This post is almost the whole summer! Finally adding it all on here, then I can remind the boys just how much we did this year. With school looming (approaching doesn't sound ominous enough), I am looking back at these pics and checking off my summer bucket list. We have done pretty much everything I wanted to. I would have liked to have gone rafting again or to the rodeo, but prices just weren't good this year. The must do still on the list is a campfire--we have that planned for tomorrow. Would also like to do to aviary (Monday) and Grotto Falls--next weekend perhaps. Just because school is starting doesn't mean all my outdoor fun has to end, but it sure will put a hamper on it :(. Good news is, Claire is getting to be really fun and she is ready to have all the attention for herself during the day. I am very NOT ready to relinquish my boys to school 6 hours a day but to cheer myself up I have planned to go to the zoo the first day and take sis to see her favorite movie the 2nd day (Pooh). Hopefully next week isn't too hard. Anywho--not thinking about that--here's what we did this summer!
Big Carter with his sweetheart of a K teacher, Mrs. M. He sure loved her, we'll see her Monday at Back to School and he can't wait. This was after their end of the year program. Carter had a part as the Big Bad Wolf and he did great.
Davis and Mrs. W, he can't wait to see her either. They sure did love school, their friends, and their teachers. Helps me feel better about them going back, knowing they are excited to be there. Davis did well in his final program too, lots of great singing. He broke down in tears at the end, so sad to be leaving. I bawled too of course.
After the programs we hit the Eagle Mountain carnival. They have a $1 night which is the amount I am willing to spend on a carnival ride. It was a big hit.
My Davis and I on the ferris wheel
And my Carter, we were all 3 in the seat, just hard to get the shot.
Fun house
They barely made height on this one, it went so fast but they were laughing and cheering.
Oh, the gravitron! I used to love this ride as a kid but rode it once as an adult and was so sick. The boys decided to go 3 times! I got sick just waiting for them.
The next day was the last day of school, I'm not sure where those pictures are, I'll add them later. I had candy leis for the kiddos as I picked them up (they loved it) then we had friends over for water fun in the backyard and to make pizzas.
With school out I had tons of plans for these guys--play dates, camps, lessons, etc. We had something nearly every single day for the whole summer. Let's see--reading class, library class, art class, cooking class, swim lessons, day camp, sports camp and then twin playgroups. Plus out other normal activities, hiking, Thanksgiving Point, the zoo, etc. And we went to Classic waterslides each week if they finished their workbook pages (3/day). It was a lot, probably too much as I always do, but I can say, they never said I'm bored! Hooray!
Claire bum at the Highland Splash pad with friends
Boys at Classic, this ended up being one of my favorite activities, the boys are big enough now to play independently with minimal supervision (plus good life guards) so I got to sit under an umbrella and read a book. Plus $1 snow cones. Lovely. We brought Daddy and Claire 1 time, sis loved it (me too). And T&L joined us a couple times too.
Camping in the backyard--sis doesn't do well overnight so the boys talked me into tent camping in the backyard one night. It turned out pretty well.
Silly billy girl loves her sunglasses
Davis at the children's garden
Musicians!
All 3 monkeys coloring
During the boys' art class on several days Claire and I joined gma to walk the gardens. Such a beautiful way to spend a day.
Tie Dye shirts from art camp
Mowing the lawn with Daddy
Beautiful girly!
Stick horses from art class
Carter making bead bracelts
It was our ward's turn again to be in the Lehi Miniature Float Parade. The theme was Angry Birds and since we had the costumes for it, the boys got to ride on the float. I followed behind them. It was hot, but fun.
That afternoon I had a groupon expiring for a jumping place in Lehi. I was just going to take the boys twice, but since it was the last day, we all played. Worked out well since Claire and Daddy enjoyed it that way as well. Jumping into the foam pits was different and fun, I couldn't get brave enough to really jump in, but Lowell rocked it. All 3 kiddos really had fun.
The zoo finally opened their new exhibit! We went a few times to see the seals, sea lions, bears, etc.
On the 4th of July, my parents' neighborhood has a big party. We were lucky enough to garner an invite and had fun playing there. The boys especially loved the dunk tank, it had the longest line oddly enough.
Davis
Carter
My Dad and Claire! This is a very rare glimpse of my dad smiling in a picture. He loves his granddaughter!
That evening we had the Penrod clan (Becky and Dylan too!!) over for swimming, BBQ, and fireworks. I think everyone in attendance really had a blast. These kids are a riot.
Lowell and his siblings
Off for a hike (with hats from Day Camp)--first around Silver Lake and up to Lake Solitude. It was a lovely cool hike (103 degrees in the valley!) though the lake was kind of puny at the end. Lake Mary is more impressive. Always good to try a new hike though.
My hiking fam
I saw a deal for a free tumbling lesson, so we jumped on it. The boys really loved it, but it seemed to me their attention span isn't quite ready for it. The trainers were real sweethearts with them though.
2012 Foam Day! Before
After!
For AF's steel days, there was a lovely firework show that was shot just behind my husband's uncle's house. So we took that chance to let Bean relish in her new love for fireworks. She really loved it.
The boys' new obsession--Lego's! They can now build them pretty much all on their own and will truly focus for hours on it. Too bad the pieces are so easy to lose and not at all cheap.
We added a new toy to our family line up (shared with Lowell's family), a paddleboat. We took it out on the Jordan River and had a nice little float. Next time we'll paddle up and then float down though, the return trip was hot and tiring. It was peaceful and pretty however.
Play date at Alpine splash pad
Silly Claire (yeah for mastering the American Idol game at Classic--I can routinely empty it of all the prizes now. :)).
Sweet Miss waiting for the boys at swim lessons, what a trooper just hanging out through 8 lessons!
Another new summer toy, a bike trailer. :) Now we can do family bike rides. Claire only does ok with it so far, I am hoping to have her warm up to it a little more as it is a good chance for exercise for me. This day we set out a little late and had all sorts of troubles (flat tires, trailer fell off . . .) so it did not turn out to be the best day. Actually the 2nd time I used it I chose poorly and went too far when it was too hot without eating and almost passed out. Here's hoping we find some better luck soon!
Another Children's Garden visit
We took a quick overnight to Bear Lake in August for Lowell's week off. Hillary came with us and Claire did better than she ever has sleeping there, but not great still. She got a terrible burn on her bottom that made the rest of the trip not great for her. We did love hanging out at the beach though and in the warm water.
My handsome boys ready to Jet Ski! All of their favorite parts of the trip (Carter has decided that is what Santa should bring this year). I had fun until Lowell would go too fast or take a quick turn then I was just plain scared!
North Beach was my favorite part of the trip, lovely sand and a great warm shallow area for Claire.
Sand fight!
We're switching cameras here, so a bit out of order. For the 24th of July my family came over for a bbq and fireworks (2 July holidays works really well to hit both families, plus double the Jello pops!).
C checking out the new boat
I think she's gorgeous!
Carter and Cyndel are so photogenic!
So glad Uncle Rob could come hang out, Claire hasn't spent much time with him.
Here's some updated shots of my puppies, post hair cut. They all just had birthdays.
Maxwell, 9
Oscar, 9
Maddy, 8
After Bear Lake all the kiddos came down with some ick. Davis had it worst but they were all a little sedate. Such an utterly odd concept at my house! So unusual to have all 3 curled up watching a show, so I had to take a picture. They bounced back quickly.
Claire is just such a crack up! She keeps us entertained. Her vocabulary is blossoming and she says things with fun intonations as well. She loves to Hi to everyone a lot, mostly to get a response I think. Her favorite things right now are Buppies (Bubble Guppies), Elmo, and Pooh. She has stopped eating so well but will still request "canny" any time she can.
I finally got my trip to Timp Falls in. The boys' friend T was able to join us which was fun--they hiked better than usual that way too.
I sure love Timp
Handsome honey and cutie baby
Buddies
Big C
I'm surprised T's mom wasn't upset at how late and dirty I returned her child! Eek!
So there's a lot of our summer. Of course just since I uploaded these pics and then commented on them I have more to add and say. The boys are 1 week into school now and doing well. Harder for me, but that's a topic for another day. I hope you are all well and enjoying the last dregs of summer (it's still 90s every day here, doesn't feel like summer is ending!).
