The First Week of July, part two

PINE CREEK CAMP OUT!

On Thursday, July 5th, we headed up to Pine Creek to camp out until Saturday. I slept at home with Niles both nights, but we spent the days and evenings at camp with our family and freinds who were up there. On Friday morning whiel I was at PT, Rich adn the big kids hiked to the falls.

Addie

Heidi

Addie & the falls

Hikin' James, making a quintessential Melin Face.

Heidi at the falls

My son the Deinonychus

Kids on the bridge

Kids on the trail

I joined them later and we found a nice rocky beach on the creek.

We set to work building stick boats and beach shelters...another fairy village.

So nice of mother nature to provide us a bench!

Niles loved throwing rocks and he giggled when they made a "plop" sound or splashed on him.

At 6pm we gathered at the pavilion for a Ward Dinner--Steve McCann (who owns the local Dairy Queen and is a great cook) smoked a zillion ribs & brought yummy Wilcoxon's ice cream,  and people brought the most delicious salads. It was super fun! Afterward, family and friends gathered at our campsite and Grandma snuggled Niles. 

The S'mores Crowd- Gavin Roberts, Cousin Dan, Aaron Roberts, Addie, Carter Roberts,  TJay, Me, Zach, Cousins Lexi & Summer, Uncle Jess...

Thankfully, it rained a little Thursday night which allowed us to have a campfire...the BEST part of camping!

The First Week of July, part one

July 2: PARADE DAY! Parade + Cousin Picnic/Water Fight

We forgot our camera this year, but Rich took this smart phone pic of James, aka Ed Grimley. James wanted a mohawk for the parade, but his hair is really shaggy. He and Addie created this kooky 'do...so cute, I must say. 

The Pipers, our favorite.

After the parade we had a picnic at Grandma's house and all the cousins played in the water.

Boys against Girls!

Danny, TJay, and James playing in the hose.

July 4th: Independence Day Trip up Old Chico

We went four-wheeling up the old mine road to our secret creek, but there was a tree across the road. The Melin men jumped out of their car and went to town on the tree...

Mike took a hatchet to it, Jess broke off limbs and started sawing, Rich got some cords from the back of our Cruiser and yanked it in half. Soon the obstacle was history!

Meanwhile, I sat in the car and read with my nerd herd. I had a huge selection of rich, patriotic reading material  for the day to combat the brain drain of the regular celebrations (I have this thing with Independence Day and Thanksgiving in that they are really sacred days to me and most of the traditional celebrations are kind of soul-crushing to me). Regnery did not disappoint, and I LOOOOVED reading President Benson's talk about the constitution.

Addie read to Niles about managing emotions...he still screams a lot.

We made it up to the creek and the kids immediately started wading & throwing rocks. It was so beautiful and cool there.

Niles finally figured out how to work a straw & he is so cute drinking his CapriSuns!

Heidi & TJay at the creek.

The kids went on a hike and found a sand bed to turn into a "fairy village."

James & Hannah in the sand

Cousins building fairy village.

Niles & Lexi having a drink in the shade.

Rosalie & Angie on the rocks

Me with Niles & Lexi

Simon & Kelli

Rich & Heidi

Rosalie & Angie

Sweet Heidi Lynners, Little Miss Fourth of July

Danny (the Digger), Summer (the Secretary to the Mayor) and Addie (the Mayor) of Fairy Land.

James digging

Heidi & Matthew

Lexi & Hannah

Kelli, Rich, Simon & Jess having a photography lesson

Niles ADORES his Uncle Mike!

Later on Independence Day Evening we met at the park and had a barbecue.

Niles loves to swing!

Addie loves watermelon ("rolymennon")
***

The next day our little honey badger slept in for the first time ever. A beautiful sight!

Virginia City & The End of Father's Day

We took a tour of Virginia City (and old mining town a little southwest of us) on Saturday.

The tour was on this 1941 fire engine--there were only 3 of them ever made and they make a cute tour bus.

Niles kept standing on the bench and hugging James' head...he really adores his big brother, it's kind of surprising how much he just worships and copies James.

Rich took a panoramic picture from Boot Hill.

Niles checking out the graves on Boot Hill.

Heidi looking down the gulch to the gold mine.

Me & Niles

James, the Old Miner, Addie, and Heidi in a VAC shop.

Many old stores have been left "as-is" and serve as museums now. Here is the little grocery store. I thought my mom would love all the amazing tins. I loved the wall of spices and teas and coffee in these black bins.

the grocery store register

Here we are all ready for breakfast on Father's Day (Sunday morning).

When we got home from camping late Sunday afternoon, Rich & James finished off the day right...

...playing legos!