Ballet Camp and Hayden Lake Weekend

Summer is just flying by but I think a lot of the reason is that the kids have been so busy with fun activities and we have been making the most of our weekends!  My friend teases me about being gone every weekend, but I can't help it - there are too many places too see and fun adventures to do.  I really want to look back at our live and feel like we have taken full advantage of every opportunity given us.  So opportunity 

#1: Ballet Camp!  Adorable - that is the only word to describe this.  The girls met for one hour for 5 days and learned a short routine that they performed on their last day!  They danced to Cinderella's "A Dream is A Wish Your Heart Makes" and Lyv was too cute for words.

After ballet camp and Jack's golf lessons (Photos of that coming soon) ended we loaded up the car and headed to Hayden Lake, Idaho to my Aunt Kate's cabin.  This place is one of the my favorite spots on earth, not only because the water is amazing, warm and clean but it is breathtakingly beautiful.  We spent two days playing in the water, water skiing (yes, even I skied, you can't help it the water is that warm!) lounging, making sand castles, and reading  It really is heaven on earth.  The other great bonus is that my sister Katie was there along with her three kids, so our kids enjoyed the time even more.

If you look hard you can see Lyv and Shawn over at "Minnow Island" as Lyvie took to calling it.  There are lily pads, minnows and turtles that live over in the shallow embankment.  She explored to her hearts content!

The older kids - Jack included, spent much of their time jumping off this platform dock!  Scary! But they loved it and kept going back for more.

Despite my best efforts Max was not a fan of the water --until he found this bucket of water on the deck.  Yes, this is the bucket to wash the sand off your feet.  He thought it was a perfect little hot tub for him.

Last but most definitely not least, we were able to spend time with my Aunt Kate!  She has always been my favorite Aunt, because she was so hands on.  She takes time to talk, to explore, to hug, and feed my kids and even jumps in the paddle boat with Jack…and that is always an adventure.  She is such an amazing woman and I am grateful that my kids had time with her.

Summers' Sensational Summer

Oh if only time could stand still!  Why does summer always fly by so quickly?  We have been back from Idaho for two weeks and boy have we been busy little bees….busy with fun things:)  Jack and Olyvia started swimming lessons and have been doing so so good!  Last year Lyv would hardly put her face in the water, now she is completely submerged and even kicking!  Maybe the new swimming suit encouraged this transformation.  She thinks she looks like a ballerina, which makes her feel exceptionally beautiful. She is pretty darn cute.

Jack is also doing very well and finally feeling confident in the deep end.  He looks like he's drowning when he swims but he manages to stay afloat.  I opted to not have Sam do lessons this year since he swims like a fish, and I figured I have to draw the line somewhere or he'll be doing swimming lessons until Max is done.  So he helps out chasing Max around.  I am really so lucky to have such a great big brother - he helps me out so much.

We hit up our local "fun zone" with our friends the Lancasters a few weekends ago. The go-carts were super fun, minus a little bumper car action.  Shawn t-boned Natalie!  Oops.

 Lyv and her bff Brinley have been loving all the long playmates together during the summer.  They have been dancing, singing made up songs, and being extra girly because they both finally can.  Both girls are the only girl in their family, so you can imagine how fun it is for them to get together.

 Max was very leery of swings - he is sensitive to heights and doesn't like the feeling of his stomach dropping - he finally discovered a swing he loves!  Look at this happy face!

 We have been trying out local eateries and tried out the Museum's Soda Fountain.  Super cute, but kind of pricey.  Sam's buddy Cooper joined us for some swimming and shakes.

 Finally on our way to Boise to celebrate Grant's 94 birthday in Boise we stopped by the Columbia River Temple.  One thing I have loved about living in so many different places is the opportunity to see and attend the different temples around the country.  The kids loved the fountain - and I loved this picture that really captured so much of each of their unique personalities (Sam the obedient smiler, Lyv the poser (need to work on the modesty idea:); Jack totally in his own world; and Max so sweet, waving at me).  I am eternally grateful for temples and the blessings that come because of the covenants I have made inside.

Sam's 9th Birthday

I can't believe 9 years have past since the day Sam came into our lives.  He has been such a wonderful son and everyday I am grateful for him and all he does to help around the house and with his brothers and sister.  He continues to love the NY Yankees - and who can blame him right? So we made a Yankee's cake, and he opted for new baseball gear.  (check out Lyv's photo coaching in the background!)

 We were lucky to be in Idaho on his birthday so his party was a party indeed!  We went to Rexburg Rapids to swim, and then hit up Pizza Pie Cafe (Sam's favorite) for dinner and cake.  I love this picture because even though it doesn't represent all of his cousins, they are all such good friends and truly enjoy spending time with each other.

Little America WY - Hill Fam Reunion 2014

The Hill Family Reunion was held at Little America WY.  Some might ask, why the heck would you ever go there on purpose?  Well…. we Hill's LOVE LOVE the Little America …. and we were supposed to go floating the Green River and fishing.  However - the river was too high, and the huge pool kept the kids so occupied and happy we really didn't need to go anywhere to have fun!

 Because we were going to be floating the river, I decided to leave Max with Michelle, and that meant that we were able to drive down with Grandma and Grandpa Hill.  We stopped at a diamond in the rough drive in - The Red Baron! Yummo!

 We couldn't get enough of the 75 cent ice-cream cones!

 Jack perfected his belly flop and Sam worked on his dive!

We didn't do much other than swim, eat, and talk but we all had a great time relaxing and spending time together.

Idaho Summer Fun

The party in Idaho never seems to stop when we are visiting, and we take full advantage of every chance to be with family and play at our favorite spots.

We started with smore's and fireworks….

Followed by several trips to see my favorite lady - Grandma Jeanne….

 Hit up the Snoasis as many times as we could …..

 The Sandbar, of course, was top priority and we were able to swim there twice …..

 We drove over to Jackson Hole, WY rode the alpine slide and hiked Jenny's Lake…..

and at every moment enjoyed being with friends we are lucky enough to call family.  This is the only time when I ever get sad about living in Yakima.  It would be wonderful to do this more often, but quality is better than quantity!

Independence Day 2014

We were SO excited to be able to spend the 4th of July this year at the Summers' cabin!  It has been 3-4 years since we had the opportunity to share in this family tradition, and we all made the most of our time there.  The weather couldn't have been better (which when you live in Idaho you are grateful when there isn't snow in July!) and we played on the water for 3 days straight! 

 These rafts were a big hit with the kids, except for when Shawn decided to make tidal waves for these three by circling with the ski boat! Not very nice!

Jack especially enjoyed the rafts since he doesn't like anything fast - including boats, jet skis, etc.  So he spent a lot of time rowing around the dock. 

The top two play items were the tube and the knee board - all the kids loved and hated them at the same time.  It always starts out smiles and then the faces turn into sheer terror at what is in store!

 Even little Lyvie took her turn on the tube!  She has a fearless streak that I hope she keeps - and she loves speed.

 Sam has tried water skiing twice with no success but knee boarding turned out much better for him!  He even got brave enough to start swaying back and forth and doing it one handed.

My favorite thing to watch - #1) because it's Shawn and #2) because he is really really good - 

Max spent most of his time chowing down some sort of candy or treat!  He literally fell asleep with his hand in a popcorn bag:)

Like father, like daughter - both goofy and love posing for pictures:

On the 4th of July Bill's Island holds a boat regatta and the boats come decorated for the occasion.  Then we watch the fireworks on the boat.  The kids were decked out in their homemade patriotic shirts and Max was taking this dress code very seriously and refused to take off his star glasses for over an hour!

Great minds think alike and Brigit and I accidentally wore the exact same outfit for the 4th!

 Our last day of fun was floating down Box Canyon.  The water was freezing but we had a great time taking in the beautiful scenery.