Draper Temple

 Gator only has a handful of temples left to achieve her goal.  3 of them aren't open yet, 2 have just been announced, and only 1 left that is open and she has an appointment there for the end of July.  Today we went to the Draper Temple.  Years ago, we went to this open house.  Gator wasn't even a year old.  June has been busy with temples, it was perfect because I was off from school for the month.  Before Covid closed the temples, we had a stack of about 25 names that we wanted to do the complete work for.  That stack expired because of Covid, but this year with Gators goal we have a new stack.  She has way surpassed the baptisms, doing over 100 so far this year, but I am well into my initiatory and endowment stack.  Thank you for the example Gator.  After the temple we went to Cowabunga.  We went there a few times when all the kids were younger, but it's been awhile since and Gator has wanted to go.  The day was hot and sunny until we got in the pool.  A random thunder and lightning storm blew right on top of the waterpark and brought rain and hail.  Luckily it only lasted about 20 minutes and then we had to wait 30 minutes for the lightning, but after that the kids were back in the water and left exhausted.  

Stolen

 I hate that we don't see Owen and Kylee every day anymore. And with gas prices being so stupidly expensive it makes it even less often.  I obviously talk to them all the time though, and I love social media so I can still "see" them and what they are up to. 

Hang Out Day

 Gator and I needed a hang out day after Trek and the balloon festival.  She mentioned a pedicure and I thought it would probably feel good on her tired sore feet, and neither one of us had ever had one, so we started there.  It felt so good, I'm afraid we may already be hooked.  After some pampering, we went to lunch and then to get a drink and cookie.  I love that we had the day to hang out, and have fun.  

Panguitch

 With Gator on Trek, I didn't want to stay home alone all weekend so I got Davis and Kin to go to Panguitch with me for a hot air balloon festival.  It was so fun, except dragging a naughty puppy along with me.  Hopefully she gets easier as she gets older.  Anyway, we left on Friday after work and came home Sunday morning so it was quick, but I loved hanging out with Davis and Kin.  I got up early to go to the launch on Saturday morning, and then came back and got Davis and Kin for the street fair and lunch.  We decided since we were down this far, we'd spend a couple hours visiting Dave and Sheila.  Dave, Kin, and Davis went out gopher hunting to show Kin what it was all about.  We drove back to Panguitch  for the balloon glow on mainstreet and live music.  It was so cool.  I wish it would have gone later than 10:00, we didn't even have time to see all the balloons.  Sunday morning Davis and Kin actually got up early to go see the launch, but I guess the weather wasn't safe.  It seemed perfect weather to me, but I am sure a lot more goes into the safety, than just what it "looks" like.  

Davis just finally got sick of Willow and picked her up and took her back to the trailer.  She looked so disappointed.  

Pioneer Trek

 Gator got invited to go on Pioneer Trek with Audrey's stake.  She was very excited, I actually tried talking her out of it numerous times, but she was sure she wanted to go have that experience.  After she got home, she said she loved it, but would probably never go again.  I got a couple of late night homesick phone calls, but other than that she stuck it out through all the wind, heat, and dirt.  Great Job Gator!!  I know for a fact, I wouldn't have made it.  

New Looks

 Willow got a summer haircut.  She was just getting way too long, shaggy, and stinky.  She seems to really enjoy her new look.  Gator also got a new look this evening.  Kin and her colored her hair.  It was supposed to be dark brown, but it is definitely red. It is cute though, and she loves the change.  I love the fact that Davis and Kin live so close again.  We went over for dinner tonight and went for ice cream.  It is fun just hanging out over at their apartment.  Makes me wish Owen & Kylee lived closer (but I always wish that).  That or gas was so freaking expensive.  

Surprise 70th

 My siblings and I have been planning a surprise party for my dads 70th birthday since about February.  It turned out better than we could have ever planned.  I've never seen my dad cry and he was so thrilled to have all that could make the trip there for his birthday.  It was an awesome day.  We left on Friday and had an appointment at the Cedar City temple.  We took Eden and Lucy with us, and Mat stopped for Connor and Josh stopped for Millie and Blake.  Dave and Sheila came over from Milford to go with us.  The wind was insane.  Like knocking people over insane.  But the temple always protects us and it was the same with the wind.  It is kinda weird, Gator is almost done with her goal, I know she will keep going as much as she can, she loves the temple, it is her favorite place to be.  

After the temple, Dave & Sheila took us to Sizzler for dinner and we visited with Dave's brother for a bit since we were in Cedar City.  The girls and I stayed in Milford.  It was way cheaper for us to make the drive back and forth than it was to get a hotel so we stayed up late and watched a chick flick.  

My dad was doing a Farmers Market Saturday morning which was actually perfect.  And he was set up in a perfect spot because his back was turned to us, so we were able to all gather right behind him without him even knowing we were there.  It was such a fun surprise.  I've never seen dad cry, I can tell this meant so much to him and it was awesome.  

After the Farmers Market, we went back to Dads for lunch.  

It was still pretty windy, and actually not very hot.  I was scared to go down south in the summer, I think Heavenly Father gave me a tender mercy with a beautiful unseasonal cool day.  The kids still wanted to swim though, so we crashed Josh & Rachelle's hotel pool and let the kids swim all afternoon.  

We ended the party day at the park with dinner.  My dads sisters came and some of Dianne's kids.  There was a very serious corn hole tournament, yummy food, and great company.  I am so glad so many of us could be there to help dad celebrate his birthday!