus whenever I muster a little extra energy, I tend to direct it toward the mountains.  I guess it's a new phase of life.

Home improvement projects have likewise lost some of their luster for Jason.  He works so hard.  The weight of being responsible for ASSIST's growing organization is mentally and physically and emotionally exhausting.  Plus, some of the cardiac medications make him extra tired. 

Fortunately, while digging holes in our yard is not as exciting as it once was, digging holes in his parents' yard is still fun.  He sent me these pictures from Hyde Park over the Fourth of July weekend.  Impressive!

Meanwhile Annika set to work building inside.

They also went up to Idaho to see Grandma Hansen.  99 with the most youthful smile.

Eli and possibly a relative behind?  (Susie and Charles, you'll have to let me know.)

Zion came along to the farm.

Naturally Annika was drawn to the animals.

The golden arches have never looked better.

Charles's birthday was a few days later, so he and Susie came down to Salt Lake to celebrate with dinner at Carson Kitchen.

So very tasty!

For all the prior pictures, someone in the family was missing--whether I was in Omaha, Talia was in New York, or Annika was at camp.  By the time Hyde Park Days rolled around, we were mostly reunited!  (Still missing our Hermana Wheeler, of course.)  

Here we are tucked into the minivan on our way up to Cache Valley.  Zion loves a good car ride.

Watching the parade.  It gets smaller every year, but the company was still the best.

And Violet is still the cutest.

Talia, you're a close second.

Everyone enjoyed the fair after, complete with a face painting, foam, and a very generous fishing pond.  Well, except maybe Annika.  In true summer form, she started feeling sick and went back to the house with Justin/her personal GI doc.

Amazing spot to stock up on your beauty supplies and mini-stuffies!

It took a little bit of convincing, but we talked Talia and Eli into participating in the pie eating contest.  I think they were disappointed that the pies didn't taste a bit better, but Eli still gave it a valiant effort.

Talia's opinion on the whole venture.

No doubt about it--Grandma Susie's pies are unquestionably the best.

Grandma Susie, thanks for spoiling us!  I'm so glad we could celebrate together.