Happy Fourth of July

With our world being impacted with the Corona-19 virus, we have mostly been self-isolated to our home and have appreciated our nice back yard where we have welcomed visitors.  The Fourth of July was a special opportunity to be with family who came to celebrate with us.

Here are some candid photos from this day we enjoyed with family: 
Scott, Kristine, Jenna, and Shannon from Denver, Colorado
Trent, Jessica, and Smyth from Provo, Utah
Curtis, Marla, and Maren from Mitchell, South Dakota
Sarah, Derek, Anna, Paul, and Max from Spanish Fork, Utah
Haley and Ty from American Fork, Utah
Ryan and Tani from Eagle Mountain, Utah
Todd, Beth, Jared, Megan, Amanda and Alex, Ethan, Joshua, and Rebecca (Spanish Fork) 

 

  Kristine, Jenna, Shannon, Maren, and Haley

We are thankful Shannon's injuries had healed enough

that she could be with us on the Fourth without needing medical devices.

Scott, Kristine, Jenna, and Shannon had been staying in our home

since Shannon fell at Stewart Falls on Memorial Day.

We appreciate the many prayers that have been answered

for her recovery and also for Ryland. 

Visiting in the shade

Smyth enjoyed the pool with Mom and Dad and Grandpa and Grandma

 

Joshua, Ethan, Alex, Amanda, Jared, and Beth

A relaxing day with family.

Doug and Shannon's family is the only family photo I got this time.

 

Scott, Maren, Haley, Curtis, and Ty

They always seem to find some way to compete.

Smyth's reserved seat 

Paul didn't seem to mind being left out of the

conversation between his aunt and grandma.

Perfect weather for being in the pool.

It is nice to have the addition on the pool shed

for the pool toys and equipment.

Jared with the tube for his next move.

Doug, Isaac, Shannon, Beth, Marla, and Trent

Fun for all ages.

Anna and Paul left the pool for a time to enjoy the play area.

 

Ryan and Tani saying their "goodbyes."

Our chairs had been reserved for us

having been set the 6-foot recommended distance from others.

Jacob, Isaac, and Mason taking turns on the diving board.

Brynlee's timing was perfect.

 

Rebecca's timing was successful, too.

 

 

 Enjoying "Kan Jam" in the shade.

 

The "Marriage Tree" decorated for the Fourth.

Sarah, Maren, Haley, and Ty enjoyed the shade.

Doug, Jacob, and Brynlee by the pool.

Todd visiting with Scott.

Scott and Ryan vs. Isaac and Jacob in game of "Corn Hole."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Brittney and Matt with their children

Monty, Joe, Robert, and Kate

were here for a short visit on July 15th

on their way to Idaho to Matt's family reunion.

We always enjoy being with this cute family.

Monty, Joe, Robert, and Kate visiting with the mules.


We also enjoyed a nice visit on July 9th with our dear friends,
Greg and Chris Shepard from Cedar City;
but I failed to get a picture.
We always love being together with them;
and we got to meet the latest addition to their family,
their dog Jack.

God bless America!

Stay safe and know you are loved by family, friends, and our Father in Heaven.

More Summer Fun

Summer Fun, continued . . .

Although we are not always able to be with a family member to celebrate a birthday, we do appreciate the times we can be together on those special occasions.

Joshua's birthday is June 23rd, 

and we appreciated being invited to his birthday dinner.  

Joshua with their family's new labradoodle they named Peggy.

Isaac's birthday is July 6th,

and it was fun having him come with his family

to share his birthday cake and celebration with us.

 Isaac with his requested birthday cake made of fruit.
It also was a good day for swimming.

Shannon with their family's new pet,

their beagle named Squally.

Having a photo with the birthday boy.

(Gramma Narene and Grampa Sam with Isaac)

  One more photo before putting the pool tubes away.

(Isaac and Mason)

Other family celebrating June birthdays are Brittney, Derek, and Curtis.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

July 12th we went to the Sports Park in Spanish Fork 

for the concert and fireworks display.

Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband had a concert before the fireworks.

 Mother Nature's beautiful display prior to the fireworks.

We joined Rebecca and her family for the

evening of music and fireworks

at the Sports Park.

 The pyrofireworks were impressive,
although this photo does not represent all the colors and sky-filling views.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The Car Show on July 20th

as part of Spanish Fork Fiesta Days 

I chose a 1956 vintage car (Ford) to stand by for a photo,

as that was the year I graduated from high school.

Sam is standing by a 1955 Chevrolet,

the year he graduated from high school.

A 1926 Model T Ford

A climbing tower free to try for anyone interested,

which was sponsored by the National Guard.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Beth  invited me to go with her and daughters

Rebecca and Amanda (Megan had other plans)

to the Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella

at the Hale Theater in Sandy. 

(Narene, Rebecca, Beth, and Amanda)

Pictures are not permitted during the production,

but this was the stage prior to the beginning of the musical play.

Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo

Christy and Hal Smith went with us to the rodeo.

(Sam, Christy, and Hal)

It was a good rodeo, and we were glad

it was overcast and the temperature was not as hot as had been expected.

Bareback rider with his hat left behind.

A bull rider coming out of the shute.

The high-flying motorcycle act,
Cowboy Kenny's Steel Rodeo,
was a crowd-pleasing act at the rodeo. 

The bull riders are always the final event
and usually don't disappoint the audience.
There were a couple of close calls with the bull riders getting stepped on,
 but fortunately the riders were able to walk off.


* * * * * * * * * * * *


Spanish Fork 24th of July Parade

The float entered by the city of Spanish Fork,
Hometown Pride & Progress

One of the antique John Deere tractors entered in the parade.

BYU entered their large blue truck,
which was followed by gymnasts doing stunts and cheerleaders.
The crowd loved when they saw Cosmo riding horseback
and doing some stunts, as seen here doing a flip.

The city floats and those entered by businesses were elaborate,
but this float by a Mapleton church ward was impressive.

Definitely a favorite.

Of course, we were watching for this entry in the parade.
It is the entry with Rebecca's clogging group.
She is a talented clogger and the smallest and youngest 
in the group (6th from the left).


After the parade, we walked over to see the
displays at the Pioneer Park.
 

Wool Spinning demonstration

Making bobbin lace,
which is a lace textile made by braiding and twisting lengths of thread, 
which are wound on bobbins to manage them.
She also displayed a doily made by tatting.
My mother enjoyed crocheting and also made tatting lace
as well as hairpin lace.
I wish now I had taken advantage of having my mother teach me 
how to do these unique laces.

I especially enjoy seeing the quilts displayed.

This is one of the few quilts that
was both hand sewn and hand quilted
and was very beautiful.
All of the quilts were very nice
and represented a lot of hours of work. 

Sam is standing by a dump rake that was
like one he rode as a young boy, his first real job on the farm.

Sam looking over a piece of equipment for gathering hay,
which he had not seen before.

An old sheepherder's wagon.

One of the rooms in the village in the Pioneer Park.


* * * * * * * * * * * *

Well, speaking of old relics,
this is a copy Ryan's friend sent him that she saw on the Internet.
It has my signature as president of the 
Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association
of our church during the time we
lived in St. Johns.