Summer 2014~ thus far

Here we are at the half way point of summer already~ here's how it's been going down so far. It's been a FUN one!
Pinewood Derby~
The leaders are new this year and wanted to make things simple and not weigh the cars. Adren noticed a boy with a small rock taped on his car and ran outside and found an even bigger rock and taped it on the front of his car. He was smoking everyone, which made me uneasy. One by one every boy and their dad was taping rocks onto their cars. Needless to say, I'm sure next year it will go back to the weight guidelines.

But they nailed the Build-your-own-car dessert bar. Pretty cute.

New summer job chart~

(a little complicated, but it works!)

No pics but Abby and I did a quick trip out to Elko and brought Ava, Callie and Paisley. We just had to see the Goulding family in their play Bye-Bye Birdie. Romney, Reagan, Sophie, Alivia, Landrie and Brent the director. The plan at first was to go out and back on a Saturday but we all know better and packed an overnight bag. We made it to the matinee and had a great time~ what a treat to see all the girls up there doing their thing! Then, an early dinner, and went back for the evening show. I still smile when I picture those cute girls up their dancing and singing away. They did a great job, that movie was watched on a regular basis growing up. The next morning we attended church, and the plan was to head out after. We really did not want to be any trouble for a recovering Sadie, and scolded her for mowing the lawn the day before. We kept telling her she needed to rest more, and let everyone else do the work. Well, she whipped us up a yummy lunch after church and while we sat around chatting my eye lids were getting heavier and heavier. Soon enough Abby and I were zonked on the couch for a Sunday nap, and woke to a delicious cake Sadie had made. Brent was like, See what I mean??? At that point we had to stay for Romney's seminary graduation. Abby and I felt real sheep-ish pulling away that evening well fed and rested, waving good-bye to an exhausted Sadie. Abby commented that after that trip she needed to re-evaluate who she was as a person. But Sadie~ that girl can host.
Hey, look! I found a pic afterall!
 
Sunday morning while I was casually eating breakfast Sadie was madly sewing Romney's graduation dress. You may be able to spot me and Abby in the background having our share of milk and cookies.




While we were off in Elko, Jon and the boys planned a fun day of hiking and games with the Boc's.

Grand baby #30 arrived! Oliver Woolf Taylor arrived safe and healthy and adorable to Shafer and Lindsey. There's nothing like visiting a new fresh little bundle. He could not be more presh.

Soooo tiny!

Paisley started ballet and jazz and loves it.

(little Zeke couldn't resist)

While we're at it, we thought we'd see what we could do with Eli's long golden locks:

We've spent plenty of hours at the local pool, with sunburns to show for it. (please know they weren't too bad, and I have been very vigilant the rest of the summer!)

Happy Father's Day to this great dad! We love our daddy so very much, and we are so grateful for all he does for us. We love our own dad's so much, too! For Father's Day I took all the kids and left for 4 days. What a gift! (hint-hint)

Paisley's artwork of her mom and dad~ on a shirt!

 This summer has seen plenty of Lego time~

 

I am lucky enough to have a Devron in my life and we decided to take our kids down to the Casablanca in Mesquite. With the cheap adjoining rooms and spectacular pool, it was the perfect spot to swim and swim and swim some more! We swam in the morning~

We swam at night~

The kids could not get enough of that pool, it's a good one!

One evening Anne, Devron's mom came out and met up with us for a nice Mexican dinner, then we were off to bowling~

It worked out great to have adjoining rooms, we put all the boys in one and Paisley worked out her little corner in with me and Dev.

 Paisley put fresh outfits on her doll each morning, and hung with us big girls when we got our gel nails on poolside.

We decided during our lunch stop on the way home that the Casablanca needs a visit again soon!

Speaking of lunch, we like to venture out to the quaint and fun downtown Provo area to grab a bite to eat. Try a Rocco's Taco! De~lish!

The only picture taken at the Drive-Inn with the Lloyds. The kids didn't even know what that was~ but were delighted when told they could make a bed on the roof of the car and handed a bag of treats.

 The Goulding's came to town and we were able to meet up one day at the new museum at Gateway. These kids can't get enough of eachother!

And these siblings can't get enough of each other!

 ~Lagoon~
Of course Jon and I are asked on a daily basis When are we going to Lagoon??? We had to end the week of Goulding's at Lagoon! It ended up being the perfect day. We arrived a little before everyone else and sat in the parking lot as a torrential downpour pounded down all around us. The parking lot was a lake! I wasn't too worried because the sky to the side was blue and clear. It stopped soon enough and never got too hot that day. I think it also deterred the crowds because the lines were great!

The kids are now asking When we can go back to Lagoon???

We stayed in a semi-scary hotel in SLC that night nearby so we could attend the Airshow at Hill Air force Base the next day.


It was packed to the max. But really neat! The sound of those jets overhead gives you chills. There were plenty of tricks and flips~ really amazing to be there to see! Adren was in heaven being able to tour aircraft, tanks~ and hold every weapon he's imagined.

Brand new, never before used grenade launcher.

The day before the Fourth of July I woke the boys early and we checked out the Hot Air Balloon launch. We were able to watch a few inflate and rise~

Adren was delighted to see a giant pink pig!

Paisley was too sleepy to come with us, but she met up with us later for the worst service ever at IHop. Why do I keep doing that to myself???
The next morning we were able to catch the tail-end of the big Parade in Provo. It was a fun day with family~ Boy did the heat get turned up this day!

The highlight was seeing the Studio C cast come by. We met up with the Taylor's, Whitmores, Granny and Grandpa and Bocanegra's at Scera Park for a hot pic-nick and rockin' music from a nearby BBQ. I love the 4th! We celebrated Sharon's birthday that evening complete with dutch oven desserts, fireworks and more cousins.

We still have some more fun planned for the last half of summer. I keep having thoughts of getting things organized for school and different projects but have to push that out of my mind so I can enjoy all the fun going on. There will be plenty of time for all of that, for now I'm loving sleeping in, hanging with the kiddos and having no schedules!