Utah summer days & this post will take endurance!

Monday night I slipped into my swimming suit and eagerly stepped outside. I had spent the last week and a half in beautiful Utah with the "Y" in view from my bedroom window. The weather had been, oh, so nice. However, the long car ride home had plumped up my ankles and I was ready for a long cool water swim. As I stepped into the pool and met bath water temps, I realized that our Arizona summer had arrived during our absence. Morning light also brought to view the heat stressed plants as was expected. Special thanks to Jeff and Peyton for keeping most everything alive. It remains to be seen what this weekend's forecast highs of 116 degrees will do. So my swim wasn't so refreshing but Glen turned on the aerators during the night and now I'm back in business.

Are you ready for a rash of pictures? Please hang on until the end - you won't want to miss the final picture.

First fun stop on our drive north on Friday was the rock shop in Orderville. In many ways, we were reliving Utah trips with our young family but now with our grandchildren. Orderville rock shops were always a requested stop in our young family days.

This dinosaur is new. I also didn't remember fossilized dino poop or eggs.

Julianna was mesmerized with the cars streaking past on Highway 89. Sheltered child that she is, this was a new experience. She would experience a lot more before the trip was over.

The plan was to end up farther north on the 89 for a viewing of the Manti Pageant. We thought it started at nine and arrived with time to stake out a grassy spot.

They soon announced a start time of 9:30 pm or so. Julianna and I decided to take a long walk.

Finally about 9:35 the lights on the hill came on and we were given a visual tour of early church history. When it hit 11:00, we decided to make a get away with our sleepy crew so that we might be the first ones out of town. Heather was so relieved to miss the Carthage scene. She told me it would have given her nightmares. We made an after midnight arrival at the condo in Provo. My sister, Janis, who is playing BYU student this summer had made our beds and left out cookies. We felt so welcomed.

Saturday found us taking care of business. Costco shopping, turning in the art contest entries, putting up bunting, and settling in for our stay were the main activities.

On Sunday after church, we had a big family dinner after which Jason was ordained an elder by his father who had flown in on Saturday afternoon from Fort Lewis. The Bunkers were thrilled to be a family all within touching distance again.

They had hoped for a photo session with Janae. Instead they got snapshots from the amateurs.

This was as creative as we got. They are now officially residents of Kansas, at least mom, dad, and Logan are. The other four call Provo home for now. That meant we had lots of dinner guests during the week.

Several of us ended the evening at the Marriott Center with a special patriotic program.

Our next family portraits were taken Monday morning at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house.

It is a beautiful temple and the little ones were intrigued and thoughtful.

Jenny sent her mom to class and joined us for the day.

Kyle and Brittany had work and missed the second Bunker photo shoot.

Julianna toured in her stroller and got to check out all the elevators. Toby loved all the pictures of Jesus. TJ was his usual thoughtful self. Heather liked the crystal chandliers. Aunt Becky taught her how to text message on the drive from Provo.

The location is amazing and the grounds beautiful. We will have to revisit in a year or so to see how the new plantings have fared.

Volunteers out front took our whole group picture.


We left the temple and drove directly to the Lion House for lunch.

Hollyhocks are now the flower of choice near the church office building. We rode the elevator to the top and loved the views. Well, Heather didn't enjoy being high. I didn't think that she was afraid of anything! She was the bravest at Seven Peaks later in the week, however.

Eric's family went on to Temple Square and the Art Museum. Glen and I went with Lynette to drop Lowell off at the airport so that he could return to Kansas and his new job. Glen then graciously sat in the car while Lynette and I explored the wonderful Quilt store on State Street in Sandy before returning to Provo.

Tuesday, we visited the Walter Wick Exhibit at BYU's Museum of Art after attending a devotional at the JSB given by my former instructor at ASU, Lynette Erickson. She was hired by BYU after receiving her doctorate at ASU. She was and is all about social studies curriculum.

Wednesday, we told our Lynette goodbye as she, Becky, and Logan began their road trip to Kansas. Lynette expressed that she felt like she was driving into exile. (Today I took advantage of Southwest's sale and booked my flight to Kansas City for September. She's not in exile! She will have more visitors than she can imagine!)

Shortly after their departure, Jolene and boys arrived from Albuquerque. We had just enough time to wash and change out the sheets and towels. TJ was in heaven to finally have boys to hang out with. Heather soon learned that she would have to be brave and thick skinned.

Thursday morning was our Thanksgiving Point date. Grandpa had been planning it for over a month, so was at the door when they opened. He wanted to make sure to get a golf cart and two Segways. We maxed out the Grandparents season pass we had purchased on Memorial Day. My job was to pass out all 18 stickers.

Heather finished "The Secret Garden" before visiting this secret garden. She and Kate had become friends at Nate and Nichelle's wedding. They were happy to meet again.

There was the sound of water and lovely smells.


Sadie and Ruby had arrived in Utah the night before. We were so happy to see them again.

Later, we would look for the Secret Garden from the lookout hill. We couldn't be sure just where it was. It really is a secret!

Next stop was the Italian garden and this amazing hillside fountain. It was Jason's turn to spend the day with us.

Dave challenged everyone to a foot race, but he cheated and started first so won.

Next stop, the Monet garden. Sadie loved the pink water lilies.

We looked and looked for a frog but couldn't find one.

We fed the fish well. I had been instructed to sort out the quarters from Grandpa's change cup in the car. I found 25 quarters!

This little artist could find much inspiration in this garden.

The rose garden was spectacular! On our Memorial Day visit, it had been sticks with a few leaves. It was now in full bloom and smelled so good. We found roses to match Julianna and her mother.

Julianna wants to touch everything. And then she tries to put it in her mouth.

Silly girl!

All the beautiful girls loved the roses.

Dave and Jason rode the golf cart up for Segway instructions at 11:00. Once Jason rode it down the hill to the rose garden, I don't think he ever got a chance to get back on again. What a good sport!

Eric took a turn.

Then Susan got a turn.

Jolene, Sally, and Amy also took turns. Glen and I decided not to test our luck!

The little girls let me take their picture on the bridge before riding with Grandpa Glen on the golf cart to the waterfalls.

They took a short walk to experience the falls up close.
Everyone met for lunch at the Trellis cafe. We were in need of a rest and nourishment. You should have seen their eyes when we said, "We are a party of 18." There was an audible sigh of relief when Glen told them there would only be one check.

This is what you can see from the Trellis Cafe. Can you pick out the secret garden?

Now that we were refreshed and rested, it was time to hop in the cars and go next door to the Children's Discovery Garden. This pond had viewing windows in a wall enabling this shot (I am not lying on my belly!)

In the Discovery Garden, I discovered this dragon fly laying eggs. I was so excited that the wings stood out in the photo. We watched for quite some time.

There were caterpillar playgrounds.

And a threatening storm.

There were climbing hills.

And rocks and rills.

There were blocks to stack.

And animals to track.

There was a lighthouse to explore.

And there was more.

Noah's Ark, a most impressive splash pad!

Thanksgiving Point was a good, good time!

Friday was Glen and Laurel's day in the mountains. Glen could not imagine leaving without time in those beautiful mountains. Early morning found us at Sundance.

We rode the ski lift with all the mountain bikers. It was a beautiful day!

There were clouds and sunshine and birds. It took your breath away.

After our lift ride, we explored Sundance and staked out the location of our outdoor concert that evening.

We were soon back on the Alpine Loop looking through the aspen groves.

So incredibly lovely and full of texture.

Soon after the aspen trees, we turned left to Cascade Springs.

Seven miles east of the Alpine Loop, the path meanders through the rushing waters coming out of the bottom of the mountain.

There were many families enjoying the Springs. Glen and I were enjoying time with each other.

Upon leaving the springs, we headed east over the mountain to Midway and lunch at The Homestead on the back veranda overlooking the golf course. We reminisced about the anniversary stays of our younger years and of bringing the boys to swim.

After lunch we headed back to Provo for a nap and to get ready for our big date, the Utah Symphony at Sundance's outdoor amphitheater.

We, along with about 1300 other people, made our way up the hill.
We chose seats up close so that we could see the musicians faces.

Look carefully and you can see Glen's head.

Amazingly, we saw someone we knew just one row over. Nate's old seminary teacher, Candance Coople, who was working for the Freedom Festival Committee. We enjoyed the concert so much. Sometimes you forget the sheer beauty of music experienced in person.


During intermission, Glen checked his phone and found a text message telling us that Ruby had won first prize for the 5-6 year olds in the Children's Art Contest for her painting called "Fairy Garden." It's the colorful one high above her head. She is also very colorful with her free face painting and hairdo at downtown Provo Freedom Days.

Heather also shows off her painting "4th of July Commotion" which will be on display until July 31st.

Saturday morning arrived early. Glen woke me at 4:15 am so that we could go stake out our part of Center Street for the 4th of July parade. No one was allowed to lay out their chairs and blankets until 5:00 am, but that doesn't mean that people weren't ready! The street was lined with cars and people standing on the sidewalk. And then the great Provo land grab began at 5:00 o'clock with everyone seeming to rush forward in sync as they claimed their spot.

My reward was watching the sun rise over the mountains.

I also caught a glimpse of a hot air balloom or two over the tree tops.

Glen and I had gone on Thursday morning to watch them inflate the balloons, but they were not allowed to launch that day due to possible rain storms. That morning I forgot my camera or this post would be even longer :)

The crew finally arrived to keep me company with their poppers and bombs. There were pre-parade wars in the streets of Provo.

Children from both sides would venture out with poppers or the CO2 bombs and then quickly retreat.

It was a noisy good time!

And there was an abundance of ammunition courtesy of Grandpa Glen.

It was perfect parade weather, cool and cloudy. No one could remember a better parade day.

Dave's other family was across the street so there was much back and forth visiting when the parade got slow.

My favorite part was the Sons of Helaman. The Provo area missionaries looked and acted like true soldiers of God as they smiled and high fived their way down Center.

I just had to take a picture of Madeline, retired school librarian that I am.

It was a great parade day!

Right after the parade, we loaded up our chairs and took them to the lawn in front of the Provo temple for fireworks in the evening. Our adult sons wanted their children to have the experience of temple lawn fireworks viewing. Dave and Sally are fairly certain that they were both on the lawn at the same time in their youth, what with grandparents living just a couple of blocks apart.

Grandpa Glen now brought out his red, white, and blue necklaces and light sticks.

He is our 4th of July prop man! The fireworks were great and the mountainside route to the condo solved most our post-firework traffic problems.

Sunday was our Jensen family picnic in the park in Draper. It was loads of fun. Elma would have been proud of the impromtu water fight. Her legacy lives on. Everyone flashed away as the five siblings lined up for photos.

This was their sorry attempt at funny faces. Looks like frowny faces to me! Check below to see if they have changed at all in over 30 years! It was good to see them together again.

Faith, Family, and Country

It doesn't get much better than that!