Pioneer Day

In Utah, we have another "holiday" besides the 4th of July.  The 24th of July is knows as Pioneer Day and it is to take time to really remember everything that the pioneers have done when they came and settled in Utah (which is why no other states really celebrate it).  Some business' close and a lot of people don't have to work.  

I started out the day by making some S'mores cookies.  The recipe I used called for mixing chocolate chips and mini marshmallows into the batter, but I didn't have any chocolate chips.  While Scott and I were cleaning out our old apartment, I found some Hershey's bars, so I used those instead.  They flattened out a lot more than I thought they would, but they are still chewy and I think they're delicious.  Here is the recipe.

Later in the evening, Scott had to work and I went to have dinner with Aaron, Brianna, Kyle and mom.  We had a picnic up in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  We found out that squirrels like Oreos (especially the blue kind).  After eating, we went on a hike to Donut Falls.  This was a much nicer hike than the one to Lake Blanche.  All these pictures are courtesy of Aaron since I forgot my camera.

 We had to hike across the water and climb the rocks to get to the top.

Up close view on why it's called Donut Falls.

Kyle concluded that the water was indeed very cold.

Apparently the water was very high.  I guess when mom and Aaron have gone before, there wasn't any water and you could walk around the cave.  Kyle was the only one brave enough to go in.

Kyle and Aaron hiked higher up and there was this rope that was there to help you hike back down.

After hiking, we went back to grandma's and set off some fireworks that mom had from previous years.  It was fun to relax and hang out with family.