4th of July Weekend

It sure has been HOT these first couple weeks of July and last week of June, about 100 degrees most days.  Everyone's A/Cs are running full time.  The 4th of July was on a Tuesday this year, so I took Monday off to make it a 4 day weekend.  We had an eventful weekend to start off July.

Cute Carter enjoying some dinner.

Saturday I went on a hike w/ Carter, Pauline, Chris and Ezra (Charlotte was in Colorado w/ her grandparents).  They picked me up and we headed for a suspension bridge hike just south of where we live in Draper.  Steve had left w/ Rob and Nyles to try out their new boats.

Carter (on Chris' back), Pauline, and Ezra ready for our hike.  

Chris was kind enough to carry Carter most of the way.  Thanks guys!

Our view along the way.

Me, Carter and Chris.

We took a wrong turn along the way and ended up heading towards the Draper Temple.

We got to a dirt road where people were driving next to our hiking trail, then decided to turn around.

Pauline taking Carter for a while.  He fell asleep for a while too.

Chris w/ Ezra on his back and Pauline w/ Carter on hers.

As we got back closer to where we started, I pulled up my phone w/ GPS and searched for the Suspension Bridge.  It said we were 8 minutes away, so we figured we my as well try to see if we can make it.  Luckily it didn't lead us astray and we made it!  We ended up hiking for 2 hours round trip, instead of maybe an hour max.  It was good exercise though, the scenery was spectacular, and the company was fantastic.  It was a fun hike.

                                               A pretty butterfly we saw while hiking back. 

Pauline w/ Carter on her back, Chris and Ezra right before reaching the Suspension Bridge (in the background).

Me, Pauline, Carter and Ezra.

On the bridge, and Ezra trying to decide to cross it.   We ate some fruit snacks on the other side of the bridge and that seemed to help w/ Ezra's mood.  He hiked pretty much the whole way by himself, so that was quite a lot for such a little guy.  He did awesome!

Beautiful view from the bridge.

Carter back at the parking lot after the hike.  He did awesome and didn't complain once.
Ready for a real nap now back at home.

While we were on our hike Steve was with Nyles and Rob trying out their new boats at Strawberry Reservoir.  Here are pictures of their fun adventure.

Rob fishing from his boat.

Nyles enjoying being on the boat.

Steve loving life!

Rob fishing.

Nyles w/ his new camo life jacket.  He saw it at Cabela's and had to have it ;)

Steve's cute leg, just relaxing on the boat :)

Steve and Nyles.

Caught one!

Steve's boat, he's in love!

That Sunday was our family dinner up at Stacie and Phill's house in Layton.

Carter enjoying the music by Uncle Jeff while waiting for dinner.

Carter loving the watermelon.

Dave and Steve playing a game after dinner.

Nyles, Conor, and Cameron enjoying dessert.  Carter wanted to try it also.

While Steve was out tiling at LuDean's house on Monday, Nyles, Carter and I had some fun at home.  We played in the water table to cool off a bit.  It's also good practice for Carter to stand.

We then went to Draper Park to feed the geese and ducks and go for a walk.

Nyles on his bike, feeding the ducks.

Cute Carter w/ his foot up like usual, trying to stay cool in the heat.  Now back at home playing in the tunnel.  Carter decided to just lay down so Nyles couldn't go through anymore.  It was pretty funny.  These 2 seriously crack me up and make me smile!

Nyles making Carter laugh.  This happens a lot, it's so cute!

A hummingbird at our feeder.  

Some weeds and bushes I ripped out near our peach tree that night.

Playing in the water on the morning of the 4th of July.  

Steve went back to LuDean's house to finish the tile that morning.

Carter practicing standing at the water table.  

Carter loves pulling out Nyles' nightlights any chance he can.  Such a silly boy!

That evening we went to Dave/Joann's place for fireworks.  We stayed for a little bit then had to take Carter home to bed.  It was fun while it lasted! :)

Nyles all ready for fireworks.  Starting some fireworks now.

 Carter loves things that spin, so a pinwheel is one of his favorites.  

This kept him entertained for quite a while.

 

Steve, Carter and Joann ready for fireworks to start.

Happy 4th of July!  We hope everyone had an enjoyable day and evening and remembered all those you have served our country to protect our freedoms and liberties.  We are so blessed to live in this country and enjoy the freedoms we do.  God bless America!

LuDean's Tile

LuDean's basement has flooded 3 times in the past little while (sewage came up the toilet and ran out the hall a little ways).  They've replaced the carpet and vinyl a couple times, but decided they should put tile in the hallway so if it happens again they could just wipe it clean instead of replace the material.  Tile is more durable and waterproof.  Since Steve has had some practice laying tile, they asked if he'd be willing to do it.

So over the 4th of July, I had both that Tuesday and Monday off, so Steve took the opportunity to go over and work on the tile.  He made good time and finished it in a couple days.  Steve said he feels like he finally has a process he likes to use when tiling, so he's not only efficient by accurate.  He does good work.

Steve ripped out what was there before, then cleaned the floor and got it ready.

Cement floor, and starting to tile.

Moving right along.

Around the door frames.

And over to the utility closet.

Steve then cut the tile like a pro and gave it the proper angle.

All done, now on to the grout.

All done!  Looks awesome!

Notice the detail cuts around the door frame.  It takes not only patience but precision.

                          Steve even pulled back the carpet around the tile, rolled it under, and tacked it down.

Great job Steve