Once girls camp ended at the beginning of July, there really wasn't a break. We got home on a Thursday; I picked up the kids from the places they stayed (they had a marvelous time without us and were sad to go home....) and did loads and loads of laundry. That night we went to the Riverton Parade and got loads of candy and then we joined our neighborhood for the annual "Cul-de-sac of Fire!" celebration. Each family brings one firework, and there are maybe 40 families that come, so that is a lot of fireworks! Then the men that think they are cool, go light them. They set up a nice perimeter around the area where they light them, so it is nice and safe (though a newbie didn't know and set one off and it went around the circle and frightened us... he was cussed out by the protective moms and now everyone knows the rules...). It is a fun activity because so many people come, they bring treats and just all have a good time together.
The next day we packed up everything to go camping. We went up to Scott's parents' stake property for a Daw Family Reunion. Every single child of Grandma and Grandpa Daw were there, and all but ONE grandchild! Amazing. We set up tents and then just sat around talking until dinner. Then we had a fun magician come and it was great fun for the kids.
The next day we had a nice breakfast and then packed up. One of Scott's cousins had their family (the Kammereths and Bates) and the next stake property over and they invited us to join them. So we went with them and there was a little lake. Canoes, tubes, and life jackets were there for anyone to use. We hopped in a canoe and took a fun trip around the lake, but then the kids just played around on the shore and in the tubes. We spent several hours there, and could have spent more! The funnest part was a zip line that went out over the lake. Scott and Weston went on it over and over again. Aidan didn't want to do that, but he did jump off the ledge into the lake and I am proud of my boys doing big kid things! We hadn't brought food for lunch, but the Kammereths had, so they shared (lovely people!). It made the trip so much more fun to be able to hang out there. I loved it so much, we are going to try and have girls camp there next year!
Once we got home from that, I could have traveled up to Idaho again for my 20 year High School Reunion, but life had just been too busy, so I skipped it. But I cannot believe I have been out of High School that long! Wowsers!
And so that I wouldn't be missing the mountains, I got to go up with Aidan to cub camp the next weekend. He had such a great time and got to do so many fun things: bb guns, panning for gold, going on a hike, crafts, and an obstacle course. I was so proud of him--there was a rope wall he had to climb and it was really hard to do, but with some help the first and second time, then he was able to do it on his own and he rocked it!
Eighteen years ago, I met Sonya Gartner at Cliff Lake in Montana when I worked with her at that resort. It has been fourteen year since I have seen her and she is finally in town! Since I don't have a guest room, she is staying at our friends the Philips. They get along grand and she is a lovely guest. She comes over daily and the kids cannot get enough of her. We tried to get her to teach us about Australia... and we made Lammingtons (a traditional treat). She is waiting for her fiancé to get back into the states and then she will be able to be with him. I have been taking her to Young Women's and the girls LOVE her! And I think she is really good for the girls--she has been a great example to them. She likes to walk in the evenings, so she asked one of the girls (Kailey) to go with her and the girl and Sonya both love it. It has been a lot of fun and we are happy she will be around for awhile.
Weston got to attend a soccer camp with friends from his soccer team for a week. He had a good time and got in some good practice. He enjoys it so much that he and his friend Gideon are going to put on a soccer camp for neighborhood kids.
Our big summer vacation was to Lava Hot Springs. Although I grew up in Idaho, I have never been there! We left Wednesday morning and arrived just after lunch. I couldn't find a campground, so we spent a few more dollars and found a cute bungalow. It had two queen beds and two futons, so it could fit at least 8. It had a nice fully stocked kitchen and a nice bathroom. It really was a fantastic place run by very nice people. We were located right behind a tube rental shop, so we hopped right over and got two triple tubes and then walked down to the river and jumped in. The first time down, we really didn't know what we were doing and so we got a few bumps and bruises, but then we were pros. We had rented it for two hours and by the second time down, most kids were done, but we dragged them one time more. Then Weston went with Scott once. It isn't a long run, maybe 20 minutes, and then a 10 minute walk back to the beginning of the run. It has a few bumpy places where you have to hang on, but really is pretty friendly. Then we found one of the few places in town to eat (a pizzeria) and then watched movies.
The next day we went to their famous swimming pool and that was nice--the water was not cold! One of the reasons I don't love swimming is because I am always cold, but this had nice water! We didn't spend the money to go over to the hot pools--I am the only person who would have enjoyed that (oh, and how I would have enjoyed that!!!), but they did have a little hot pool which I reveled in for a bit. They had four slides, two that were "too scary" (but not for Scott, he went down several times) and the older boys braved the easier ones. They had a fun play area for the kids--we spent most of the time in the shallow pool area. We just walked back to our house for lunch (you can't be too far away in Lava . . .) and then walked back. Our total time in the pools was about 4 hours. Then we went to a burger joint and then I got to go on a mini date with each kid. Aidan and I went to a rock shop, Weston went into an Indian shop, Brennan and I went into various places, and Elise and I went shopping in girls stores. :) Mostly I loved just holding their hands and walking and talking. Then we watched another show (I read).
Friday Weston, Aidan, and Scott went zip lining! I wish I would have gone and taken the other kids as well--it would have been awesome. They had such a great time and I am proud of all of them (well, mostly Weston and Aidan) for being so brave! They got to go down two different zip lines two times each. Then they did a little obstacle course and of course Scott was chosen to do the hardest part. He was an American Ninja Warrior! We know now that we all want to do it next time. I just hung out with my littles while they were gone and then we all went back down the river. This time we tried a six seater, but that was a little too mild for us. We got the triples again and went down a few more times. Then we met up with some friends who were camping down there and had fun dinner with them. The kids played games and had a great time. Elise made a new friend (Mya) and the boys ran and played and got dirty!
Saturday morning we slept in, packed up, and lazily drove home. We stopped at the Brigham City Temple and ate a lunch. We made it home in time to get everything unpacked and Scott and I even went out for a nice anniversary dinner. It really was a very relaxing and fun trip.
Our anniversary was a pleasant day. We announced to the kids that they were going to make dinner for us and they really took that seriously. It was WONDERFUL! I don't know why we don't have them do it more often (well, there was a mess to clean up--though they tried to clean up). They made chicken (Weston made it all by himself!), carrots, cherries, and garlic bread. Everybody did their part and would not let us lift a finger! So Scott and I just sat around and enjoyed it all. We had a marvelous time together and even had brownies for dessert.
To top off the month, Omi and Opa came down for a few days and they got there in time to see Weston perform at his piano recital. Weston has really been practicing well and did a marvelous job. I am so proud of him and his accomplishments. It was nice to have Omi and Opa for a bit--Mom and I went shopping and had a great time (nice jeans mom!) and she bought me a darling shirt (love it!). They are good grandparents and the kids adore them.
Just to share a funny: Scott was putting Elise down to bed and she wanted him to stay with her. He said no, why don't you sleep with this teddy bear? To which she replied, "No, I want a human to sleep with me!" She is always making us laugh. And Brennan makes us laugh as well. We have always said he looks like Teddy Ruxpin, and for awhile he hasn't liked that, but recently he said he wanted to change his name to "Teddy". It would fit him!
Love to you all!
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