Welcome July

Aunt Rayanne came to visit from Salt Lake! 

She was up for anything so we took her on a leisurely float down the canal.

 We floated under bridges, past horses grazing, through the cemetery and all the way to our neighborhood where we hopped out and dried off in the sun.  We had lunch at Sugar Bean Bakery, rented a movie, and because Rayanne loves golf, Brandon took her to our local course. We sure know how to have a great time!

For "Wild Wednesday", the kids and I made use of our season pass and went to Seven Peaks water park with our neighbors. No pictures but plenty of wet and wild fun on a very hot day.

Brynn and I performed with other musicians for our community's annual Patriotic Program. That was just the start of a busy week of Independence Day activities...

Girls Camp

While we were swinging in the trees Kate was at Girl's Camp with our church youth group. 

We have a pretty good summer schedule going. Chores and practicing get done in the morning and then it's PLAYTIME. For our Wednesday activity Adrie chose our favorite nature fun spot, Maple Grove. I was perfectly happy reading a book in my camp chair and watching all the fun.

 This chunky squirrel kept eye-ing our picnic food. He even got away with a brownie. Adrie diagnosed him with "type 2 diabetes."

 In keeping with tradition Brynn caught a fish with her bare hands. Then she outdid herself and caught 4 total.

Salina Pool

Win Some Lose Some

1. Summer can really start now because we got a pool.

 This little thing plus a few hundred filled balloons was all it took for the backyard to become POOL PARTY CENTRAL.

2.  We lost our tramp.  It blew away in a wind gust, landed on it's side and completely self-destructed! Kate watched it happen from the window. We are all saddened by the loss but temporarily appeased and distracted with the pool. 

3. The girls dip-dyed their hair with Kool-aid. Kate's turquoise hue already washed out and so did Brynn's. Adrie's corvette red is stickin' however. She did some internet research and found it might not wash out for a looong time. I think it's cute and fun but she has been having dyer's remorse.  

 4. Like last summer, each kid will take a turn picking an activity for the week--something that will fit on a Wednesday afternoon and in addition to the siblings, can include a friend of their choice.  The list of possibilities includes: bowling alley, bakery, movie theater, pool, mountains, lake, park, hair salon and whatever else the kids can come up with. Cannon got to pick first because he is the youngest. He chose the park-- one slightly out of town and therefore new and fun. After we went for out donuts.  Next Wednesday it's Adrie's turn.

 5. Our county now has a Farmer's Market--Yay!  With all these farmers around it was about time I have a chance to buy some farm fresh goods--plus we still don't have a garden --only garden boxes-- which is at least one step closer than we were last year. Entertainment included belly dancing by my friend here. Further proof that this was an exciting place to be, the kids got to pet a bearded dragon lizard.

Farm Fest was a success. With my $16 we got some peas, peaches, ice cream cones, tamales, fresh eggs, a glass of lemonade and a one-minute massage.  All in all a pretty great way to spend a Saturday morning.

6. While Dad and I were on a date to the temple, the younger kids went to the pool with the neighbors.
Cannon (age 6) surprised everyone and went off the high dive! My neighbor is sending me pictures(or I hardly would believe.)

7. Kate has kept the kitchen busy this summer cooking up all kinds of pinteresty things like birthday cake chex mix.  This week we will be sending her off to Girl's Camp!!!

Father's Day

 In church this morning we learned from the young women about what makes a great dad when asked what his role was, Kate answered  "He keeps mom from spending all the money." 
We did our best to shower Dad with love. We had steak and I even made potato salad for the first time ever in our marriage. It turned out pretty good too even if the kids didn't like it. I made lemon ice cream to hopefully last all summer.

Brandon is good to play with the kids outside: ultimate frisbee, tag, dodgeball, basketball, soccer, you-name it. He is funny and good-natured and we love him for it.

Summer Games UTAH

Spent a great weekend in Cedar City with just girls. Brynn and her good friends Brinley and Melissa (also competing) her mom, little baby AND myself might seem like a big group but compared to all the kids and dads we left at home it felt like a VACATION --and we lived it up like one. We enjoyed everything from the Opening Ceremonies to the Awards ceremony and everything in between.

Opening Ceremonies featured entertainment from a Beatles inspired rock band, the athletes march-in, a parade of flags, and a stupendous firework show.

 Brynn and her team proudly marching in with their Big Rock banner

 Sitting on the sidelines listening before they got the courage to "Twist and Shout"

Pre-competition day fun included swimming, shopping, eating out, the park and Maleficent at the theatre.

Then it was Competition time. Brynn and Melissa competed in level 4 gymnastics.

The results were in: vault: 9.25, beam 9.35, bars 9.3, floor 9.05

With a total score of 36.95 Brynn placed 2nd overall and came home with a silver medal. She was very happy with her results.

 Competing were gyms from St. George, Cedar City, Nevada, Tooele and Salt Lake

All in all a proud day for us and a LOT of fun!