The day Bryson finished school we put him on a plane to BYU basketball camp. You will have to hit him, Tamsin & Brandon or Stacey up for any pictures of that experience. (Make sure you ask for details about, and photos of Tina).
The Long family reunion came next. Everyone who could, met in Idaho City for Grandma and Grandpa's 50th wedding anniversary.
On Saturday we all went down to a local park for a picnic.
Uncle Jon doubled as the m. c. and brought the family together with kind and complimentary words for their parents.
Sisters.
The next generation.
The previous generation
Despite Grandma and Grandpas' strict instructions of no gifts, the four rebellious children insisted on giving a token of appreciation for all their parents had done for them.
Several months ago, Sue had taken the picture of Jon and Diane in the mountains, to an artist she met. This lady had been trained from early childhood in chinese silk embroidery. She is able to reproduce images (including photographs) with completely freehand silk stitching on a silk canvas. After four months of stitching and a custom frame, the 50th gift was complete and ready for the big reveal.
Insistence or not, Grandma and Grandpa seemed pleased.
After some cooling off, we all went back to watch the Chippies and reminisce about the last few decades.
The next morning we all gathered at the local cracker barrel for a brunch before everyone went their separate ways.
What's left of our immediate family (Bryson, Mom, Alicia (temporarily) and I) drove back to Canada just in time for the new Harry Potter premier. Of course we had to go to the midnight showing. We had a blast even though we were too wore out from driving to get in costume.
The next day, Mom and Bryson jetted off to Hawaii. Over the next week or so, Alicia and I managed not to kill any plants and even avoided major house damage. Then I flew to join up with Mom and Bryson, leaving Alicia to fend for herself. With no witnesses to defend her, we also decided to blame her for killing every plant in the yard (there's no way a hail storm could be that bad. Even if all the neighbors who put vinyl siding on their houses look like their walls have been riddled with machine guns!) Just joking Alicia.... we know you worked really hard.
While on the island, Bryson and I went walkabout a few days and found some cool new spots.
We saw this waterfall and noticed the people next to the cliff. If they can get there, we can too. After buying a loaf of the "Best banana bread in the Universe" we found the trail head.
Now this is lightweight backpacking.
Although it did get a little tricky at times.
The swim in the waterfall pool was worth it.
This is the view from the top of the big waterfall, looking back across the valley to where the first picture was taken. With no locals jumping off this cliff, we weren't sure it was safe, so decided to save that for our next trip.
We found a cool blow hole to cool us off on a hot Hawaii day.
(I didn't realize digital pocket cameras videod things sideways if you turned the camera for portrait height shots, so you'll have to turn your head sideways)
A few days later we found Mom's happy place.
Earlier in the spring the geezer golfers went over to the island of Lanai. Come to find out locals (praise the Hawaii drivers license!!) get extortion rates at the four seasons there. We took the ferry over to Lanai and stayed overnight.
All these photos are the garden area behind and around the hotel.
The white building in the first photo was actually an orchid house. Mom thought she had died and gone to heaven!
We also enjoyed their 18 hole putting course. (that's Mom stylin' with the putter)
Really?! Sand traps on a putting course?
You can take the boy out of the west, but......
We also enjoyed some lawn bowling, the pool tables in the games room and some really great food.
Mom brought Bryson back to Canada for his second basketball camp of the summer. This one was just in Airdrie. He felt like an old pro since many of the drills he had already done down in Provo. The local kids took a little longer to catch on.
I was able to stay on the island a few more days and do a little more exploring.
I found the pipiwai trail above the seven sacred pools in the Hana area on the south side of the island. It was spectacular. You start at the ocean....
Hike along a stream......
see really cool waterfalls....
and amazing trees as you get into the forest.....
You must obey ALL signs.
No really, don't even think about breaking the rules....
....but the pools look soooooo inviting!!
soon, it turns into a hike through a dense bamboo forest.....
And at the end, a spectacular 200 or so foot waterfall that you can take a shower under.
Eventually responsibility creeps back into your life and you must return to work so you will be able to afford the next excursion.
The fun didn't stop though. Who new if you invited sister missionaries over for mexican food, Juanita and Lupe would show up??!
Soon everyone was into the act. They crammed into an imaginary car ( you can't see Bryson's hands holding the steering wheel) and drove to the restaurant.
They played a mean mariachi rock band too.
So there you have it. Our summer in a nut shell. Other than the new Balzac mall opening up just in time for back to school shopping, things are calming down around here. We'll be back to a more regular routine in a few days with Bryson starting HIGH SCHOOL and seminary. We do have the big finale over the labor day week-end. Bryson and I are going to Texas to meet Brandon and see BYU play Oklahoma in the brand new Dallas Cowboys Stadium.
