With Independence Day starting out the month, we are all grateful for the freedoms that we have and for all that our founding fathers did to shape this country to what it is and has the potential to become.
Dale and Andrew both skied behind our boat to test it out. I think it's ready for some summer fun, and so are we.
After we got cleaned up, we went to Cedar Ridge to watch an outdoor movie with the Mallory's and the fireworks. Their were four cities---Richmond, North Logan, Providence, and Hyrum that did fireworks. All to the same music and pretty much the same show because Logan City canceled the "Freedom of Fire" fireworks show due to COVID-19. The communities pulled together and did this. It was pretty cool. We live in a great area.
Even with all of the protesting and unrest going on in cities around us, I felt gratitude as I was watching the fireworks go off and heard our National anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.
On Independence Day, Dale mowed the lawn for the first time. Mainly to cut down the weeds and also to pull up dead grass. I think he's missed mowing the lawn every week and wanted to get the lawnmower out to see if it still worked! There is some green coming through though, we we're not giving up on the lawn yet.
After Dale got done "mowing" we got the Razor out and took it over the hill to Mantua and took it out at the trailhead that takes you to Willard Peak. It was a dusty ride, but nice to be out in that good air. We weren't able to go to the top because they had closed the road until mid July, so we went for a little walk and found a spot to eat our lunch. So pretty, green, and quiet. We are blessed.
After we got home, we cleaned up and went to dinner at Firehouse Pizzeria and had some pasta and salad, then watched a movie at home. We went to Cedar Ridge again and did our fire works with the Mallory's, because we can't do them at our house due to the dry grasses on the foothills. Their were other groups there doing fireworks as well, so we had quite a show going on.
I hope we can all remember who gave us our true freedom at this time as well. God bless America, Land of the free.
For Sunday dinner, after the 4th, we had the Mallory's, Andrew's clan, and Garrett's clan, here for grilled hamburgers with all the fixings. It was a beautiful day, so we ate outside and then we played Patriotic Bingo with the kids and had prizes, and played on the tramp and visited. It was fun too.
Then we all headed over to Maple Springs where Dale's mom is, and visited with her through the window. She's keeping her spirits up, and hanging in there. Garret's crew were the only ones that got a picture with her, but we were all glad we got to visit a bit with her via speaker phone. Technology does come in handy that way.
We got our local and state results back from the Primary elections. For the State results-- Republican Candidates that won is our voting district it was Spencer Cox & Henderson for the Governor, and in our area, it was Chris Wilson and Mike Petersen who won. They ousted Lyle Hillyard, who had been serving as a Republican State House Rep. for Dist. 3 (our district) for 40+ years, and Val Potter, Dale's sisters husband, who had served as the Republican State Senate Rep. for Dist. 3 for 3 or 4 years. A hard loss for both of them. Sean Reyes stayed in as Attorney General, Blake Moore was elected to serve as the Republican U.S. House District 1 Rep and the Democrat U.S. House District 1 Rep went to Darren Parry. For the Cache County Council South District Nolan Gunnell won.
I hope for the best for our National, State, and local government leaders, that they can work together to better our nation in these times of uncertainty.
Amie pulled us together for the Dale Hansen Reunion this year. She lined up a nice cabin that worked for all of us that had a beautiful view of Yuba Lake.
Day 1: We all arrived at the cabin and got settled, had dinner and took the boats out for some fun in the water. All that wanted to ski, wakeboard, surf, tube, or just swim had their chance. The water was great. Dale manned our boat, and Garrett brought his boat to share with us as well, so we were all able to go out on the water. Fun times! We played games and visited and hit the sack later than we should have, but it was worth it.
Day 2: Danica and Jason woke us up to the smells of French Toast, bacon and fruit. A great way to start a full day.
After we all had our fill, those that wanted to went down to the lake and threw in their fishing line. A few fish were caught and released and memories were made. Dale never got any pictures though because he was too busy baiting hooks or helping the kids with their poles. So, who really knows the size of the fish that were caught, right?
Zandra practiced a lot of patience, and taught the kids her baking skills by doing a little cooking class. They made sugar cookies, while the adults played games, or went for a Razor or 4-wheeler ride. We each got a decorated cookie made with love. Quite tasty too. I think we have some aspiring bakers in the family. Thanks Zandra for sharing your skills.
After lunch we hit the water again and all got their fill of fun in the sun. It was plenty hot, so cooling off felt wonderful.
We filled us on Hawaiian Haystacks dinner prepared by Andrew and Lindsay, we were going to watch a movie outside but it got pretty windy so we turned on a show for the kids in the cabin and we took advantage of that and played group games.
We loved seeing the nightly sunsets over the lake.
Day 3: Morning came earlier than all the adults wanted it, but we woke up to a tasty breakfast of yummy ableskivers with fruit, and bacon made by Garrett and Zandra.
We had Dale do a little devotional on how God's love for us is shown in many ways, by using an orange, that we all got to eat after. We took a family picture and then the adults visited and the younger kids watched a movie and played while Dale, Nate and I got things ready for our Dutch Oven dinner so it could be cooking.
Amie put together some yard water games for the family to play. She divided us into three teams and some got a bit wetter than others, but we all had a fun time.
After we got cleaned up Lindsay got out some colored threads and the kids and adults that wanted made Friendship bracelets, kayaked, or went for a Razor ride while waiting for dinner to be done.
We ate our Dutch Oven spare ribs, potatoes, rolls, tossed salad, watermelon and saute' squash meal. Then we sang Happy Birthday to Matt who turned 44 this year, had loaded roasted bananas and brownies and then Nate headed out. He traveled the farthest to be here living in Washington, and needed to make a stop in Salt Lake before heading back. He's good to make the trek every year to spend time with us, which we all appreciate and enjoy.
Then Danica did a Bob Ross painting class with the group. She taught it in two groups so the kids could go to bed a bit earlier. We had no problem getting them down because we had another full day of family fun. We've got quite a few artists in the family. It was a fun activity.
Those that wanted made s'mores around the fire pit and then more games and laughter after we got the little ones to bed, again later that we should of knowing that the kids would be awake earlier than we wanted to get up.
Happy Birthday Matt! Hope you enjoyed your day as much as we all did!
Day 4: The Mallory's had us make up Banana Boats with yogurt, fruit, nuts, granola, and whipped cream for breakfast. Pretty tasty!
Everyone was great to help get the their things cleaned up and the cabin ready to leave.
The love of a family is life's greats blessing, and the greatest legacy we can leave our children is happy memories. Our time at the cabin on Yuba Lake was well worth it. Thanks all for a little bit of crazy, a little bit of loud, and a whole lot of love!
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It was Titan's birthday a few days later, so for his Birthday Date he choose to go to Zootah and eat at El Sol. He said he wanted to see a snake, and guess what? He saw a pretty big snake! An albino boa constrictor! It made his day. He also had the ducks following him for a bit because he had made a duck food trail. He liked that too. We all had a good time. It's hard to believe he's nine years old!!
Danica wanted to visit her cute Grandma, so she drive up from Ogden and Amie and I went with her to get in a visit as well. With COVID restrictions still in place, we visited through the glass as we talked on the phone. It was good to see her cute smile and hear how she's doing. She seems to be doing pretty good. She isn't one to complain much, which helps. We love you Grandma!
Dale and I celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary. Yep, 39 years of putting up with me, and still loving me. We were getting ready to go kayaking and found out that there was a fire above us in the canyon. We went where we could see a bit better and Cedar Mountain had caught fire from some guys doing target shooting. We saw a big airplane go by and dump some fire retardant on the area to help with control the fire, as well as a small plane and a helicopter with water. The wind was blowing a bit, so it wasn't helping and it was real dry so they got on it pretty fast. Pretty cool to see how it all works. We had a little bit of excitement for a bit, but the fire had been contained and put out by evening.
I posted this on Facebook about our adventure to celebrate. Dale pulled through, and it was a nice evening.
Dale and I went and watched Jaxson play in a soccer game and then latter in the day we took the boat out to get in some boating fun.
Our town does their Pioneer Day celebrating the Sat. before the holiday, so we went and sat on the lawn at Cedar Ridge Elementary and watched the fireworks to celebrate after coming home from waterskiing at Cutler Reservoir. Our little town can put on a pretty good show.
We also got to watch some fireworks with the Married Student Ward that Dale's the Bishop in. They had a hamburger BBQ and then we shot off fireworks by Green Canyon High School (Dale got permission from the principle and superintendent) That was quite the show as well!!
Dale and I loaded up the trailer and headed over the mountain to Blue Water at Bear Lake for our weekend with Garrett, Zandra, and their kids. Their were a lot of people around due to the Coronavirus and no one wanting to travel out of state much, but we made the most of it and had a great time.
Day 1: We piled in the truck and rode over to Bloomington where we hiked the trail over to the lake. It's still pretty as ever and the kids did great on the hike. They even got in the cold water. Such a beautiful area.
On the way back to the trailer we witnessed two car accidents. One had just happened shortly before we got there, and the other one happened right in front of us. We stopped to help with that one. We felt blessed realizing that it could of been us in that accident.
We got back to the trailer, had dinner, and I read night-time stories to the kids. Then we played games with Garrett and Zandra until late.
Day 2: We took the kids fishing at the Garden City Pond. They loved it! All that could fish, caught a fish. We were catching fish and no one else around us was, so Dale shared our secret. A bobber, sinker, and worm. However, still no one was catching them. We just know how to fish I guess! After we went and got some lunch at Merlin's.
Then we headed to the beach for kayaking, building sand castles, and playing in the water.
The kids had no problem going to bed. We'd worn them out with too much fun in the sun. We played games again, but went to bed a bit earlier ourselves this time.
Day 3: After breakfast we played games and then after dinner we went on a bike ride. Garrett and Zandra left after the ride so they could get home. Dale and I stayed a bit longer, and then loaded up and headed over the mountain to our house.
It was a fun weekend. We're glad we can have some time one on one with each family like this.
To finish out the money, my Golden Girls, Kathy Bullen, Jeanette Petersen, and I decided that for our girls trip this year we'd take our husbands along, because we've all turned 60. We rented a cabin in Cameron, MT (close to West Yellowstone and Island Park).
We ended up having Kathy and Mike Bullen ride with us and we pulled their trailer with their 4-seat Razor and our Razor with our truck. Day 1: We met up with the Petersen's in Blackfoot, ID where Kathy's sister, Jeannie, treated us to lunch at her restaurant, Smokin' Guns BBQ. It was really good, and VERY nice of her to buy our meal. It was also good to get in a little visit with her.
We stopped at the Legacy Flight Museum and walked around, seeing some pretty old airplanes as well as other things.
We made it to the cabin, which is in a secluded area without many tress around, but we could hear the Madison river not to far away down a hill and in the trees. We got settled while the guys watched the Jazz game on TV. We ate, and played games until late.
Day 2: After a tasty breakfast we packed some drinks and snacks in our coolers, jumped in the truck and headed over to Island Park to hit the dirt. On our way out we saw a couple of antelope along the road going out from the cabin. In Island Park, Jeanette and Mark climbed in with Kathy and Mike in their Razor and we jumped in ours. We took off and ended up at Big Springs where we saw a lot of large trout, and a moose calf. The area is full of that fresh mountain air.
We stopped at the lake at Island Park to eat our light lunch and get out of the seat a bit as well. Dale didn't have his fishing pole with him, but I'm sure he was itching to throw in a line. Such a pretty area.
We took a loop ride up to the top of the mountain, and down hoping to see some animals, but we didn't see any. We loaded up the Razors and got back to the cabin at dusk, cooked up a steak dinner, ate, and then because it was so late we visited, and then hit the sack a bit early for Dale and I, but it gave us time to unwind from the day.
Day 3: Dale cooked up some bacon, and French Toast and I did up some hash browns. We got our fill, cleaned up the kitchen, packed our cooler, jumped in Jeanette and Marks truck, and headed to Yellowstone National Park so see if we'd see any animals.
We saw chipmunks, elk at a distance and a lot of bison out on a grassy range. Dale saw a bald eagle, and a couple claimed they saw a bear across the way, but the rest of us doubted it was a bear.
We got at to check out some geysers and went on a hike up to a look-out that let us see a massive area of Yellowstone when we reached the top which was pretty amazing. We stopped and watched Old Faithful erupt, ate our snack lunch at a pretty picnic area, and saw the Yellowstone River at the bottom of a deep canyon. The lakes and scenery made up for what we missed in seeing animals.
Day 4: After breakfast we got the cabin picked up ready to leave and packed up our bags to put in the truck. We pulled out just as the people cleaning the cabin pulled in. Pretty good timing, huh? On our way out we again saw antelope, but more this time, however no one got a picture of them.
We stopped at Mesa Falls near Ashton, WY to see the upper and lower falls. They were SO pretty!! I love waterfalls!! Well worth the stop.
I have learned that it's not what I have in my life, but who I have in my life that counts. True friends, and a wonderful family are what give you pure joy.
We got home and it was 98 degrees! A big difference from the 85 degree weather that we came from.
Nate came to Utah a couple of days early and got in some climbing. He did a climb with a friend, and then with Jason and Danica before heading to Yuba Lake.
He also made an amazing climb, with an amazing crew, on an amazing mountain by climbing Mt. Rainier in his state of Washington.
He also has been making you tube videos of some of the procedures he does for work. I think it's to show people that he does work as well as to show how slick some of the procedures he does are to keep us on our toes. (ha, ha .. couldn't resist)
The Mallory's took a week out of the month to help man a Fireworks booth at Cedar Ridge Elementary where Matt works. It was a 24/7 job for the two holidays this month with Independence Day and Pioneer Day for Utah. They also sold flavored bagged popcorn, which the kids helped sell. I helped fill in one afternoon for a couple of hours to see them in action until Amie could be there.
Jaxson and Kennlyn are doing Basketball and soccer and Langston is doing soccer and softball.
So they're starting to be on the run again getting the kids to where they need to be. We've been able to go watch a few of their games.
Jaxson has started doing odd jobs and is refereeing soccer games to earn some cash.
Andrew and Lindsay's crew headed south after Andrew got back from his work tour to get out of the house and have some fun in the sun.
They make good use of their boat when Andrew's home, and with this heat it's a good thing. They're also good to take cousins and friends out with them to share the fun.
For Titan's Birthday I was invited to go Ax throwing with them. Titan's old scout leader has a set up in his backyard for it as well as spear throwing. It was hot, but we did our best at trying to hit the mark. I can see why Titan loved scouts, his leader was awesome. The kids also got to play in a treehouse they had in their yard. Later that evening they invited family over for cake and ice cream.
Happy Birthday 9th Titan!!
Lindsay has felt like their was a little boy somewhere that needed to join their family to make it complete, and Titan would love a brother. After prayer, both Andrew and Lindsay have decided to try and adopt again. Time will tell what happens, but I wish them the best.
In Garret's family, Luke showed us that at 3 years old he can ride a bike all by himself!! He got tired of being left behind by his big sister and his determination has paid off. Way to go Luke!!
The Hassell's have had a month of fun in the sun. Looking at how tan they both are shows it. They started out by joining up with some of Jason's extended family and going to Lake Powell, living out on the water for almost a week. I have to say I was a bit jealous seeing all their pictures. It looked so fun!
Our family reunion was water and sun fun, and then they spent a weekend at Bear Lake with friends, and a weekend camping near Pineview Reservoir with Jason's dad and siblings for more sun fun, where they boated and did some biking. Makes me tired thinking how they fit all this in.
Danica's still doing personalized house paintings for families, and enjoys learning the stories behind each one, and when you see Jason off in the corner on his phone, we know he's working remotely. They do work hard to play hard.
Speaking of working hard, We're still watering our lawn and seeing the benefits. It's amazing what some warmer weather will do!! Dale was able to mow it when it's been green a few times. We still have some patches and a lot of weeds, but it's green! We aren't giving up on on our COVID lawn yet!!
Our state and area has worked to keep our numbers down on new COVID cases down, and it appears to be paying off for most of the state.
On the 30th the state had 446 cases of new positive tests (the goal was to stay under 500 for the month), and there were nine new cases posted in our Bear River Health District. Six in Cache County (with 3 deaths since Mar.) where we live, and three in Box Elder County (with 2 deaths since Mar).
The Cache County School Board met a couple of times towards the end of the month and after a lot of discussion with parents, teachers, and administrators, and reviewing surveys that were sent out, they voted and passed that schools should reopen and shared a plan they had put in place.
Just before the board had met after their first meeting was the release of a state manual which was over 100 pages long. They said it was a great guideline and something they weren't aware of until the county had put together their plan. The plan is a collaborative effort between school districts and county health departments.
The mayor of Logan, Holly Daines, had called to mandate to wear masks in the city and wants to have a vote to extend a mask mandate through the end of 2020. Masks have been required for all of the buildings in the Logan area, and a lot of the outlying towns are asking that masks be worn as well as reminders being around the stores to practice social distancing. The citizens still seem to be divided in this, but I have been seeing more masks worn in public buildings lately. Time will tell as the numbers come out next month.
We did find out that the Nibley Elementary School Principle, Kelly Rindlisbacher, from the Cache County School District contracted COVID after spending time with his family. He got it from one of his children who didn't realize they had it when they were together. His family has been in our prayers.
I feel that if at the end of the day we've agreed to be in harmony, and to be consistent in our efforts to do our part to slow the numbers we've had a good jibe going on this month. I just hope we can keep it.
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