Sadie in Phantom of the Opera

Sadie was cast as Christine (one of several) during BYU's Broadway Bootcamp. We drove out for the final show and celebrated her amazing growth as a performer. She made so many friends and sang her role beautifully.

Many of these signs encouraged Miles along our long drive.

Sadie's childhood friend who is now a student at BYU came to see the show too.

Amy's friend from back when we lived in Dallas has a son who also participates in Broadway Bootcamp. This is Sadie's 3rd year and Peter's 5th.

Annual Kirby Cove Trip

 Every summer we spend some time at Kirby Cove with our buddies. 

Card games on a picnic table. The Golden Gate bridge is peeking out behind us.

Playing on the beach

Climbing all over the weird landscape

Overcast skies

Clear skies--the weather here changes quickly

Sisters Trip Plus Miles: Chicago

After watching the Nauvoo and British Pageants, we drove to Chicago, where we had a first-rate tourist experience.

Architecture Boat Tour

Wrigley Field

Cloud Gate

Chicago Athletic Club

Deep dish pizza

Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple

Sisters Trip Plus Miles: Nauvoo

 We drove from Kansas City to Keokuk, Iowa, where we stayed in a house that was probably not structurally sound and was probably haunted. Then we spent several days exploring historic Nauvoo and watching Heidi perform.

The Nauvoo Pageant has cool scenery. That's Heidi in front.

The actual Nauvoo Temple looks cool at night after the pageant.

Heidi performed right outside this old store.

Luckily this board was holding up our rental house.

This is a restored old building.

Heidi sang us songs as we walked to the Mississippi River.

Sisters Trip Plus Miles: Kansas City

Amy and her sisters planned a big summer vacation to celebrate their milestone birthdays in 2025. They contemplated going to Tahiti or Denmark. But then one sister couldn't pass up an opportunity to spend her summer singing and dancing in costume in Nauvoo, so our trip became a midwest tour. Also, for various convenience reasons, Miles got to come. Just goes to show you gotta be flexible and your vacation will still be awesome.

Our first stop was Kansas City:

The airport had cool art.

We saw a Royals game.

After walking around a historic estate and then walking around Union Station, Miles may have reached his limit of hanging out with his 3rd cousin.

We stayed with Great Aunt Lois and got to meet some of her kids and grandkids and great-grandkids.

Do We Ever Outgrow Happy Hollow?

With one precious free day in an overbooked summer, the kids asked to go to Happy Hollow, which is really geared toward the preschool set. We had a magically nostalgic time. See the past photos for comparison.

Independence Day 2025 with Lots of Bankheads

Several extra Bankheads joined us at the swamp for the 4th of July. 

Some spots on the boat are more comfortable than others

Festive dress for the 4th Festival

Cousin tubing is always a hit

Cousins at the festival

Excellent fireworks by Suisun City

Great skies for our hike

Amos mastered slalom skiing!

Who doesn't want to take a nap with some gas cans and an old dishwasher?

Chatting on the front deck

Parents' Escape to Mexico City

 While the children were at Grand Camp, Amy and Paul went to Mexico City. 

We are lucky to have such amazing grandparents running such an exclusive summer camp.

We took a hot air balloon ride over the pyramids.

Sometimes jumping on cue is difficult.

The photographer was very specific in his instructions.

We had a perfect morning with all the other balloons.

Exploring ancient pyramids

Checking out an archeological dig in the middle of the city

Famous painting at a famous museum.