July 4th, Elsie's 9th Birthday & Gran Fondo

The first week of July and the last two weeks of December are "party central" around our house.

We love Independence Day and have gotten into a predictable routine the kids look forward to.

Last year I ran the race with Quinn (younger) and ended up leaving Elsie by herself since they didn't run the same pace.  I didn't want that to happen again so Quinn was super excited that Tanner agreed to be his running buddy this time around.  Elsie and I stayed together.

 Elsie insisted on snapping a 'shoe selfie' before the start of the race.

Aaron and Jantzen reserved our spots in front of Circle of  Love for the parade and snapped a few as we ran by.  Quinn was all smiles about this event.

Big brother, little brother

After the fun run, we ran back to the parade route.  Quinn clipped along at a speedy 7:06 (mile) and Elsie finished in 7:52.  Not too shabby for a few kids that woke up and didn't bother eating breakfast or anything else before hopping in the car to run a mile.  

Plastic bags in hand, shady spot secured, chairs out...let the parade begin!

Anna was torn because she wanted to join us for the fun run but was actually in the parade this year.  She participated in a week long dance camp with Dancer's Edge. They learned and performed a routine en route.  Anna has a lot of interests and there is not enough time in the day to pursue them.  I figured the summer camp was a nice way for her to get a taste of the 'dance world' without the commitment.

 I wasn't expecting she would actually try-out and make one of the dance companies - "Jive".  I guess she gets to decide between soccer or dance this school year.

A day pass to the local water park was one perk of signing up for the Fun Run.  Tanner was more than willing to let Anna use his pass so the three youngest and I braved the windy weather that afternoon.

I lost track of how many times Quinn and I went around in the lazy river but we got our fill for sure.

Later that afternoon, we headed over to the Weber's house for the annual neighborhood potluck/fireworks show.  As usual, there was a bouncy house, lots of games and relay races, swimming in the pond, volleyball, friends to visit with and tons of food/desserts.

Aubrey & Brinley - taking down flags

The youth leaders decided to try a new approach to the ward flag fundraiser.  Instead of rotating through the various groups (beehives, deacons, etc.), each youth was assigned a particular family to put up and take down flags for (in addition to their own family).  Brinley, Jantzen and Anna are responsible to get flags out for several holidays and we now store them in our own garage.

The pyros getting prepared....

Elsie and Lexi

The neighborhood gathering seems to grow bigger each year.  We finally convinced Bob and Janene to join us for the fireworks later that evening.  They couldn't believe what they've been missing all these years.  It's the best show (choreographed with music) around with zero traffic and the location can't be beat.  Pretty sure Bob and Janene will be back again next year....

Colby and Jantzen

Kennedy and Anna

Happy Birthday America!

Brinley & Haley - youth leaders

After a late night of fireworks, Brinley and Anna met at the church the next morning (6:00am) for girl's camp.  Good they were packed and prepared because that's mighty early for them these days.

Kennedy, Kenli, Anna

Anna, Kennedy, Sis. Ferney, Aleeya, Sis. Taylor, ?

Aaron was asked to accompany a group of hikers on the first day of camp and Anna was in that group.  Happy to report his bear spray was not used while in bear country.

It was a stake-supported girl's camp this year so each ward was assigned an A-framed cabin in the Rock Creek area near Ashton.  There were no separate rooms - just a big open space with community restrooms elsewhere.  It was fun for Brinley and Anna to attend camp together this year.

Wednesday, July 6 - Elsie turned 9 years old.
She decided to wear this birthday crown all day.

She had big plans about where to go for her birthday breakfast.  Fortunately, when she learned that McD's offered "white pancakes", Aaron was able to stay local and still get to work on time.  We chuckled at her criteria - white versus wheat pancakes is a big deal for her.

Opening her morning present - Twinkies per request.

After breakfast, Quinn and Elsie headed to swimming lessons.
Elsie enjoyed having her friends sing "Happy Birthday" to her at the end of class.

It's been a rough two weeks but Quinn managed to get in the water every day.
Someday he will learn that getting his face wet is ok.

Shaylee, Danna, Elsie

No friend party this year but Elsie was able to invite a friend to join us for the summer movies that afternoon. When we didn't hear back (until 15 minutes before the show was to start), I told Elsie to ask another friend.  In the end, both came along.  Quinn also brought Quinn F.  We ended up being at the theater much longer that expected when they 'oversold the show' but decided to run the same show in another theater.   The excitement of free refills on popcorn/soda helped pass the time but technical difficulties kept arising.  Finally (90 minutes later), we just attended a different movie (Jungle Book) altogether.  It was all part of the adventure for the kids and they didn't seem to mind.

Elsie holding Mazie & Danna

Both friends brought Elsie a gift even though it wasn't expected.
Who wouldn't love a giant purple elephant?  Elsie was SO excited (me, not so much).

After hooking up during the fireworks, Elsie and Lexi made plans to bake a birthday cake together.  It proved to be a real help as our afternoon schedule was thrown off a bit from the theater fiasco.  While Lexi took charge of the cake making, Aaron and I scrambled to get dinner prepared before extended family arrived.  Elsie requested homemade macaroni and cheese, cantaloupe and watermelon and strawberry spinach salad (we also grilled steaks).

Breanna, Derek, LaVerne, Quinn

Strawberry/pink cake and vanilla frosting

Great G-pa, Elsie, G-pa

Derek, Breanna, Elsie

Chris & Julia also brought Greta and Faye over. Elsie was happy to open a few extra gifts and enjoyed the attention on her action-packed day.  Happy 9th Birthday Elsie!  We love you.

Tanner - removing his 2015 Ragnar decal

Overall, this 1996 Pontiac Grand Am has been a great high school car for Tanner to drive.
He has many fond memories of this vehicle and it served him well.

It was time for another family to enjoy the cushy blue seats.

Korinne, Elsie, Abigail

After Brinley and Anna returned from girl's camp on Friday afternoon, most of the family loaded up and headed to CV.  Birthday celebrations for Elsie continued with the cousins.

Jenna, Anna, Will, Jantzen, Britton, Quinn
June, Jameson, Korinne, Elsie, Abigail

Hilary, Tiffany, Heather, Jen

Singing "Holding Hands Around the World" for Sunday musical number

Our 24-hour trip was multi-purpose.  Elsie received a birthday gift certificate to spend a week in UT with cousins.  Aaron completed his first 100-mile bike ride - the Granfondo.  When Taylor and Jen found out we were coming, they changed their plans and registered to do the ride as well.

Jen, Taylor, Aaron - heading to the start

Matt Smith, Brett Robinson, Aaron - training buddies

Jen & Taylor at the front of the pack at the starting line

Hilary and I opted for a lovely 24-mile bike ride together instead of joining 900 other riders.

Thanks Hilary for sacrificing and letting the newbie use the good bike.
It's key to making it up that beastly mountain hill at the end of the ride!

June, Jen, Will, Taylor

While Quinn and Elsie went with younger cousins for the final day of the impressive Patriot Camp, Jantzen and Anna picked two buckets of the neighbor's cherries along with Britton and Jenna.  Hilary and I cleaned up then cruised to see Jen and Taylor finish the ride but were too late.  No surprise they were the first to cross the line (Taylor for men/Jen for women).

Proud of this guy for taking on the challenge of biking through Sardine Canyon during this first centennial ride.  He's ready for more...which is good since Iron Lung is in two weeks!

Matt, Brett, Aaron at finish

After the ride, Aaron and his training buddies showered at Mom and Dad's and then left to drive the Lotoja route home.  I stayed around longer to foot zone a few people and let the kids play.

Will, June, Quinn

G-ma busted out the slip-n-slide for the kids to cool off with.

Quinn, Jameson, June - the three amigos

Hilary, Tiffany, Heather, Taylor

Our weekend party came to an end as I loaded up and shipped out with Jantzen, Anna and Quinn.

We sured enjoyed the impromptu reunion with four siblings/families.  Not sure where Mom and Dad were during the photo op but they were certainly instrumental in providing food for the masses.

Aaron, Matt and Brett stopped in Jackson Hole, WY for a turkey burger and sweet potato fries - guess they worked up an appetite after riding 100 miles.  Well done everybody!