Zion National Park

From Hurricane, we went to Zion National Park where we stayed for the next couple days. It had been years since we'd been to Zion and I had forgetten how beautiful it is! The house we stayed at was great and the kids had fun playing together. We took the shuttle tour through the park and went on a little hike where we got to play in the water (which was a life saver becuase it was REALLY hot!). I love being with Nate's family and it was great to have Luann, Jan and Wendy with us too.

Nelson Family Reunion

The weekend of the 24th of July was the Nelson Family Reunion. We started the reunion in Hurricane, Utah where Nate's grandpa, Earl Spendlove, grew up. We went to the house where he lived, found his name on the wall of war veterans at the city museum, and went to the cemetary where many of his family members are burried. We have read some of the stories of these ancestors as a family and it was neat to see where they lived and where they are burried. 

Park City

After the boys went mountain biking, we met in Park City where the kids played and we rode the alpine slide and the mountain coaster and had dinner. It was a lot of fun and a great night!

Biking with the Nelsons

When Cameron and Darren arrived in town, the Nelson boys made the most of their time together. Nate and Darren rode up American Fork Canyon and down Provo Canyon one night while Sarah and the kids hung out at our house. The next day, Nate, Darren, Cameron and Sarah went mountain biking at Deer Valley. Nate loved the biking and loved being with his brothers (and sister-in-law).

Hiking with the Strouds

We had a free Saturday in July and went on a hike with the Strouds up to Battlecreek Falls in Pleasant Grove. It was a fun little hike and fun to be with the Strouds. Lia ran into one of her teachers from school at the waterfall who was repelling with his son. He asked Lia if she wanted to try it and she said yes! She did great and was glad she did it. I admire Lia's determination. She is always willing to try new things and isn't afraid of anything! And Laura never misses an opportunity to jump into water, no matter how cold.

Baptisms with the Barsons

Also in July we went to the temple with the Barson cousins before Ryan and Heather and their family went back to Florida. It was great to be in the temple with almost all the grandkids that are old enough to go. We were just missing Matthew who had to work and Lauren and Katelyn who were in Logan. They all looked so nice in their white shirts and ties and dresses and were so cute together. I am so grateful for my nieces and nephews and the good influence they are on my kids.