Firm Fete

There must be an easier way to make money than logging billable hours!  Every year my law firm hosts a summer party for attorneys, staff, and their families.  On June 11, 2022, grandsons Michael K, Spencer, and their families joined Dave and me at This is the Place Heritage State Park for a barbecue lunch and few hours exploring this restored pioneer village.  Michael K panned for gold and cashed in his findings at the pioneer store.  Alas, that might not be a viable alternative to billable hours!

 

It was a treat to share barbecue at a table with our grandchildren and great grandchildren, and to introduce them to my favorite lawyer friends.  I introduced my crowd to the leaders of the firm, including Melissa Smith (the “True Boss”), Lori Springer (the “HR person who will hug you and cry with you ”), and Todd Leishman.  I told Todd that Spencer and Naomi both work for McKinsey and that Spencer wants to learn how to manage a law firm.  “I should hire you to tell me how to do that,” Todd said to Spencer.

My assistant, Cate Benton, joined us, as did Michael K and Rebekah, and we sat together at a round table to eat barbecued chicken and pork together.  Cate told my grandchildren how often and lovingly I talk about them, and Naomi and Spencer reiterated how often and approvingly I talk about Cate!

Michael K and Rebekah brought Lily, who sat on her own chair and barely peeked over the edge of the table!

Spencer, Naomi, and Eliza all got their faces painted, courtesy of the firm!

After lunch, we rode the vintage train around the park, listening to the guide tell about the many pioneer buildings transfered into the park from their original locations around the state of Utah.  Those buildings included the Huntsman Hotel and one of the original "social halls," where the pioneers met, partied, and danced.

As we waited for the train, we listened to a group sing pioneer songs like "O Susannah," accompanied by a fiddle.

We stopped to pan for gold in a creek.  On this hot day, Eliza and Lily, as well as their parents, were happy to relax in the shade and play in the water.

The next event was a ride on the miniature train around a pond.  The tiny train was not very comfortable, but the view over Salt Lake Valley was superb.

This is the Place Park is open to the public for visits, and it hosts various private events, such as my firm's barbecue lunch.  The park also hosts overnight handcart treks.  Dave and Naomi, who have been involved with planning treks, fantasized on how much easier it would be to hire that done through the park, rather than plan the stake's own event!

We were at the park when the YMYW from a Vernal stake paraded into the park, after their overnight trek in the hills.  

They were greeted by cheering park visitors and by park volunteers shooting muskets into the air, just as handcart pioneers arriving in Salt Lake City in the 1950s might have been welcomed!

The activities were very fun, but a bit much for little Lily.

There were many activity stations around the park.  Spencer and Naomi showed Eliza how to stamp a design on a small piece of leather.

And, of course, we stopped at the general store for a treat!