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....

Let the Festivities Begin!

Camille and her younger children--Annelise, Sophia, Ezra, and Mia--arrived in SLC on Wednesday, July 18, after spending a week in Newport Beach with the Eberts.  Steve, Emilie, and Jonno flew from Newport Beach back to Columbus for work (Steve), girls' camp (Emilie), and football camp (Jonno).  In SLC, we immediately began a whirl of parties.

Our first celebration was a picnic at Liberty Park.  Ezra and Mia were given  a Civil War hat during a visit to Sarah in Las Vegas, who helped to care for them in Europe.  Ezra and Mia lounged about in a lawn chair as Camille spread the picnic of brie cheese, salami, fruit, cookies, and lemonade for Sophia, Annelise, Dave, and me. 

After supper, the kids played on the swings and slides. 

Mia tried climbing into the swing by herself, stomach first.  She also pushed Grandpa in the swing.

We went to see "Ice Age--Continental Drift," the third or fourth sequel in that series.  Grandpa and Grandma, as well as the kids, laughed, gasped, and sat on the edge of their seats as the Ice Age creatures searched for their families, after the continents split apart.

Gateway, where "Ice Age" was showing,  is also a great place to wander and do some people-watching.

On Sunday, the Eberts joined us for Church. Sophia attended Grandma's CTR B Primary class, and then the whole family got pictures taken on the Church steps.  Steve flew back Friday night from Columbus, Ohio, bringing Emilie and Jonno.

After Church, Darrell Moench gave the kids rides in his Corvette, as Mia waited patiently on the grass with her dolls.

Grandma Carol and her husband, Darrell, joined us for Sunday dinner.