Thursday, June 29, 2017

Summer Mode

We are in full summer mode these days, and I have to admit that it's been pretty great.  My kids deserve high fives for how great they've been.  We started day one into our summer routine, and I think that's helped.  Every day they're required to clean rooms, practice, clean their zone, and do some school work before they can play.  It's not so much that its overwhelming, but enough to give them good direction.  As far as play goes, they've been doing pretty well.  I haven't heard very many complaints of boredom.  I've actually been impressed at how good they've been at keeping themselves busy.  Probably because they know they'll feel my wrath if they complain;)

June has been a busy month.  Zack started everything off with a week at his first scout camp.  A whole week!  It was so weird not having him here, and we missed him, but he had a great time.  His scout leader is most excellent and he's with a good group of boys.  He got to swim in water that was freezing cold.  I dare you to ask him about it;)  And he was the only boy who could figure out enough to pass off his wood carving merit badge.  Guess all that work with Jake paid off.  He of course didn't shower once the whole week and couldn't figure out why we thought that was so gross.  I have to say that boys this age are like a whole different species.

Kate started summer break off by getting pneumonia.  Poor girl.  She was pretty sick for a couple of weeks.  We got her feeling better just in time to go to grandma's house for the week for a sewing class.  She is loving sewing and sewing up a storm now at home.  She gets so mad that I'm of no help whatsoever.  My mom would be proud:)  Too bad she's not here to teach Kate.  She would love it.

Sage is busy all day long with one project or another.  I think one of her favorite things to do with friends is organize.  Not sure what her friends think about this, but she sure loves it!  She did a few days at dance camp and is taking tumbling all summer.  She's fully planning on being a famous dancer (she's very specific that she'll be famous, not just a dancer), so she's doing everything she can to make that happen.

In the middle of all of that we've gone to Lagoon a couple of times (the kids love it but I feel like I've been hit by a truck by the time we leave), hiked, biked (we're trying to mountain bike once a week as a family), and of course worked in the yard.  Because summer would not be summer without yard work.

Sage on the carousel at Lagoon

We went for a rid eon the Heber Creeper.  Zack was so excited as usual


We finally got Greg to come up for a mountain bike ride.  We got to hang out with Sofie and Heidi while they road.  I think we got the better deal;)

Sofie is trying to see over the bars

Bridal Veil Falls.  I've never seen the Provo River so fast and high






My new favorite saying:)

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Ledgefork Camping

We have officially survived the first week of summer.  It was a good week, yet I keep finding myself thinking, "we're still in the first week?"  We started the summer off on a good note I think. The night the kids got out of school we had neighborhood night games at our house.  Our yard actually works really well for that.  The kids loved it, so I'm sure we'll do it again.  On Monday we went to Lagoon with our neighbors.  The kids love it, the adults try not to die.  We learned things that will help improve our experience later in the summer.  We also jumped right in to our summer routine.  Nothing huge, but the kids have to get their rooms clean, zone done, practicing, and school work done before they can play with friends.  This helps make sure we're still somewhat productive but also leaves us plenty of time for fun.  Mostly, it helps me keep my sanity.

On Thursday afternoon we headed up above Smith and Morehouse to camp.  It was great fun as usual.  I'm learning through the years that the only way to get Jake to stop working is to take him somewhere he can't work (no cell service).  So I've started planning more little trips to help us all get away.  Jake isn't sure how he feels about it, but I'm sure he'll come around.  We were able to relax, play games, fish, and enjoy some delicious s'mores.  Oh yeah, we brought our laser tag guns and those were a great success.  I think we may need to get a couple more.  Anyway, I've decided this summer is going to be amazing.  And I think its definitely started off that way!

Beautiful Smith and Morehouse

Crazy Sage




Fishing fun

First trip on the raft this year