Christmas in Utah

On my side of the family we don't have too many family traditions but we do have some family quirks.  One of them includes making music with chimes.  We don't do this every Christmas, just every once in awhile.  My sister is the Primary chorister in her ward and wanted to try out the chimes with us before borrowing them for Primary. 

Everyone who wanted to participate, did.

Even the youngest family member!

Later we found out that the Primary listened to instructions much better than we did...and they even paid closer attention.  They got a gold star for their performance while we were left with the bronze.  I'm not sure who took the silver but it wasn't us.

It was a fun evening with my side of the family and great to see everyone again.

Lehi Roundup Days Parade and 5K Run

I went to the Lehi Roundup Parade on Friday night (sometime in June) and two of my brothers came with their families, plus my baby sister showed up with her husband.  Here's one of my brothers' and his wife.

And here's my other brother and his wife.  I don't know why I forgot to ask my brothers to take off their sunglasses but now they look alike with their glasses on.

And there's my sister and her hubby!

And there are my parents and two nieces!  I have such a cute family!

And here I am with one of my nephews!  It was a very warm evening but as soon as people from the parade started throwing candy, the kids didn't notice the heat at all.

Here's my sister's baby boy.  He was chomping on some watermelon through the mesh.  He loved it!

And my last nephew.  I sat by him the whole time.  At one time during the parade, a band started playing some slower, classical music and he commented that he didn't like that kind of music because it made him sleepy.  Good to know.

The miniature floats were awesome.  I could have taken a hundred photos but rather I enjoyed the parade and only took a few of my favorite floats.  Can you guess this float?

This was a Dr. Seuss themed float.  I really loved that Thing 1,2,3,4,5,and 6 were pulling it.  When I was a younger teenager I ended up pulling three or four miniature floats.  I don't ever remember riding on them or walking behind them, just pulling them.

Saturday morning I got up and joined my dad and brother in our first 5K run.  (Actually I think my brother had run a 5K before).  My dad was super excited and he should have been, he came in third for his age group.  I came in 10th for my age group and my brother came in 8th or so...can't really remember but I know it was before 10.

Here we are at the end of the race...all with our red faces.  My mom was waiting for us all to cross the finish line.  She got a picture of my dad finishing, and then my brother but when I crossed, her battery ran out on the camera.  Good thing I had my own camera.  I really enjoyed running with my dad and brother, even if they beat me by one minute.

Later that Saturday morning Mom and I returned to the parade route to see my dad in the parade.  We ran into our friends Lisa and Mark and they sat right next to us.

Here's my dad sitting on the bales of hay getting ready to throw candy.  Those other men are also Stake Presidents or Stake President Counselors.

"Hey DAD!  Look over here!"  Yep, I got his attention right when he was ready to throw another handful of candy.

I love that I grew up in a small town with summer traditions and I love that I can return and relive so many childhood memories.  I also like that this year I made a new memory of running with my brother and dad.  What a great summer!

Kidd Family Reunion

We went to a Kidd Family reunion in June.  I forgot to pull out my camera all except for the water balloon sling shot.  And I took too many pictures of that...but it was fun.

SM helped many different kids shoot their water balloons and then it was his turn.

SM's water balloon went far...across the park...over the trees...and into the street on the next block.  Success!

Now that's called cooperation...those two sisters working together to shoot the water balloon.

Everyone else was smiling...I wonder why he wasn't.

My niece that is just to the right of SM was the only kid or adult to hit the target that was placed out on the grass...and she hit it twice!  It was fun to see her succeed!

Cookie Day

One of my Mother-in-laws' family traditions is to have a cookie day where the grandkids roll out cookie dough and using cookie cutters, making a plate of cookies for themselves.  We cook them up and then the grandkids decorate them with icing and sprinkles.

The adults think they are needed to help the little ones with their cookies.  Really, we need to think we are needed.  It's lots of fun for the little kids and the big kids.

And when I talk about cookies being made there are also cookies being eaten.  I caught you cutie!

I love this family tradition and hope that when I have my little kiddos they will also participate in such a fun cousin activity.

Pioneer Day Slip and Slide

Pioneer Day this year with the giant slip and slide.  It's awesome that my BIL and SIL are so willing to set this up slide for everyone.  This little guy gets more speed when he is launched.

My SIL had to work on the 4th of July and was unable to join us for the slip and slide earlier in the month and so she had to try it out this time.  And, what do you know, she's a natural!

Wahoo!

Waiting for a turn on the slip and slide!

Fun was had by all!  What a fun activity!