July- Bus off a cliff. Kelly camp. Amy getaway.

The Freedom Fireworks display in Wendell was actually the last week of June because of how it landed in the middle of the week.  It worked better that way because Katana was at girls camp the first week of July.  Stake camp this year. She actually likes stake better because she has some friends in the other ward and it wasn't so cliquish when you have more people.  Preston helped with the community breakfast on the actual 4th.  Then we headed to the hills for a camping weekend in the green machine. The kids have never watched the Melaleuca firework display from the Top of the World.   It was a little hairy going in. Sharp turns and narrow roads. We almost made it to the flats but the last turn proved too much. We almost lost the bus over the edge. We couldn't get grip to back up and kept sliding forward.  When the front tires were off the road  and we were high centered from digging the back tires in we called it a day. JD's family tried to help but the pickup was still too little. We got set up just in time to watch the fireworks. You can see little pops of color from Rexburg to Blackfoot. We had hotdogs over a camp stove in the dark for dinner.  We were grateful for the little cabin in the woods.   I'm not sure my last 2 have ever been and it's only my second time sleeping over. The next day we explored, took a 4 wheeler ride, swam in the water troughs and enjoyed nature. Dan had some BIG equipment in I.F. on a job and Carson was able to come pull us out.  He also spent some time fixing the road.  That turn has always been problematic when moving cows. We meant to stay the weekend but followed Carson out just in case and camped at JD and Echos house. We came home 2 days early but still had a great holiday.   It was full of good spiritual lessons too. Like "Why did we have to go through this?"   Because the lord knew we could handle it.  And it was bad but it could have been worse for someone else later. 

The INL had tours for the public. The kids were bored.  The adults were enthralled.  Did you know that the "nuclear fuel" is actually solid metal rods?  or that it takes 10 years to run one sequence of tests?  or that being able to run a game console is a huge advantage for running robotics?  The Kellys planned a family reunion around this weekend. We ate dinner at the Moore ward campout up Loristica.   Then we headed to Mackay for 2 days at the lake. Collectively we had enough boats, kayaks or canoes for everyone to play on. We also got a wonderful announcement from Carson and Jamie AKA Baby Kelly 2025. We came home to new baby horses and chickens.  Big red hatched 4.  We FINALLY got a girl Diamond had Zelda.  Smoke had boy Fire. They look like twins.  

I swear we were gone every weekend in July and it was fabulous. We (Preston after some peer pressure from his "brothers"in law) met up  with all of Timber’s family, (Ace flew in for 24 hours) Syringa’s family and McCarty’s family for a fun filled weekend in the big ARC.   Grandpa had his big tent set up for all the kids.  Zara brought her bee tent grandpa got her for her birthday.   A tent within a tent for the triplets.  We all went to the swinging tree one day. Grandma was so nervous watching. NO tricks! NO crazy!  Blazen couldn't help but show off a little.  He was "sooo cool" according to the younger cousins.  Grandpa was inspired to make a harness for the little girls.  Good thing too as Azalyn thought it was like her flipping bar. She flipped upside down and once let go to hang like an aerial silk move in the harness.  Then Zara readjusted her hat right as Timber pushed off.  Prayers work.  We went to the roller rink last week and kids loved it.  So we brought all our roller blades to share. I have such memories of rollerblading in the garage for hours.  We went to Natalie's pond one day. She has a zipline, water pad, and slide. It was super fun, but super cold.  Denali made up a board game and had a copy for each family. It was surprisingly good. Denali was not feeling well all weekend. It got so bad that the Proctors decided to leave a day early.  It was sad because Syringa loves the boat so much and it was Mackay Dam Day.  But inspiration is real.  They went straight to the hospital and Denali's appendix had been leaking and his body created a tumor around it.  It will be a process to remove. Wow.  We spent the day on the far side of the reservoir on a sandbank.  My boys could not get enough of the inflatables. Family is so important and necessary. 

*After the Kelly reunion we got a puppy from Carson and Jamie. A cute brown sheltie/collie.  We called him Towed. Like tow bill for rescuing us from the hills. He was perfect. Looked like a dog for Preston. Small for me. Smart to fetch within a few days.  Loving.  He lasted 2 weeks. When Preston left for the AMY Reunion he found him as a smear on the road. Probably tried to follow him to work that morning.