Ahh the bliss of summertime. Sleeping in, no homework, warm weather, lots of outside activities . . .. and boredom and fighting and whining . . . oh wait? I really do love summertime. It is so nice to have a break for the schedule. I (most of the time) enjoying being with my kids. Here are some of the things that we did during the month of June. . .
Arts in the Park
The Lehi Arts Council (Lance volunteers as the PR person for the council) hosts Arts in the Park every Sunday in the summer at Wines Park. There are various musical acts that perform. This night we were there for the LAC summer party and stayed for the show. Lance doesn't always love being on the council mainly due to the inefficiency and the nepotism but he has stuck with it so that we get a discount when our kids want to take classes there. We have some good friends, the McKinnons who are involved too so it was fun to hang out with them. They have kids Hannah and Asher's ages so the kids had a blast playing in the park. Not a bad way to spend a summer Sunday evening.
Asher, Hannah, Annabelle and Desi
Annabelle, Asher, JJ and Hannah
Asher
One of Asher's favorite things to do is get out his bow and arrows and practice archery. He's getting better at it every time.
Backyard Pool
A couple of years ago we got this above ground pool and it has been such a worthwhile purchase. It has lasted pretty well and they kids really play in it a lot in the summer. It's just big enough for our kids and their friends and no worries about anybody drowning.
Summer Rules
In order for me to stay sane during the summer I need a little structure. This was this year's attempt at having a schedule. It worked out pretty well. JJ did the stuff too but was too cool to mark it off on my nifty poster.
Here are a few of the creative activities that the kids came up with this month:
Father's Day
This month we honor the fathers in our lives. We are so grateful for Lance and all he does for us.
Dinner at Mimi's
Lance got a new recliner. It is even motorized. It's pretty sweet!
We are grateful for Lance's dad Jake as well. He helps us so much and is so supportive of anything the kids are participating in.
Jeremiah Johnson Day Camp
Asher really loves the cub scout program. He looks forward to the cub day camp all year. We had a fairly small group this year so Karen Smith and I split up the boys and took them in our cars. Of course when I went to start the van up the battery was dead. So I had to drive Lance's car - which I hate to drive. But all in all it was really fun!
Josh Smith, Asher, Ben Smith, JD Brown, Cayden Isaksen, Ryker West, Jackson Powell, Ashton Braley
Outdoor Pool
The kids have been begging to go to the outdoor pool so we made time to go there this month. I love it when my kids try new things that are a little bit scary for them. I love to see them conquer their fears.
Pets
Just what we needed . . . another photo of this weird cat sleeping in a strange position.
Somebody got pushed out. Mouse knows he is the king of the castle.
Lest you think that Jax isn't loved.
Rock Hounding
Asher has been pestering Lance about going rock hounding so Lance found a place up Spanish Fork Canyon that had some fossils that were easy to access. Hannah, Asher and Lance spent a few hours exploring.
Lehi Roundup Days!
In Lehi Round up days are a BIG deal. We like to go to one or all three parades. We didn't attend the rodeo this year. I can only get Lance to go about once every 10 years.
This year Hannah walked in the Friday night parade with the cast of Beauty and the Beast!
The Saturday morning parade we ended up sitting with Scott's brother Dustin's family. It was fun to hang out with them during the very hot parade.
Random Happenings
Lance has worked for Intermountain Healthcare for 1 year! We are grateful for his job and that he is so happy there.
Hannah and I love to get pedicures together. It is so fun to have a spa day once in a while.
Summer toes!
I love getting my hair done. It is fabulous to loose the grey hair.
We also had an amazing vacation to Palisades State Park with the Zellers this month but that needs it's own post so stay tuned!
May is always super busy with the wrapping up of the school year and Memorial day. I love this time of year though. The warmer weather, spring flowers and sunshine all work together to lift my spirits greatly.
JJ
JJ has obtained all the requirements to be able to start doing his Eagle project. We are proud that he has worked so hard on his scouting.
JJ got to speak in church with some of the other young men and his young mens president.
Some of JJ's texts to me are just hilarious. I have to document them.
JJ has taken art classes in 7th and 8th grade. He really enjoys it and sometimes will do it just to relax. He drew this picture and I told him it looked just like Bill Clinton. He disagreed.
It kinda drives me crazy when teachers assign "parent projects" especially at the jr high level. JJ's spanish teacher told the kids they had to bring a truly spanish (not mexican) food dish to class. I don't know how to make "spanish" food. So we made tres leche cake which is probably not spanish in any way shape or form but it was the best I could do. I helped JJ make it and then brought it to his spanish class where we served it up. It was pretty tasty or so I'm told. I didn't get any.
Hannah
This is Hannah's 6th grade year so there were lots of rites of passage for her. One of which was the 6th grade awards night. The kids performed some songs directed by Vangie Jones, got awards and certificates.
We are grateful that Jake and Carolyn could come. We so appreciate their continued support.
Hannah informed me that she just HAD to try out for the Lehi Arts Council production of Beauty and the Beast. This isn't the youth workshop- this is the adult play. I was really worried but she was determined and wouldn't you know it she got in!
We had a fun night over at the Zellers and noticed that Hannah and Carter had both been in a wizarding type of mood when they got dressed that morning!
Hannah came home from a young women's activity one night having made this awesome apron for me for Mother's day! It was so awesome! I love it but I don't want to get it dirty so I haven't used it yet.
In 6th grade the kids learn about world geography and history. Our school does a "world fair" type of project that the kids have to do to get their final grade. Hannah worked with her friend Erin and did pretty much every bit of it at school. I couldn't believe that I didn't have to help her on any part of it!
Hannah and her buddy Brandon Saavedra
I have been the PTA co-president (but it felt like I was doing everything) this year in addition to working. It has been a bit crazy but I made it work. The PTA provides a lunch for the 6th graders after their Jack and Jill Bowling field trip. I had lots of help from the other moms to get this set up and put together.
Hannah was given the Hope of America Award this year. We are so proud of what a good student and person she is. She really does embody what it means to be the hope of America.
Hannah also participated in the Drama club at school. Shocker, I know! She loved it. Her advisor Miss Grgich made it such a fun learning experience. The club put on an improv night including a lip sync battle between some of the 6th graders and Mr. Miller. Hannah embraced this opportunity wholeheartedly. She prepared two different songs. One was Magic by the Cars- where she dressed up as a Harry Potter character and the 2nd one was Look At These Things from Little Mermaid -where she dressed up as a nerd who loves school supplies. She was amazing!
Abbie Price, Annabelle McKinnon and Hannah
RegAnn Zeller, Hannah and Annabelle
Hannah with Desi and Nash McKinnon
Hannah, Kaesha Madsen and Annabelle
Hannah and Madi Armstrong
Hannah with her teacher Sra. Marin
The last few years the school has done a 6th grade clap out on the last day of school. It was emotional and really fun to see all these kids walk the halls of the elementary school for one last time before Jr. high.
Hannah hugging Asher!
Family Fun
We love summer blockbusters! The kids and Lance are big Marvel nerds so they were all really excited about going to see Captain America and X Men.
Home Improvement
Our dishwasher was pretty old and had started to have some problems so we bit the bullet and bought a new one. After doing some haggling with the RC Willey salesperson we were able to get a good deal on a new whirlpool stainless steel one. The next problem that came along was that the one they shipped us was damaged on top. Lance didn't notice this until I came along while he as about half way through the installation. I pointed it out and we both groaned because we knew it needed to go back. Thankfully it wasn't too long before we got a replacement one and Lance was able to install it no problem.
Asher
Asher relishes time one on one with Lance. He is obsessed with hiking, camping and survival skills. On Sundays he can sometimes talk Lance into going on a hike or walk. He has also been interested in rock hounding!
Asher often asks if he can build a fort. He has a great time designing it and playing in it. Sometimes he will even sleep in it! (if it is not a school night).
Ahhh the wrestling! I can't stand it. Someone always ends up getting hurt and mad. But with boys it never stops no matter what I say.
Asher will settle for some mommy time when Dad is not available. Especially when we can go to Cabelas.
Look even more wrestling. Hannah has wicked long nails and scratches people without even realizing she is doing it.
The soccer season is thankfully winding down. Asher begged to play goalie one of the last games. I think he only saved one goal. It wasn't pretty. Oh well live and learn.
Me
This school year has been interesting. I've always been pretty active in either the elementary PTA or the jr high PTSA but this year I was co-president with Heidi Saavedra. It wasn't too bad except for a few times when it felt overwhelmingly busy. I really like all these ladies. They are so selfless with their time and money. They put so much into everything they do. I'm glad I got to be a part of this organization.
I had a super busy couple of days so my friend Karen Smith made these yummy taco cups with all the toppings for our family for dinner. It was such a thoughtful gesture and so yummy. We really appreciated it!
Dance Festival
I look forward to the dance festival all year long. I just love it!
Asher and his 3rd grade teacher Miss Burton
top right: Keltic Parker and Asher, Mason Mingo behind Asher and Ashton Braley on the far right. bottom right: Quinn Mallory, Asher and Cody Long
top right; Abbie Price, Hannah and RegAnn Zeller holding Libby Zeller
Field Day
I didn't get any photos of Asher during field day because JJ and I were running one of the stations. It was hot and tiring and a lot of the kids were kinda bratty this year. I really don't think I want to help out with this event again next year. :(
Memorial Day
Our family tradition continues with a visit to the Brigham City cemetery on Memorial day. Afterwards we had a picnic lunch at a park in west Brigham City.
L-R: Charlie, Becca holding Brinley, Dan holding Bridger, Cam, Emmy, Lance, me, Hannah, JJ. Down front: Brandon and Asher
Random Happenings
We had some weird weather (which I guess isn't that weird really for Utah) in May. We had some bad hail and rain storms.
Of course on the day that I have to substitute for recess duty we have huge hail, rain and wind.
I had another one of my chickens get egg bound. It happens every so often. There isn't much you can do. I tried putting her in a warm bath but it was just too late. She was a great layer too.
We got to go see Libby do her dance performance. It was so adorable!
We also got to be at the Zeller's house when Jaxon opened his mission call! So exciting!
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