Jumping July

July -- the month of celebration, reunions, family outings, and sunshine!

Garrett and Zandra closed on a loan for their purchase of a new house the end of last month and moved in at the beginning of this month! They got help moving the big stuff from ward members and friends. I served in the temple and Dale got in a full day of work, then we showed up and helped with the cleaning and boxing up the last bit of things.  When we left their house looked very inviting for new owners to move in.

Their new home is close to Danica and Jason in South Weber and gives them A LOT more room to entertain, play, clean, and enjoy. Dale loves the set up Garrett has in his new garage. (He may be even a bit jealous)

We’re excited for them and want to thank them for making it easier to visit two of our kids in one visit!!

To celebrate our Independence Dale and I slept in, worked in the yard, went out to dinner, and went the movie, Adrift.

The Mallory's celebrated by going to the fireworks with Matt's family, who stayed with them for a couple of days.

The World Cup Soccer Season kicked off. USA didn't do so well, but we still enjoyed watching some good soccer throughout the month. In the end France beat Croatia and won the title. (I never even knew they played soccer in Croatia) 

The WHOLE Dale Hansen clan gathered in McCall, ID for our annual family reunion. We stayed in a nice cabin/house that had enough bedrooms for all the adults and most of the kids to have a bed. It had a hot tub, a fire pit, pool table, ping pong table, and a sand volleyball pit. We were pretty much isolated from other houses and loved the view.

Hansen Reunion Day 1: Danica and Jason jumped in the truck with us to go to McCall. We met up with the Mallory’s in Bosie, ID for lunch and then had to hunt around at different places for an invasive species sticker for the boat so we could launch it. We tried anywhere we thought might have one and they were all sold out or didn’t sell them. We finally found one in McCall, ID at Albertson’s of all places!! We bought our groceries and the food I’d ordered for our first meal while we were in town, and then headed to the cabin. Everyone was there waiting for us and they were starving!! So, we hurried and unpacked, got the food put away, and got the meal out on the table thanks to help from everyone.

We got a few games and some visiting in before everyone quieted down for the night.

Day 2: The Mallory’s, Dale and I went to Sacrament Meeting in McCall and we came home to a delicious brunch prepared by Nate and Kim. We loaded up the bikes in the truck and Mallory’s trailer and went into Ponderosa State Park near McCall and went on a family bike ride and hike along the Payette Lake.

It was so fun seeing the little kids in their bike helmets and the young and old riding their bikes together or walking together.

                                            

Nate and Kim had their dog Meru kenneled at a place in McCall, so they got her and she joined us for the ride/hike as well.

As we were heading back to the cars, we came across a deer just off the trail. It didn't seem to be bothered that we were there, so we got a picture with it.

It felt good to get out and move. We all had a good time enjoying our walk or bike ride in the woods. It's a beautiful area, and we enjoyed the company. 

We got back to the cabin and Garrett and Zandra prepared a tasty BBQ Rib dinner with roasted red potatoes, and all the fixings. We played Spike Ball, Ping Pong, Pool, card games, and watched a movie. A great day of quality family time.

Day 3: After a filling breakfast prepared by Danica and Jason we hooked up the boat, loaded up the kayaks, and headed to Ponderosa State Park again. We found a place to launch the boat (thanks Jason and Danica), found some great beach space, set up the spike ball, chairs and got the kayaks down to the beach  (thanks Mallory’s ) for a day of fun in the sun. 

We had yummy walking tacos for lunch (provided by the Mallorys), went kayaking, had water gun fights, broke in the boat and did some surfing and tubing, played Spike Ball, and just chilled and visited. What a beautiful area! The water in the lake is so pristine looking. It was perfect weather too. We all got some color, but no one got fried, and we all had a great time. Mission accomplished. 

We got back to the cabin, and Dad and I (with the help of others) made up a Pesto Chicken with noodles, tossed salad, and garlic bread meal, with ice cream and brownies for dessert, to celebrate Matt and Titan’s birthdays.

After a soak in the hot tub, the younger kids had no problem going to bed with all the activities of the day. Funny thing though about the hot tub...Kennlyn found a little frog in it the day before and then today their was one that had been in the water a little too long. It was boiled pretty good!! Gross, huh?

The rest of us roasted marshmallows, watched a movie and played a card game or visited before letting our heads sink into our pillows. 

Day 4: Andrew and Lindsay set out assorted cereals and fruit for breakfast and we all pitched in and got the cabin ready to leave by gathering up the trash, getting the towels and linens off the beds and making sure we hadn’t left anything.

Nate was kind enough to be our garbage man and throw it in the back of his van and drop it off at the dumpster. With 22 people staying together in one place for three nights we had acquired quite a bit of garbage!! Thanks Nate!

We said our good-byes and all headed back home. I think everyone had a great time and I know memories were made. McCall treated us well, we may have to go back again. 

Thanks Jason for helping drive part of the way home, I think Dale and I needed a nap.

We got home and I jumped right into the busyness of life by ushering for the Utah Festival Opera Season at the Eccles theater. I ushered for The Barber of Seville, The Pianists Concert, Amazing Grace (which was my favorite), Secret Garden, and A Tribute to Bernstein.

The William Hadfield Reunion is always held on the second Saturday in July and this year the Bastow family (Aunt Nina and Uncle Allen) were in charge. They met at Uncle Max’s house in River Heights for the evening gathering. Dale and I went to that part and got to visit with cousins I hadn’t seen for quite a while. With Max being the lone survivor from the William and Grace Hadfield family, and his wife, Marie, and my Uncle Allen still alive the family is still getting together. 
They met the next day in River Heights at Ryan’s Place Park for visiting, lunch, and to hear memories about the Hadfield siblings. Each of the grandkids got a recipe book that contained favorite recipes from each of our aunts and uncles. Thanks, Bastow family for all of the planning, time, and preparation that went into pulling us together. The numbers were down some this year, but those that showed up had a good time.

To celebrate our 37^th wedding anniversary Dale and I went to Blue Water at Bear Lake for the weekend. 

 

We took our bikes, and the kayaks, and went to dinner and Tarzan at Pickleville Playhouse.

Dale went fishing, I finished reading the book “The Brothers” by Chris Stewart, we played Pickleball, played games, and went on a bike ride.  We also checked out a couple of newer places to eat, Cody’s Gastro Diner, and Conestoga Ranch’s Restaurant. Both places had great food at affordable prices.

We went back home to attend church and brought back Jaxson and Kennlyn to stay the night with us so Dale could take them fishing.

Amie, Matt, Langston, and Mazin came and spent the day at the lake with us. It was pretty windy so we kayaked and played games and swam. Jaxson went back with his folks because of soccer, and Kennlyn stayed an extra day. 

When we got home we took the boat out to Cutler Reservoir, and went skiing with the Mallory crew. Everyone got in the water. Jaxson got up on two, and wake-boarded, Matt, Amie, Dale and I skied, Amie and Mazin knee-boarded, and Langston and Kennlyn knee-boarded solo!

 It took me 3 or 4 tries to get up and then I tried to drop a ski, but it's been awhile since I was on top of the water (7-8 years), maybe next time.

Dale’s Uncle, Paul Cragun, passed away and it worked out that his funeral was around the time we’d be traveling to Henderson, NV for the Petersen Reunion, so we left after Dale got off work and drove to St. George to stay the night. Then we headed over to the funeral home in St. George for his funeral. Dale’s sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Doug Brady, were there as well. Doug talked at the funeral and I learned a lot about his uncle. 
It was a nice service and it was good to reconnect with his cousins that he hadn’t seen for quite some time. Doug and Donna, along with Dale and I were the only extended family there, other than Paul’s kids with their families.

After eating and visiting with the family Dale and I headed to Henderson, NV for the Petersen Reunion. My sister, DeAnn, and her family were in charge. DeAnn and Steve had recently moved from Bozeman, MT to Henderson, NV to be closer to one of their daughters, Shelly Lentz, and her family. Shelly had recently opened up Drop Fitness and Steve and DeAnn are helping her with that. 

We got checked into our hotel and then headed to a park with a splash pad and had a dinner with the Petersen clan. We ate, visited and caught up on everyone’s happenings. It was PLENTY HOT in both St. George, and Henderson. Temps were between 106-113 degrees! 

The next day we went to Lake Las Vegas’ Lake Shores Resort area and had a brunch, played basketball, visited some more, swam, and kayaked. It was a nice area. A beautiful oasis in the desert.

We all headed back to our hotels and got cleaned up and then met at Sunset Station and went bowling with the group. That was fun seeing everyone’s skills and thrills. 

For dinner we joined Kim and Kathy’s gang (Holly, Brian, and Sandy and their kids) and DeAnn and Steve and got in some more visiting. The place was freezing cold, so Sandy’s girl, Emmy, let DeAnn and I borrow her blanket to get warm. It was good to spend time with them. 

The next day Dale and I went to Sacrament Meeting there in Henderson to a ward close to the hotel. We got back in time to have breakfast at the hotel and then we packed up our bags and headed over to catch up with DeAnn who was at Shelly’s house tending her kids while a group went out golfing. We visited with DeAnn and returned her hat to her that she let me wear at the resort, then headed home.

We had a great turnout with around 75 attending the reunion for being farther away and SO HOT.

All but Tanya’s family were represented, and Dale and I were the only ones from our family, but we had a good time. I sure am blessed to be part of such a great family.

Danica and Jason went to the Logic Concert and Endless Summer Concert. They love their music! They also went to a baseball game at Lindquist Field.

To celebrate the 4th of July, Jason and Danica went with friends to San Diego, CA to celebrate  for a few days. They chilled a lot on the beach and got some sun.

They went to Bear Lake with Jason’s family for a get-together for a few days. They also hiked into Bloomington Lake and got rained on.

To end their month of travels, they went to Lake Powell for a Family Reunion with his mom's family. They got plenty of sun, water skied, surfed, tubed, kayaked, paddle boarded, explored the canyons, did some cliff jumping, played Spike Ball, joined in late night games, watched movies, and reconnected with cousin's on Jason’s mom's side of the family.

They were on the go pretty much all month, so total exhaustion fell upon Danica on the way home. It was well deserved I'm sure.

Garrett and Zandra got settled more into their house. The kids love the fenced backyard.

They were able to do some painting and get Jorie’s room all up-dated and cute. I’m sure she loves her room.

With the weather being so nice and warm, Garrett’s been riding his motorcycle to work when he can. It saves on gas money and he gets in a good view. Dale’s been doing that too.

Zandra’s brother, Johnny came and visited them for a couple of days. They explored Park City and went to Lagoon with him. Jorie and Luke liked having Uncle Johnny around I'm betting.

They’re enjoying the benefits of a garden and Jorie loves to play in the yard and help pick the garden that came with their house. I’m sure the neighbors are benefiting by receiving loaves of Zandra’s tasty Zuchinni Bread.

Titan celebrated birthday #7 with some friends and family at their clubhouse pool. The kids loved cooling off with all these hot days we've had and Titan loved his snake cake that Lindsay made and all the great gifts he got. It was a winner day all around. Happy Birthday Titan!!

Andrew and Lindsay's new house, being built in Richmond, is moving right along. Lindsay's been busy picking out the light fixtures, faucets for the sinks, and has even started boxing up some things. 

Andrew's made the most of his time off work by spending time with the kids, and playing handyman in getting things ready in their house when they do move.

Nora wanted her dad around to see her take her first steps! She has such a determined soul, and strong will. She hasn't let her foot braces slow her down too much. Watch out she'll be off and running before we know it!

Jaxson and Kennlyn played in the Cache Valley Cup Soccer tournament with their soccer teams. They both had to endure the heat with temperatures in the high 90's, but  they gave it their all. I was able to go to a few of the games and Dale got to go to Kennlyn's championship game. Her team ended up taking first place in their age division. Nice job guys!!

We helped Matt celebrate his birthday by going to dinner at their house and then playing games. We won't turn down a party.
Happy Birthday Matt!!

The Mallory clan headed back to Idaho to celebrate in Oakley's Pioneer Day festivities and reconnect with friends they haven't seen much since they moved. Jaxson played in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament with some of his buddies and the won their age group. 

Works picking up for both Nate and Kim, but they got in some climbs together in Mazama, WA. 

Nate also got in a good run with Rue, their dog in the Soggy Mountains on the Ira Spring Trail. Wore Rue right out!

They still call the Seattle area home and love all that it has to offer. We feel the same, it's an area with a lot of beauty with mountains and the ocean. 
We'll take the good life here so they can visit our beautiful area and we can go visit theirs.

I kind of jumped around on this post, but our July was pretty hopping so it fit.