Pioneer Day

For all of those whom are not Utaheans, Utah has a state holiday called Pioneer Day on July 24th. Fortunately, Ivan and Jared's jobs closed shop for the holiday, so we all went to mountains to enjoy the outdoors. We drove up Silver Lake Resevior in the American Fork Canyon, really pretty and (for a holiday) not too busy - but it was up a 3 mile dirt road. We had a picnic with "hobo dinners", took short walks with the boys, played cowboys and indians, and canoed the resevior.

All of the crew for the festivities.

Ivan grilling the "hobo dinners" - potatoes, ground beef, onions, peppers, cream of mushroom soup, and spices - YUMMY!
Ivan, Creede and Carson playing indians and hiding behind the rocks. The boys thought that they could not be seen if they could not see you, so hiding behind rocks and trees was easy - TOO CUTE!
On the walk with the boys, I was the picture taker for the indians.
Allison and I - I was eating her belly and she was laughing so hard. I think she liked being higher than me.

Our new table

Yippee! Ivan and I have gotten our new dining room table. It was a long searching process to find something we both liked, was afforable, and could grow with our family. Thank goodness for RC Willey, we found one that fit all of those criteria and with the help of my mom and Maris we were able to buy a table, 6 chairs and bench, so we have seating for lots of family. Unfortunately, we have been having problems with the chairs and the legs being uneven, but RC Willey has been good about exchanging them. So now we have a table, 4 chairs, and a bench. Hopefully the next batch of 2 chairs will be rocking free and stained correctly. Thanks mom and Maris!

Cecret Lake Sunday

We went for a hike again on Sunday (our family time) up to Cecret (Secret) Lake. It was fun and of course Allison LOVED it. We had a passing by hiker take our "family" picture and he didn't tell us that you couldn't see the main attraction of the family (the risk you run when someone else is taking your picture). If you look really closely she is trying to be in the picture by waving to the camera.

This hill we hiked up was not the easiest - my out of shape butt was huffing and puffing.

We made it to the top and had a picnic. Allison is making her Cecret Lake debute. She was eating Cheerios off of the picnic blanket and chillin with Dad.

Visit to Chicago

Ivan, Allison and I travelled to Chicago this past weekend for my Papou's memorial (that is Greek for grandfather).



We visited Navy Pier in Chicago, it was a nice walk outside.



Allison with Great Yiayia



Allison with Kailey playing the piano



The dog (Simba) did not like Allison - she was too grabby - but when her arms were tied down in her wrap, he took the opportunity to sit on Allison's lap. Too funny, we were rolling on the ground.



Papou feeding Allison - SHOCKER! But I couldn't get him to change a diaper..... maybe next time.

A Sunday walk around Silver Lake

On Sunday after church, Ivan, Allison and I drove up Big Cottonwood Canyon and started with a picnic. We ate at the base of this big rock and of course Allison had to climb it!

Then we drove up the canyon further to Silver Lake and walked around on the boardwalk with the stroller, Allison slept through the whole thing so Ivan and I got a chance to talk and be together.

If anyone ever wondered why we moved to Utah, this was it!

July 4th Celebrations

Ivan and I had both of our families in town for the holiday weekend, lots of fun.

Sitting pool side at the Goffin's house.

A piggy back ride from Maris while furniture shopping.

4th of July picnic, Allison enjoyed walking in the grass and kicking (or nudging) the soccer ball along with Tim's support of course.

Looks like Allison my be a soccer player!!!

Tess' Blessing