Summer Adventures in North Salt Lake

Once we all realized we would be in Utah so close to our favorite summer tradition -- the North Salt Lake 3rd of July fireworks show, there was no getting any of us to leave. We spent the week happily killing time together, starting with frisbee golf at the park.

Next we met up with the Besses for a mountain cookout where we learned how valuable the modern invention of a lighter and/or a match is after the husbands spent at least an hour trying to start a fire with flint and steel. 

The wives recruited the children to take pictures of us while we waited. 

We eventually found success as is evident by those bronzed allows. 

My unexpected favorite summer activity from a couple years ago was going to the rodeo. We were able to lasso some tickets and corral the kids to recreate that fun memory.

When Carson heard there would be autographs after the show, he wouldn't let us leave without meeting the stars (and stripes?)!

Sunday was game day. We discovered our new favorite game, Blank Slate and Jonah discovered his new favorite alias. 

We all thanked Caroline for having a birthday during our in-town-ness. Oreo Cream Pie for all!

Then it was back to the mountains for another cookout. It's our favorite summer hangout spot, so we had to do it twice!

And our other favorite summer hangout spot is Bear Lake, so you know we made that drive! Nevermind that Jeff had gone back to Vegas by this point, leaving me to drive and keep an eye on four boys by myself. We all made it through the day without incident...

Without incident that is until everyone's hair started standing on end! I've seen enough Buzzfeed articles with titles like, "Unexpected Signs You Might Be In Danger," or, "Smart Things to Know If You Want to Live," or "If Your Hair Does THIS Don't Take a Picture...Run For Cover!" to know it was time to high tail it outta there.

We only stayed a few hours before a storm rolled in and the electricity levels in the air were highly unsettling. We decided to play it safe, pack up, and take things to the treat stand. 

We fit in some quality Grandma time with her two favorite games, Qwirkle and Rumikub. 

One last get together with the Besses at the new splash pad in Bountiful. We loved it!

We were having sports withdrawals after all of our active options at Aspen Grove so we went to the church to get some of our wiggles out. 

We made it to fireworks! 

And this is where Jonah fell in love with Emma. Nevermind that we had been with Emma for two solid weeks before this. He finally realized how much he loves her when she held him during fireworks and it was a bond that could not be broken. 

Jonah and Emma decided they were best friends which made for a very sad and tearful goodbye. Emma cried about Emma the whole way back to Becky's house that night, and then the next day he talked about her for most of the drive home. They decided they would be pen pals and write each other letters to help them stay best friends. 

Jonah was so excited a few weeks later when he got his first letter from his BFF pen pal. He still loves Emma and talks about her all the time!