Elk Viewing and Maddox; Concerts; Friends; Yellowstone, Redwoods, and Japan Individual Family Vacations

Another Hale play with Dad, Mom, and Nani has come and gone. The musical, Harmony, was interesting as it helped us learn about a part of history I never knew about. 

Google: "Harmony tells the true story of the Comedian Harmonists, a legendary 1920s German vocal ensemble whose meteoric rise to global fame was brutally halted when the rising Nazi regime targeted the group's Jewish members."

We like to attend the free summer concerts in the Brigham Young Historic Park on Friday nights. One night there was a chance of rain, so they moved the concert to the Tabernacle. That gave us a chance to walk around part of Temple Square. There is still construction going on, so part of it was cordoned off.

We got a couple of different looks of the Salt Lake Temple with all the scaffolding removed after years and years of renovation on that historic edifice. 

We talked Glen's sisters and their husbands into going to Escape Boredom to try out one of the rooms.

They were all good sports, and it was nice having them support Ben and his business venture. 

Carson had learned about Maddox Ranch House in his Utah history class at school and wanted to go eat there. The Excells put that on their summer bucket list. The Goldens, Glen, and I decided we would like to go along on the adventure as well.

Rebecca and Sarah wanted to stop by my parents' home to see their recent kitchen counter upgrades. Also, everyone wanted to see the gigantic elk head trophy displayed in their living room.

They had seen pictures, but seeing it in person is a totally different experience.

Of course, Dad enjoyed retelling the elk hunting story complete with a photograph book to illustrate his story.

I am realizing I did not take any photos of Dad and Mom's new kitchen and bathroom cabinet tops. I guess not quite as interesting as an elk head.

Sarah wanted to get a photo of her boys with their great-grandparents, but by that time Carson was starving and anxious to get to Maddox and had left the building!

Here we all are feeling full and satisfied after our Maddox meal. Although, the majority of us agreed Texas Roadhouse is very delicious and is a much shorter drive. It sounds like Maddox was a one and done for this group of grandchildren.

Glen and I went to a free concert in the Bountiful Park as part of Handcart Days. 

Jenny Oaks Baker, a violinist, has three of her daughters who perform with her. One plays the violin, one plays the cello, and one plays the piano. She also had a drummer, guitarist, and narrator. It was a lovely performance.

At the beginning the wind was really blowing, and rain was starting to fall. It was so windy the girls' and the drummer's long hair was whipping all around and into their faces. Thankfully, after a couple of songs, someone handed them rubber bands to hold their hair back. WHEW!! 

Although a few people packed up and left when a few raindrops fell, we stuck it out and were rewarded with the weather calming down, not getting wet, and enjoying the full concert.

The Stewarts hosted a friends' evening at their home. We ate some delicious appetizers before we had Dennis Crandall give some information about what he had studied up on about America and the Constitution. Whenever I think of patriotism, I think of Dennis Crandall. He was in the Secret Service protecting President Reagan.

Colleen Kossin, LaVona Lewis, Jan Evans, Jane Crandall, Diane Stewart, me, and Debi Winder.

Dennis Crandall, Grant Stewart, Glen, Lane Lewis, Rick Winder, Bill Evans, and Bruno Kossin.

Dad might have some wildlife hanging on his wall, but we have had lots of wildlife in our backyard--including this mother deer and her twins.

Jacob was able to hook up with Carl and Sherrie Dahlquist and their son Michael when they were in town seeing Michael's daughter who is serving her mission in Omaha. 

Jacob and Michael were the best of friends when we lived in Missouri. Carl and Sherrie were also the best of friends for us while we lived there. Love seeing these grown-up boys together.

We have been living vicariously through our children's vacations this summer. Sarah's family went to Yellowstone.

Rebecca's family went to the Redwoods.

Abe's family went to Japan.

Apparently there are height restrictions for the amusement rides in Japan. Abe barely came in under the restricted height.

What a fun-filled summer for all of our children and grandchildren. 

Jacob's family had Emma's wedding at the beginning of summer, and now Ben's family is in New York as they are finishing up the summer with their family vacation. 

The start of another school year is coming soon.