Pioneer Days

Our first time celebrating Pioneer Days with Madeline and we had such a great time.  Uncle Kelvyn is the Mayor of Cottonwood Heights (he has been the Mayor for over 5 years), and since he has been Mayor he put together an event called "Butler Days" to celebrate Pioneer Days.  Butler Days was held at  the local elementary school, and there were lots of fun activities: a parade, a 5K run, classic cars to look at, concerts, several yummy food stations, little fire trucks that kids were spraying water with each other, face-painting,  pie eating contests, lots of games, and fireworks.  But Madeline's favorite were the balloons - she would watch in awe as the balloons were twisted and shaped to make different objects.  She loved the flower balloon that was made for her - even though it only lasted about a minute until it popped!  We weren't able to make it for the fireworks (past Maddy's bedtime!), but we had a great day celebrating our Pioneers that made their way across the plains in the 1840s - what amazing examples of strength and perseverance! 

St. George

Mitch's parents got a house in St. George at the end of last year, and we have been having so much fun spending time there this year!  The house is absolutely amazing and every room has a bathroom - so it is like being at a hotel.  There is a huge theatre room, wonderful backyard with a swimming pool, hot tub and fire pit and beautiful views of the red rock.  So far everytime Mitch and I have gone there, it has been a fun  family event, such a great time to be with family and Maddy to play with her cousins.

We went to Zion's National Park - this picture doesn't

do it justice how beautiful the red rock was!

At Zion's we all (the Park family and Mitch's parents) went for a hike that was 

about a mile and a half to a really beautiful body of water.

Gorgeous!  When we got to the water, there were tons of kids playing and splashing around.

And there were lots of deer and rabbits along the path, that were just enjoying being in nature.

Daddy's turn to hike with Maddy on the way back!

Swimming at the St. George house!  

 

This was Maddy's entertainment on the way to and home from St. George!

Spending time in St. George, I finally got to see what all the hype is about this place - and its great!  It is so beautiful to see the red rock next to the mountains.  We are planning on spending Thanksgiving there with Mitch's parents and his siblings, and I can't wait - it will be so much fun!

Happy Fourth of July!  

We got back from St. George in time to spend the fourth with Gummy and Gumpy and the Martin Family.  Kathi and Val had us all over for a great BBQ (as Mitch would say or grilling out as I - and most Michiganders would say) and lots of yummy food.  Maddy has yet to experience fireworks - maybe next year!