Last Few July Randoms

The end of July brought the onslaught of the apricots.  They came so fast, we couldn't even keep up!  One day after work, James and I picked apricots and then made jam.  We are so domestic!  Ok, Sondra is the domestic one who babysat us through the whole process.  But we did go and do it again another night on our own!  We will have apricot jam for years!

 A Utah summer is not complete without attending at least one rodeo.  James and I headed up the road to the Draper Rodeo.  It was pretty low budget compared to the Pleasant Grove Rodeo that we went to last summer, but the people watching still can't be beat!

Cowboy hats, tight jeans, short shorts, and boots!

 

 

And hairdos like this!

The last day of July, we planned a little BYU ward reunion for our BYU 39th ward where Amy and I lived our last years at BYU/in Provo (because I think we were both graduated by then).  Bishop Nyman was a great bishop, and his wife Becky became a dear friend.  We knew we would lifelong friends during our very first ward social when we found out the Nyman's had applied to be on Survivor.  We have tried to have these reunions every few years with whoever is still around.

Bro and Sis Loveless (Bro Loveless was a counselor in the bishopric), Sandra Razafinarina (not her last name anymore and her husband), Me, the Nyman's, Dan and Amy, and Josh and Kate Rosenburg.  James was taking the picture.

It was so fun to see everyone and get caught up on each others lives!

July Hiking and Camping

We spent lots of fun times in the mountains during July.  One Saturday morning, we headed up to Ferguson Canyon which is between Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.  You wouldn't even know it was there unless you knew where you were going.  It was beautiful!

It was freezing!

Power squat for Deeds

Yes we did traverse up that steep hill.  I would have never made it down without my Gandalf staff.

Backing up a hike with a Slurpee!

Dirty feet and destroyed pedicure...that's a good Saturday morning right there!

The next Saturday morning we headed up Little Cottonwood Canyon to hike to Cecret Lake.  It was pretty busy with lots of families.  This is a great hike for the kiddos.  It was also lovely!  We sat on a rock and just enjoyed the scenery.

The wildflowers were in full bloom.  This picture doesn't do them justice!

We also went on a little camping trip in July with the besties.  It was quick, but it was so fun!  We went up to Little Mill Campground in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  Jake and Olivia and Sadie picked me up Friday afternoon and we headed up to claim our spot.  We got everything set up, and then James and Tricia joined us a few hours later.  We made tin foil dinners which were the best tin foil dinners I've ever had in my life.  Then we roasted s'mores and hung out around the campfire.  It was perfect!

What else is perfect is waking up to this...

This was my face at that moment!

All of us piled into my big tent including Sadie's pack n' play.  She is a camping champion!

We made a quick fire to cook breakfast, and then packed up camp and headed back to the real world.

I'm drunk on s'mores!

It was hopefully the first of many camping trips for this crew!  I love summer in the mountains!

Nana and Papa's 70th Birthday Party

We celebrated my parent-in-law's 70th birthdays yesterday with a huge birthday bash.  Their birthdays are in June and only one day apart.  Melanie organized this big party for all of Randall and Sondra's family and friends.  It was so fun to see everyone, make new friends, and get caught up with family!

I am so blessed to have them in my life!  They are such great examples to me of devotion to each other, their family, and the Lord.  I'm especially grateful that they raised an amazing son who is now my husband!  Here's to 70 more years!