June 2021 Celebrating our 10th anniversary and Nana and Granddad's 50th

June 2021 was our 10th anniversary, in the middle of COVID-19 pandemic.  We decided to do a timeshare in Pagosa Springs and we're really excited to drive a long trail in our new Pioneer side by side. The Pioneer was a couple of weeks delayed, so we took the Rhino instead.  We let Melissa's stomach decide our stops and found the Mill Street Bistro on our way. It was in a converted house, in a residential neighborhood.  The menu had one option each, chicken, fish, beef, and vegetarian. The food was good and the simple menu was awesome. 


The timeshare was the typical Wyndham/Worldmark debacle.  Keith and Darlene reserve it under their name, then transfer it to us.  Well, that took 45 minutes to figure out at the check-in desk.  Same thing happened on our honeymoon, so that was kind of fun.  They ended up giving us a souvenir coffee mug and bottle of sparkling cider, for the trouble.


We both bought anniversary treats... oops.  We also went to the local grocery store and bought lots of fancy stuff (chocolates, cheese, nuts, etc.).  We needed to get out of the room immediately, because it stunk of cigarette smoke and they sent a maintenance many to ozone it.  


The next morning we hit the Elwood Pass OHV trail.  Even in June there were lots of water crossings and even some snow at the top. 



We went to the top and back down.  The trail works all the way over the pass and back down the other side, but it was starting to rain at the top. Melissa didn't want to get caught out in storm so we headed back.  We peaked at 11,600 ft and rode 28.8 miles. 


Melissa was very excited for the actual springs.  Geothermal sulfur springs piped into several different pools at different temps up to 115 F. I was awkward, I have learned to like swimming with the kids... this was sitting quietly with strangers.  It was fun, Melissa was cute in her new bathing suit. 


Melissa got me a wedding Lego set. 


The kids and I went on a stake primary scavenger hunt.  There were clues all over town and we had a blast. 


One Sunday we decided to break out the USU summer STEAM packet.  We did a couple of osmosis experiments.  This one watches the colors on Skittles spread and remain fairly distinct in warm water.  Then everyone got to eat white skittles. 


Hannah and I went out for a daddy daughter date. We went to the dump then we had Patio! This girl knows how to pick a man. 


Once the Pioneer arrived we took the Lyman's (Rob and Mallory) out for a drive and picnic up the mountain. 


Nana and Granddad's 50th wedding anniversary is October 2021.  With a pandemic and grandkids in high school and college we didn't think we could get everyone together, so we planned it for the end of June.  We had fun on the drive.  We decided to leave the van in Lindon for Jordan and Amanda's family.  Rentals were super expensive at this time still, ~$3000 for the week.  So Melissa and the girls drove the van (getting a ticket for expired registration in Moab) and Finn and I took the truck.  It was fun, he listened to stories podcasts on the kindle with his duck head phones. We stopped and talked about his stories occasionally.  
We went and spent almost a week in Lindon.  So Melissa looked up some old friends!  Dinner with Kate and Karlene 



Nana and Granddad decided we needed Purple Turtle for dinner one night.  When Lilian heard we were getting dinner from a Purple Turtle she refused to stay home.  She we had fun picking up dinner together. Melissa was out with friends but we had fun. 


And dinner with Myntillae 


We went to the Lindon pool with Holly Anderson and her kids. 


Everyone was a fan of the snow cones sold right at the pool 


We then met at the splash pad in Vineyard for picnic and play.  The kids had lots of fun getting wet and we all enjoyed eating and talking. 


Mandy was feeling awful, she had cholecystitis, so they didn't come to the extras this weekend. Most of us played for several hours, even granddad!



Saturday evening was the real dinner at Jon and Belle's club house.  We had catered Greek food, one of Mom and Dad's favorite foods.  


We had a silly photo booth. 


And a pinata!


The kids had a blast with their cousins. 


Poetry for Neanderthals at Nana and Granddad's before Sunday dinner. 


And a chocolate fountain after. 



It has been a long time since we all just got to sit and talk. 




Monday morning a bunch of us hiked to the Battle Creek falls above the Kiwanis park in Pleasant Grove. It was a motley crew of mixed family bits and pieces.  Sam crashed coming down a steep slope and banged up his knee, narrowly missing putting his head into a big boulder.  He soldiered on through the rest of the hike. 





The highest bunch of hikers. 



Then back to the Lindon pool with the cousins. 


It was so great to have lots of just fun time together. Limited plans, just family. 



We ended our part of the week with a cookout at Jordan and Amanda's AirBNB on Monday 6/28.  The next day 6/29 Jordan's family went for a movie night at James's new house.  Both families ended up with COVID-19.  Luckily it was mild for everyone, James had it the worst and took several weeks to get back to full speed. 

June was busy and awesome!

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