4th of July in Northern Utah!!

Dad and I headed north, yet again, as soon as I was done teaching lessons on Wednesday.  We met up with Brandon, Tannya, Nikki and Kate over at my dad's and mom's house.  I had time to wash Grandma's hair before Tannya brought lasagne over, and we had a great dinner together.  (I'm wondering when the last time was that 8 people were sitting around that dining room table with a sit-down dinner...I know it was two years ago for us...when we had our Hunt Family Dinner together...just before Denzel left for Iraq the second time, and Brand & Tann had just returned from their Philippines trip...except Denz wasn't there because Anna was sick...)  Anyway, it was a very nice time together!!

Thursday was the 4th of July and the first time we have attended the Cherry Days Parade in North Ogden. FUN TIMES!!
Nikki rode her bike in the children's Pre-parade Bike Parade.  

I'm always amazed at how darling Nikki looks, and the things Brandon and Tannya do to help Nikki grow and learn!

 

We felt VERY blessed to have Dezmond with us Thursday evening, while Amelia and Hans went to the Stadium of Fire in Provo.  They were wise not to take Dezmond to that very LOUD show.  He would not have been happy.  As it was, he enjoyed his "special time" with "Grand-ma-ma" and Grandpa Hunt, and all of the Hoopes clan.  The BBQ and fireworks were great, and we loved watching all the different cities' fireworks displays from our perfect view on the mountainside!!  Thanks Gary and Annette!!

 

Nikki loved being in the hammock with Grandma!!
And Grandma loved being in the hammock with Nikki!!

Friday was kind of a kick-back and relax day!  In the afternoon we went over to Layton to Don and Doris Petersen's home, overlooking Layton all the way to the Great Salt Lake, and enjoyed a couple of hours of swimming!  Sooooo, nice!! 

 

 

  

That evening we watched a video called "Chasing the Mavericks," a surfing show. It was good, but it was even nicer to lay around together and watch it!







 
Saturday, Brandon, Nikki, Amelia, Dezmond, (Hans had to go back to St. George for work on Friday), Rod and I did a cool little hike called Adams Canyon.  The trailhead is just off of Highway 89 in Layton.  It was only 3.5 miles round trip, however, there was an elevation change of nearly 1200 feet in half that distance.          

There was a bit of uphill climbing, but it was great, AND it ended at a cool waterfall!  Of course, Rod and I went under a part of the waterfall to "validate" our hike!!

On Sunday morning, I got ready for church early, then went over to my parent's home, got my mom ready for church, then brought them to Kate's baby blessing.  It was pretty special to have three of the 4 sets of GREAT grandparents there.  Rod's parents were probably attending in spirit from the other side of the veil, along with Kate's Uncle Denzel!!  Kristy and Chris were there, along with the rest of us.  Then there was a really nice luncheon at Brandon's and Tannya's afterwards.  It is SO nice to have such wonderful family gatherings.  And we love getting together with Tannya's side of the family.  It's great!!

After dropping Dad and Mom Barton off at their home, Rod and I headed south for a rapid 24 hour "get everything packed up and ready for Girls Camp" before leaving on Tuesday morning.  I guess we enjoy the drive to and from St. George because there's nothing else to do but DRIVE.  We get to talk, sleep, listen to stories on CD, and just be together!!  It really is great!!