July summer fun

Summer is cruising by. Lots of fun with the kids between band camp, cross country, track, basketball, sports camps, and more. 

I ran a few trail races up in the mountains. Right before the first race, they sent us a warning about an aggressive bear sighting in the area (i.e., on the trail we were to be running). Like a Utahn, I went in the garage and found our bear spray to bring just in case. That did not stop the race and thankfully there were no bear sightings. Though the race was painful. 1200 feet elevation gain over a mile. 

Park basketball

Swimming and sunning and popsicles 

Sun Valley Idaho

Jeff had a conference in Idaho this summer so we tagged along for some summer fun.

While Jeff had meetings, the kids and I went on a long bike ride along the Salmon River. And of course we stopped for ice cream because you have to do that in new cities. We all went white water rafting the following day which was pretty amazing. Sun Valley is beautiful.

Early June highlights

School is out for summer so a few of the early summer highlights.

The kids are all running track. Aaron runs the 50 and 100 and does long jump and shot put. Kyle runs the mile and does shot put and long jump. Emily runs the mile as well and does shot put and long jump. 


We enjoyed some delicious bibimbap together.


Kyle & Emily have been lifting weights with me this summer. It's been fun seeing them challenge themselves in the weight room and build some strength.

Snowbird summer

With our season ski passes, one perk is the summer activities on site. We checked out the Snowbird summer activities last summer and they were pretty awesome. This year, they added a ninja type course to the party. And it was amazing!

Zip line

Warped wall

Spinning tables

Rings

And a tree climb (not part of the ninja course, just another fun activity there)

Snowbird

Snowbird has summer concerts on the weekend. We went to a few this summer. After the concert, we went for a short walk. It did not disappoint. Emily picked a nice bouquet of wildflowers and we saw a family of deer. Pretty awesome if you ask me. 

Ensign Peak

Exploring Salt Lake City and did a short hike to the top of Ensign Peak. It's a short, easy hike with a great view of the city. Apparently this is where Brigham Young went, saw the great view of the valley, and declared "this is the place" (which you see all over SLC), and established Salt Lake City as a new place for the LDS to settle. 

Summer pool fun

The day after arriving in Salt Lake City, we joined a pool for some summer fun. The pool has a great diving board and the kids have loved perfecting their cannonballs and dives.

Aaron diving

Kyle flip dive

Emily diving

Greensboro Science Center

On the way to the beach, there are plenty of signs for the Greensboro Science Center. So today we figured we would finally check it out. There is a lot there for the kids - a science center. a zoo, and an aquarium. Oh and a ropes course. 

Poconos

We drove up to Pennsylvania to visit Adam and his family in the Poconos. It was a long drive, but the kids did great. Amazing what iPads and movies can do for kid's humor on a long car ride. 

We had a good time visiting with Adam, Daniella, Max & Leo. And Papa and Kari were visiting too for an added bonus. The kids so rarely get one-on-one family time (usually all the families are together) together so it was a unique for the kids to get to play in a smaller group. We had delicious dinners together cooked by Adam & Daniella. We went swimming, played tennis, hit some golf balls, went running and had a good time hanging out together. 

Kyle and Em with Max. Max was a bit under the weather, but was such a champ showing the kids his summer places. 

Em & Max reading together

Adam, Papa, Jeff, Max & Kyle went to the driving range to hit some golf balls together

The kids and Uncle Adam

Em settling in for the long car ride home

Chicago family reunion

We started our trip in Palatine with the reunion. We had a great time staying with Tommy & Colleen and their crew. All of my siblings and their families came out as well for the reunion. Mom also came down from Wisconsin for the big party. It was a great weekend with family. 

Addie & Trevor wanted to come to Costco with me so I got to be the fun aunt with them because the samples were awesome!! Ice cream at Trader Joes, sausage and juice at Costco. They were some great helpers!

We got to all go swimming together. Kyle, Emily & Aaron all went off the diving board at the pool into the 12 feet!!! 

And the big party!! All of my siblings and their families came for a fun family reunion. 

Ryan golfing

Aaron driving

Trevor driving

Grandma & Kally at the pool