Independence Day hike

Independence day we went for a hike up Donut Falls. We were so excited to be back in canyons and mountains again. We, especially Devin, have missed the mountains. Our girls loved clambering over the rocks while wading through the river.

The wildflowers were gorgeous, and smelled so good

Cambry found a few rocks that she couldn't keep her eyes off of. She also filled her little pockets with all her favorite rocks from the trail.

I told Veena to show me her teeth. What an obedient child she is.

Their conversation got really intense, once sitting on the bridge together, and I couldn't get them to look at me. What good little friends they are.

Back to Utah

Joslyn flew with the kids back to Utah while I drove back with the Beck and Greg. Girls did great... so I heard.

This is how Joslyn got herself, two kids and all the luggage through the airport. Impressive!

We loved being back in the mountain and used the 4th of July to get up in them again and hiked to donut falls. I think the girls loved the hiking more than the falls.

We have gone swimming a lot at Jarom and Christy's and Grandma Ber's pools. It was a great way to play in the 100+ degree heat.

We also had a fun pool party with my friends from high school, Everill, Shelton, Vandyke and Higgins. It was a great time with good people.

Vienna looking good for the party

We tried to go see the Hot-air ballons in provo, but it got rained out... seriously! So the next coolest thing was checking out the lifeflight helicopter.

The girls have also been introduced to trampolines out here. They have a love/hate relationship with them. They're so fun, but can be so hard and painful to get off of.

Speaking of trampolines, I back up to my old ways of breaking things. What is it about being around family that makes me so accident prone. Here I am just doing a cool trick to show off to my wife and kids.

Next thing, I'm tearing through the trampoline. (That is face uncontrollable laughter, not pain)

Derek found it hilarious and had to post it on facebook immediately

It has been so good to be around family again though. We have love having aunt and uncle who will play with our kids. Our girls have loved it too.

We made some homemade ice cream with my parents. Trevor is seriously getting so big.

So much has changed, yet stayed the same. Dad telling us all how it is while we do all the work!

We also spent time with my family at Glenn Beck's Man in the Moon show.

We've also had a lot of get togethers with Joslyn's family as well. This was a dinner on the 4th of July with all the in-laws. 

We stayed at the Beck and Greg's house for the month of July while we looked for a place to rent. We all tried to be helpful and not just a burden while we were there. Here's Cambry helping grandpa Greg pick some lettuce from the garden.

Cambry also helped Grandma make rolls.

Cambry also helped them come up with creative ways to use toliet paper

We got to visit Grandpa Fuddy's grave for the first time

We went up to temple square one morning while we were staying the Beck's. That place is beautiful and has a special feeling

On our anniversary, we went back to the Timpanogos temple to do sealings

The next day, I flew out to visit Scott and pick up our mini-van in NC and drive it back, more on that to come.

Airhart Reunion: Horsetail Falls

Thursday evening, we hiked to lower and upper horsetail falls and had a picnic afterwards. The lower fall was just right off the road. (Side note: lately when Cambry gets excited she jumps up and down flaps her arms... she was excited to see this waterfall) 

The Airhart girls

This time it was the opposite of the Multnomah falls hike. Cambry was the trooper and Vienna wanted to ride the whole way up.

Cambry got a good dose of Grandma time hiking with the Beck. She showed grandma how to collect rocks and make music with them by tapping them on trees and other rocks.

Upper Horsetail falls

Behind the falls shot. 

Side note: we didn't realize that the whole trail would go behind the falls. we thought that we'd have to wade through water to get there. So, Joslyn just wore flip-flops and was slipping and sliding every where.

After the hike and picnic, it was time to head back to the house and pack everything up. It was a great reunion. Thanks the Beck and Greg for making it happen!

Airhart Reunion: Mt. Hood

On Thrusday, we drove up to Mt. Hood. It was crazy to see a bunch of people skiing and snowboarding in late June.

Up on Mount Hood is the timberline lodge. It was built during the Great Depression by the governement to help create jobs

Our little garden gnome marching up the stairs.

The front door

  

Since the lodge was built during the depression, they saved money by repurposing used items. For example, the grates in the fireplace were made from used railroad tracks.

The top of the chimney. They also had to hire cheap labor so a lot of the masons were unskilled, but as you looked up the chimney you could see how their craft improved with experience

This mosaic was made from the stained glass scraps from the murals in the Blue Ox Bar

The stair railing posts were carved from used telephone poles.

After the tour, we played on the snow for a little bit.