Summer Relaxing

The summer has been going really well so far.  Bridget was slightly terrified at the prospect of keeping everyone happy, but we've found a really good, relaxed system.  It's mostly practicing in the morning, playing outside almost the whole day, and a little school review while Andy is napping.  We try to have one fun thing each day that the kids have to look forward to.  It's working for this year and I'm sure we'll have to reinvent the wheel again next summer like usual.

Justin and Brady went to Provo to support Parker in a bodybuilding competition.  His boys were pretty tuckered out, but he appreciated everyone showing up.

Andy is doing so well in nursery at church.  They made this cute picture for Father's Day and Ian made him the paper tie.

 Andy is a daredevil to say the least.  This is how he ate his dinner one evening. Here he is with a new trick Rachel taught him - yikes!

The Lieutenant Governor invited the office and families down to his home in Fairview (by Manti).  It was a long drive, but we had a lot of fun spending time with good people.  The kids loved this rock wall he got for the event..  Josie ate her weight in watermelon and they thought it was so funny she always had a piece in hand.

 Rachel climbed up again and again - it was a huge hit!

Andy got his sad rash that spread on his body for about a week.  Our doctor said it was "fifths disease" which didn't itch or anything.  It was bizarre.

 Bridget and Rachel took a fun and hot hike up Adam's Canyon.

 Josie cut a chunk out of her own hair and so we had to go and get her first official haircut to get it fixed.  She's a cutie even if she should be banned from scissors.

 Ian and his bear got all dressed up.

 Josie loves her little duck.

 They love to paint each other's faces and try and make it scary.

 We headed down to Thanksgiving Point.

 Rachel took this peacock picture.

 The new Museum of Natural Curiosity is amazing!  We could have easily spent the day there.

 A child is up there somewhere.

 Learning about directing water.

 Andy discovered the joys of licking beaters and "helping" to make M&M cookies.

 Josie rocks pretty much every outfit she puts together.  She also bought this cute hat with her own money.

 The kids love Castle Park and this was our only picture.

 Ian's hair had a life of its own and he was entertaining the cars behind us.

 Josie learned how to ride a two-wheeler without training wheels in one session!  She love to ride her bike and here is her time riding!

Between our garbage cans is the home of the neighborhood "kiddie mail" system.  Everyone has a box/can and they spend hours writing each other letters.

 Rachel and Hannah had to have a lemonade stand or two.

 Lots of running around and around!

 The Dixons helped them make silly putty.

We enjoyed the bird refuge and they each found a piece of snake skin.  Don't let Rachel's face fool you - she thought it was really cool.

 Tree climbing and picnic-ing happened at Woodland Park.

 We ran at the track and these tough kids practiced their long jumps.

Happy girls at the park.

Justin attempted to run Ragnar with his parents, Brady, cousin, and uncle, but sprained his ankle during his first run.  He had fun hanging out with glowing Brady though.

 He was insulted by a stranger's van.

And he ended the thing with this sad ankle.  It has healed up well and he can start running again now.

Basically, it has been a fun summer so far and we can't believe we're more than half-way done!  Time really does fly by!