We had a busy and fun July with lots of pictures...so get ready for a long post.
4th of July-COVID style
This year we hosted the 4th of July celebrations. Miranda had her friend Connor visiting from Seattle and Mike and Jen were here with their family from Oklahoma. To keep our numbers down, we just invited families from Salt Lake Valley to the celebration. We kept the whole event as safe as we could. Kept everything outside, hand sanitizers, masks, etc. We had a great night!
After relaxing for a bit we rode around on the 4-wheelers while Dave got the jet skis ready. There are a lot of trails to dive on really close to their cabin. It was pretty fun.
Matt and I had never been on jet skis before so it was pretty fun learning how to do it. Super easy and TONS of fun.
I love this photo of Matt getting stuck in the mud and Ann-Marie laughing about it. We got to watch a beautiful sunset too.
The next day we spent the morning on the boat cruising around the lake. It was beautiful! 
We stopped for a bit at Kingfisher Island-hiked around, jumped in the lake, and swam for a bit.
For dinner Matt chose The Pie Pizzeria. Yum-O!
After dinner Matt, Jacob, Nathan and I headed to Mulligans for some mini golf. Always a fun activity, but it was pretty dang hot!
Day 3 Monday July 20
Levi and Calvin enjoying sparklers
Audrey, Holly, Paula, Jen, Brooklyn, Miranda, Connor, Jacob
We ended up with tons of fireworks. Nathan and Jaxon had fun lighting them all off.
Grandpa and Will (Rich and Jen's nephew) were also able to come join in on the fun
When it came time for lighting fireworks it was great! Many of our neighbors came out to join in on the fun. We were all watching each other's fireworks-keeping our social distance of course. It was so fun to have our whole street out celebrating together.
Proctor Cabin @ Flaming Gorge
Well, we finally did it. Matt and I finally made it up to the Proctor cabin in Manilla, UT. Tyler and Jacob have both been up there several times, but we never had. This trip was just the four adults. No kids came with us. We had A GREAT time!
We left from the Salt Lake Friday morning and stopped for lunch in Evanston, Wyoming. Matt had to buy a new swimsuit here too because he realized he didn't own one. There was only one left in his size--a sweet one at that. We got to the cabin by mid afternoon and got things set up. Their cabin is great! Fresh out of the 70's, but just a perfect size.
After relaxing for a bit we rode around on the 4-wheelers while Dave got the jet skis ready. There are a lot of trails to dive on really close to their cabin. It was pretty fun.
Matt and I had never been on jet skis before so it was pretty fun learning how to do it. Super easy and TONS of fun.
I love this photo of Matt getting stuck in the mud and Ann-Marie laughing about it. We got to watch a beautiful sunset too.
The next day we spent the morning on the boat cruising around the lake. It was beautiful! 
We stopped for a bit at Kingfisher Island-hiked around, jumped in the lake, and swam for a bit.
It was fun watching the process of getting the boat in and out of the water. The Proctors are pros at it of course.
We went back to the cabin for lunch and then headed out to rent a raft to float down the Green River. It was so fun just having the four of us in the raft. Stopping along the way when we wanted to. It was hot, but he water was freezing--so a good mix.
After two hours rafting we finished the night off with going to the overlook by the dam. Beautiful! 
The next morning was slow. We cleaned the cabin and played games before heading home. It was so fun to spend the weekend with Dave and AnnMarie. They are great friends and THE BEST travel buddies!
Staycation:
With Covid messing up travel plans for the year, we had to do something a bit different this time around. We had originally thought to head to Lake Tahoe and maybe Yosemite. Well, Yosemite was out because they were only giving out a few entrance tickets per day and it was highly unlikely we would get one. Not worth driving all the way down to not go. Then our Airbnb at Lake Tahoe canceled on us a few weeks before we were supposed to leave. So onto plan 20... Have a Staycation and do all the things here that we never have time or money for...with a few nights in Moab--just because it happens to be acceptable weather there this week. We let each person pick an activity and restaurant and we ended up having a great week.
Day 1 Saturday July 18
Matt and Miranda started the day off with a hike up Catherine Pass to Sunset Peak. The weather was great and they even saw a moose! The rest of us enjoyed our sleep in.
Day 2 Sunday July 19
This day was restful-- as the sabbath should be. We had a yummy home cooked dinner and then Matt and I drove the whole Nebo loop...none of the kids wanted to come along. Matt and I enjoyed driving through Elk Ridge and Payson before heading up the canyon. It had been awhile since we had been up there. There has been a lot of growth. Driving on the Nebo loop was great. We stopped at Payson Lakes, Devil's kitchen, and a few overlooks. We didn't remember ever stopping at Devil's kitchen before. Beautiful!
Day 3 Monday July 20
Today our big activity was going up to Snowbird Resort. We had not been up there for their summer activities since the kids were little. This time Miranda was able to come, but not Jacob. We got a two hour pass for all of their activities--alpine coaster, alpine slide, ropes course, and the tram up to Hidden Peak. It wasn't crowded at all so we just went from activity to activity. We saw moose from the tram and, of course, there were beautiful views from the top.
Day 4 Tuesday July 21
Miranda got to pick dinner tonight and she wanted veggie sushi so her and Matt got take out from Blue Fish while Nathan and I got take out from Zupas. Everyone was pleased with that.
Jaxon came over later in the evening for a sleep over and so he could join in on the adventures of the next few days.
The boys all woke up early to head out to the Utah Motor Sports Campus to ride their outdoor go-karts. This was, of course, Nathan's choice for activities this week. They had never been out there as it is far away and pricey. They came home pretty pumped about it. It was worth the drive and the cost. By mid afternoon we were on the road to Moab-just Matt, Nathan, Jaxon, and me. Unfortunately Miranda and Jacob weren't able to take off of work to join us for our mini road trip. We couldn't find a place to eat in Green River so we waited and ate in Moab. It turned out to be a much better choice anyhow. Instead of fast food we ate at Spokes on Main and had some very delicious food. We checked into our condo and waited for the rest of our party to join us. The Ruppers and Greg and his family all rented condos at the same place and were going to join us for the next few days of activities. It was fun that they were all able to come down...especially with this trip being on such short notice.
Day 5 Wednesday July 22
We had to get up early for today's adventure. Today was the all day Fisher Tower's rafting trip with Adrift Adventures. This was my third time doing this trip down the Colorado River and it was just as fun as it has been in the past. Matt, the kids, and I went on this trip several years ago with Bret and Debbie. Then, back in the Sego Lily ward, I took the girls here for girl's camp. It was fun to introduce others to this fun adventure.
The morning started off a bit drizzly and we were a bit worried that we would get rained on and be cold all day, however the clouds/rain didn't persist and the weather ended up being just perfect for a day on the river.
Waiting for them to load the rafts in the river. Nice when you have guides do all the work for you.
Matt still rocking his swimsuit from Evanston, WY
About mid-day the guides pull the rafts to a beach and fix us all a picnic lunch.
Hatch family picnic on the beach.
Those of us that were ready for a group picture before we got back in the rafts
Rand, Cara, Jenna, Laura, Lindy, Matt, Nathan, Vincent, Jaxon
Our group was too large for just one raft so we stuck all the teenagers on one raft and had the adults and younger kids on another raft. I think the teens really liked being on a different raft-- even if they had to have another small group with them at the front of their raft.
Vincent, Esther, Everett, Greg--as you can see Everett was living his best life. It was so fun being on the raft with these two boys.
Selfie Time!
Laura and Rand
The fun raft...Jaxon, Nathan, Cara, (the back of)Logan, and Christian
Playing in the water while they took the rafts out
...and then the bus ride back into Moab.
After going back to the condo, showering, and resting for a bit, we had dinner at McStiffs with Greg and Esther. Rand and Laura met us for ice cream afterwards and then it was time to head to Arches for some night hiking!
Since we were starting the hikes so late (we didn't make it to the trail head until 10pm), we split into two groups for the night hike. Matt and I went with Esther and her boys to Double Arch. It was great. When we got up to the arch there was a professional photographer taking photos. He showed us a few he had captured. He got a great shot of the Neowise comet right inside one of the arches. That's the view we had of it too and it was so cool! Of, course seeing it on the camera it was much clearer. Esther's boys thought it was pretty cool just hiking with flashlights. We got back to our condos just before midnight...the other group didn't get back until about 1:30am.
Nathan and Jaxon went hiking with the Ruppers, Greg, and Vincent to Delicate Arch. They had an amazing time. They also ran into a photographer at the arch, The photographer had forgotten a flashlight so he ended up hiking down with our group. Very fortunate because he emailed Greg some of the photos he took . WOW! they are truly incredible!
Photos Jaxon took--Nathan with his headlamp
Some of our group under Delicate Arch
Nathan shining his light. Greg and Cara under the arch.
Day 6 Thursday July 23
This morning we again woke up early. This time so we could pack up everything and then head out to our ATV excursion. We stopped at the rental place in town to sign our life away and pick up helmets and then we headed out to Archview campground where our guide was waiting with the toys. We had such a blast doing this! It was a great way to celebrate Greg's 40th birthday!
This is how we broke down the seating:
2-seater for Matt and I
2-seater for Jaxon and Nathan
2-seater for Greg and one of his boys (they traded out)
4-seater for Esther and the other boys
4-seater for the Ruppers
As we drove around, we would take breaks to get out and look at cool things along the way. When we stopped we would switch drivers so everyone that wanted to got a chance to drive these crazy fun machines. They were SO powerful and could conquer any obstacle. My favorite was sloshing through the puddles.
Day 7 Friday July 24
The whole gang...Matt, Lindy, Vincent, Christian, Nathan, Esther, Everett, Greg, Logan, Laura, Jenna (hidden), Cara, Rand, Jaxon
Seriously such a Fun activity! I would so want to do this again.
After the ATV adventure Greg and his family and the Ruppers headed straight back home. Nathan wanted to visit his favorite rock shop and I wanted to eat lunch at my favorite pizza restaurant in Moab so we headed back into town. So worth it! Antica Forma is delicious!
The boys slept for most of the drive back. With hiking until 1 a.m. and getting up early to go ride ATVs, we tuckered them out. Before heading back home though we stopped in Spanish Fork and had dinner with the Chiltons. We had pizza and homemade pretzels. Yum! The boys got to see the new car James had just bought too. It was a short but great visit.
Today was Jacob's day to pick the activities and the food. Not surprisingly, he picked to go to a movie. They had been doing private showings for a few weeks before this, but they finally opened it back up to everyone with added precautions like empty seats around the seats you choose, you have to wear a mask, and extra cleaning. However, there are still no new movies. So, they are bringing back old favorites instead. We ended up watching Interstellar in the IMAX theater. Great for me as I hadn't actually seen it yet. After the show we went to a new Asian food restaurant close to the district. It was pretty good. Matt and Jacob got sushi and noodles while Nathan and I got noodles and ramen. It was delicious and we had tons of leftovers--we'll be going back there I am sure.
Day 8 Saturday July 25
Today Matt and Jacob went on hike and summited several peaks. They went to Cecret Lake, Sugarloaf Peak, Mt Baldy, and Hidden Peak.
Today Matt and Jacob went on hike and summited several peaks. They went to Cecret Lake, Sugarloaf Peak, Mt Baldy, and Hidden Peak.
Day 9 Sunday July 26
We had planned to drive the Alpine Loop, have a family picnic, and hike to Stewart Falls today, but we were all too tired. We ended up just having the picnic food at home and playing a game. Eight days of playing wore us out. Later the following week Nathan and Miranda officially ended our Staycation with a trip to Lagoon. They had fun, especially now that you have to have a reservation to go, but it was a hot day and that sun beat them down earlier than they would like to admit.
And there you go. It was a very fun eventful month even with COVID.
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