I landed from Chicago at like 9:00pm on the 30th of June and the next morning we woke up and headed out to Vernal. Parker still had school, so that's why it was a girls trip. We were going to go out just for the day. When we walked in with Bre and her girls. My dad lit up. I was the last to come into the home and when he saw me, he raised his arm and gave me a hug. My dad is not a hugging guy at all. I said hi dad, it is so good to see you. He held onto me and said it his own limited speech that it had been a long time. It was a really tender moment to have with him. We then went outside and spent some time with him. He had aged so much since our family pictures in May. He poor body is so tired and weak. This mental disease is just the worst. It is cute to see his personality still peak out though. He still wants to try and scare and tease the kids. The kids are a little trepidatious with him but still are kind and patient with him. We have never hid anything from them and try to give them the heads up that grandpa might be acting different or he might have a bathroom accident while we are there. They are super troopers.
We of course needed to get a snow cone while in Vernal. It is a summer tradition!
For the 4th we went camping up in Midway. It was so nice to be a little ways from home, but not alot. We all needed a step away from the daily grind. While on a side by side ride we stopped to take a break and right where dad parked was a little baby bat. Of course Addi had to immediately say... where's some gloves?! I want to pick it up. So she did.
We also went on a little hike and on the hike we saw two moose. They were far enough away from us that it wasn't dangerous. They are such big creatures.
We went into town to see what they had around and we got some delicious homemade lemonade from a kids lemonade stand. Dad, Nana, and Grandpa went golfing one afternoon and the little girls got to drive the golf carts.
Parker finished his last day of school!!! Those 3 years flew by, but also were so long. His graduation was fun and he is like me and has a really hard time with goodbyes. He shed alot of tears. He is such an awesome kid and this opportunity was one that amazing for him. He had so many neat experiences with it.
(Dad was there too. I just for some reason couldn't get my computer to upload that photo)
Emmy had a softball tournament in Vernal and did our Vernal people show up? OF COURSE they did. We had quite the crew watching her. It was fun to have our family and friends there to watch. Their little team did great and Emmy had some great hits. We do have so many great supporters in our life that love us and care for us.
We had to celebrate 7-11 day with free slurpees while there. Avery loves to ride in our car while we are out there because she knows I'm the aunt and usually say yes to all the things. She was living her best life in the back seat.
Kelden's birthday is on the 14th and so while we were out there we went and took him a ballon, some hot wheels, flowers, and of course a couple coins. We sang him happy birthday as well. It was a tender moment still making memories with him even though he isn't here physically.
National Ice cream day with free hats from Handles.
We made it to the drive in this year with some friends from the ward that had never been to the drive in. Our girls did not make it through movie. Their girls did.
We had a Lagoon day with Grandma Shelly's work. It was a warm day but not as hot as it had been. We all had fun and the funnest part was watching Addi, Parker, and Emmy do the sky coaster. They are all so brave. I've only done the skycoaster once and that was when I was Addi's age.
Fiesta Days has been a tradition since we moved here. The rodeo is a must each summer and this summer was no different. Emmy caught a t-shirt that is now one of her pajama shirts.
Park and I went on a little scavenger hunt that a business in the community set up. We found it at the big rock in front of the high school.
The girls and I had a day at the nail salon. Pedicures for me and Addi and nails done for Emmy and Lyn.
Food trucks and 24th of July parade! The parade had 142 floats in it this year.
Another trip out to Vernal to spend time with family. Bre moved into our dads house and it is nice to have space for the kids to play. That house needed new memories made in it and Bre's family is definitely meant to be there.
Addi had high school volleyball tryouts and she made the team. One of the traditions is to have a midnight waffle breakfast. So Ty and I stayed up until 1:30 AM to host 25 girls. It is fun but man the next day was rough running on not alot of sleep. All these senior "lasts" is hard but we are all trying to embrace it.
We had so much fun at the demolition derby last year that we went again this year and it was just as fun.
