Quilts, Kids and Chaos

We have been having a lot of fun this summer as a family. That is, when we are together. We have enjoyed the Thanksgiving Point Family Nights each Monday and have gone to the Fairy Tale night, Jello night and Pirate night, just to name a few. This last month we have renovated our kitchen by painting, getting new counters, backsplash, sink and faucet, bead board on the island, and I have almost finished making curtains for 6 windows. We have both worked very hard and will be thrilled when it is done! The end of June and first of July fires in Utah were crazy and I don’t think I have ever seen so many fires within view of our home, It was so sad. We went to an amazing firework show at Olympic Park put on by the Rex’s realtor team. The show lasted almost 20 minutes and we were right below them! We celebrated the 4^th of July in our own neighborhood at 2 different parties. John, Connor and Nathan took part in a pie eating contest and I won a raffle for a quilt. We then had dinner with friends and neighbors from our ward and finally home to watch the fireworks from the end of the street. July also started our Flexible spending account again, which means it also started our many trips to the dentist, eye doctor and orthodontist. We were able to be taught a golf lesson by some pros from Zimbabwe for Family Night, and then go back and visit with them for a while at the Duggar’s. We also locked out keys in the van in the parking lot and luckily got them out before we needed to go. Connor, Nathan, Michael and I were all able to meet Pres. Uchtdorf while waiting in the parking lot. July 5th my friends’ son Carson passed away in a very tragic accident and John and I attended the funeral. I think about their family every day and it has made me a try to be more present in my kids’ lives. You never know how long you get to have these wonderful spirits here on earth. I have been over to see them a few times and every time I do I am so grateful for the knowledge that we have of the gospel and the blessing that they will be able to see Carson again someday.

Connor – Connor has had a very busy summer! He has attended High adventure camp, Scout camp, and Youth Conference. He has been babysitting, Boating without sunscreen (and got fired!), sold his guitar to have enough money to buy a laptop, and even got to see Mr. Smith, his 5^th grade teacher, at a Patriotic festival in Orem. Connor’s next adventure starts August 6, when he gets his braces on.

Nathan – Grandma had a great idea to go see the 24^thof July Parade floats on display at the south Town Expo Center. It was fun to see them up close and even funner when we saw our favorites in the Bountiful Parade. We then watched the Salt Lake Parade on TV and saw them again. Nate is my Watermelon kid and loves to compliment me on a job well done when I pick a good one. In fact, he says that I pick the best Watermelon! One day I after coming home from Costco I found that Nathan had added a little something special to the watermelon. Love that kid.

Matthew – We invited Grandma and Grandpa to go with us to the Bingham Copper mine. That day it was super windy and Grandpa just about blew over! Matthew and Michael were pretty little the last time we went so they thought it was cool to see. We have helping Matthew prepare for his baptism coming up at the end of the month and look forward to that special day.

Michael – Michael loves to draw (even on Aunt Tammie’s car)and has become quite the little artist! We have dinosaur pictures all over the driveway and inside the garage floor that he did with chalk. Michael also loves fireworks and will run outside when he hears them going off, which can be quite often in July. Michael has been able to go to several of his friends’ Birthday parties this summer and his visit to the dentist was cavity free!

Jacob – At almost 20 months Jacob is still not talking, but signing more. He is really good a screaming too! Jake doesn’t love the pool or the wet cement and will freeze when he finds himself standing in a puddle with bare feet. Jake does love to swing at the park, eat, and climb on chairs, stools, tables toilets, and anything else that he shouldn’t.

Jake Wearing Michaels Batman constume

Copper mine

American Patriotic festival thing

Mr. Smith and Connor

Fire in Alpine

Working on the backsplash

Family Night at Thanksgiving Point

4th of July pie eating contest

After Connor smashed the pies in their faces!

4th of July Fireworks

At the Dentist

The Cheney's house after the funeral. Carson Loved to ride his bike, so all the neighbor kids brought over their bikes in the morning to pay tribute to Carson. Later that day they let the balloons go with messages to Carson.