4th of July was spent in Yakima, minus Sam who went to Idaho a week early to stay with the Robinsons. We wen thinking at Boulder Cave with the Reeds. What an adventure - taking the creek instead of the trail back down. Jack and Lyv slid down the natural water slide and swam in the ice cold glacier water. It was a fun day, and ended with a private firework show provided by our neighbors up the road!
Girls Camp - the next weekend took us back to Boise to take the younger three to my mom and dad, where they would stay while I was at Girls Camp with the young women of our ward. I'm so so grateful wonderful, helpful family that allows opens up their homes and arms to my family. The kids were excited to spend time with the cousins… and boy did they have a great time. Sand Dunes, hiking, swimming, bridge jumping, endless hours of fun, and an endless supply of popsicles made for a great week!
I on the other hand was living it up in the woods with my cohorts - and what a great group of cohorts they were. We had such fun leaders, that I think we had more fun than the girls. Early mornings and long nights made for tired girls, but the 13 young women we had were amazing. No fighting, no problems - it was a great week and I'm always amazed at the power of women!
Sam's Birthday - the worst mom of the year award goes to me this year. I was called to be the Girls Camp director and our week of camp fell on Sam's birthday. So instead of celebrating 11 years of his sweet life - he was shipped off to Idaho to stay with cousins and grandparents. I don't think he thought that was a bad deal, but boy did I miss not being there with him on his special day. Thankfully his grandparents and cousins spoiled him rotten. He celebrated with a crepe breakfast, a trip to the red-neck water slide (a favorite of my kids), a homemade chicken noodle soup dinner, and brownies…and an I-pod. He decided to go halfsies with Grandma Julie to purchase the new iPod. I am not a fan of technology, I admit it! I think it just gives me one more thing to yell at the kids about so I hate introducing new gadgets and gizmos…but Sam has shown that he is mature and responsible and we have had very few problems. For that I'm grateful. Boy do I love this boy! He has been my right hand man for 11 years, and at times my second spouse. He is reliable - he works hard - we can ask him to babysit, mow the lawn, do chores and be confident that things will get done safely and completely. I am so grateful for his kindness and love, especially that he shows to me daily. What a special treasure he is as the oldest!
I got home on Saturday and woke up early Sunday morning to make the 10 hour drive to Idaho. I couldn't wait to see my kids! As Shawn and I had a day just us at the house…it was so strange to not have the sounds, the giggles, the yelling, the pitter patter of little feet. I hope I get better at being alone as they get older, because it was so discomforting to be in such a quiet house! After many many hugs I had to take a picture and send it to Shawn, who was left at home for one more work to bring home the bacon!
I got right into the swing of Idaho summer hitting up our favorite spots - the Sand Bar, Twin Bridges, the red-neck water slide, sno-cones, and Big J's. I did cry a little not to have some Chiz…but all things must come to an end. The three older kids all braved jumping off of Twin Bridges, which was so fun for me to see. Jack didn't even consider jumping off the bottom - he went straight to the top on his first jump! Lyv wasn't quite as daring, but she was determined and after shedding a few tears - and me finally leaving her to her own devices, she made the leap to the cheer of the watching crowd below! I love seeing the kids enjoy the things I enjoyed as a kid - and the older the cousins get the more fun it is to cart them around and watch them experience all this together.
What would a trip home be without a roll in the potato field?? Jack took full advantage of the Summers' Farm fresh and ready mud!
Pioneer Day!! Woot! Woot! It had been 3 years since we had been to one. Sam ran in the 5K that morning, we sisters were assigned a float to decorate (per usual - Mom engineering another great idea that allows involves help from her kids!), we paraded, picnicked, rodeoed, and enjoyed being with family! There is something so special about pioneer day - its just one of my favorites!
Jake and Mailee's Wedding - What a fun, beautiful day! We had the privilege of witnessing the sealing of Jake to his eternal companion Mailee! These two have had a whirlwind year, and I'm so happy to see them so happy!
We took advantage of the wedding clothes to take some adorable pictures of the kids - the colors and wedding were beautiful! We had a great time visiting with family and friends, and enjoying being with the happy couple.
Finally on our departure day, we were able to be apart of Grant's graveside service. Such a humbling and patriotic experience to see the servicemen pay tribute to a fellow seaman. It really was such a beautiful experience.
After making it back to Yakima and jumping right into football for Sam - Shawn, awesome Shawn, helped me check a bucket list item off my list. John Fogerty Concert Baby! That's right the vocalist of CCR is one of my favorites and I've been dying to see him in concert. He did not disappoint and we had an awesome night and AMAZING seats. I even got a guitar pick at the end of the night! It was so much fun.
After our weekend concert - I got a call that my dad's brother DeLoy had unexpectedly passed away. I boarded a plane that Friday and flew to be there to support my dad and say goodbye to my sweet, funny Uncle DeLoy. He was such a quiet, kind, patient man - and I'm grateful I got to see him weeks before at Pioneer Day. I also got a unique opportunity to be there with all of my siblings. As the years go by this is becoming a few and far between occurrence.
DeLoy is buried in the same cemetery that my brother Ryan was laid to rest, and I found that as DeLoy's service ended, my entire family had congregated around Ry's headstone. We felt drawn together and the spirit there was so strong. It was great reminder of those things that matter most - FAMILY. I am eternally grateful for these 8 souls that have impacted my life for the better.
Back to Yakima we didn't miss a beat! My parents came three days later with Grandma Jeanne to attend the sealing of the Cedergreen Family in Seattle. It was great to have Grandma Great here at our home - and I'm forever grateful again for the power of the priesthood and to witness the sealing of a family! Again another beautiful reminder of where my priorities should always be - and what I need to be putting my energy towards are those relationship that last beyond this life.
The next week - realizing that summer was officially winding down, we met up with our besties the Lancasters and headed out for an adventure and found Bumping Lake. It ended up being a great place for the kids to swim and play. The rest of the week was spent playing with friends, swimming, and slip-n-sliding, and preparing for one last adventure!
Hayden Lake!! Woohoo! My favorite spot on earth - we were lucky to manage to squeeze in a short weekend with Aunt Kate. The kids love this place as much as I do, and this year a special treat….Sam water skied for his first time! It was so great to see him conquer this feat. And as always watching Shawn ski, makes me fall in love with him all over again…not really, but kind of! He is just amazing to watch. Jack even tried skiing, but decided to give himself one more year:)
The next day we headed to Silverwood to hit up some awesome rides! The kids had each read 600 minutes to earn passes to the park, so we thought this would be a great way to end the summer. However - the biggest mom fail in history was about to occur. I forgot the tickets!! Thats right. We had 4 free passes, and I was so excited to save some $$, then sitting on Hayden Lake, soaking up the sun it dawned on me that the tickets were sitting safely in an envelope in my laundry room!!! AHHH!! seriously I wanted to drive home right then and there and get them…but the park was still visited and the rides were still conquered, and the kids had an amazing time! Even though a cost a little more than we had hoped.
I got home on Saturday and woke up early Sunday morning to make the 10 hour drive to Idaho. I couldn't wait to see my kids! As Shawn and I had a day just us at the house…it was so strange to not have the sounds, the giggles, the yelling, the pitter patter of little feet. I hope I get better at being alone as they get older, because it was so discomforting to be in such a quiet house! After many many hugs I had to take a picture and send it to Shawn, who was left at home for one more work to bring home the bacon!
I got right into the swing of Idaho summer hitting up our favorite spots - the Sand Bar, Twin Bridges, the red-neck water slide, sno-cones, and Big J's. I did cry a little not to have some Chiz…but all things must come to an end. The three older kids all braved jumping off of Twin Bridges, which was so fun for me to see. Jack didn't even consider jumping off the bottom - he went straight to the top on his first jump! Lyv wasn't quite as daring, but she was determined and after shedding a few tears - and me finally leaving her to her own devices, she made the leap to the cheer of the watching crowd below! I love seeing the kids enjoy the things I enjoyed as a kid - and the older the cousins get the more fun it is to cart them around and watch them experience all this together.
What would a trip home be without a roll in the potato field?? Jack took full advantage of the Summers' Farm fresh and ready mud!
Pioneer Day!! Woot! Woot! It had been 3 years since we had been to one. Sam ran in the 5K that morning, we sisters were assigned a float to decorate (per usual - Mom engineering another great idea that allows involves help from her kids!), we paraded, picnicked, rodeoed, and enjoyed being with family! There is something so special about pioneer day - its just one of my favorites!
Jake and Mailee's Wedding - What a fun, beautiful day! We had the privilege of witnessing the sealing of Jake to his eternal companion Mailee! These two have had a whirlwind year, and I'm so happy to see them so happy!
Finally on our departure day, we were able to be apart of Grant's graveside service. Such a humbling and patriotic experience to see the servicemen pay tribute to a fellow seaman. It really was such a beautiful experience.
After making it back to Yakima and jumping right into football for Sam - Shawn, awesome Shawn, helped me check a bucket list item off my list. John Fogerty Concert Baby! That's right the vocalist of CCR is one of my favorites and I've been dying to see him in concert. He did not disappoint and we had an awesome night and AMAZING seats. I even got a guitar pick at the end of the night! It was so much fun.
Back to Yakima we didn't miss a beat! My parents came three days later with Grandma Jeanne to attend the sealing of the Cedergreen Family in Seattle. It was great to have Grandma Great here at our home - and I'm forever grateful again for the power of the priesthood and to witness the sealing of a family! Again another beautiful reminder of where my priorities should always be - and what I need to be putting my energy towards are those relationship that last beyond this life.
The next week - realizing that summer was officially winding down, we met up with our besties the Lancasters and headed out for an adventure and found Bumping Lake. It ended up being a great place for the kids to swim and play. The rest of the week was spent playing with friends, swimming, and slip-n-sliding, and preparing for one last adventure!
School starts in 5 days, and ready or not, here it comes. We have had a really fun, full summer and I'm again grateful for the beautiful, healthy, happy family that I have. I am grateful to live in such a beautiful area - and have a hard working husband that works to provide us these opportunities. I'm excited for the kids to start a new adventure at school (even Max will be at preschool this year), but I will dearly miss the unstructured days, the swimming holes, the hikes, and the impromptu fun that summer allows. I will also miss seeing family for another long period of time, but again am grateful for technology that allows us to stay connected. My goal for the 2016-2017 school year is to be more patient - to let more little things go - to be my kids GREATEST supporter, rather than critiquer - and to put my time and my energy into building the relationships that are eternal. Thank you summer 2016 - you were awesome!
