7.4.16

Dear Kids,

Isn't the 4th of July such a fun holiday? We slept at Grammie's house the night before so Dad could run a race early in the morning on the 4th. No one got enough sleep so I hope you enjoyed it since it may not happen again for a while!
We went to Grammie's small town parade with your cousins. It was fun to catch candy!:

Baby, you thought the firetrucks were too loud!:

After the parade we went to the park for popsicles,:

trout catching:,

and bouncy house fun!:

When we had as much fun as we could we headed back to Grammie's house for a yummy lunch. We had fried chicken and rolls and lots of salads and watermelon!:

After lunch you all played with your cousins and then Dad helped Hammer and TJ gut their fishes:

Dad ended up doing all the work as you both thought the process was pretty nasty:

We brought the fish home and cooked it up and you ate it the next day!
I also got this picture of the baby birds in one of Grammie's bush. Aren't they cute?:

I love seeing the flags in every yard each year. And every one, young and old, wearing the flags colors! Here is our annual red white and blue picture:

You guys were pretty sad that we missed fireworks that night, but you were all more than ready for bed long before dark. There's always next year! I went outside for a few minutes when the sun set and saw fireworks in every direction! It makes me happy to see everyone in the community celebrating. I feel united and proud to live here.  Oh how I love our country.
Love,
Mom

June's Phone Favs

First strawberries from our own plant!:

It's summer!:

Saying bye to teachers:

Lulu feeling almost better, and matching her favorite stuffed animal, Bessie:

Playing with toys while the rest of us clean the church. Thanks for documenting this moment Lulu:

Just like the big kids:

Lagoon!:

Last ride of the night. Was it worth the long wait??:

Geese on the track:

Swimming lessons!:

Lulu practicing for her dance recital number 2:

Baby is proud of himself for beating a Fire game:

Baby was so good at the dentist, opening his mouth for cleaning and even letting them take xrays. He wouldn't take his eyes of the movie on the ceiling afterwards:

Playing with cousin Ava!:

 

The Army Band concert:

Sleepovers with Grandma and Grandpa were awesome!:

More swimming lessons:

Smoothie mustache:

Pizza at the park:

Playing tag:

We were all better for a few days so we made it to the splash pad one windy day:

Dancing at the library:

Hammer's shoes traced in 1st position, and then his feet drawn in:

Delivering book club invitations:

 

Ready for Water Wednesday, in our own backayrd. We have a baby pool and sprinklers, but goggles are never a bad idea when water is involved!:

Everyone but Dad had a turn being sick this month, so it was pretty low key. Looking back though I would say we still had a pretty good summer month.
Love you guys,
Mom

Aspen Grove

Dear Family,

This year for our family vacation with Dad's family we went to Aspen Grove. It was a family camp up the mountains. I didn't bring any Kindle Fires or movies and rarely let you get on my phone. I wanted you guys to enjoy cousin time and make your own fun. You all did great without technology for the week!
We arrived on a Saturday afternoon, found our cabins, ate dinner, the kids met with their counselors, and then there was an opening show at the amphitheater.
Our cabin was pretty far away from the main part of camp. I wish I had taken a picture of the stairs we had to climb each time we went back and forth. My legs were beat after the first 2 days!
We immediately loved the beautiful mountains around us though. The weather was super nice. Cool in the morning and nights, warm and even hot in the day.
All of the meals were served in a cafeteria. TJ, you were fascinated by this stuffed cougar that watched us eat each meal:

Sunday morning was church. I liked having outdoor church. We heard birds singing during the sacrament and saw butterflies over head.
Here you cuties are ready for church:

We went to all 3 hours of church!
You guys loved these animal statues. I think we have a picture of Hammer on each one:

Later that day we explored the play town by the field. I thought it was so beautiful with all the trees behind it:

and I thought the buildings were so fun and cute:

Baby, you were in heaven with this cute wooden train:

 

Each day during the week we met for breakfast and then the kids went off with their age groups for the day. The adults did whatever we wanted while you guys were taken care of! Then we would meet up for lunch and send you back for the afternoon until dinner.

Before dinner on Monday we met at the field for family games. Dad chose our family name as Super Leon. We had to do a Super Leon cheer before each event. Here are some of the fun things we did.

Dad was in a leaky bucket that had to be filled to a certain spot. Some of us poured water and others covered the holes. Man that water was cold!:

Volleyball with a huge ball and blanket:

Potato sack races:

Link arms and carry the balls across the field:

That activity was a lot of fun. We had a great time laughing and getting competitive against other family groups.
After the games there was free time to try shooting sling shots and arrows and BB guns:

 

After the fun activities Hammer went on a hike that night with just Uncle John while the rest of us went swimming. You felt pretty special Hammer and the waterfall looks like it was super pretty:

Tuesday was full of fun group activities again. Lulu, you did the rock wall!:

 

Here are the adults playing laser tag that morning!:

And after lunch the adults got to do the Rope course.
It starts out by climbing up this pole:

Then rock climbing up the wall:

and then scurrying across the wires way up in the air:

See Dad smiling?

Then you rappel down after you have made a circle:

Dad made it look easy. It was hard and scary for me, but I did it!:

A few times the adults played Wallyball:

 

Here is a bridge by the fishing pond that we passed each time we went back to our cabin:

Wednesday night was Western night at the play village. Lulu, you loved looking for special rocks in the panning for gold area:

 

You got to try your hand at shooting that night too!:

 The shooting was in the fort by this fun horse:

There was snow cones and a train ride and pioneer type games. It was a fun night too.
When we got back to the cabin I took a few pics in front of it so we could remember where we stayed.
Stairs down to the bathroom:

Another cabin surrounded by trees:

Our cabin!:

Every morning Baby wanted his picture taken by the bears:

Baby loves Uncle John. He loved playing with him while we were waiting for activities or group time:

TJ, this is where the kittens met each morning. See you with the blue hat on?:

The cubs met across the amphitheater on these benches. Hammer you are wearing a yellow shirt:

And the Panthers were Lulu's group. They met at the tables by the amphitheater:

Baby, you decided you liked the group with the 3 year olds better since they had trains and did more activities.

You went here half of the time and liked being with your cousin:

Wednesday the counselors kept the kids all day so some of the adults took advantage of a beautiful hike:

 

I was able to go watch TJ climb. At first you were scared, but then you decided to give it a try:

 

Look how well you did!

Then it was time to try pottery! It was both mine and Dad's first time trying!
During some free time the adults headed over to try some archery. It was my first time and I ended up winning the 2nd best women's score! Your cousin Ky won 1st!:

Often we played board games while the adults had free time or while we were waiting for dinner:

Thursday Dad and Lulu tried out the big slip'n slide:

After the activities it was time to say bye to your counselors. Here is TJ with his counselors, who he adored, and Hammer with his fun counselors:

Lulu, you and Anya made friends with this cute girl who named Eliza who was in your group:

And here is Hammer on another statue:

While we waited for dinner, you big kids loved playing a game called Gag ball. It is similar to dodge ball:

Baby and sometimes Lulu and Anya played on the nearby playground while the boys played Gaga ball:

Here we all are together!:

After a closing show where each age group did a song and awards were handed out, there was a family dance:

It was pretty fun, but we didn't last long because everyone was exhausted. Baby you slept well in the portable crib most nights:

Then it was time to pack up and go home Friday morning. You 3 older kids keep asking when we can go back. That means that you had a pretty great time! TJ, you even wanted to facetime with your counselor when we got home! Thanks to Grammie for taking us on a fun trip!
Love you my little outdoor enthusiasts,
Mom