INDEPENDENCE DAY RIVER RUN & PARADE

We finally found a river that was flowing so we had to hurry and run it before they shut it off (it is an irrigation river they turn on and off for the farmers). The Sevier is small, but very fun! We took friends and family (whoever wanted to come) and ran the river twice.

Gearing up for the river.

Miss K and Princess P get ready to head out.

Taking a break for lunch.

On the river...

Princess P and I.

After the river, we drove home and went to the evening parade in Manti. It is always a cute, fun one to attend and I love that they have it at night.

The parade in Manti.

Watching the parade- Big C and I on the right.

The girls- watching the parade.

Visiting with cousins and friends after the parade.

SCANDINAVIAN FESTIVAL 2016

My family has a strong tradition of attending our town's Scandinavian Days over Memorial Day weekend. It is so ingrained that Big C has even quit doing anything else on that day. He actually enjoys my family and extended family and I am so glad because I really enjoy them too. I am very blessed to have amazing family!

Some of my kids (the middle 4) with friends and cousins.

All my kids were home this weekend too, so it was really fun to be with everyone!

Watching the parade for the last time from my sister's old house.

Princess P and her friend Miss K with the vikings!

Some of our family that was there. I have such great cousins! I just love them!

My sweetheart, ready to do the Vike on a Bike race he helped plan.

Elder D was the only other one to race this year.

After a nice day, with a brief rainstorm, BBQ turkey lunch, a little bit of shopping at the venders, visiting with all the friends and relatives we saw at the festival, we had the traditional BBQ at my house with all my family, cousins and friends that were in town. It was SO much fun! Can't wait for next year.

A WET INDEPENDANCE DAY

We decided to head over to Joes' Valley Res for the 4th of July this year. It is a beautiful lake on the other side of the mountain from us. We brought our water toys and as much family as wanted to come with us.

Grandpa and Grandma lunching under the tree.

It's been hot and sweaty all summer, but when we decide to go play in the water we get rainy, wet, cold weather! Bummer!

C Man with the storm in the background.

We played in the water despite the rain and wind.

Big C got his wind surfer out and made it back and forth across the lake. He didn't mind the wind.

Here we are, taking shelter from the rain.

Princess P and Sister S bundling up in Big C's coats from the truck.

We made it home in time to go see the parade in Manti that evening.  

Family and friends on the fourth!

C Man, Little Miss C and Princess P watch the parade and collect candy. 

Family! 

Princess P and I made a yummy patriotic cake the next day! It was wonderful!

SCANDINAVIAN TRADITION

Spring is here, school is out, it is Memorial Day weekend and that means Scandinavian Festival! Most of my ancestors are from here in Sanpete County and are buried here as well, so much of my family comes here for the Scandinavian Festival (click for link) we have every Saturday before Memorial Day in our cute, little town.

The parade this year. We even had a plane buzzing the route, dropping t-shirts and bouncy balls on us.

 We always meet at my younger sister's house first, because she makes us all pancakes before the parade! Yum! It's the perfect start to the day.

Princess P and Sister S ate many pancakes!

 After the parade, we go over to the college for the Mountain Bike race, fittingly called 'Vike on a Bike.' The boys usually all ride in it, just for fun.

Cousin C in blue Nike shirt, Big C in orange helmet in back, Elder D in Green helmet, C Man in front in the red shirt/black helmet and Cousin A in turquoise blue shirt with silver helmet.

C Man and Elder D after the race.

Big C chatted his way to the finish line. No real hurry.

The girls go get Sanpete BBQ turkey while we wait for the guys to finish the race. YUM!

Later in the afternoon I have a BBQ at my house for all the visiting family. I love being able to see all of my cousins that come. It is like a mini reunion. (Yes, I actually like family reunions).

Sister S, Elder D and Cousin A.

HALLOWEEN WEEK

This was a big week for Princess P. She got her braces on. I have to say she looks SO CUTE! I never looked cute with my braces. 

My latest brace face. Grandpa C would be thrilled!

 It was also Red Ribbon week for her too, so she dressed up everyday and had a blast with that too.

Crazy hair day.

This is the last Halloween costume parade my kids will be in. It was a bittersweet experience. I can't believe my kids are getting so old (and so am I!).

Princess P as a ghost. Can you believe it was warm enough for her to wear her sandals??

That night was trick or treat time! She went with two of her friends from the neighborhood. Little C went to a Halloween party instead of hanging out with us. It was a strange year. Very low-key. 

Princess P and buddies on the porch.

Little C dressed up as a zombie soccer player. 

DRIVING IN THE HOMECOMING PARADE

My father-in-law has a really cool old truck. It is a '35 Chevy he had restored and doesn't drive it much. I think it's too pretty to sit in the garage, so I volunteered it for the Snow College Homecoming parade.

Me with my SIL, J.

My father-in-law said it was fine as long as he didn't have to drive it. I had my sister-in-law,J, drive- I was a little intimidated. But it was fun to ride in it. We had some of the student body officers in back.

In the parade.

The kids got lots of swag from the parade and they were thrilled!

Little C, Princess P and Miss B.

After parade we went and hung out with the family for a while.

Grandpa, making a few adjustments to the engine.

Big C and his brother, D, building a table.

SCANDINAVIAN TRADITION

Ephraim's Scandinavian Festival was today. It was another fun day with family and relatives. I really enjoy getting to have almost a mini reunion with cousins and aunts and uncles. 

Cousins watching the parade and gathering candy.

 Traditionally, we gather at my sister, A's, house because she lives right on Main Street and it is a perfect place to watch the parade. She also makes pancakes if you get there early enough! Yum!

Nieces, sister, sister-in-law and brother-in-law.

Little C playing drums in the band (the one in the tank top) for the last time.

 After the parade there is now a mountain bike race and of course my boys wanted to do that, so we hustled up to the starting line.

Aunt N, Cousin C, Little C and A.

Here they are lining up. Little C did the shorter route and A and Big C did the 'Sport' class (longer). 

Big C with a big finish!

Big C actually finished second overall in the long race. Little C placed 3rd in his race and A got lost on the course and 'went the extra mile' (all uphill), so he did great too - just in his own way. haha

The Gordon clan eating lunch.

After the bike race we ate some lunch and walked through the booths at the festival. Princess P and I got some earrings. It was a good day!!

Cousin B, Big C and Cousin M.

I always do a BBQ at my house in the evening after the festival winds down. It is so fun having all the cousins over to visit and letting the kids play. I really enjoy my family.

My parents' grave with flowers.

After everyone had left, we ran out the cemetery before it got too dark to put flowers on the graves. Both sets of my grandparents, and my parents are buried in Ephraim Cemetery and so are one set of Big C's grandparents and his brother too.