Things to do in Utah when you're us

So, besides the special agenda items planned for our Utah trip (fourth of july, family reunion, lagoon amusement park) there were plenty of regularly scheduled summer-in-Utah activities as well.

It did seem on this trip that I could tell that my kids are getting older, and this in some ways affected their interest and involvement in some of our usual Utah activities. For example, no one begged to go to the interactive fountain at Gateway, when this is usually a highly anticipated evening ritual with CD. (although I KNOW if we had actually taken them, they would have had a great time)

We got together with our friends Beth and Emily, but it was a bit more reserved playing this time because, well, you know, Harriet, Beth and Emily are girls, and Jack, well, he's a boy! Never used to seem to matter before...

Even the uber-traditional last night before leaving visit to Leatherby's for ice-cream was easily abandoned for a night-in playing a raucous game of Apples to Apples around Grandma's kitchen table.

But we are certain there will always be activities and adventures, old and new, to be found in our visits to Utah, which I am certain we will never outgrow.

Grandma's and Grandpa's backyard hill is the perfect place for sledding, regardless of the season, or the amount of ice available:

Next door neighbor's Kay's raspberries were back this year, as was her open invitation to come and pick to our stomach's content:

Quickly becoming a tradition, lunch with my summering NY friends at the Rio Grande Cafe:

(although only one of us above is still an actual New Yorker)

(Sean was good to us with the guac)

Jolet and Catherine

Drove WAY across to the other side of the valley to view and tour the new Oquirrh Moutain Temple with Grandpa and Grandma before it is dedicated.

a week or so earlier the statue of Moroni had been struck by lightning

And finally, saw and hugged friends and family as everyone gathered at the funeral of my cousin

David Miles "Butch" Evans Jr.

Gone too soon, Godspeed Butch.

Thanks to everyone who made us feel so welcome in Utah, and put up with us even as we as houseguests, like fish, began to stink after three weeks. We can't wait to come back and see you all again soon!