The Final Hurrah

(I am guilty. Some of these photos I borrowed from my sister- in-law's blog. My excuse: How could I get photos of events I was not at? Thank you!)  

For our children, their summer in Utah culminated with two weeks spent alone with their grandparents and cousins. As Steve and I left for the Far East it was comforting to know that all five of our children were in the two homes they miss most with the people who love them the most. Throughout our trip, sent via email and skype, were tales of . . .

swimming in Midway, Northcrest and Kamas . . . 

learning to knit with Aunt Dorothy, going to water day at the neighborhood day camp, stringing beads with Grandma Gretta . . . 

riding the four wheelers at the cabin, sleep overs with cousins . . . 

racing on Chirstine's water slide and soaking in her hot tub. . .

riding the 50 at the Hansen's . . .  

slip and sliding in Gaby's backyard, joining the ladies at two family showers, waiting for homers in the outfield with Uncle Jonny at the Bee's game . . . 

strikes at Fat Cats, watching the bird show at the Tracy Aviary and always waking up to grandma's fancy breakfast, like zoo waffles, which beat my famous cold cereal any day. The tales of their great adventure go on and on and we are still hearing the details today. Thank you, thank you to two extended families and great friends who spent August loving our children.

 

Steve and I searched in each market and gift shop for the perfect surprise to bring back to our children, who we couldn't wait have jump into our arms. Silk Chinese pajamas from Bangkok's Chinatown were perfect. I knew from my own childhood experience, that any parent who was remotely close to one of the world's Chinatowns was obliged to return with the brightly patterned sleep wear.

 

 

 

With two days to say our good-byes and fit in a few more parties, including one celebrating the Ebert women's birthdays, 30, 40, and 65, at Gastronomy and at Al and Marilyn's with cake and ice cream . . . 

  

 

and another with the Calder family, eating in Grandma Gretta's backyard and watching a slide show of each family members' top ten slides of the summer, 

we were off to Boston to finish our few remaining days of summer.