4th of July -- Stay-cation

Due to a variety of circumstances, we are not taking a big family summer vacation this year. Instead, we got to enjoy our own (stay-cation -- stay at home vacation this week). We had a week of visitors and fun. Mandy (my niece from Washington), the Jones' (Dave's family from California) and the Bauers (one of my BFFs from when I was 2 who now lives in Idaho) all descended upon the Salt Lake valley this week.

It was such a fun week... I'm a little exhausted tonight... but well worth the fun! Highlights include (kids when you say at the end of the summer we didn't take a vacation just re-read this and remember the massive fun week we had with our family and friends.)

Mandy, Rachel and Hess Kids

Cam & Kenzi dancing in a ballroom at J.S. Memorial
Grandpa, Jana, Mandy & Hess Kids

Cool Cam & Cute Mandy

I think we wore Kenzi out... this was only day 2!!

Cardiac Canyon at Cherry Hill was their favorite place to play!

A log jam on the ride... Lauren loved it... Kenzi not so much.

Katie/Jackie/Jana Wall -- Rachel Cottle -- Mandy Wall -- Kaylee Lyman -- Hess Kids

Cam has turned into a swimming maniac this summer -- he loves to swim under water! We went around the Lazy River at least 20 times ... and he never would get in a tube.
Lauren, Austin Bauer and Drew (Bauer's friend).

Lauren LOVED a day at Lagoon with big kids only!

Brent, Austin, Lauren & Nat getting ready for a ride.
Jac & Madison showing off their great teeth/healthy mouths at Lagoon.

(Nat the dental hygienist should be so proud.)

Cameron & Jacqueline Bauer enjoying the cul-de-sac fireworks.
Mike Cottle and Jacqueline at Timp Caves.
Jacqueline & Madison in the caves.

(Sorry Dave... I have no proof you were really there so you'll have to do that hike again. Dave said you only need to do that hike one time in your life with your kids.)

* BBQ at Grandpa's and Cousin sleepover

* Play day with Mandy (including yes Becca and Scott a trip to the U of U bookstore)

* Late night tennis

* Cherry Hill with the cousins.... the kids LOVED that!!!!!!!!

* Playgroup Water Fun

* Watching Trevor play volleyball at the Jr. Olympic Tournament (Trev you are so cool and so good)

* Temple Square/Joseph Smith Movie/Lunch at Joseph Smith Memorial new cafe (Yum!! Mandy you are so cute by the way.)

* Cleaning Rice Eccles Stadium after the Real Soccer Game (great fundraiser for Lauren's soccer team -- she thought it was the greatest late night ever. We watched fireworks and then cleaned the stadium for 2 hours. While the parents ran the leaf blowers the kids went on the field for an hour and played soccer. Dave didn't think it was too fun, but I thought it was a great experience for Lauren. Maybe getting to bed at 2:00 am and then getting up at 6:00 am the next morning wasn't too great.)

* Ward 4th of July Breakfast and kids bike parade (the kids LOVE decorating the bikes).

* Climbing Timp Caves with Bauers and Walls and Cottles (thank heavens for the cloud cover. Dave, you know it wasn't as bad as you think it was.)

* Dinner out at Wingers (finally....who new every restaurant closes at 6:00 pm on the 4th of July but Dave had unending patience as we drove from restaurant to restaurant and then when we finally go to eat ordered two entrees and ate most of Kenzi and Cameron's food too).

* Fireworks in the cul-de-sac

* Lagoon from 10:00 am - 11:00 pm (for Lauren and Bauers only -- thanks for taking her she loved it!!)

* Group sleepovers with the Bauer kids and the Hess kids on the floor every night! (How many blankets and pillows do such little bodies need?!?!)

* Fun family dinner with the Jones, Aaron and Jenn, and Katie and her cute friend. (We have such great family. Great pork chops Dave... if anyone wants a good recipe let me know.)

* Watching Jacqueline record a Jenny Phillips song at a studio (great singing Jacqueline)