Parties, Part II

On Monday, July 23, we invited the Spendloves--Dave's brother and sisters and their children--for a swimming party at Northcrest Pool and a chance to be with Camille and her children.  Alas, there was a swim meet when the guests arrived, so we hastily made that a garden party at our home.

The gang included Dave's mom and Darrell, Nancy and Darrell Moench, Jennifer Moench Katchner and her family, and Jacob Moench and his new wife, Melissa.  Camille mingled with her cousins, grandma, and aunts and uncles, and the kids gathered downstairs to watch movies.

Dave's sister, Janice, was in town from Houston, and she arrived with her daughter, Charlotte, who is expecting a baby in six weeks, and her son, Ben, who is starting BYU this summer.  Janice's son, Joshua, joined us, still hot from climbing rocks in the canyons.

Since the family is a combination of vegans and carnivores, we had an interesting buffet.  There were lots of green salads, in addition to chicken, lasagna made with tofu, and black bean cakes!  We agreed that, when Lisa comes to town, we'll try the swim party again....

We spent Tuesday, Pioneer Day, July 24, at the cabin.  All the kids had to try on their Grandpa's new coyote hat, purchased at a Mountain Man Rendez-vous and made from roadkill.

Grandpa joined the kids for a game of horseshoes.

Annelise, Sophia, and Mia cleaned out the playroom above the workshop, and decorated it with a new rug.

Of course, everyone tried Grandpa's Famous Hamburgers, as we sat in the dining pavilion built by Grandpa Cliff.

We finished the day with shakes at the Oakley Polar King.

Jonny arrived Wednesday, from San Diego.  He will spend Saturday at his 10th high school reunion and climbing Mt. Timpanogas with Dave.  In the meantime, we had one more picnic at a favorite family spot, Red Butte Gardens.  We found a private garden "room," enclosed by branches, for our picnic.

We then wandered through the garden, enjoying the roses, ponds with water lilies, and statues.

We enjoyed sunset from the gardens.

One last, delightful event was dinner at our home with my family, the Calders.  Jenny joined us from Chicago.  Most unfortunately, I was so busy cooking that I didn't get a single photo taken....