Big Moment #3 - Gates Visit Utah

(I realize I'm nearly 2 months late getting this out. I started in not too long after this event, but busy schedules and computer problems put it on the back burner for awhile. Oh well, better late than never.)

Jeni and her family came to Utah over the Independence Day weekend. Aaron and I were lucky enough to have them stay with us. I was so excited to have them here I started getting everything ready weeks before they arrived. They were only with us for about 5 days, but they were 5 days packed full of lots of fun!

It was very hot when they arrived and they had been a car for a long time, so I thought it would be fun to the kids run through the sprinklers for a bit. They all had a lot of fun...so did some neighborhood kids who came over and watched us for a little while until I said they could run through the water, too.

The next day, July 2nd, they went to hike to the cave in Mt. Timpanogos (a popular tourist adventure). We met them later at Cascade Springs on the east side of the mountain and about halfway between the cave and Sundance. It was beautiful at the springs and Aaron just loved all the water.

When we were done at the springs, we drove down a dusty back road into Heber. The Gates wanted to visit some family grave sites while they were here. Then off to grab a bite to eat and then Aaron and I went home while the Gates stopped by Bridal Veil Falls and played in the water.

On Saturday, we woke up bright and early to watch the annual hot air balloon rise in Provo. It's quite a site when they are all up, but that day was a bit too windy for them to risk it. So, we watched them get blown up and deflated a few times. Three of the balloons actually got in the air, but the rest had to stop. Even the little bit that we got to see what exciting for the kids.

That night we went to a great spot to see some fireworks. Aaron loved watching the bright sparkling lights shooting out and listening to the loud popping noises. My younger brother Richard, his wife Sondra and their daughter, Bella, who is about 6 weeks older than Aaron, met up with us to enjoy the show.

Sunday was a pretty quiet day for Aaron and me, which was good. He needed the rest before we were off and running (almost literally) again on Monday.

We woke up very early ag to head out to join in Provo's Freedom Festival 5K. We had a stroller for Aaron and a wagon for Jeni's kids. We met up with my older sister, Shera, my younger brother Richard, his wife Sondra and their daughter, Bella, who is about 6 weeks older than Aaron. We walked while Josh jogged/ran. We finished in pretty good time, just under an hour. Aaron had so much fun, especially when the runners in the 10K passed on the route. He wanted to get out and run with them. Instead, he settled for his Aunt Shera holding him for awhile.

We met up with the rest of Shera's family after the race and headed to the parade a few (okay, several) blocks away. Aaron got to taste cotton candy for the first time and loved sitting on his cousin's lap. We had so much fun!

Later that evening, we headed to my oldest brothers house for a family barbecue and swim party. Aaron loved splashing in the pool and eating great food. Jeni brought a big birthday cake we had picked up that afternoon to celebrate the 6 (that's right, 6!) birthdays we had in the family that week. (Good thing we didn't try to put enough candles to cover everyone's ages!)

We had so much fun with the Gates and missed them horribly as soon as they left on Tuesday morning. I can't wait until we can see them again!