*july*

I don't know why but this summer was on fast forward. We did some fun things but had plans that we didn't even come close to executing. Nick was in football every morning and still playing baseball with the high school, this was the first summer that my boys went on camps with the boy scouts, and our calendar filled up before we could bat an eye.

Here is what our July looked like:

Luke went to Mill Hollow for three days at the beginning of the month.

We had a water balloon fight.

We made more s'mores and watched more movies outside.

We went on a hike to Donut Falls.




Liam took swimming lessons and we spent a lot of time at the pool. Luke even jumped off the yellow platform. He said it was the most epic moment of his life.


We participated in free slurpee day.

We went on a hike to Cecret Lake. I could not get enough of the wildflowers in the Albion Basin. The beauty around every corner was breathtaking. I was told by more than one of my boys that they thought I had enough pictures. I feel so lucky to live in such a wonderful place.
















Took Nick to the driving range for his first unofficial driving lesson. He did a pretty good job.



Andrew went to Camp Loll with the scouts. Nick went to Youth Conference.

We visited the planetarium and went on bike rides.

We played board games and did puzzles.

The float preview is always a favorite activity and this year it was even more special because our stake was represented. I was blown away with the finished product. Justin helped here and there and the primary kids from the stake each made a leaf to contribute to the project. The woman who was in charge took the meaning of magnifying your calling to a whole new level.











We had a BBQ at the Scott's for the 24th and our little family went to Liberty Park to watch the fireworks. The boys thought it was so cool that we were able to sit in the middle of seventh east and have a perfect view. And not be hit by a car.

Had a backyard campout.


Visited the drive in.


Went to Lagoon, but that is another post.

*4th*

Oh, how I love the fourth of July.

I love our country with all my heart. I am so grateful for those who fight for our freedom.

I also love spending time with family. I worked the day shift--so weird--until 3 p.m. Later that afternoon we met at my sister's home for a BBQ.






One of my most favorite traditions that we just recently started a couple years ago is going to a Bee's game on the fourth. We just sit on the lawn so the kids can run around and we can have the luxury of spreading out our legs and enjoy each other's company.







My sister and I showed up in the same shirt and tried to get a cute picture. I seriously think we took over 30 pictures and one of us would find something wrong with ourselves in every one. We got laughing so hard that we were crying.


The game was pretty exciting. We were ahead at the beginning but in the fourth inning Tacoma came back to tie the game. Going into the bottom of the ninth inning we were still tied and I was really hoping the game wouldn't go into extra innings because the kids were getting restless and wanted the fireworks to start. As if the batter could read my mind, he vaulted the Bees to victory with a walk off grand slam home run! It was awesome and the boys were even more excited because that means that their ticket was good for a grand slam breakfast at Denny's. Can't beat that.

And seriously, the fireworks are out of bounds amazing. My dad had never seen them at the ballpark and it was so cute listening to his reaction.



I told the boys that this is where we will be every fourth and even if they have dates, they need to come. For now, they seemed excited about it. I hope they do come in the future because it is such a lovely way to spend the nation's birthday.

*luke's party*

Due to the craziness that surrounded the time of Luke's birthday, his friend birthday party was pushed back until the middle of June.

It was actually perfect. Luke is incredibly indecisive and was vacillating between inviting one friend to Lagoon or a few over to our home for s'mores and an outdoor movie. It took him a while but he finally decided on the latter. A few boys couldn't come due to it being summer vacation, but he still had a great time nonetheless.

We tried to feed them before all of the festivities began but they spied the cooler full of water balloons and were way more interested in soaking each other than eating.



When you get a bunch of boys--and my child at heart husband--together you end up with a pretty awesome water fight.














After all of that running around, we cozied up and made s'mores...


...and got even cozier as we watched The Sandlot.



Perfect night for an amazing boy. Love you Luke!