So far this Summer

Every year I tell myself that I will make sure we enjoy our Summer Break.  We'll take it easy, and enjoy the fact that we're not running in 6 different directions every day...Silly me.  We are more than halfway through our Summer, and it has flown by.  Of course, I guess that always happens.  Those moments you want to last seem to fly by.  Thankfully we've been able to spend it together, and we've been enjoying every moment.  This is what we have done with our Summer so far.

My mom has a membership to the Zoo, so we were able to get together with most of my sisters and their kids and visit the Zoo with Grandma.  We actually went the day before the new exhibit Rocky Shores opened (typical), but that's okay, we plan on going again before this summer is over.  My girls had a great time taking care of their cousins and helping them enjoy the Zoo.  We went to the bird show, my favorite part, and really relaxed and enjoyed our first Official day of Summer Vacation.

I had a Brilliant idea to take my kids on 1 hike every week during Summer Vacation.  I told myself it would be easy and cheap and keep us all active this summer.  This is all true, but I made the mistake of telling my kids we would be going on a hike every week.  NEVER tell your kids your plans, every week I'm asked "where are we hiking this week?"  I've tried to make this a weekly thing, but it's turned into a monthly thing instead.  Oh well, I had good intentions.  This picture is from our hike to Battle Creek Falls in Pleasant Grove.  It was a beautiful hike.  I love our Mountains.  We truly live in a beautiful place.

The next week, Samantha was "too tired to go on a hike", so we went to Bridal Veil Falls up Provo Canyon.  It was a nice short walk, with absolutely no complaining from my youngest.  Combine that with the beautiful view of the Falls and the cool water on your feet, and we had a great time.

We also celebrated Samantha's 9th Birthday.  Yep, my baby is 9, and I'm getting old!  She told me she wanted a "party with friends this year because she has NEVER had one!"  Yes, I'm also THAT kind of mother.  I HATE birthday parties, and I've gotten away with family parties up until this year, so I count myself lucky.  And seriously, a party at Jack & Jill's in Lehi, where I don't have to do anything and I get to play Laser Tag with the kids, is my kind of party.  No clean up, just play.  Love it.  Samantha had a great time.

 Our first game of Laser Tag was against a group of 10 year old boys.  The girls were nervous to play against boys, but we kicked their butts!  Mostly thanks to my incredible laser tag skills.  Yes, I'm taking all the credit for the win.  I may not have had the most hits, but my accuracy is incredible.  So if you're ever playing against me in laser tag...watch your back.

 We also went to St George for a week in the sun.  This is how we spent every minute of our time there.  It was over 100 degrees every day, so we stayed cool in the pool.

 We were leaving St George on Thursday to go to Bret's Parents house, in Oak City, for the Olsen Family Reunion.  But on Wednesday night Bret's parents were evacuated because of a fire that started just outside of town.  The girls were very worried about their grandparents, so we prayed as a family that everything would be ok and Grandma and Grandpa would be safe.  Thankfully our prayers were answered and the fire moved up the canyon instead of through town. 

 The girls were very happy to be able to go to Oak City to see their grandparents and cousins.  They stayed very busy.  We played outside,

 We played games inside.  (we sleep in this trailer, with AC, thankfully)  It's hot inside their house.

Grandpa put Kylee to work on the riding lawn mower.  And later that night, he even taught Samantha to ride it.  Sadly I didn't have my camera handy.

The girls spent hours shooting their arrows at the target.  Samantha was the first one to hit the target, so Kylee spent the next hour trying to get closer to the center of the target than Samantha.  Got to love sibling rivalry.  Thankfully they are best friends.

On the 4th of July we went on a hike with our friends, the Leatherwoods.  We hiked to the "G".  I was glad we woke up early, because when we made it to the "G" it was HOT.  But, the view was worth it.

 

That night, after the hike, we had a BBQ with friends, and were able to watch fireworks.  Apparently someone in their neighborhood puts on a fireworks show every year.  I have to say, it was amazing!  No need to drive an hour to Provo, or an hour to Salt Lake anymore.  The fireworks were great and we were only minutes from home.  Perfect end to our 4th!

 

Melissa and I had our first "official" bike ride for the summer.  It's called Antelope by Moonlight, and we had a great time.  Since the ride took place at night, we were required to wear headlamps, and I think we looked great...not nerdy at all.  This was a fun ride, but it was crowded!  Thankfully we were able to pass all the kids and big groups, and have a smooth ride.  It definitely feels different riding your bike late at night compared to early in the morning.  There was pretty steady hill at the end of the ride, and we were able to finish strong.  Of course I stopped at the top to take a picture of the moon, which FINALLY decided to make an appearance, but apparently you need a better camera to take that kind of picture. 

We also celebrated Kyle's Birthday, and Mikayla's Birthday...but I don't have pictures yet.  Kyle is 20 (Man I'm OLD), and the girls helped me make him a "tie" banner.  Kyle loves ties, so we sent him a birthday banner that says "Have a tie-riffic 20th B-Day".  Plus we sent him some things he needed for his birthday.  He is doing so great.  We are proud of him every day.

This picture is Elder Olsen with a young man in his ward who baptized David, and Elder Harding.  David has been doing amazing since his baptism, and Kyle mentioned in one of his e-mails that he hopes to find more "David's" during his time in South Carolina.

Mikayla turned 14 on July 7th (did I mention I'm old?), she is so beautiful.  She is my first to always offer help, and she a special talent of helping out with little kids.  My sisters are always glad when she is around because they know their little kids will be entertained and watched over.  She is amazing.  Sadie is excited that she is old enough to go to the Stake Dances, and she is determined to drag Mikayla along with her.  (Mikayla is NOT excited about dances, so Sadie might have to drag her). 

It has been an incredible summer so far, I hope that the last 5 weeks go by slower.  But I doubt they will.