Little Sister Action

 She finally is eating...a little but eating food!  At first she would gag anytime I gave her any rice cereal or baby food.  I was starting to think she would never figure it out.  But she is slowly coming around to the idea of food and starting to grab at our food whenever she is within arms reach.  The kids love watching her eat and especially watching her spit it all out!

Naches Loop

For my birthday I wanted to go hike the Naches Loop Trail.  It is perfect for a family hike and one I have always wanted to try.  It did not disappoint!  The wildflowers were in full bloom, there was a little lake that this kids waded in, and the view was beautiful (minus the smoke!) We have had terrible forest fires drift down from Canada! But it made for a great morning.  We decided to make this an annual trip.  Love where we live.

Ahoy! We have a boat!

We somehow got lucky and ended up with the Summers' family boat, when Shawn's parents sold their cabin.  We got it out on the water the last weekend of July and it was amazing!  Seriously so much fun for all of us.  Desert Aire was a perfect spot.  Sam skiied, knee boarded, and tubed - and Jack and Lyv tubed and knee boarded.  Max did put his feet in the water and Eva just rocked and rocked to the sway of the boat.  It was a great day.

 After Max's last year of dry swim lessons...I told him he had to get into the water.  He is so scared of water for some reason, but he did it!  I am so proud of him and hope another week will continue to build confidence in him that water can be fun!

Yakima in July

We quickly got back into the swing of things when we finally got back to Yakima!  Max renewed his love for legos and continues to amaze with his awesome lego ships!  Love this master builder.

Jack, our resident entrepreneur, opened up the lemonade stand and the other quickly caught the fever!  His first day he made $3.50.  (thanks to some pretty awesome neighbors).  True to fashion - he didn't let me know that is what he was doing, just went out and started it all on his own.  

 These just made me giggle!

Lyv took the plunge and decided to cut her hair!  I wasn't so sure she would be happy with it, but she didn't think twice and she looks adorable!

 Another documented mom fail!  Just when I think I'm kind of getting a hang of things, something always reminds me that I have so much to learn!  Max had cavities on his lower teeth and was numb from the shots they gave him.  He started chewing on his lower lip and it quickly became swollen and sore!!  Poor dude!  I felt so bad that I hadn't kept a better eye on him.  But he was a champ and didn't complain at all about having a Bubba Gump lip for a week.

 Again....the cuteness is at an all time high!  Seriously how does she do it??  I could just eat her!

12 years Old!!!

This handsome young man turned 12 years old!  Seriously what is happening!  I feel like it really was yesterday that he was jumping off the couch yelling "To Infinity and Beyond!"  I am so proud of the young man he is becoming.  He is obedient, kind, hard working - I can ask him to do anything and he does it without complaint (most of the time!).  He loves to play sports and continues to work hard to improve and make his team better.  He is a great older brother - he likes to tease - but he is responsible and I appreciate that so much.  He has such a strong desire to do what is right and I know that he going to continue to grow and become a spiritual giant!  He is also a very loyal friend.  Sam we love you more than words can express.  Thank you for being our first, our guinea pig, and for being patient as we try to figure this parenting thing out.  Stay true to who you are and you will always end up on top!

He was ordained a deacon on Sunday, July 16th.  I love seeing him honor his priesthood and become involved in his quorum.  He loved passing the sacrament.

 He did request oreo cupcakes...so he got them!  We also took him and some buddies to float the river.  His laugh is one of my favorite sounds - this picture captured that for me. Love this boy!

Wrapping up Idaho

After the family reunions, I sent Shawn back to Yakima with Sam (he headed up to scout camp), and I stayed behind with the youngers to soak up some more time in Idaho.  I wanted to just hang out and take my kids to do some favorite activities.  We hit up the sand bar, caught water skippers in the ditch, got several shaved ices, swam with the Ashton's, hit up Soda Vine several times, and visited with Grandma Jeanne.  It was such a great time to just be home - my parents even took us on a picnic up to Mesa Falls, which was a great treat for me since I relived a childhood memory doing that.  

 Cy quickly became part of my family and we knick named him Cy Summers - I loved having him around to entertain my kiddos!

 The trip to Idaho left Eva EXHAUSTED!!  Poor baby doesn't sleep well unless she is in her own bed.  This meant a lot of catch up on napping for her.

 Jack reading his morning paper with breakfast....just like Papa Rick!

 Mesa Falls with the Old Folks!

 Photo Opps with their namesakes - Olyvia Jeanne and Eva Michelle!  Two amazing women my daughters are named after!

 After our relaxing weekend in Idaho we headed to Utah to catch up with family there.  The Blake's are always so good to host us and we had a blast swimming and hanging out.  These two are pretty cute together!

 Eva with her 2nd cousin Annabelle! 

 YAY!!!  Another highlight was welcoming this young man home.  Nathan served as an amazing missionary in Fort Worth Texas and we were there to hug him when he came home.  I adore this guy and know that there are many more amazing moments to come in his life.  So proud of him!

 We also visited sweet Emily - while we were home Emily was diagnosed with NUT midline carcinoma.  This is a very rare cancer and the prognosis isn't great.  But she is continuing to fight and continuing to smile, reminding me that we can find happiness and joy in any circumstance.  It doesn't mean she's not scared or even mad at times, but she continues to radiate her kindness and courage.  I love her and continue to pray for a miracle.

 One more picture with Grandma Jeanne!  What a treat to visit with her each morning.  It is something I look forward to each time I go.  I love her continued presence in my life.  She continues to just go, go go and I admire her so much for that!