PIONEER DAY!

"...they sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked AND walked..."

It is traditional to hike on Pioneer Day. So Colin, Amy and Brian headed out our front door after dinner and hiked up the mountain across the street from our house, past the "Y" and on up for miles and miles until it was dark. They then found a nice spot and set up camp. They came down early the next morning (so Colin could go on.. yep, another hike. This time with friends.

Pioneer Day Pioneer Day is an official holiday celebrated on July 24 in Utah.  It commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, where the Latter-daySaints settled after being forced from Nauvoo Illinois.  Parades, Rodeos, fireworks, and other festivities help commemorate the event. 

The first celebration of Pioneer Day in 1857 (pictured above) was interrupted with news of the approach of Johnson's Army, heralding the beginning of the Utah War.  During the following occupation of the Utah Territory by federal troops, Pioneer Day was not celebrated. Once President Abraham Lincoln initiated a hands-off policy on Utah in 1862 during the America Civil War, Pioneer Day was once again observed.

Boating with the Gunnells

We woke up Saturday morning with a phone call. "Would Amy and her parents like to go boating today?" We were ready in 10 minutes! ha!  We have really been missing boating, having moved away from Gpa Larry's boat. And, have never experienced Utah Lake! What a treat. It was NOT the murky, slimy lake with prehistoric, fanged fish that I had heard so much about (and experienced on one recent open water swim with Colin)  NO! it was BEAUUUTIFFFFUUUULLLLL! They took us to their "hidden secret." A sea-green blue lake stretched before us, clouds that billowed on for EVER and mountains all the way around--in every direction (we know because Brian named them all over and over and over...)The water was as smooth, as... well, a baby's bottom :) (that's for you Nate) --Easiest time I have ever had getting up on a wakeboard.  Added to the fun was the fact that we were with our favorite Oak Hills Family: The Gunnells!  It was nearly a perfect day, no it was a perfect day :).

Macey wows us!

amy learning to surf

serious focus

snuggling Danny Junior

the "Y" in the background

baby Luke

the Danny/Danny Duo

Brian's attempt at surfing--not bad!

Go Reed! What?! are you really only 5?

Go Amy!

when the going gets tough, the TOUGH get going

Not much to be said here but in order to give an update report on Elder Gill who has, well, been needing to "get going,"  I decided to name the post the tough get going.  The Russian physicians gave him a pill (no one knows what it is, because, well, it's RUSSIAN and labeled in Russian) We have been in regular contact with the Mission President and his wonderful wife who have cared for Elder Gill as though he was their own (because, they say, he is.) At last night's skype, Elder Gill was having a terrible after-effect from the medicine given to him in the hospital.  The pill was, evidently, to prepare him for a Colonoscopy! oh no! We all agreed that was not the course we would take here in the states, so whew! no Colonoscopy but, it was too late to stop the effect of the pill.  Elder Gill's intestines were...well, shut down. for days. ouch. So on top of the pain from the infectious disease, now, he has been dealing with this for...about a week. But this morning's email reported that there was success (with an enema) and things are, well, moving. The recovery will be long--as he is anemic from blood loss and tired from the infection.  Another missionary has also come down with similar symptoms, although no bleeding.  They had been together on a visa trip (leaving the country to renew visas) together and probably contracted Shigella at the same time. We are so grateful for the power of prayer and all the loved ones praying for him.  He was really touched when we told him about the prayers on his behalf. Thank you all!

THE LAST OF THE GILLS...

Breakfast of Champions.. well, almost

...to become a tennis player! yay AMY!!! Now all the Gills play tennis.  We should have some mean tourneys at the next get together.  "It's not bad," she said, "I kind of like it!"  
We knew all along it was in her blood.

EVERY PARENT'S NIGHTMARE

Shagilla: an infection of the lower gastrointestinal tract. Patients with Shigella gastroenteritis typically present with high fever, abdominal cramps and bloody, mucoid diarrhea.
Organisms can survive transit through the stomach since they are less susceptible to acid than other bacteria; for this reason as few as 10 to 100 organisms can cause disease.

The image looks "pretty" but  there is nothing pretty about the way it feels.  We got to skype with Elder Gill and his wonderful mission president and wife.  He is in really good hands.  He has visited the Russian hospital and has Missionary Medical treating him as well.  We feel blessed and grateful that he will soon be well.  The hardest part it seems, is the fact that it stopped Elder Gill dead in his tracks.  He wants to get back out there and continue with the work. (4-6 week recovery) Thanks for the many prayers on his behalf.  Today we are encouraged (even though he  looked pretty bad.. he was dressed in white shirt and tie). We feel certain he will have a speedy recovery, well, a recovery at any rate.

SUMMER HARVEST

OUR FIRST ATTEMPT AT SQUARE FOOT GARDENING.

 CHECK IT OUT HERE

GILL FAMILY REUNION 2012 AT SUNDANCE

 THE REUNION started with the Provo traditional Freedom Run for the Gill Family. We enjoyed the 4th of July festivities with cousins and aunts and then headed to Sundance for the weekend.

it was great to have Holden and Mindy visit while Nate was doing field work for his internship in California

 This is our "Opening Ceremonies" emceed by Colin and Annie.

 Grandma Mary led us in the opening olympic theme: "Dum, dum, da dum dum dum dum dum ..."We later changed it to "Da , da ta da da da da" as it sounded a little bit more intelligent.

Serious Hikers

one of the favorite parts of the hike was helping Grandma along

 our mountain biking expedition down the Sundance slopes (a whole different place in the summer time)

 here a butterfly hitchhiker, who rode on Grandma's coat all the way up to Stewart Falls, is crawling up Amy's forehead. Jake seems to be wondering why anyone would let an insect do that....

Lots of laughs, some tears of gratitude too. It was great to have everyone together again (especially Grandpa Larry) It was a weekend of making new memories and sharing ones from the past.

THANK YOU GRANDPA and GRANDMA for a wonderful weekend!!!

Venice

 Howwwww Rommmmmantic :)

 as we pulled into port in Venice

 hefting our luggage around until we catch the train to florence (we must have dragged those bags over 14 step bridges

lovely. just lovely