July 3: Farmers Market at Pioneer Park, Magna Parade, BBQ, Fireworks in Magna
Emma, Alyssa, Hanah and Erin at the Magna Parade.
back row: Josh (trying to pretend he's not going to be in the picture), Tasha (pretending she didn't just throw the candy back at the princesses in the parade), Jer (trying to decide whether to "be the parent" with Tash or laugh at her).
July 4 Church, meditate, ponder (I don't really remember doing anything spectacular or worth blogging over, but it was the actual holiday so I thought I should give it some attention)
July 5 Neighborhood BBQ
Good friends over for good food. Jer made 4 racks of ribs, 2 dozen pieces of chicken, 2 tri-tip roasts and a dozen hot dogs. He also makes his own bbq sauce. There was 1 piece of chicken left and a dozen hot dogs. Everyone brought a side dish (which I am grateful for - I love frog eye salad and I never have it 'cause I don't have the know how or the patience to make it myself). Thanks everyone! We will plan on next year and hopefully Hendricksons can be here.
Erin and Ashlyn (BFF)
I had to get a picture of the hungry adults. This is one, this is two, this is three, this is a polar bear, how many igloos? I'm so confused.
July 13 Jordan River Temple with Tasha
For several years, Tasha has gone with the youth to the temple. But, she wasn't a member so she always sat in the waiting room. She was finally able to go down to the baptismal font and participate. It was awesome to see her there in all white. Jer baptized me and then Tasha and the cute temple workers allowed me to stand on the stairs and watch her. It was an emotional night for all three of us. Love you, Tash.
July 16 - 18 A weekend at the cabin
Hot dogs, marshmallows, twinkies....
While sitting around the fire, Tasha decided to do my hair. I could "feel" the craziness. Then we went inside and she did my make-up. When she started wiping mascara on my forehead, I knew sexy wasn't the look she was going for. When I saw the pictures, I realized I was a "Cat" straight off Broadway.
The highlight of the kids weekend at the cabin was the zip line. Our next door neighbors happen to be family members and since the last time we were there, they made this little ditty. Rather entertaining.
July 19 - 21 Youth Conference at USU
Yah, you read it right. We got home from the cabin Sunday night and Tasha and I left Monday morning for Youth Conference. Crazy, but so worth it.
Alyssa, Tasha, Brielle waiting for Alex Boy-yay (an amazing keynote speaker from the MoTab). We were spoiled with eight amazing speakers during the two days including Greg Simpson and Alex Boye.
This is Tasha still daring to admit she is with me after a night of dancing. I know I am 35 years old and one of "the leaders" but I love to dance!!! So the youth in our ward tolerated my moves.
Yep, that's as high as I went. But, at least I tried. I've never been one for heights. I was doing fine until Jackie told me to stop so that she could get a picture of my cute toes on the rock wall. As soon as I paused, I realized how high I was and that was that.
This is the group from our ward that went to Youth Conference. We had five leaders and twenty youth. I couldn't ask for a better group. I was the only leader from YW that went with our ward and I couldn't be more pleased with them. It's always great to rub shoulders with the great leaders too. I always feel like I have so much to learn from them.
July 23 Lagoon
Jer and I have felt like our kids have been carted from one thing to the next all summer, but none of it has been just a fun family summer activity. So, on a whim, we decided to go to Lagoon. I knew Cari was there on Friday so we were hoping to play with her, but she didn't last long (Lagoon isn't fun when you are going off a 3 hour night). The kids drug Jer and I around for 8 or 9 hours and when they realized they had gone on every ride in the park, it was time to go.
July 24 Pioneer Day
I'll be honest. My favorite thing to do on Pioneer Day is go to Spanish Fork for all the small town festivities. But, this year, I was worn out from everything else and opted to not wake up the kids and cart them down there. Boring. And, kind of nice, actually.
July 25 My Anniversary
14 Years, 7 moves, 4 kids, 6 cars, 2 lawnmowers, 2 toasters, 6000 loads of laundry....
July 26 Swimming lessons
And now that brings us to today. Swimming lessons started today and go for two weeks. Then we have two soccer tournaments and before you know it... school starts. Whew.
