Park City 1 year later... Sunday, July 23, 2006

"I'm the first one in the house". Dallin even tried out the porta-potty.

Since our contractor hasn't been returning my phone calls for a couple weeks, we decided to take a drive up to check on the house progress. As we drove up the canyon we watched the temperature on our car's exterior thermometer drop from 101 in Salt Lake to 81 degrees at our lot. And better yet, we were pleasantly surprised to see a foundation all complete. Dallin climbed into the future basement and said "I'm the first one in the house."

Besides the cooler temperature, it is so peaceful up there, with fresh air and a row of aspens behind the house. There's even a view of the valley, and a stream running through the front yard.

The kids had fun climbing until Emily took a wipe out and then we had to leave.

Part of the delay was the excavation nightmares we ran into. Because of the stream running through the lot, the soil was not stable (it was 10' deep of mud). So we ended up having helical piers put at every foundation corner drilled down 10-15' until hitting solid ground. And in the process, the elevations kept changing and we ended up with a flat driveway instead of sloped, and a full walkout basement.

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Reid Justin Robison posted this article on 7/23/2006

Summer work Saturday, July 22, 2006

We've been working around the house to finish up our basement. Dallin and Amanda did a good job of mudding the drywall.

And another picture of Amanda mudding.

Amanda loves to paint. Emily joins in sometimes too.

Our latest project is adding a garage to the house.

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Lisa Robison posted this article on 7/22/2006

Gardner Reunion Part 2 Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Julie, Tim, Jason, Jared, Dallin, Lisa, and Emily before the play. Notice who is eating watermelon!

There were so many pictures that I decided to make 2 articles.

Tyler in his "cute" mood

Each day we started out the day right by eating outside at the pavillion with a view of the five fingers of Kolob. We ate well while we were there. On Wednesday we left in the afternoon for a show at the Tuacan outdoor ampatheater to see Peter Pan. First we had a dutch oven meal and the premises and then we sat down in the front rows for the play. It was amazing! Every kids loved it, including Kendra and Emily. There was lots of flying over the audiance and lots of singing. They ended the show with a bang (of fireworks that it).

Tough boys. Jared, Tyler, Jason, Zach and Dallin smile for the picture.

After getting home at midnight, we weren't so sure about leaving for Zion's national Park at 8am. We all got up late and headed there about 10:30. It was hot, but the 2 hikes we went on were near water, so that felt cooler. Plus, on the second hike we all decided to go swimming in the freezing river. It felt great!

Grandma and Grandpa cuddle on the hayride

That night we enjoyed a hayride. After the hayride, we finished up some tournaments. Reid won the foosball and pingpong tournament. Pool and Table Football went to Scott and Brenda's family, and Mark won horseshoes.We had a great time! Thanks Mom, Dad, and Kurth Family!

Kenzi, Amanda, and Jackson are the first ones ready for the hayride with Grandpa.

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Reid Justin Robison posted this article on 7/18/2006

We're all here! - - Gardner Family Reunion Saturday, July 15, 2006

We all gathered in New Harmony, UT for a family reunion ranch style. New Harmony is in between Cedar City and St. George. It got in the 80's during the day and 60's at night, so it wasn't too hot. Everyone made it to the reunion, making it 32 people in one house.

Lisa and Emily on the tire horses

There was plenty for the kids to do. Emily loved this tire hourse ride that automatically went around in circles. Amanda loved hanging out with her cousins and just playing. She also loved the pony rides (see below). Dallin spent his 5 days up in the game room above the garage playing pool, and foosball. After the first full day there, Dallin played so hard that he had a swollen wrist from foosball and a swollen knee from ? He couldn't even bend his knees. A good night of sleep took care of that.

Amanda on the pony. Dallin rode on the pony too, but only for 20 seconds (his request)

Grandma enjoyed spoil the grandkids, but she made them work for gold nuggets to get their prizes. All of the kids were sharing their snacks, making other peoples beds, and straightening the show by the door.

The first full day there, we spent the day at the ranch. Kelsey got together pony rides for the kids. Rob took some adults horse back riding in the wilderness for a couple of hours. That night we had a family auction of homemade items. We also had a talent show. We saw a lot of home videos of talents, like kids playing the violin and Kevin doing rollerblading tricks. Then Mark and Katy had a special surprise for the family. They had made a video slide show of us growing up as kids! It was so wonderful to see those pictures while we were all gathered in one room. Thank you!

Kenzie, Dallin, Amanda, Daniel, Emily, Jared, Jason and Tyler play at the playground.

7/15/2006

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Each meal we would have someone ring the dinner bell. Kevin, Krista, Ryan, Rob, and Cindy.

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Amanda and Kelsey sit in the shade while they wait for everyone to finish the hike.

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Hiking at Zions. Katy, Mark, Kendra, Dallin, Amanda, Lisa, Kelsey, Tim, Rob, Scott, and Zach.

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Robison family at weeping rock

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Emily loses her diaper. (actually Katy hike down with 2 water filled diapers in her backpack)

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All the grandkids in the wagon.

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Reid Justin Robison posted this article on 7/15/2006

Independence Day Tuesday, July 4, 2006

I started the 4th of July off early with a 5k fun run. While Reid and the kids slept, I ran myself to winning 3rd in my age group! Not a big race, but it was good motivation for me to keep up the exercise.

Next, we headed to the park to listen to Amanda sing in her Children's Choir. In the park they had games for the kids and hot dog and such. Amanda performed on a stage. She really loves to sing and perform. This August she will spend a week in drama camp where she will take part in the performance of Beauty and the Beast.

I am not sure what the kids are looking at here, but it is a cute picture. In the afternoon we watched Aquamarine together . We ate an all American dinner . . . potato salad, pasta salad, baked beans, bisquits, and watermelon. The kids helped me make red white and blue popsickles that we brought around to our neighbors.

Once it was dark, we went to a park by our old house to watch the fireworks. The kids played with sparkler while we waited for the show to start. Emily was fasinated with the sparklers. She even did 2 at a time. We left just before the fanale. The kids were fighting over the blankets, and Emily though it was her job to stick her diaper in our faces! We thought it was a great day!

Reid Justin Robison posted this article on 7/4/2006

Robison Vacation Sunday, July 2, 2006

Last week we took a vacation. On Monday we went to Lagoon. The kids loved all the rides, and we liked cooling off at the Lagoona Beach water park.

The next day we took off for a camp trip to Bear Lake. After finding a camp spot, we enjoyed foil dinners and smores. We tucked the kids into bed in the tent. The next morning Dallin woke up instantly happy as he commented, "That was better than I thought. I thought it was going to be good, but it was really good." He just loved sleeping in the tent.

Pancakes in the morning really topped off the smiles on their faces.

Dallin with his beach towel on to keep warm in the 40 degree caves

On Wed we went on a drive around the lake and found out that there were some caves about 10 miles away. We decided to check it out. We paid $14 and went on a hour tour. It was 40 degrees in the caves and very cool, but we only last 45 minutes in the caves because Dallin needed a potty break.

Emily was so happy camping. It was one big sandbox to her. She spent her days chasing seagulls, sitting down and playing in the dirt and playing in the tent. We were happy because she was so happy!

Amanda's shirt says, "Sugar, no thanks, I'm sweet enough"

The view from the cave entrance.

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Reid, Dallin and Amanda ride the dino ride at Lagoon

Reid Justin Robison posted this article on 7/2/2006

Father's Day

Reid had a wonderful Father's Day full of spoiling. First he enjoyed a breakfast of his choice while reading the Sunday paper. Then after church we headed down to Provo for a semi-vegitarian meal (Jason had a steak). Jeremy, a new Father, joined in on the celebration happily. All the mother's worked hard to make things like a lentil loaf (kinda like meat loaf), tofu lettuce wraps, and to top it off a tofu chocolate cheesecake (it was good!).

Reid Justin Robison posted this article on 7/2/2006

Fanstaticfood.com

The kids were inspired to do their own cooking website from visiting another website done by kids (spatuleta.com). They picked fanstasticfood.com (website does not exist). So I let the kids each pick a recipe and I filmed them making it. They were so cute and they loved it! We will let you know if they become famous.

Reid Justin Robison posted this article on 7/2/2006