Summer in Utah 2024 - Filled with unforgettable moments!!

Summer in Utah was filled with wonderful moments. We arrived on July 6th and left on July 27th, 2024. 

It was great to come back and spend time with family again. 

First, we had dinner with the Burt family. Sage, Sophie and their mom Dianne came to visit us in London in June, and here we are, enjoying a delicious dinner with them in Utah:



And another delicious dinner - this time with Ginny and Payam: 


We enjoyed real mountain biking again:




Dan had his homecoming in the Orem Ward the following Sunday.  He did such a great job. Unlike at the High Wycombe home coming - no apostle showed up this time! 

Afterwards the Meyers were so kind to host the home coming gathering at their bouse.




Time for some family pictures:


And one more with Jared, Janette's soon to be fiancé: 


The next day, Henry, Sarah's boyfriend arrived from England and we introduced him to Corn Dogs. He wasn't too impressed: 


He did enjoy the Provo river run on kayaks and SUPs:
 


On June 8, Jared proposed to Janette in front of the brand‑new Orem Temple — with a rainbow in the background! It couldn’t have been more perfectly timed if he’d planned it.



We are so excited to welcome Jared into our family!!




Later that week we went on a short trip to Goblin Valley. We had originally planned to go canyoneering in the area with Ken and the Vellingas, but the day before we arrived, Ken got stuck in a canyon while rappelling and couldn’t get out. Melissa had to finish the canyon on her own and then get search and rescue to help extract him. So glad he made it out safely — and he even ended up on KSL News!

So the next morning, instead of doing another canyon, we headed to Goblin Valley, explored the area, and rappelled into Goblin’s Lair.

So fun!

Here are Sarah and Elizabeth: 


Janette rappelling into Goblin's Lair: 




Of course, we also had to do nearby Little Wild Horse canyon: 




Back in Orem, we spent a day at Bartholomew Park with the extended Wong family, soaking up the sun and enjoying the water. 





Over the next few days, Henry, Jared, Sarah, and I took a trip to Southern Utah. Janette had to work and Josh was at a conference, so it ended up being just the four of us.
It was a fun trip and we laughed so much!

Camping at Bryce Canyon:



Jared teaching Henry how to chop wood!


Time for Marshmallows:


And getting up early to see a beautiful sunrise: 






And more pictures of beautiful Bryce Canyon: 




Visiting a nearby Western town: 



Next stop: Zion National Park

Here we are at the Narrows. We hiked up until we heard thunder: 






Hike to emerald pools: 




Next stop, St. George: 



Having a bit too much fun in the Temple visitor Center! Who knew that a temple finding screen can provide an hour of entertainment!!


Back in Utah we spent some time at Deer Creek with the Smiths: 




We also hiked to Stuart Falls: 




Henry's first Temple visit!! Henry got baptized in June 2024 and received his temple recommend a week later, just in time to use it in Utah: 



Time went by too fast.
Here we are heading back to London: 


THE END











































































































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