July 6 we flew to Utah to spend a few days before driving to Idaho for the Anderson and McKay reunions. That evening we took Grandma Dewey down to meet Aunt Sarah and Uncle Dallin for dinner at Brio’s. Then we visited Uncle Geoff.

July 7, we drove up to Alta ski resort to hike to Cecret lake with the Jolley family.

The mountain meadows were blanketed with wildflowers.

We hiked a little over 3 miles and climbed 1200+ feet in elevation. The littles needed some extra help, but they made it.

The final ascent to the lake was very steep, on a narrow trail full of switch-backs.

The lake was rather desolate. Not something that you would want to wade into.

But there were salamanders — or mud puppies as Carter called them — to try to catch.

We hiked down to the chairlift and rode it back to the bottom. Along the way, Raine and I saw a juvenile moose while Daddy and Carter saw a deer.

On the way home we stopped at Waffle Love, because we always stop when we go to Utah.

That evening we went to the Brown’s house for dinner and fun. The kids broke Aunt Karin’s birthday pinata.

Daddy and Uncle Dallin took on Sydney and Parker in spikeball.

Sunday, July 8th, we ate dinner and then headed to the Jolley’s house before visiting Uncle Geoff again. Uncle Mike brought his skateboard and showed Carter some tricks. Carter thought that Uncle Mike’s swell-bow (permanent lump on his elbow) was pretty funny, but I think it also reinforced to him that becoming a good skateboarder takes a lot of crashes!