Whew! What a Summer it has Been!

Our summer started before school got out. We went to the Joann and Ty Hatch's home in Clearfield Utah. It was a great trip! Their son, Jake was baptized. That was so special to be a part of. The kids thought that it was neat touch when Jake got to take some of his baptism water home with him. Jack and Zaylie wished that they would of done that. Oh well we will do that for Elijah and Wyatt. We also got to meet their newest little girl, Lily. She is such a cute addition to their family.

Our next adventure was a special house guest, our cousin, Annebelle came to stay with us.She bought such a special spirit to our home. While she was hear we also had another great guest come, Grandmom Evans. We went to Pasco's farmers market. We got some fresh veggies and some delicious strawberry bread! Carolyn is such a wealth of knowlege...I loved having her here! That was the end of June.

July started with a BANG! We went to Portland to visit the Recks and the Evans. For the 4th of July we spent it with the Recks. They hosted a block party complete with all the great food and great fireworks! We played Settlers and ate Teresa's fabulous chocolate chip cookies. On the 5th of July it was Jeremiah's Birthday so we went out to his folks. Of course the visit was so nice. Carolyn taught me how to make tamales. When we got home we made them again and they turned out great so I guess I learned something!

It was now the Hatch's turn to come and visit us so Joann and the kids drove up. We did some scrapbooking, which I hadn't done in a very long time because Joann is my scrapbooking buddy and I can't do it without her. We went to a couple parks and to the snake river. The kids swam and we had a nice picnic. Jack, Trevyn, Jake and Zaylie are great friends. They share a special bond that they can only know!

We ended July with a visit to my mom and dad's, Nanna and Grampa. The kids played in the backyard and stayed cool in the little pool. We visited the Portland Zoo too. We hadn't been there in a long time. When Jack and Zaylie were little we would go a couple times a week so being there made me realize how much they have grown up and how awesome they are! We also went to Seaside (the beach). While we were their we did the bumper cars! It ROCKED! Nanna laughed so hard and so did we! Wyatt was a little too scared...next year will be funner for him.

August started with a camping adventure with the Recks in LaPine Oregon. Teresa has been camping at this nice little lake for many years and last year she took me and kids for an awesome trip so this year we came back for more and it was MORE! Last year it was Teresa and I with 15 kids! This year it was Teresa, Jeremiah and I with only 11 kids! It is a primative camp site so we had to hull wood, get water and use the Biffy (outhouse). It was great! Elijah really took off swimming. He swam almost half way to the middle of the lake. Jeremiah canoed everyday and took everyone on rides. Jack and Jer went on a motorcycle overnighter and slept under the stars in their own tarp tent. Zaylie made a new friend named Ariel and had lots of fun hanging out with Christina and Andrea. Wyatt had so much fun riding his tricycle and playing on the beach. He even started riding Elijah's bike with the training wheels. He is a bike riding boy. In the evenings we would play Nerts (cards) and have some very fabulous desserts. When we camp we do it in style. Our cooking ROCKS! We made pizza in the dutch oven!! Camping with Teresa is a summer highlight! I can't wait for next year!!

Through out all of our travels we were holding down the fort doing cub scouts and playing with all the friends. Jack has been burning through the Weblos program. He is doing great with it. We are suppose to go to the Jack Johnson concert this weekend but we are tripped out! We just can't do another one so we just sold them. I think that we are getting old! Oh well. School is starting on the 27th and we are almost ready. Friday we are going to get the last of the school supplies. I am so grateful for all the time that we have had to visit family and friends. This summer has taught me how much I love my family and how I love to be around them as much as possible.