timp falls

In July some of the school aged kids took part in Jessica Knight's folk music camp. They met daily for two weeks.  Jessica  offers several sessions throughout the summer.  This session happened to be at an elementary school in Mapleton, a small town to the south of Provo.  While the big kids were off with their banjo, cello, guitar, and violins, I took the little ones to Mapleton Park, that we called Shady Park because of the beautiful, large trees, presumably maples.

 On Pioneer Day the class met at Mapleton Park to perform at the small town celebration.

 The kids enjoyed the carnival afterwards.

My good friend Janis and I persisted in our coercing our children on hikes.  This is the parking lot at the Timpanogas Trailhead.   We hiked up to the Timpanogas falls, 

Which was just right for Grant.

Stewart falls

In June we went on a family hike to Stewart falls.  The boys couldn't resist running through the icy Spring water running down from the snow pack. Wherever we go with any body of water, we end with a drenched clothing picture.  Ben, Sam, and Kyle proved themselves worthy of the polar bear award again.

We had dinner by the stream.  Evening was a perfect time for the hike.  Even though the day was almost too hot to even consider exercise, by the time we drove up, passed Sundance and Aspen Grove to the Timpanogas trail parking lot, the air was cool and the sun behind the mountain. The Stewart Falls trail is about four miles round trip. Perfect for families.

 Caitlin brought her friend Grace.

hee haw farms

 Wednesday, October 3, I was grateful to spend a beautiful field trip morning with the preschool kids at Hee Haw Farms in Pleasant Grove.

We arrived early, before the crowds of children appeared.  It was still and idyllic.  We were even treated to a peak at this pumpkin scavenging pig family before the mama pig glared at us and they all ran through a hole in the fence, presumably home.

 The classes gathered to learn a bit about the farm, and then we visited the petting area.

I'm so mad that Granddad won't let us have a pig.

 

Next was William's favorite, the hayride.

 I didn't know there was a giant pumpkin growing club in Utah. I would want to join, but I think my ginormous tomato plants would feel crowded.

 We walked through the corn maze to the pumpkin patch.

 Grant was the only one who wanted to brave the slide. Sam wondered later if they would let him go on.

 As lunchtime arrived these tables were packed with school children. 

 Sophie wanted to never leave the corn box.

pioneer day 2012

 Pioneer Day Olivia asked me, so nicely, if we could go somewhere out of town to celebrate.  She agreed to a picnic at Mirror Lake.  We took a trip there in the summer of 2010 with Grandma Julia and Grandpa Bob.  I still think it is the most beautiful place in Utah.

 Something about this picture of Grant reminds me of his Great-grandpa Alden. Maybe it is the Maine-like backdrop of pine trees and big clouds.

 Here's a link to our 2010 visit. The kids have grown so much.

 I think my polar bears were the only kids swimming.  I didn't anticipate how cold it would  be there.  I forgot that the kids had played in some residual snow in July 2010.

salem pond

Friday August 17, the kids were invited  by their music teacher, Jessica Knight, to participate in a bluegrass concert with other students at Salem Pond.  Kyle wasn't feeling well or he would have joined them on his banjo.  Mary's violin was being repaired, so she had to miss out as well, but the five of them have made some good progress this summer. Bethany just started guitar in June because she wanted to participate in Jessica's bluegrass camp. After two weeks she was eager to perform a short solo at the closing concert. I admired and envied her courage!

I count Jessica as one of the many blessings of our time in Provo.  She is just what we hoped for: versatile, folksy, fun, inspiring.  I love that bluegrass allows students of all ages and abilities to play together and sound great.

Salem Pond seems like a fun place to come back for fishing.  It is stocked with rainbow trout.