The next morning (July 3) my entire family (2 parents, 6 kids, 3 spouses, and 1 friend) piled into a mini van and a car at 7:00 AM and took off for Lander, WY. My dad has a cousin who lives out there and he puts on a huge fireworks show that pretty much like the whole town attends. Dad wanted to get there early enough to help set things up, if need be. Only, we ended up getting a bit off track. Dad was trying to find a Pioneer cemetary so we went off-roading trying to find it. Turns out it wasn't the right "road" to get us there. It was quite an adventure. Finally we found a real road that took us back to the highway. But that didn't stop Dad from trying to find it 2 more times. Never did find it. we finally gave up and made it to Lander. We ate lunch and played at a park for a couple hours before heading to Dad's cousin's house for a barbecue dinner and just chillin' until the fireworks started. He put on a big show that lasted for like an hour and a half but it was good b/c he told the story of our country's independence and birth, intermingled with songs and fireworks. And we were so close to them. They were practically being shot off right in front of us! Good times! Then we stayed the night in a hotel b/c it was late and way too long of a drive.
So, on July 4th (HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!!!!!!) we drove home, but we took the more scenic route going through Jackson Hole, WY. We stopped there and ate dinner at the Teton Steakhouse for my birthday. We finally made it home a little before 10. Then we stood out on the deck and watched more fireworks from a distance from Lagoon, Layton City, and prolly Clearfield City. We ended the day with a festive 4th of July "birthday" cake for me.
On Saturday, Morian and I went to his mom's house to hang out with his family for the day. Unfortunately, plans changed and things took longer than expected so it was quite a crazy day. Originally we were gonna have a bbq and go hiking. But his sister wanted to get in the water b/c it was so hot out. So Morian and I went in search of inner tubes so we could float down the Provo River. We got 2 big ones (fitting 3 each) and a smaller one for 2. Or so we were told! Anyways! Before we could go up the canyon we had to stop at our apartment to get our swimsuits then stop at BYU's Outdoor's Unlimited to rent life jackets so it was like almost 4:00 by the time we stopped at Canyon Glen Park and started cooking. Major clouds moved in and kinda sprinkled on us while we were eating and definately cooled things down. Then we had to drive farther up the canyon, drop off everyone, drive both cars down to the bottom, leave one car there and bring the other one back up, and blow up 3 inner tubes before we could get on the river. Turns out, the tubes we got weren't really enough. The 3 person tube was made more for 2 and the 2 person was more like a single. Morian's mom's ended up not floating down the river and just driving her car down and stopping every so often to watch our progress. Well, I'll tell you what, that water was so cold that I could barely catch my breath as Morian and I set off in our tube. One sister fell out of her tube and just floated down herself for a little while. The last tube with 3 people barely surived! They promptly fell out and had to get back in till they came to a bridge and crashed again, getting all beat up trying to get out of the river. So they didn't make it all the way. When we finally made it to our stopping point, Cecilia and I grabbed into a rope in hopes that it would help us get out. Nope! The current was really strong and too deep for us to touch the bottom so we were just hanging on for dear life. Morian made it out and then tossed the tube to us which then helped us get out. But we were all freezing and shaking so bad. All 7 of us lost at least 1 flip-flop, if not both. Since Morian was wearing a pair of mine, I lost 2 pairs. Now I only have 2 pairs left and neither one are very comfortable for wearing for more than a little while. Guess I gotta go buy some more! hehe! Anyways! After our fun water adventure, we all came back to our apartment for cake. Morian's sister Angie's birthday is July 8 so the cake was for both of us. (And I got the leftovers. Score!) we also went outside a lit some firecrackers. Good times!
And today, July 6, is my birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!! I am now 25 years old. Wow! In Relief Society they have a Good News Moment so I decided to let them all know it was my birthday. The RS president then asked, So..you're 20? I kinda laughed and was like, Uh plus 5. I don't think any of them were expecting me to be "that old!" I know I look like I'm only 20, but not quite! Oh well! It was funny! And our married ward was having a ward break-the-fast, so I didn't hafta cook dinner, which was nice! (Besides, i don't think we even have anything to cook right now!)
Me and Morian just chillin' on the old Oregon Trail!
Remember the good old days of tire swings?!
Happy Birthday to Kirsta and Angie!
Here are some of the fireworks from my dad's cousin's show. Pretty crazy!
