July
July was super HOT this year and we spent most of our time at the lake trying to cool off! One afternoon my cousin Justin, his wife Hannah, and their cute kids came out to visit and swim. We loved visiting with them. I love their family and their kids are awesome!
Bryn had so much fun hanging out with Gavin and having jumping contests off the dock!
On your mark...
Get set...
Go!
It was fun watching my kids do all of the same things that I used to do with my cousins.
It has been great having my sister Jordin and her family living here again!! One afternoon they came into town and Bryn and I met up with them for lunch and to play at Riverfront Park. Ailey had dance team practice and Kameron was working. (He now works two jobs. Such a great kid!!) So it ended up being a fun outing with Bryn.
We went out to lunch at PF Changs. These three kept us laughing.
These kids can devour more shrimp than any other kids I know! Ha ha!!
Then it was off to play at Riverfront Park.
It is so nice to have the carousel all redone and back in operation although my nostalgic vintage loving self kind of misses the old one.
RJ on our very favorite horse...the warhorse Prince.
Jaylah, Uncle Ramon, RJ, and Bryn
We had a great time walking around the park and showing them all of our favorite things. I cannot wait for the park revamp/remodel to be complete. I want my park back!
We had a great day!
Ailey had 4 hour dance team practices most weekdays. Because she is the lightest and tiniest one on the team she is their designated "high flier" which means she is lifted and thrown around. Ha ha. She is a great sport especially being terrified of heights.
Reilly and I had a mother/daughter date to hang out and get pedicures. I love spending time with my grown up girl!! Kameron and Reilly also go on a monthly Bro/Sis outings. Usually they like to go see a scary movie. These two crack me up!! But I love that they are so close and like to hang out together.
This month they went to see Hereditary and were both totally freaked out! You couldn't pay me enough money to go see movies like that!! Tyler and I were sitting out on the patio late that night when they got back and we delighted in freaking them out further!! Ha ha!!
Ailey headed out for a few days at Youth Conference. She had a great time!!
While Ailey was out of town and Kameron was working...Tyler and I took this girl out for dinner, a movie, and ice cream!! Sometimes it's not so bad about being the youngest!!
Tyler and I kept up with our late night walks at the park where we solve all the world's problems. :) These are so necessary and I love this time together!
More lake time. We've spent every weekend at the lake...at least for part of it this month:
Kam living his best life!!
Elle, RJ, Bryn
We have eaten ALOT of ice cream!!
Bryn and her activity day group did a cute activity of writing encouraging quotes and pictures on the Centennial Trail with chalk. Remember when Ailey and Bryn did that several months ago in our neighborhood and our neighbors and random people loved it? I love that their activity day leaders wanted to recreate that and the girls had so much fun!!
We got our free slurpees on 7-11 day. My kids never want to miss that!! :)
Ailey had her lake day retreat with her dance team. These pictures make me laugh. I think it is very clear why Ailey is their "high flier"!! Ha ha! One of these girls is not like the others!!
She is so little and petite!!
The kids have been doing a lot of cooking this summer...desserts, snacks, meals. It's been wonderful!! Here are a couple of pictures of some of their creations:
This was made by Ailey and is truly one of the most glorious things ever. Texas Sheet Cake. We are big cake people and Texas sheet cake is one of our top five favorite cakes. Not all Texas Sheet Cakes are alike. This is the holy grail of Texas Sheet Cakes and it tastes like heaven.
These beauties were made by Kameron and Bryn. Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread. They have made this bread not once but twice and it is amazing!!
The kids have been sleeping out in the tent on our deck. They love it!!
Ailey headed out of town yet again...
This time for Girls Camp. She was a Third Year and she had a fabulous time!! Here are some pics that I received:
We picked her up very tired and dirty but eager to tell us all about her camp adventures!!
Bryn had a stake Activity Girls Day Camp and she loved every single minute of that!!
We have spent a lot of time out on our deck. It's perfect for reading and eating dinners. I especially love having our family Sunday dinners out on the deck and then everyone lounges around afterward talking and laughing. It's the best!
There has been a lot of jumping on the trampoline with the sprinkler underneath it and laying out on the deck to warm up!!
With all the other kids so busy this summer, Bryn and I get to hang out a lot. We were about to head out the door to run errands and Bryn grabbed my purse and keys. She looked like she was 9 going on 19. Time needs to slow down. Especially with my baby!!
Several times we have headed out to the lake or the pool for a fun swim day! This particular day we packed a lunch, swam, had a dock picnic, and stopped at DQ for cotton candy blizzards on the drive home. Perfection.
We also had Tyler's big company summer party and bbq at the Spokane Indians game. It was so much fun!
Reilly and Kam trying to win the fast pitch contest.
Bryn spent most of her time during the party in the petting zoo.
Then it was time for the game to begin! Free food, family, baseball, and fireworks equals a good time in my book. I was happy to have my dance partner back...aka Reilly! We have missed her the past few years while she was in Utah. Tyler does not enjoy dancing at the game nor screaming at the refs (and in this case the players). We did enjoy that one of the player's name was Tyler Johnson and he probably played the worst that game which was extra amusing.
My guys are the cutest!!
Had to take a pic underneath this sign!!
We had a great night as a family!!
Reilly also participated in an inflatable obstacle course race with her boyfriend, Hunter, and his family. This was hilarious and so out of her comfort zone but she did great and lived to tell the tale!!
This is a view that I love every Sunday morning. The calm before the storm in our Primary room. This was taken right before Jr. Primary started. With Jr. and Sr. Primary and Nursery we have about 65 kids. I had a friend ask me about being the Primary President since she just got called to be one in her ward and she said, "Do you hate it?" and before I could even think about it the words "No! I love it!" were out of my mouth and I really think it is true. I am starting to prepare for the Primary Program so...that could all change!! :) This month two kids got baptized and I got to speak at those and I loved being a part of all of that.
We also celebrated our nephew RJ's birthday at the end of the month. He turned seven. He is such a character!! Kam is finding out what it feels like to have a little brother. RJ is a big fan of Kameron. They are super cute together. It was great to have a big family birthday party and to celebrate together. RJ had an Incredibles birthday party.
This month has been a busy one. We have had dental appointments and hair appointments. We have made and brought a lot of dinners to people. My kids love doing that! Teach them to serve early!! I also had a really fun book club where we discussed
The Bear and the Nightingale. We have enjoyed time with family and friends and have really tried to soak in summer and not let it pass us by so quickly.
Onto August...which is nearly over already...WHAT?!
