The 4th of July

Happy Independance Day!
We went to Kanab again this year for the 4th. We love the small town feel and we love being able to spend time with the cousin's in their stompping ground. We went to the parade and to the park to all the local booths. It was hot this year so we didn't last very long. We ate snow cones and cotton candy and got the kids faces painted and did the fishing booth for prizes. Conner was all over the place running around so we got worn out really fast. We went back to the house and belive it or not but all of us took a nap. We really needed it since ih kids were up at 5:30am an still wanted to stay up for fire works. We had a water fight and played water games that after noon before dinner. We ate the traditional grilled chicken, bratworths and hot dogs for dinner. After words we did fire works at the house on our own and all the kids took turns lighting their fireworks. They were very careful so it didn't freak me out too bad. We had quite the show. We all pilled into the trucks and went to the city fireworks show. It was great and the kids had a blast.

Another BIke Ride

While my uncle rod and Thomas were still here we had to fit in a dirt bike ride even if we did die of heat. It was a ton of fun. Thomas picked up on riding really fast. I told him that it was in his blood. He couldn't get enough of it. Uncle Rod is a veteran rider. He used to race as a kid and looked like he never quit.
Lots of love. Even when we are sweaty and dusty!
Rob and Jess, Brad, Thomas , Rod, uncle Rod and Mary all went on the ride. What a gang!

Fun up Ephraim Mountain

While we were in Ephraim we took a couple of trips up the mountain on the 4-wheelers. The cousins from Oklahoma love to visit the mountains and get muddy. Here are a few pictures that Porter took while we were there. I think he did a pretty good job.

Uncle Rod and Aunt Heidi
The whole gang eating lunch. We had cheese sandwiches because we forgot the lunch meat. It was pretty funny. We decided that you can't always remember everything when you are packing for a group this big. They were pretty good sandwiches anyway.

More Pageant Pictures

These are pictures of us in our New England Scene costumes. The boys loved wearing their hats and looking so nice in their Sunday best. The girls loved the full skirts on their dresses, the white gloves and the bonnets. It was a a bit much for me. I can't imagine wearing all the different layers and accessories every time I went out. It was a ton of fun though. It definitely got the kids into character.

Time for Swim Lessons

While we were in Ephraim we decided to put the kids in swim lessons at the activity center at the college. The kids loved it and did a great job. Porter learned how to swim the length of the pool wich was about 75 feet. He also could float forever. He has improved a ton. Olivia learned the breast stroke, back stroke , and front stroke. She did a great job and has turned into a great swimmer. I was very impressed with their curriculum and the amount of one on one time that the teachers gave each child. I hope Ican get olivia into one of the swim teams here to keep up her skill. I think she would do a great job.


Porter jumping off the diving board.
Olivia learning her front stroke.
The girls with their completion certificates.

Memorial Day

Every year we go to the cemetary in Manti to decorate the graves of our Mickelson family ancestors. They were one of the first settling families in the area and helped build the Manti Temple. When I was a child we lived there and I remember my grandma Renee always coming down to cut flowers and placing them on the graves of her parents and grandparents. Every year we she would tell us how we were all related and get the low down on the family line. We have continued that tradition with our own families and now our children get to listen to the same stroies that we did as kids. They will appreciate it some day. I think it is so great that we are able to visit and remember our heritage.

The Mormon Miracle Pageant

Wow, what a whirl wind this had been! We have had the opportunity to be a part of the cast for the Mormon Miracle Pageant that takes place in Manti, Ut. There were two weeks of practices and eight days of performances. My sister has opened up her house for all of us to stay so we can participate. It has been such a fun experience. The kids loved getting there costumes and getting a chance to play "bad guys" in part of a scene. The pageant takes place on the Manti Temple Hill so we have gotten lots of exercise running up and down the steep hill. Here we are in out pioneer costumes. We get to walk with the hand cart company and be in most of the pioneer scenes. We have three costume changes. We start out as New Englanders in our nice church clothes. The boys love their outfits and act like such gentlemen in their hats and vests. They love to bow to the girls and take their hats off. The girls love their full dresses, bonnets and gloves. They act so proper and Breann loves to talk in an English accent. It is soo much fun to see them get into character. The New England Scene is about Joseph Smith looking for a church to join and deciding to ask Heavenly Father which church to join. We play members of one of those churches.

Next we have to change into our "Harvest Scene and Christ in America" costumes. These scenes are when Joseph Smith is interpreting the Book of Mormon and we play out scenes that took place between the Nephites and the Lamenites. This is when we get to play "bad guys" or should I say we make a bad choice and decide to fall away from the church and cast Samuel out of the city because we do not believe his prophecy. But don't worry, we change our way.
This is a picture of us practicing the Christ in America Scene. We play out the storm, earthquakes and other signs that were given of his birth and his death. There is even real fire that blasts up and does make us a little scared. It is hot and very loud. We have to run around and act confused in the darkness. which isn't very hard when there is about 200 people running around on the slope of this hill. We all make sure we have hold of one of the kids so each adult has one and we just go for it. The kids have been so great and I think they have a knack for acting.
This is hard to see with out the costumes but it is of Christ when he appears to the people in the Americas. It is my favorite because it shows him organizing his church, healing the sick , and blessing the children. Our kids get to run up next to him and then return to us. It is such a great visual experience to see your children running towards Christ and being excited to see him when he appears. Even though we are acting it kind of puts things in perspective of how it would be when Christ does come again.
This is Thomas my cousin holding the boys in the costume building in their "bad guy" costumes.