Florida Vacation

We took a "plan as you go" vacation over the 4th of July to Dunedin, Fl. - just went to the beach, cruised around, went to one restaurant, and drove over to Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral for one day. We stayed in a remodeled double wide coach (we used to call them trailers) at a retirement community. It felt good to have no schedule to stick to:) Here are a few pics - we didn't take many since I don't like to take the camera to the sandy beach!


We saw the Carnival Legend leave from Tampa Bay.


We had dinner with Shirley at the Columbia Restaurant - great food and......


A flamenco dancer show:) They were very energetic and fun to watch!

On July 4th we went to the Tampa Museum of Science & Industry, expecting it to be really cool like Chicago's. It was disappointing, but had a few good exhibits.


I am on a bicycle pedaling on a wire suspended above the first floor. I got nervous and didn't pedal very far before returning!


Rob is feeling the wind force of a hurricane. There was a better one when we entered the museum where we both went in to feel the hurricane force winds.



This is the ship we viewed fireworks from on the night of July 4th. We were only a few hundred yards from where they shot them off in Tampa Bay.

We had some rain from time to time, but only one full day when it poured!


We had a great view for the fireworks near the front of the ship. We only had to lift our eyes up to see them instead of craning your neck for 15 minutes!

Well, the ocean was warm, the swimming pool was great, and we got a needed rest from the hectic everyday work week.
Back to reality now:)

St. Louis McEwans

On my way home from Utah I had a short visit with Michael, Lea, Mazy, and Evey.

Mazy took a ride up the sidewalk with me while Lea, Evey, and Grandma Jan went to an appointment. Mazy liked to wear her helmet even when she wasn't riding:)






Evey is growing fast! She is just about sleeping through the night - a welcome event for Mom & Dad:)

Michael & family have exciting news - they have decided to accept an orthodontic opportunity in Colorado after Michael graduates in December! Now we'll have a new state to visit:)

Summertime Visit to Utah :)

We went to a water conservation park/demonstration where Brian got some info on sprinkler systems and we walked around looking at pretty flowering plants. Megan was getting ideas for perennials in the future. This band provided some music Claire was enjoying.

Claire got her face painted and a butterfly balloon. Grandpa spent some time talking and listening at the KSL booth where they were broadcasting. After all these years, he still listens to KSL even in Illinois!

On Father's Day, since Brian & Megan have church in the afternoon, we drove up to Salt Lake City in the morning to go to the live broadcast of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It is really something to hear and is still in the "old" Tabernacle.

We were up in the balcony where Lloyd D. Newell was doing his broadcast with the teleprompter.

The program was a father's day tribute. The best number I thought was "Sunrise, Sunset" from Fiddler on the Roof. They ended with "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."

This little guy is adorable!

Taking a walk with Jack and Claire - they rarely get tired!

Here we are at the church's picnic area. Claire is wearing her princess dress.

We visited the Children's Museum - lots of fun for kids - you get to touch everything!


Jack and Claire loved climbing on this frog:)



Claire in the boat's driver's seat with Grandpa!


Grandpa and Jack playing at the Children's Museum:)


The new pool was great entertainment for Claire and Jack in the afternoon. In the background you can see part of the sprinkler system - Brian has worked hard to get it functioning. Rob was able to help him with some of the repairs.

The family together for Sunday dinner.

Our nieces, nephew, and granddaughter: Christiana, Shannon, Darren, and Claire. Christiana and Darren were in Provo for "Especially for Youth."

Whenever I visit Utah I go to see Diana Boyle, the missionary who taught me the discussions that led to my becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We're friends forever:)

Wow, this was a fun visit!

Ok, what follows is my attempt to embed some videos from YouTube. Hope it works!