Summertime

It's time to catch up on all of our summertime fun!!

June

-Zach's Scout Camp: After we came home from California, the next morning Zach left for his week-long Scout Camp. He had a great time without his sisters and parents, but we sure did miss him. One morning while Zach was away, Brian had work to do in that area. So, Brian got up extra early that morning and drove down to have breakfast with the boys. When he got there, he noticed Zach over by a tree with his back to everyone. Zach is not one to get in trouble, usually, so Brian asked one of the leaders what the deal was. Apparently, Zach had to observe nature everyday for 20 minutes and write down his observations in a notebook...that's what he was doing: Sitting in a chair, staring up into the trees, and paying attention to what was going on around him in his environment. Kinda funny though, huh? He was able to earn his Mammal Study, Leatherwork, Environmental Science, Tracking, Archery, and Swimming merit badges. Way to go buddy!

-Father's Day: For Father's Day we drove up into the canyon and grilled. The girls really had a blast wading around in the lake. After our yummy dinner, we took the long way home. The scenery was beautiful ...We had a great day!

-Bubba Gump: Michael + Bekah have this "neighborhood" cat and it had kittens in their shed. Well, they asked, I said "I don't know", they saved their favorite one for us (just in case we decided we wanted one), and then I found myself going to the store and buying this kitten an igloo, a cushy bed for inside, a collar, and some food. Somehow we agreed to take one...I don't know how that happened ;0) Well, then we needed to figure out what we were going to call him. Brian wanted to name him Kevin or Rick, then he thought Ricky Bobby would be funny...we ended up naming him Bubba Gump (it was fresh in our minds after eating at the Bubba Gump restaurant in Monterey). He lives in our garage, but it seems as though the kids sneek him inside just as much as they can. He's a sweet cuddly kitty, and he tolerates Griff and Gracie. What more can we ask, right?

-Boating: Our 1st summer owning a boat has been great! We've been able to take Mom + Dad, Michael + Bekah and kids, some great friends, and just recently Kaylene + Curtis and their boys with us. We've had a blast. I was a wreck the 1st few times we went, but we eventually got the hang of it. I can now back the trailer (with or without the boat) 1st try. The boat ramp we usually use is rather steep and I still hate that "sliding back into the lake" feeling, but I'm a little better now at hiding my anxiety. Zach + Lauren can now wakeboard, Tess uses the Jr skiis with the bar attached, and Ella uses the "Easy Ski". Brian loves to do whatever he can in between the kids' turns...he's still working on some of his wakeboarding tricks (keep trying honey, I'm sure you'll land them by mid-summer next year). I like to "work on my tan" mostly, and drive the boat when it's Brian's turn on the lake. Everyone LoVeS the tube, except Ella + me (I imagine 2 kids smacking heads and getting knocked out unconscious + Ella worries that she'll sink). We've had lots of fun going out on the lake this summer and we feel very blessed to be able to have this fun toy where we can make lifetime memories with our kids.

July

-4th of July: We had fun the whole weekend. We took the boat out Friday, Saturday + Monday...it was tons of fun! On the 4th, Michael + Bekah came down, we grilled + mom made jell-o cake AND a strawberry rhubarb pie. They were SO good! The kids had fun with the sparklers and lots of neighbors were setting off fireworks. It was great to spend time and hang-out together. I have such a great family!

-Michael's Graduation: Michael did it! He got his bachelor's degree on the 17th of July! We packed the kids up and went to the ceremony. We watched him get his diploma, and then we were off to drive back home and get Zach's football gear. After that fiasco (that's another story), we went to dad's company BBQ. It was a long day, but definitely worth it. I'm so proud of my little brother! He's worked so hard...I could go on and on, but he knows. I just wanted to acknowledge how much we love him and how proud we are. Good job Mikey!

-Trek: Brian and I were called to be "Ma + Pa" for our Stake's Youth Trek! Have I mentioned that I'm not really fond of camping? Well, we did it and let me tell you, it was un.be.liev.able! We had to be to the Stake Center by 3 AM on Tuesday morning and we didn't get home until just before midnight Friday night. We had the best kids in our "family": Andrew, Semi, Kyson, Geraldine, Sydnie, Taylor + Jessie...they are such great kids, we love 'em! After about a 5 hour bus ride Tuesday morning, we made our way to Martin's Cove. We spent some time in the Visitor's Center and then we walked. Along the way, we were greeted by missionaries who told stories of some of the pioneers. It was a very spiritual and humbling experience. After that, we boarded the buses and made our way to our camp. Wednesday was our "Trek" day (we went a total of 10 miles). We left early after breakfast, got our hand carts and headed down the trail. We trudged our way through a mud hole, crossed the Sweetwater about 8 times, and we got to re-enact the Women's Pull. The Sweetwater River Rescue and the Women's Pull were the highlights for me. Without giving too many boring details, I'll just say that I have a deep love for the Mormon Pioneers. I can now imagine what it might have been like for them. Okay, I know what we did doesn't really come close to comparing to what they endured, but I was there in some of the same places they had been, and I felt of their sweet spirits. It was an experience that strengthened my testimony, and I'll never forget it. Thanks for being patient with me throughout the whole process Brian...I love you! Oh, and a HUGE thanks to Michael + Bekah who came down and ran my kids around while we were gone (thanks to Mom + Dad for visiting with them when my kids were driving them crazy)! I don't know what I'd do without you guys.

The kids definitely had fun while we were gone...

Also, our dear friends Mike + Heidi had their baby while we were gone on Trek....welcome baby Mack! He is such a sweet little boy!

Ella holding baby Mack!

August

-Montana + Canada: After we got back from Trek, Barb came to visit. We had a great time visiting her. We went up to Kendyll's pool and swam, we took them out on the boat, we went to Gateway and did some shopping and we went to Temple Square. I look forward to her visit every summer, and we had so much fun while she was here. Lauren went with Barb, Marley + Kendyll up to the cabin and stayed there about 10 days with them. She got to hang with Marley, relax and swim in the lake, see Grandma + Grandpa, go to the Mud Bog + Rodeo, go ride horses, and spend time with Falynn. I took Mom + the kids up there to go pick her up (Brian couldn't take the time off to go). Since we were only about 2 1/2 hours away from Grandma + Grandpa's we took mom over Logan's Pass and spent a couple of days with them. We had dinner in Grandma + Grandpa's back yard, Aunt Shauna had a pinata filled with candy for Tess, the kids slept out at Uncle Allen + Aunt Lori's, I got to take mom to Waterton to see the shops, the kids swam in the creek + rode horses, and we got in Grandpa's pick-up and rode to the top of Piney Ridge. We enjoyed seeing everyone and spending time together. It was nice to show my mom where Brian grew up and what a wonderful family he has. We love you guys!

Barb's visit...

Lauren + Marley...on their way over Logan's Pass

Lauren took this picture of Uncle Loy + Aunt Louise at the rodeo

Breaking the pinata after Dinner at Grandma + Grandpa's

-Tess' Birthday: We got home from our trip just in time for Tess' birthday. All summer she had been begging us to let her have her party on the boat. She took a few friends (we missed Lybbe + Sydne), we got some pizzas and after that we just played until they were tired (okay, Brian + I were the ones who got tired first). We went home for some cupcakes and by then it was late and time for everyone to go to bed...Phew! It was fun, but I was still lacking sleep from the drive home the night before. We had her "family birthday" dinner on Sunday and Michael + Bekah brought the kids down. We had chicken and ate a yummy Heath Toffee Cake...I tried making those oversized cupcakes in a regular cupcake pan with the tall cupcake liners. It. didn't. work. It sounded like a good idea, but really they just looked like fatty, square cupcakes. Then, when we tried to cut them to make them pretty and round again they were too difficult to put icing on. Let's just say that I now have the large cupcake pans ;0)

I can't believe that my Tessy is 10 years old....and she's just as spunky as ever. We love you so much Tess!

Well, that was our summer in a nut shell. Love to you all, Kim