Fun July Outings

We had some fun outings in the month of July... as we gathered more courage and confidence in taking Charlie out into the world. I would get very stressed and apprehensive about taking a fussy baby out anywhere. I realize that everyone understands that babies cry and it is not that big of a deal, but I guess when it is your own and you feel responsible and guilty for their cries it is a hard thing to handle. No one expects having babies that are fussy...you only imagine little happy, smiling angels!

But enough of that talk! We were able to go on several outings and they all turned out being very enjoyable (even with a baby crying on and off). When Charlie was a little over a month, we met up with the Grubers and Tuttle for a yummy pancake breakfast up the American Fork canyon. These picnic breakfasts are always a lot of fun. Jason had a good time fishing in the stream, and I had a good time taking Charlie for a walk in his stroller.

Later that day, we headed up to Draper. My mom had offered to tend Charlie so Jason and I could go on a date. We quickly took her up on that offer. Our first date away from Charlie! We dropped Charlie off and headed to Jordan Commons to see the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises, which had just opened that weekend. It was also Draper Days, so after the movie my mom continued to watch Charlie as Jason, my dad, Bryan, and I rode bikes near the Draper Elementary to watch the fireworks. We were right next to the launching area, which made for a spectacular show! I even felt a little too close for comfort for some of the bigger fireworks! It was probably one of the more amazing firework shows I had seen, mostly because they were all exploding just over our heads. I remember making some kind of comment like it was like being visited by alien spaceships that were about to abduct us all! Yeah, I was a little crazy.

A few days later, we celebrated Pioneer Day walking along the trail at Canyon Glen Park. We took Charlie in the stroller and Jason could not help but make some fishing stops along the way.

That evening, we met up with Jaleah and Mark, and a couple of their neighborhood friends for a delicious Pioneer Day BBQ! The food was amazing! We grilled up some quality steaks, had herbed red potatoes, corn on the cob, salad, watermelon...everything exceeded our expectations! So good! After eating, we enjoyed pleasant conversation in their basement and played a little Mad Gab. I LOVE that game and the girls rocked it! 

We also had an Arbon Family gathering at the end of July. My Uncle Brad was going to be getting re-married soon, so we all got together to celebrate their marriage. It fun to see him and his family, since we so seldom do. My Grandma Arbon also thought it would be a great opportunity to take family pictures with most everyone there. You know how family pictures go....they take forever and everyone is grumpy, right? But we got it done, and of course we are all glad we did it. 

The Original Arbons

Brad, Erin, Scott, Loyanne, Linda, and Dave

Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma and Grandpa with the Grandkids and Great-Grandkids

Past Grandkid Photos:

 Oh, how we have grown!

Four generations of the Arbon bloodline

Great-Aunt Erin and Charlie

Speaking of celebrations....of course we can’t forget about Nancy’s birthday! We enjoyed a Sunday dinner of grilled brats, homemade salsa, and yummy chocolate brownies in her honor.