Lisa n Tom (n James n Joseph)

Lisa's mom writes: After our Lava Hot Springs reunion, Dave and Lori's family spent time with Dave's sister's family near Yellowstone Park. He reported they saw "Old Faithful" and had lots of fun on this lake. They will be back in Washington tomorrow.

Lisa writes: A red letter day and I totally forgot to tell anyone about it! In mid-May, Tom and I finished the Bible. Genesis to Revelations, front to back, AND the Apocrypha (just for the heck of it). We read one chapter together every night for about four years. I think we doubled up on some of the Psalms. We got to the end and were like, Now what? So we started over. We're in Genesis Chapter 45. It works out nicely because our Sunday School class is doing the Old Testament this year and, for once, we sort of feel like we know what we're talking about.

Lisa writes: A few more pics from the cousin reunion. Back at the hotel: Ava and Christian. Christi and Madison don't even know Dad is there -- he's got on his hotel bedspread camouflage. Bubble gum. Benjamin and Madison. Ava and Christian with ice cream. Evelyn and Lori. Dave and Lori. Christian and a friendly local horse. Christian and the horse (that isn't going anywhere).

Lisa writes: Tubing on the Portneuf River that runs through Lava Hot Springs. Captain Dave and his crew. Cameron. The day before, Lori and my dad checking out the route. That's probably glacier run-off, you guys. Where else does water come from in Idaho? Getting the tubes back into the car. Cameron slipping on the mud slope exiting the river. White water. Sort of.

Lisa writes: Last week, my parents, Lori's crew, and Christi's crew met up at Lava Hot Springs, Idaho for a "cousin reunion." Since I just started a new job with no leave for the first 90 days, Tom and I got to stay home. Christian enjoyed taking my mom on the biggest slide. Madison and Christi. I think this is Lori. The gang at the pool. That's my dad in the shades, Lori holding Benjamin, Evelyn with the kickboard, Evelyn right above Lori's head, and Dave right behind her. Christian. Christian and Dave jumping off the highest platforms. (You have to sign a release before you can jump.) Christian and Cameron.

Lisa writes: Pictures from my mom. They're up in Park City, Utah visiting my sister, Christi, and then on to Idaho Springs to meet up with Lori's crew. The toboggan at the Olympic Village. Waiting to run down the Alpine Slide.

The Yucatan, I think? Not sure the pioneer connection here, but that's a pretty fancy float. Temples. Tarzan? Boy Scouts.

Lisa writes: Pioneer Day is a July 24th. It's the day the first batch of Mormon pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. It's a Utah State holiday and everybody gets the day off and everything. If you grew up in Utah (like my mom) or you spent all your summers in Utah (like my old roommate Heidi) you would be forgiven for being surprised to discover it isn't actually a national holiday. See, in Utah, it's kind of a big deal. The Park City Pioneer Day parade. Let's lead off with the guy on the old fashion big-wheel bike with the parrot. It can only get better from here. Mom said this one won some kind of award for best float. All I can tell is that it appears to be a moose. The military. The marching band. The marching Hawaiian band. The fishing float. Dad, watching the parade. He's thinking about how he could be back in the hotel room playing on his laptop right now. Cowboys. Cowgirls. Cinderella.

Lisa writes: I took Madison to my new favorite store -- The Salvation Army, babies! Pink linen sheath. $14 Add the Gap cardigan to make it Sunday appropriate. $3 Nice long t-shirt. $2 Gap capris. $5 Flared jeans. $6