4th of July Fun!

On the fourth of July, we celebrated our nation's freedom our usual way--with our neighborhood tractor parade in the morning, the pool party all afternoon and fireworks that evening.  It was a great way to spend the holiday with neighbors and friends! 

Rachel, attempting the dollar dive.  She did grab the dollar, one of very few who got it!

Happy Birthday, Dad! with Dave and Heidi

When Rachel and I returned from young women's camp, Uncle Dave and Aunt Heidi came for a quick weekend visit.  We were able to go out to dinner and celebrate Paul's 48th birthday while they were here.  So fun!

You can see Aunt Heidi in the background

School's Out, Off to Girl's Camp

School finally ended officially on Friday, June 17th, thanks to our many snow days during the winter that were added at the end of the school year. During this time frame, we found out our ward was splitting and I was called as Relief Society President of the new ward.  It was a complete shock and is presenting us with many challenges because our half of the ward has all the welfare needs and the people who have challenges.  For example, each week, we have 15 people who need rides to church.  We didn't have much time to do anything fun because the next week, Rachel and I were off to girl's camp in upstate New York at Seneca Lake. It was a bittersweet week together with both wards for the last time, full of sleep deprivation and fun with the kids. I took about a million pictures but I'll just add a few.

Our cute Nazareth Ward girs

Rachel and her friend, Maddie, who is now in the other ward.

Mishaela and Rachel

Cute girls!

The kids performing our best in the stake skit!!! Our cabin won the skit! 

We had a tornado warning while we were there and all of us had to sit on the floor in the kitchen.  Thankfully, we just had a massive thunderstorm, no tornado touched down. 

The girls loved swimming and cayaking in Lake Seneca

Watergun battle

Mom and daughter

Our cabin--this is the morning we won first at flag!  Do you think we were a little competitive!

Spencer Dominates the Raingutter Regatta

Spencer and Paul worked very hard building Spencer's boat for the Cub Scout Raingutter Regatta.  They did research on the internet to find out how to make it fast and they were successful!  Spencer's boat was the clear winner of the Raingutter Regatta this year.  It was the fanciest and fastest by far.  What a proud moment for father and son!  Way to go Spencer!

A fun-filled, busy week!

Another activity and school-filled week has disappeared.  There's only one more week of school left!  Hurrah!  Caitlin, Courtney and Spencer were busy practicing and playing soccer games, Spencer and Rachel swam hard at swim team practice every day, Rachel went to her friend Drea's birthday party and Spencer went ice skating for Cullen's birthday party and celebrated at Scott's birthday party as well!  After church on Sunday, all the kids enjoyed playing in our beautiful backyard and taking pictures. 



End of School Fun!

Our kindergartners had an alphabet fashion show.  Courtney in her castle clothes cooking cupcakes!

 Caitlin captured chameleons, crocodiles, crabs in her camoflage clothes

 They also sang a bunch of cute songs!!!

Rachel received an award at her school as an outstanding student in computers.  She was shocked because she didn't even like the class very much! 

 Afterwards, they had a nice reception for the parents and students.  Here she is with her friend, Rachel.

 And her friend, Drea!

And her friend, Jordan!

Another busy week!

It's been a busy week.  Not only are the three youngest kids playing soccer but Rachel and Spencer have also started swim team practices.  On Saturday, Spencer, Caitlin and Courtney all had soccer games and Rachel went on a hike in preparation for camp. 

Caitlin and Courtney helped me set and decorate our Sunday dinner table.  I had to take a picture because it turned out so lovely!