Friday, July 6, 2012

Crazy Busy Summer So Far

Summer ~ Fun Times With Family

Summer Kickoff

Technically, it wasn't yet summer when we began our summer kickoff of time with family by meeting my sister and her husband in Santa Fe, New Mexico over Memorial Day Weekend.  Suzanne and John traveled from San Diego to explore new territory to them with us.  We spent most of the time relaxing and catching up with each other, but we managed to eat a lot of wonderful meals, and we of course we did some shopping.  All in all, it was just a great time of being together.

Sunset Viewing
via the rooftop of the La Fonda


20th Anniversary

After spending several days at the wonderful La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, I was surprised when my husband booked us a room at another wonderful hotel a few weeks later.  He chose the Brown Palace in Denver as the site where we would celebrate our 20th anniversary.  He managed, as he always seems to do, to get us an absolutely amazing room.  We were greeted with complimentary champagne as we checked in.  
Cheers!
Here's to many more years to come.

Father's Day

A week later, it was Father's Day.  We invited all of Jim's children and grandchildren down to our house to celebrate.  It is always great to have our home filled with children.
Daddy and Daughters
Trista & Thia with Jim
Jim with all three of his daughters
and all but one of his grandchildren

4th of July


Before we knew it, the 4th of July was already here.  Does that mean the summer is half way over?  I hope not.  I am enjoying all the good this summer has brought way too much to have it half over.  The heat has been horrendous, but time spent with family and with my hubby has been priceless.  

My two sons made the trek to Colorado for this year's 4th of July celebrations.  We missed not having Keicha here in Colorado for the holiday, but it was great to have the boys with us as we all celebrated at Amy's house in Erie, Colorado.  We actually began the celebrations on July 3rd because that is when everyone rolled into town.

Jon, Samantha, and Atticus all came from Boston, while Ryan and his new friend, and our longtime family friend, Sheridan, came in from Utah with their Brady Bunch crew of five children.  The brave souls made the trip across Wyoming in a motor home.  Ryan brought his three children, and Sheridan brought her two boys.  I hear the trip was a blast.


The first order of business was to set up tents so the kids would have a place to sleep.  It was threatening rain as Samantha and Jon joined Sheridan and Ryan at setting up a tent.  Grandsons, led by Parker set up the second tent.  I should have timed them.  Eagle scout Ryan vs. Parker who is currently working on his Eagle badge.  I wonder who would have won. 




 Regan lends a helping hand by driving in a stake with a croquet mallet
Hannah watches all the activity

Jon wonders what kind of bird he is observing.
Ryan sends Parker for a bird book that he has in the motor home.
"How is this supposed to help?  This is Birds of Utah."

Amy set out snacks for us all to eat before dinner.

There was furry of activity as the cousins, ecstatic to see each other again, set up the croquet set, and put out the corn hole game.  Playing these games kept everyone busy until dinner.

We opted out of going to the Erie fireworks display which was held at the golf course.  It seemed like too big a hassle to eat and get everyone over there in time for the display.  Besides, it was determined that the best place to watch the show would be on top of the motor home parked in front of Amy's.  

Jon helps Mason up to the top of the RV.
Next comes Bridger.
So on, and so forth until all eight kids are on top of the RV.  
They decided it was dirty up there.
It wasn't very comfortable either.
Plus, they weren't sure they would be able to see the fireworks from there after all.
One, by one, they all came down safely.  Thank heavens.

Sunset.
That is what every kid waits for on the 4th of July.
That is when the fireworks begin!



This year was a bit odd.  There were fireworks bans throughout the State of Colorado for obvious reasons.  So, what do kids do when the sun goes down when they can't shoot off their own fireworks, and the town's fireworks show is late starting?  Why, they play kick the can of course!

Grandma Sally had to go out and show them how to play because they had it all wrong.  Then Jon, modeled how to play by being It.  Unfortunately, he was It all night long.  Those kids seem to run faster than he does.  

All in all, it was a fabulous night.  We laughed, and talked, and watched the kids play.  What can be better than that?

The next day, the actual 4th of July, we all went to Boulder to see what was happening on Pearl Street.  No, we weren't trying to be the entertainment, but I guess we probably were.  
The kids are holding son Ryan up.

 The kids played in the water on Pearl Street to cool off.
Hannah getting cool while wearing her festive headpiece.


After spending a little time on Pearl Street in Boulder, some of the adults and all of the kids went to Grandma Sally's hotel to swim in the pool.  There are no photos of that activity because Grandma Sally was back at Amy's fixing dinner.  Pulled pork sandwiches, a mountain of potato salad, and grilled corn on the cob was on the menu for those who are not vegetarians.  Those who are vegetarians, had veggie burgers, veggie dogs.  Veggie corn dogs seemed to be enjoyed by all the kids whether they were vegetarians or not.

We all only had a few days together, but it was a very special, fun time.  Grandma Sally and Grandpa Jim headed back home on the morning of the 5th.  Jon, Sam, and Atticus headed to Colorado Springs to spend time with Sam's mom.  Ryan and Sheridan, being the brave souls that they are, or as Jim said in need of a mental evaluation, took off to Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Granby in the motor home with seven kids in tow.  They added Amy's two kids to the mix of their five.  I spoke with them tonight; it has been raining, but somehow they managed to bed down all nine of them for the night last night in RV.  Tonight they plan on having the boys sleep in the tents.  They say they are having a ball.  

On Saturday, Ryan and crew head back to Utah.  On Sunday, Jon and Sam will take their Atticus and Amy's two children to Utah to spend a few days.  There, they will have more cousin time while they visit their Grandpa Barry and their great-grandparents.  

The best part of summer is when family gets together.  We have been blessed to be able to spend some wonderful time this summer with family.  

31 comments:

  1. Wow. I think I kept most of that straight. It's good to read of you having such a good time surrounded by your various family branches. And no, the 4th of July doesn't mean summer is half over. For us here in the northwest, it is just getting started. Summer weather has finally arrived.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What an amazing summer you've had. All these wonderful and beautiful family photos are such treasures. You really are blessed with so many fabulous children and grandchildren, not to mention a super duper, thoughtful, loving, generous, handsome husband. This post put me in such a good mood.

    It's been a lovely summer with family for us too, but it was too short. Sigh...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Sally. Lovely to see a post from you today. Oh my, what wonderful memories you have been making this Summer and how great to see all those photos of the families all together like that. I love the one of them all on top of the camper van! It's good for me to see you sounding so happy in your post today and your hubby really is a keeper, isn't he. Marvellous to have that treat in the lovely Hotel for your 20th anniversary. As you say, the summer is passing SO quickly. Can't believe we're in July already. Over here, of course, it's been a complete washout and, as I type this, there is torrential rain outside AGAIN! Everyone is getting thoroughly fed up with it all now. It's very dispiriting. My family arrive from France tomorrow (Sun) and I am so praying that it will improve whilst they are here, so that we can get out and about a bit. Take care my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You really have had a marvelous summer. Being with family can take the awful heat right out of a day and you all made the most of the visit.
    Norman Rockwell would have loved capturing your visit.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a wonderful family summer you are having, Sally. I also enjoyed seeing pictures of the Boulder Mall, where I lived for so many years. It brought back many memories. And you are indeed blessed to have such a great family! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a lovely post!!!!!!!

    I'm so happy that you have had super-wonderful times too. Even though there has been so much sadness, with the fires.

    ♡*♡*♡*♡*♡*♡
    Gentle hugs,
    "Auntie"
    ♡*♡*♡*♡*♡*♡

    ReplyDelete
  7. A wonderful report on a busy summer. My grandson has no cousins, and only one aunt. I hope your summer fun continues.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I loved seeing the pictures and hearing about all you have been doing. I'm glad you are having such a delightful summer and hope there are many more good times to come.
    I'm so glad the fires are no longer threatening damage to more homes.

    ReplyDelete
  9. It looks like you are really busy in the best kind of way. You are creating wonderful memories and you are indeed fortunate that your family can get together as much as do. A true "cherish the moment" post.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Now that's a fun summer! And it's only half over. Great photos, too. Enjoy the second half, too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Holy cow! You and your family are definitely having a wonderful summer. It looks like a tremendous amount of fun. This makes my summer look a bit...well, puny!

    ReplyDelete
  12. what a wonderful summer you are having

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh So much fun. I love how much your family gets together and how much fun everyone seems to be having ...awesome! The tents in the back yard look like fun and I think I would have climbed up onto the rv too! Have an wonderful weekend!!!
    Blessings, Joanne

    ReplyDelete
  14. All your celebrations bring a smile to my face, Sally. Those kids (and adults) look like they're having a blast. Happy 20th!

    ReplyDelete
  15. This post kept me smiling all the way through! It reminded me of my summers as a kid, tearing 1/2 way across the country to have family reunions, long summer days hanging out and playing outside until dark.Your photos speak volumes about the blessings of family. Making memories, connecting cousins, those are the best of times.

    Enjoy the rest of the summer!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the "play by Play" here! :))
    Love this! Your summer sounds like it has been an incredibly fun one spent with family. I enjoy seeing the smiles on the faces and hope that July brings even more for you.
    I'm thinking of you with a smile, my friend.
    Hugs,
    Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a wonderful life-filled summer!!! I loved this post! Will you please adopt me?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love the photos and your narrative. What a lot of fun!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love the photos and your narrative. What a lot of fun!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Family, fun and romantic getaways- what life is all about! Thanks for sharing yours.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sounds like a fun time with warm memories made. Happy Anniversary a little bit late : )

    ReplyDelete
  22. Dear Sally, thank you for sharing these family get-togethers with us. How wonderful for you and Jim to have your children and grandchildren with you and to celebrate the joy of being together. Peace.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Such wonderful memories made for all involved, most especially the children. So happy for you and sure wish I'd been there for the pulled pork, etc. Sounds very yummy! I love Pearl St....a perfect place for fun.
    Happy for you, Sally.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Just magic stuff. Summer days and family. Wonderful that you shared all this. :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Is it Ryan Gulliver or Gulliver Ryan?

    ReplyDelete
  26. It's such fun to catch up on your very busy summer! Looks like a fabulous July 4 -- I adored the photo in Pearl Street, especially. I never have the nerve to do that and I should! It's unforgettable.

    I'm so glad all your family is safe.

    ReplyDelete
  27. You have a lovely family!!! And happy anniversary to you and your husband. sandie

    ReplyDelete
  28. You guys sure do know how to have fun. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  29. It looks as if you have been having a wonderful summer surrounded by family. Yay! Love the picture of everybody on top of the r.v.

    Kathy M.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wow! So many wonderful summer memories and I enjoyed how you chronicled them through text and story-telling images and cutlines!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Now this post is packed with tons of fun! How lucky you are to have such a lovely bunch in your family.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting my blog. I love reading your comments. Comments are moderated by the author of this blog. It may take a short delay for your comment to be published. No anonymous comments are published, nor are comments that are offensive to myself or other readers.