Mother Daughter Date

Zak and Mr C went to the community Father/Son Campout on Friday, so Miss V and I decided to have a Mother/Daughter Date Night and Morning. By her request, we ate at McDonald's, where she played for a bit. We cuddled on the luxury loungers at the theater for the scary parts of Incredibles 2, and outside of the theater wandered toward a live band playing on the property. We finished the night eating some ice cream.

The next morning I woke up early to make some waffles for us to pack as we watched the Sandy Hot Air Balloon Festival. Unfortunately, the balloon owners were starting to deflate and and fold their balloons around the time we arrived, because of increased wind. Conveniently, the "ruined" event still allowed us to play and picnic at the park. We decorated styrofoam airplanes, and Miss V got a free balloon. Not wanting to tie it on her wrist too tightly, I managed a loose square knot, that immediately unraveled and led to my sad child without a balloon. After our picnic and play, we stopped at the dollar store for another balloon for Miss V, one for Mr C, and some other items.

Saying goodbye

Handprints in our driveway

Luxury Lounger seats at the theater

Live band

Ice cream

Sandy Hot Air Balloon Festival

Free balloons and styrofoam planes to decorate

Picnic at the park

Waffle picnic

August Johnson Campout

Hooper men: Aaron, Grandpa Dale Hooper (Dad), and Ammon

My parents have decided to have a reunion at our usual spot over a separate week from the Ogden Astronomical Society's star party, so we don't take all Grandpa's friends' camping spots, and so we can have campfires and light without disturbing them too much. Grandma's (my mom's) side of the family gathered together to camp, talk, play games, sort Aunt Ronda's loose family photos for the last several decades, make and eat delicious food, and make kid crafts. My aunt Susan and cousin Verity from Grandpa's side were also able to come. As a young adult I used to spend a lot of time reading at camp before the other relatives would come, but now that I have kids and actually help with meals, there is less time for undisturbed reading. Since my kids are getting a little more independent, they have been able to play with cousins with somewhat less supervision, so I could actually sit and talk. I got a newer phone recently (apparently my iphone4 couldn't update anymore ;0), and my Health app still worked at the campground, so I made sure to finish getting my 10, 000 steps while Zak settled in the trailer with the kids each night.

Mr D, when told to look kingly and regal

Mr C

Summer, Aunt Vicki, and dog Cooper

Aunt Trena helping the kids play Skipbo

Aunt Susan, Verity, Zak (and his paracord magic)

D.J. at the fire, Aaron, Dale, Ammon

Summer, Aunt Ronda

On our walk we spied several butterflies lounging in the sun. 

Second cousins: Mr D, Miss S, Miss V, Mr C

Making bead animal keychains

Aunt Jenny prepared lots of crafts and activities for the kiddos.

Aaron, Ammon, Aunt Ronda, Jeremy

Miss V and Mr C around the campfire (wearing the Calvin Muir Hooper Observatory shirt from Grandpa Hooper). Only minor sparks got them before we realized they may have been too close.

Mom/Grandma Alice Hooper and Ammon around the fire

Ammon's manly legs, Aaron, Miss J, Jeremy, Jenny, Miss V, Mr C, and Uncle Scott

Miss J and Jenny

Miss J

Miss V's dirty feet

Zak, Miss S, Grandma Hooper, Mr C, Ammon playing Uno

Playing Uno

D.J. and Aaron

Playing Uno

Nicole (me) with Miss J

Ammon and Grandpa Hooper

Zak adding paracord to Uncle Scott's wheelchair to help his feet stay in place, while still keeping it collapsible.

Uncle Scott

Aaron reading his book