Cousins!

We haven't seen Niel and Amy's family as much as we'd like since Mom and Dad left. Last Sunday we all got together for dinner and it was great to see everyone. All their kids are getting so tall! We need to get together more often.

Megan and Conner slept over at our house. Camille and Megan had a good time making jewelry since they both missed the Girls Day Out in May when we did beading. Megan made 7 pair of earrings! Camille's either too much of a perfectionist or more creatively challenged :) She made 1 pair and a bracelet!

The next day we went to Willard Bay. The kids had fun swimming, riding wave runners, and being pulled on the tube. It was a gorgeous day -not quite as hot as it's been, but nice and sunny. Everyone got good and worn out.

Fun at Pineview

Cooling off at Pineview Reservoir

4th of July

We spent most of the 4th of July planting and spreading top soil. We still have a long way to go, but at least we have a few plants in front of our house now, even if they're all really small!

Kevin's friend, Trevor, lives right next door to a house in the Parade of Homes, so they set up a lemonade stand. They have been working pretty hard at it.

Finally, what everyone has been waiting for!

We wondered if we would be able to see any firework shows from our deck. We counted at least 12 separate shows that we were able to watch, from down by Lagoon and West Bountiful to way up north by Farr West or somewhere up there. None of them were super close -Ogden's was blocked from our view- but it was really fun to sit out and watch and listen to them all. It felt eerily like a warzone, and it made us grateful that we've never been exposed to anything like that.
Cleaning up the mess the next day before church.All in all, a fun holiday. We missed Camille, who went to Provo with a friend for the Stadium of Fire, and we had a lot of nostalgic thoughts about last year's 4th, when we were in Hawaii with Grandma and Grandpa and Niel and Amy's family, but we had a good day, and we're grateful to live in such a wonderful country.

This Is More Like It!

Last I checked, summer was supposed to be sunny and warm, not rainy, gloomy and COLD! But June here at our house has had more rain and hail than blue sky. While it has been good for our new sod, it's been bad for getting any other yard work done, and it's been really bad for my kids who have been itching to get outside and play. And since our sport court is still full of scaffolding and tools I got sick and tired of balls bouncing throughout our house, and even more tired of the darn TV! But, suddenly, when we arrived home from Yellowstone, summer was here! It has been actually hot. It's kind of a shock, really. This blow-up waterslide has been in our garage since April and it is finally hot enough to enjoy it. Kevin and Matt and their friends have spent hours on it already. Now I need to make sure I don't complain about the heat! Last night it got a little windy and overcast and I actually heard myself say, "It would be nice to get a little rain!" What's wrong with me?!

Yellowstone

We just got back from a little trip to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. We had one day of rain and beautiful weather the rest of the time. Everything was green and beautiful and the lakes and rivers were really full. We saw lots of wildlife (especially on the rainy day) and had a great time. Here are a few pictures of some of the highlights.