Independence Day Week

Nate had the entire week before July 4th off from work. We didn't travel anywhere during most of the week. Instead we tried to spend some time together doing fun things nearby during that time. On Monday, June 29th, we went swimming. On Tuesday we took Austin to the Treehouse Museum in Ogden. Austin really enjoyed this, although it wasn't too exciting for Nate and I. Perhaps it would have been more exciting for us if Austin had been interested in something other than playing with the train tables the majority of the time, but it was difficult to get him to leave those toys to explore other things. At least he had fun with the trains.

That evening we also had a surprise birthday party for my Dad, who turned  60 the following week. Luckily, the surprise part worked out. My dad had no idea there was going to be a party for him that night. I was in charge of the decorations, and unfortunately in my effort to remember all the decorations and related supplies, I forgot our camera.

Wednesday was particularly fun. We took Austin hiking four miles total up the Farmington Creek/Sunset Trail. He did very well! I thought this trail was perfect for him since there were a number of points of interest along the way for him (and the rest of us) to enjoy, including some old cars for the 1940s, 50s, and 60s that crashed down the canyon from Skyline Rd. above. There was also a shallow cave and a couple of waterfalls.

Unfortunately, the large waterfall toward the end of the trail was mostly blocked by some trees. There wasn't a good way for us to get down to the bottom of it where it would have been more visible, but by climbing nearby rocks we could look down on it better.

Thursday afternoon Nate and I were able to go to the temple, and Friday we left and drove down to Parowan for a Wilcken family reunion. We stayed at Nate's Uncle Jay and Aunt Louise's house hanging out with family, eating good food, and playing games. Friday evening we went swimming at the city pool.

It was fun to watch a couple of Austin's younger cousins going off the diving board. They are definitely a lot different than Austin, who would be far too terrified to try such a thing at this point.

Camden (about 18 months) would just walk off

Friday evening we also did a few fireworks.

Saturday morning we got up early and went on a short hike along the first park of the Valentine Peak Trail. Sleeping in is hard on Independence Day in Parowan in any case since they shoot off canons at 6:00 in the morning.

After lunch on Saturday we drove back up north. We ate dinner at Nate's aunt and uncle's place, but we were too exhausted to stay for fireworks. We left after dinner, drove home, and went to bed.