Summer: Week 4

 Another lovely week down in the books.  Time flies all too quickly!

It started with BYU ice cream (that is a really great start!):

 Daisy, slow down, would ya?  She is looking so old and it's killing me.  But not really.  I do love this stage of life we are in.  But really, she's going to be 3 in a couple weeks.  THREE!  Can I say 'but really' one more time?

The kids were thrilled to break in Grandpa's new pool and slip n slide:

"Mom!  It looks like I got blood!"

Ha ha.  I can't look at it without giggling a little.  :)

And speaking of giggling, we've had a cousin hangin' with us these last few days.  There has been lots of giggling and happy play.

The kids finally got to sleep on the trampoline.  I loved going to check on them the next morning and see all 4 heads squished together as they all slide to the middle of the trampoline.  So many happy summer memories for me sleeping on the trampoline with cousins!

Goin' to play at the pond:

We spent all afternoon here, the kids were having such a great time!

Lu loves her cousin!  She is a snuggle maniac and he puts up with her (sometimes excessive) loves like a champ.

We braved the crowds and went to the HAFB Air Show on Saturday.  I love it.  My kids go along with me, and show some interest, but I really really love it!  It is just fascinating to me.  I love seeing the airplanes on the ground and the great patriotism I feel as I see the Air Force personnel in uniform showing off their machinery.  And, I absolutely love seeing the planes doing their tricks.  It just blows my mind.  We didn't have a lot of time, but plenty (especially if you ask the kids) still to enjoy.  Next time we are going earlier so I can sit and enjoy the show more.

Are you diggin' Everett's sunnies?  He scored them at a booth and was glad to have them.

Watching the Thunderbirds:

Checking out the cockpit of some kind of helicopter:

How in the world do the pilots see out to fly this thing?

Thunderbirds:

Thunderbirds and a crazy person:

We took our time leaving the base and then took dinner to a park.  It was such a nice day out with my favorite people!

Is she not the sweetest thing?

And, people, I am so excited to be showering in my own bathroom again!  Isn't it beautiful? 

Someday I'll show you the other side of the bathroom, it is still a work in progress, but this half of the bathroom makes me very, very happy.  Yep, I'm materialistic like that.  ;) 

Summer: Week 3

 Have I mentioned before that I LOVE summer?  I really, really do.  I love that I get to make my very own schedule, and I keep my schedule flexible and simple, cause that's the way I like it.  I love that the kids play together all day long and use their imaginations.  Yep, I have "summer house", but I'm ok with that too.  I love the down days as much as the busy, fun days.

I got to spend some time with these three cute girlie-os:

They were thrilled to get some Dippin' Dots (simple pleasures, people):

 The cousin got some too, it's just hidden in this photo.

 The girls were good company, and the play was fantastic!

Here is my Everett boy:

 He tells me about every day that he's going to build a helicopter or airplane that really flies.  He gets so excited about it.  I love it.  He took apart this remote control car and was going to use the parts to build something that flies.  I have no doubt that someday, he's going to do just that.

So, we've had some exciting news this last week.  Nick got offered a new job!  He's excited about the new opportunities and the new commute (15 minutes instead of 1.25 hours - I think I may be more excited than Nick about this!).  This company invited our family to their summer family day at Lagoon.  Uh, yeah!!  What a perfect introduction to their great company!  They provided the tickets, lunch, matching t shirts, and even a fanny pack!  :)

We had such a blast!  It was crowded and we waited in line most of the day, but even despite that, it was such a fun day!  The kids were so content and just having fun together.  There wasn't much complaining, either!  Daisy was just tall enough to go on most of the rides with us, which was perfect!

 Ah, love my honey.

This was after getting soaked on Rattlesnake Rapids, which was the favorite:

 In fact, at the end of the day when the lines for this ride started dying down, we went again and again!  I don't think we had a dry spot on us.

 See the fanny pack?  It makes me laugh, but I tell you what, I'll be wearing that thing again!  So handy!

 My Daisy is a character!

Maren got the bravery award for the day.  She wanted to ride all the fast, scary rides with Dad!  (side note:  I wanted to ride the fast, scary rides with Dad too, but ya know, kids...)

Nick and I told the kids at 9 we were ready to go get some dinner and go home, but the lines were finally getting shorter, and we just couldn't resist!  I'm glad we stayed a bit longer, I'd say that was the best hour in the park!  Finally at 10 we convinced the kids it was time to go home and go to bed!  One of my most favorite days of summer so far.

But before that:

We spray painted some t shirts.  Easy and fun!

Father's Day:

 The decorations are thanks to the girls.  They are great party planners!  

We sure love this guy!

We continued the celebration that evening with my family.  The kids were THRILLED to find that Grandma and Grandpa have kittens!  They smothered the cute little things with love all evening long:

 I'd be tempted to bring one home with us except that Nick tells me he's allergic.  My poor, pet deprived children.

Grandpa is the best!

Summer: Week 2

 This Summer, my kids are making dinner:

I usually don't have much patience (me = no patience, remember?) for helpers in the kitchen, but it is time.  My kids love it!  I'm dealing much better than anticipated.  Win!

Just some cute pics:

Oh, Daisy baby!  You make me happy!

Doing Summer right: 

On Thursday, we went camping.  We headed to Huntington State Park and we had such a great time!  We were joined by my two sisters.  Cousins makes camping doubly fun.  We tried a little fishing (no luck):

Cousin M is still a big favorite:

We spent a lot of time in the water.

Boys (Everett and his cuz), fishing on the dock:

This inflatable slide was a fun bonus!  This is Nick and Maren having a go:

Swimming and paddling, paddling and swimming.

 Now, if that is not a happy face, I don't know what is.

While at the lake, Nick's swimsuit reached it's limit.  Thankfully (for my sisters) he was wearing some rash guard pants underneath.

  

My cute niece, showing off the view from our campsite:

Pre-dinner entertainment:

 This is the life!  Really, disconnecting with the world, reconnecting with nature and my family has got to be one of my favorite things!  Getting good and dirty is strangely satisfying too.

Lu's starburst/s'more creation:

 That was about the only bite she took.  Surprised?

After packing up Saturday morn, we headed back to the lake for one last dip.  The little girls were tired.  Camping wears a girl out! (So, so true!)

 Goodbye, Huntington!  We'd like to come back someday!

This morning, it hailed for a good bit.  The kids were so excited, they put on bike helmets and jackets and headed out.  So funny!  They were jumping on the trampoline with the ice pellets: