Sunday, June 28, 2026

Sundance Weekend

For Memorial Day this year, we decided to do something a little different. Natalie found a cabin in Sundance and arranged a few nights, Sunday through Tuesday. The cabin she picked was called The Treehouse, and that's just what it was. There were several trees growing right up through the deck which surrounded both floors. It had a great kitchen, and all the modern conveniences, but we really enjoyed being right there in Provo Canyon surrounded by the tall pines and steep hills. A little creek even splashed along the back of the property, which was really bucolic. 

The cabin was lovely!

The backyard was perfect!

We arrived Sunday evening, and the host had already warmed up the hot tub for us. We took a nice little soak under the stars before we went to bed. Dax and Seth had a bunkbed, and we shared a nice room of our own. We managed to sleep in on Monday morning until around 9am. Then we got up and had pancakes for breakfast. We chatted to Mark, too, which was nice, because we are used to 5 A.M. phone calls before Randy has to go to work.

They had cozy robes to use after the hot tub visit.

We didn't want to be TOO lazy and just sit around the cabin all day, so we went down to Sundance Lodge for lunch. Unfortunately, Memorial Day is an extremely busy time, and we didn't find anything to our liking. So, we drove up to Heber City and ate burgers and shakes at Granny's.

It started to rain so we ended up in the car with our food and shakes.

Dax was interested in fishing, and Seth was up for it, so we drove to Vivian Park right by the Sundance turnoff. Each of the boys got to catch a little fish, and best of all, each of the fish was able to be released back into the pond. Dax was even happier, because he caught a lure that someone had lost and added it to his collection.

Seth and Dax both caught fish!

Dax loves fishing so much.

After that, we decided to drive up to Cascade Springs. We hadn't done that hike for a while, and the water was really flowing! The waterfall was better than we'd ever seen it. Of course, Dax enjoyed spotting fish in the water, and the hike was easy.

Cascade Springs was full of water.

We love this little bridge.

On the way back, we had a unique animal spotting experience. First, we saw several deer on the side of the road. There were more than a half a dozen sprinkled along the way. Then, we saw an elk. It was moving fast, and we only caught a glimpse of her, so we couldn't get a picture. Randy jumped out and ran up the hill, but he could only see her stumbling away through the trees. Just a little after that, we spotted a young moose. She was walking parallel to the road, and we watched her come all the way down and stand right on the blacktop, so it was a really good sighting. We love seeing animals, so these three really made a great start to our summer.

We did see a few deer this weekend.

Spotting a moose was super fun.

We soaked in the hot tub again that night, but we had to get up early the next morning for a few adventures. The boys started off with a zipline tour at Deer Creek. We'd done the long line over the lake, and this time, we did the 5 shorter lines from tower to tower. Those towers are very shaky! You climb a spiral staircase around a single telephone pole with 4 other people and perch on top (of course, you can't fall as you are locked in with a carabiner). Then the poles sway in the wind as each person leaps off headed toward the next platform. We had a great time, and Seth proclaimed it the best part of the vacation.

The hot tub was definitely a highlight of the cabin.

The boys were so excited for the zipline.

This zipline is in such a pretty place.

Happy kids!

Seth really loved the zipline.

Dax was glad he could do this activity with a broken face.

In the afternoon, we had a ride scheduled on the Provo River. It was beginning to be overcast, and it was even threatening to rain, so we were glad that we had scheduled one large boat. These huge rubber rafts are oarred from the back by a guide, and you don't really get wet unless you want to. The rain held off (mostly), but it was windy and cool, so we just enjoyed a gentle float down the river. Only Seth was brave enough to dunk his head in the freezing water. Dax had to stay home because he is not supposed to get his head too wet, but as it turned out, he would have been fine to go. We enjoyed the river ride and the beauty of Provo Canyon for about an hour. It was really relaxing. This vacation was exactly what we needed to get our summer rolling!

This was so much fun!

Seth stuck his head in the river. It was cold!!

He also got to control the boat for a little bit.

We love the Provo River.

Saturday, June 27, 2026

April Adventures

Well another April has come and gone. Our biggest adventure was picking up some new baby chicks. We also visited a few local farms. Here is what we were up to. 

Mark is thriving in Argentina. We are so proud of him!

Mom got to visit the adorable baby goats.

Dad enjoyed the donuts. 

Seth had a campout with the young men and came home pretty tired.

Dax is always fishing.

The chicks are getting pretty scraggly.

Mom attempted to make ramen, and it was pretty good.

Dax's art teacher sent me this. He lives in our neighborhood.

More fish.

Dad is a chick magnet!

We checked out a different tulip festival where you cut your own.

Mom loves tulips.

Seth picked out a bunch of great flowers.

It was really fun!

Seth also built a pinewood derby car for young mens.

It was Black Panther themed.

We spent a lot of time with the chickens in April.

They really love to sit on people's heads.

And watch you work on your computer. 

Fun adventure to the Provo River.

Mom and Dad enjoyed another play at the Ruth!

Friday, June 12, 2026

Dax Goes to Prom

Dax decided to go to Prom even though he was a Sophomore because he wanted to go with all of his friends. He chose a girl from our Ward named Bella, who happened to be his best friend Carter's sister. Bella is a Senior, but that was no obstacle.

So one night the boys all made posters. They dropped off one for Bella that read, "It would be sublime to go to prom with you." They also left a Subway sandwich with a large Sprite for "Sub" and "lime." 

Dax (AKA Mom) did a great job on his poster!

About a week later, a response arrived. Artistic Bella had made a poster out of Taco Bell packets that said, "Lets Taco Bout Prom. Yes!" She knew Dax very well, because she left his favorite drink and food from Taco Bell, too.
So cute!!

Their group ended up being 6 couples, Dax, Carter, Will, Zach, Konnar, and Conner and all their dates. The boys Dax knew best all brought girls from our Ward, so it was quite a party.

On the day of the dance, they got together for a day date beginning at 10:30. They went and walked through the Tulip Festival, which seemed like the perfect thing to do with your Prom date. They topped that off with lunch at In-n-Out, and then went home in the afternoon to change. 

It was fun sending Dax off on a date!
At the Tulip Festival
Cute photo spots all over.

They picked up the girls at 4:30 (Mom and Dad were sad, because they never get to see the girls on boys' choice dances) and went to go do pictures. They took some really fun, beautiful shots at Nielsen's Grove Park in Orem. From there it was only a short drive over to Outback Steakhouse for dinner. Dax loved this because he got a sirloin steak cooked medium rare, just how he likes it. Bella got the steak, too, but a little more thoroughly cooked! 

All ready to go!

Mom makes the boys take a photo with her before they take off!

The pictures turned out great!

I think their faces here are awesome!

Cute couple!

The whole group!

Just the boys.

After dinner they drove to the dance back at Thanksgiving Point. They got there about 8:30 and only stayed until about 9:40 because it was very cold, and the dance ended at 10 o'clock anyway. 

For an after party, they went to Will's grandma's house and played basketball (well, the boys played), and then sat in the hot tub, and watched the movie Rio. They got home a little after midnight, and Dax had to drop everyone off in his van, so he didn't get to bed until about 1:15.

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