Payson City Onion Days Parade

The annual Labor Day Parade at Payson lived up to my expectations. Since I have only been to a handful of parades over the years, I decided I would go and be a good sport and stay for the whole parade no matter what. I did secretly pray for rain so none of the family would want to go, but it did not rain at first. Mom, Jeff and I went down a couple of hours early and set up our chairs in front of the old middle school. Mom stayed and read a book while Jeff and I went home and got warm. I fixed a big thermos of hot chocolot for mom and took it back down. Soon Amy and Nate and their four kids came, and Mike and Ali and their family got there. We were all cold, but we bundled up and waited for the parade to start. As the parade started, it began to sprinkle a little rain. We were OK huddled together. As the parade continued, it began to pour rain. I ran through the park to my car to get some plastic covers to put over us and when I got back, everyone had run for their cars except Mom, Brooke, and Adi. Ali asked me to carry Scout to their truck and she took Grey to her mom"s car. Scout was freezing and crying, so I grabbed her and ran for Mike's truck. It was about two blocks away. As Scout and I approached the truck, I saw the backup lights come on. Right as I reached for the handle to get Scout and I to warm safety, Mike pulled off and left us standing in the freezing rain. I stood there holding Scout in the middle of the road waving, but to no avail. Mike finally came back to pick up Scout. Because we were the only ones still watching the parade, Mike took Scout up and down the road picking up candy. Finally, it was just Mom, her best little friend Adi, Brooke and I watching empty floats and trailers go by. After the parade, we went and ate a hot scone which did not stay hot long. I tried to talk Adi into going home as she was turning blue from the cold, but she was a real trooper and stuck it out. Finally I put Adi on my shoulders and left Mom and Brooke at the Park. Adi was glad to get home and into a hot tub to warm up. The girls and kids spent the afternoon attending the community theater production of Beauty and the Beast while the guys napped, played pool, and watched football. I cannot wait for next year to attend the parade once again......Nate, Amy and the Babies waiting for the parade.We are excited for the parade to start.
Mike helping Adi and Scout get the candy
Mike and Scout chasing down the treats
They even got ice cream
Trying to stay dry during the downpour
Smiles in spite of the rain
Grandpa, Gage and Nate....excited, just can't hide it

Finally warm and dry at the high school play

Adi finally let Grandpa take her home
Two soaked crazy people
Grandma, Brooke and Adi freezing and eating scones
Scout had finally had it and said take me home

Boating Fun at Deer Creek

Early one Saturday morning, Mom, Jeff, Mike, Ali and their family decided to go boating at Deer Creek Reservoir. They had a good time and spent the day getting in as much boarding as possible. Mike and Jeff getting ready to go. Izzy did not want to get into the cold water.
Grey loved the water with Dad, even without anything on his bottom.
Grandma with two tired girls.
Launching the Moomba.
Ali getting ready to go.
Scout is not sure what to do with the wet towel.
Ali helping Mike get ready to board.
Ali taking her turn on the board.
Izzy and Scout enjoying Grandma's treats.

Jeff getting ready to pull out of the water.

Jeff on the Board.
Grandma with Scout and Grey.
Mike and Jeff enjoying the water.
Mike getting air.

Izzy looking star like...

Mike getting ready to pull out of the water.
Mike on the wake.
Jeff and Grey.

The Great Squirrel Hunt

One night, Jeff came home from work, went into the scrapbook room and saw a squirrel running around the room. He quickly shut the door to trap the varmint. I did not believe him until Mom told me she had seen a squirrel sitting on the front fountain when she went out to get the paper. With the door open, the squirrel decided to go into the air-conditioned house. Jeff got his fishing net and flashlight. Dad got his laundry basket and broomstick. Mom was brave and came into the room and stood up on a chair to take pictures..(like squirrels can't climb) We tried to scare the varmint out but it was in hiding. Jeff decided to bring Maggie the killer dog into the room to flush out the critter. Maggie was so excited to be in the house she did not even notice the squirrel scent. Next we tried to bribe the furry one with grapes and nuts, but no luck. Mom and I began to doubt Jeff's eyesight and decided there was no squirrel. We shut the door and went to bed hoping Jeff was seeing shadows. The next day, Jeff again saw the squirrel running across the desk. Again we tried to flush him out but no luck. Finally Dad had a brainstorm and opened the windows and propped open the screens. The squirrel saw freedom and left the house sometime during the day. Now Mom does not have to sleep standing on a chair in the dining room.

Dad and Jeff ready to catch the squirrel.
Mom showing us what a squirrel looks and sounds like.
Last sighting of the squirrel

Summer's End

The Fourth of July 2008 came and we enjoyed our annual fun-er-rama. We decided to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's house this year to avoid the crowds and high gas prices we encounter when we go to Provo. We had games, swimming, great food, and fireworks. Everyone had a good time and we enjoyed being together as a family. We missed Angie and Mike and their family as they were in Arizona, and Kevin and Karri in Salt Lake. Our thoughts were with you. Fireworks going off sideways......that is a trick
Gage felt much safer sitting on Grandpa's lap
Ali is enjoying the fireworks....I'm not sure about Mike.
Sawyer and Fisher don't really care about the fireworks
Everyone enjoying the fireworks
Brooke and Mike wondering where the birdy went.
The winning team....
Kids waiting for the fireworks to start.
More backyard fun....
Gage and Adi playing in grandma's swimming pool

Waiting for Uncle Mike to send up another parachute
It looks good enough to eat.
Grandma Deb working hard in the kitchen.
Ali waiting for the serve......I should have rotated it.
Playing water baloon volleball is always a hit.

Grey enjoying the water pump.....