June

Where has the Summer gone?  Seriously!  It was so cold and rainy all of June that my kids are just starting to get into Summer's fun activities.  In spite of it being cold and wet we have managed to do some fun things so far.

Swimming lessons for Kaily for 2 weeks.  I'm not loving the place we have been going to the past 3 years. Kaily has lost her desire to go b/c she can't progress.  I found out at the end of this time that the person in charge not only goes off of what they can do, but also their age and strength.  While I understand that you need to be strong enough to do some of the more difficult things, keeping kids in the same level until they are 7 seems silly if they advertise starting them at 3.  Kaily passed the first level at 4 effortlessly and the same year went into level 2. Now she has done level 2 6 times.  I think we might try a new place next year.  She'll be 7, but she can't progress from level 3 until she is 10.  Kaily needs to feel like she is accomplishing things and this is discouraging her b/c she's in the same class with 4 yr olds who are trying to do the same thing as she is and has been doing.

Aunt's 80th birthday.  My Great Aunt turned 80 and we went to Trenton UT to celebrate with her.  It was so fun to see so many people I haven't seen since I was little.  It was good for my kids to meet their family.  I just love my great Aunt and Uncle's so much.  They have been so good to me all my life.

Aunt Joyce and Uncle Bud. (not the aunt who turned 80)

Lagoon.  Some good friends invited us to Lagoon with them and we had so much fun!  Kaily and Conner can ride so many new and fun rides this year b/c they are finally tall enough.  Kaily tried many "big" rides that she wasn't able to do a couple years ago and she had so much fun.  Also, Corbin was great the whole time.  He was a good sport and got to go on the Ferris Wheel with us.  He LOVED it.

I love this pic of Kaily and Conner in the bumper cars!

At the end of June we went to the Willis family Reunion.  It was in AZ this year and we had fun getting dirty, playing in the creek, playing games, avoiding the skunks and just being together.  Aunt Amy made a super fun obstacle course for the kids and foam swords to fight with.  Aunt Amanda and Aunt A made cute field guide books for the kids to fill out and record their adventures.  The little babies played together, or crawled on each other.  We ate lots of yummy food and had an amazing Sunday meeting under the canopy of the forest.

Lagoon again.  We did bounce back at Lagoon with Kory and Tawnia this time.  The kids loved it again and so did Clint and I until the end when tired babies start to cry.

So that was a Readers digest version of June.  July hasn't been nearly as busy and I am loving it!  But those are posts for another time.

America the Beautiful

"Oh, beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.

Oh, beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine ev’ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.

Oh, beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev’ry gain divine.

4. Oh, beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea."

Text: Katherine Lee Bates, 1859–1929
Music: Samuel A. Ward, 1848–1903

Happy 4th Of July!

Playing in The Sun

When it's not raining we have been trying to spend as much time outside as we can.  Kaily has mastered her bike and we are going to take the training wheels off soon.  Conner is ready for a new bike, a bigger one.  Corbin loves to go for walks and be outside.  We haven't made it to the park yet, but as soon as the weather stays nice longer than a couple days at a time we will be spending more time out than in.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

We were in ID on Memorial Day and we went to a place that displayed flags in remembrance of the fallen solders who have defended our country.  Conner liked running around the flags and Kaily, like her cousins, enjoyed learning about who some of the flags represented.  I am so thankful for the many men and women who have fought to keep us free and help others be free also.  

Last Day of School & ID visit

On May 27 Kaily had her last day of school.  She was so proud of all the work she did in Kindergarten and we were so proud of her also.

After school let out the kids and I went to ID to visit my brother and his family.  We had so much fun with them.  They took us to a fun jump house where Kaily played dodge ball with the boys while Conner played with Sarah.  Later that day we went to see Kung Fu Panda 2, which we ALL loved, and then to the most amazing candy store ever called Powell's Sweet Shoppe.  You should go to there site, it's AWESOME!  The next day was Sunday and we had a good time with Ryan and Kristie.  On Monday we went to the zoo by there house and then Jason treated us to some Fancy Freeze, a great ice cream shop before we went to the park.  We were very busy, but we had a great time and can't wait to go back for a visit.