Summer Week ?: Reunion

 Right now, my children are completely running amok.  I should probably attend to them and put them back in line and make sure they are doing their chores and such.  Yep, that's what a good intentional parent would do.  Apparently, I'm not that "good mom".  I'll ignore them a bit longer.  :)

We got to spend a few days with family at East Canyon State Park.  We splurged and stayed in a yurt.  Splurging gets you a quite roomy, but still incredibly hot tent on a frame.  It was actually worth it!  I felt much more secure and thus slept just a tad bit better. The one photo I got of the inside:

And a photo of the outside:

We spent all day at and in the water with cousins on Friday.  We really had a blast!

Baby discovering selfies:

My beautiful Beach Babe:

Kind of looking all Baywatch.  That was not intentional.

And another one:

Rocks, lake dirt and cousins make some good entertainment:

So much fun makes for tired kids (and Daddy):

I didn't include any photos of kids in the water, but trust me, they were.  Like, for hours at a time.  Lots of kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, and general playing in the water.  Nick and I even got in and acted like little kids.  So much fun.

That evening we gathered for dinner (Salmon all the way from Alaska, thanks to my bro!), games, crafts, service, a fire, and just enjoying being together.

 I love the look of adoration on Daisy's face in that photo.

Bingo!

In the morning, we built boats out of cardboard and duct tape.  Three different teams made three different boats.  Here's ours:

 We went for a canoe shape, while the other 2 stayed with the box shape and then duct taped the heck out of it.  We won, big time!  In fact, our canoe went two laps in the same time the others made one!  We were all impressed, though, that all stayed afloat, and all stayed fairly dry on the inside.  That is a feat in and of itself!  That was a fun time.  A little family competition is a good thing, right?

Our canoe (on the second lap) coming in to shore with 2nd place:

Ellie wanted to give our boat a go:

The car ride home was very quiet: 

I love my family!

Ok.  I should probably go do something about those kids now.

Summer: Week 5

 Our week started at my sister's farm.  We had a swim in her pool and then helped feed calves.

My baby's (and my) shadow:

 Oh the memories!  Feeding baby calves was my job growing up on our family farm.  I'm glad my kids can see a piece of it.

We spent the night at Grandma's.  It makes my heart happy to go "home."  We were treated to a hot dog roast.

 Nice, M.

My kids, loving on the baby kitties:

 Daddy, just look at those kids and tell me they don't need a pet!

Kids making kool-aid is quite the production:

Our apricot tree gave us yummy fruit!

I have a big box full sitting on my counter at this very moment.  Hmmm... now what to do with them?

We got to spend some time with Nick's extended family.  Good times!  I'm grateful to them for accepting me and our kids so whole-heartedly and being such a support for our family!  I wish we could see each other more often.

Shindig up the canyon was beautiful. 

The best part of my weekend was a date with this guy:

The look that Nick is pulling totally cracks me up.  :)  We went for a hike, which was just what we needed to catch up with each other after a long year of classes.  He's on an 8 week break right now, and we need it so bad.  I love my honey!  Thanks for working so hard for our family!

July Fourth started early.  We got out to see the hot air balloons, but it was a bust.  They never lifted off due to weather conditions.  We headed to stake out a good spot for the parade instead:

 My kids were pretty wiped, but fun waits for no one!

Daisy entertained herself with hats while Mom took photos:

 Golly, that face.  So stinkin' cute.

We enjoyed the parade and embraced the heat.

Butt shot:

That afternoon we enforced mandatory naps for all.  That evening, more fun with my parents, sister and brother and their families.  BBQ and fireworks:

 Wow.  Those kids are thrilled!  ;)

Fun day.  I am so grateful for this country we live in!

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.  ;)