Ropes Course

Actually, one of the first Saturdays in July

With the highly anticipated upcoming Scout Encampment was the need for volunteers.  Dave recruited James and together they trained for ropes course.  One Saturday, they spent the entire day in Spokane "stunting."

Poultry Palace

Actually June 29, 2015

We were super anxious to get the STINKY chickens out of the garage!  But like all good things, quality takes time.  The "Poultry Palace" was no exception.  We had to get it done before all our summer trips so the neighbors could take care of the chickens.

Red, White, and Blue

Usually the 4th is one of the first picking of raspberries.  This year, it was one of the last.

Sariah at the ward breakfast in the first piece of clothing she has made for herself,

 a red, white and blue skirt.  

 She also has red, white, and blue fingernails and toenails.

Waiting for the parade.

Rex sought out baby Pryor.  We were able to attend his baby blessing today.

Happy Rex collecting candy.

Happy Lyle doing the same.

Sariah, elated with the surprise appearance of her Basin City schoolmates, Cierra and Tierra.

A very HOT picnic.  Bryant recited a few stanzas from Paul Revere's ride, Spechts recited and sang the Star Spangled Banner, and Uncle Kevin read an excerpt about the Title of Liberty from the Book of Mormon.  

Too many sweets!!

Got to be with Lizza and her family for the parade and picnic.  We also watched the fireworks with them from our "secret spot" (awesome spot where we can see the river fireworks and Gesa Stadium fireworks), which may not exist much longer because they are filling in all the "blanks" with houses.

HOT!!

Today, before 9am, on the way to church, our van thermostat said it was 90 degrees outside.  We think it got to 107 this afternoon.  

The last three days have only been slightly cooler.  Friday and Saturday we planted pumpkins. Talmage and Sariah were the troopers who stuck out the several hours of sweltering heat.This week, James was in Portland for training and we spent the mornings killing time after we dropped Talmage and Bryant off at Edgar Brown stadium for football camp.

Hope we get to see them on this turf again some day.

Waiting for the library to open.  

One morning we went and visited the dollar store.  I think that was a favorite.  We played at the park a couple mornings, and by Thursday, I asked Lizza if we could come hang out with her.

Lizza's touch on Sariah's hair---gorgeous!!!

I also finished my Day Camp thank you cards at her house and she cut out my first homemaking project on her Silhoutte that I've done in a long time.

We lost three kittens in about 3 days (very sad) and this one was the last one we had promised to Freemans.  The kids didn't want to let it go though.  Hyrum came out sobbing from the house and mistaked Camilla's leg for mine and buried his head in her thigh and sobbed.  Turned out, they got 4 kittens from Brian's sister today and so they gave ours back.  The kids are thrilled.

Friday's pumpkin planting in 100 degrees.

Today, before 9am, on the way to church, our van thermostat said it was 90 degrees outside.  We think it got to 107 this afternoon.  

The last three days have only been slightly cooler.  Friday and Saturday we planted pumpkins. Talmage and Sariah were the troopers who stuck out the several hours of sweltering heat.  Tuesday we had to borrow Campbells lawn mower because despite James's best and repeated efforts, ours is still not working.  It had gone so long that the grass was too long to be mulched.  The kids and I raked and hauled off grass in buckets for a couple hours that night, and then again on Thursday night.  

Talmage has been my saving grace this week while James has been gone.  He has completely manned up to be the "man of the house."  He broke a sprinkler mowing the lawn and was completely distressed about it.  We got the parts and he was right there the whole time helping to fix it. He has been a pleasant helper.  One day, after a full day of football camp and working, he was exhausted and pulling himself into bed and he said, "I'm right here if you need me."  Loved it.

Big Happy Day

...and no pictures except a really bad video compliments of photographer Bryant.

Father's Day

(James received an "ultimate weed wacker" according to Rex and Lyle, 

and a very sweet card from Sariah.)

Talmage's Birthday

(Opted for cash over a gift.  Yesterday, I dropped him and a friend off at Jurassic World to watch the movie by themselves and walk over to DQ afterwards.  

He was super excited about doing a big kid thing.) 

Bryant's first talk in sacrament meeting 

(He was well prepared and did a great job.)

Talmage received his Duty to God certificate

(He diligently worked on this over the course of 2 years and recently finished his physical fitness requirement.  He's also been running with me every day this week.)

Bryant set apart as first counselor in the Deacon's Quorum

Talmage ordained a teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood

Talmage received his patriarchal blessing.

(He received his blessing from Patriarch Clyde whose father sealed James and I 15 years ago tomorrow.  Life in full circle of sorts.)

My cup overfloweth.

Ah...Summertime

S'mores for FHE

 

Catching Grasshoppers

Morning Snacks out of the Garden

Hanging out at the pool with Taylee eating complimentary BSA popcorn.

And....COUSINS!!!

Last Day of School

I always go on the last day of school to take pictures of my kids with their teachers.  I was so swamped with Day Camp that I had to send the camera with Sariah.  This is what we got.

Mrs. Hall and Sariah

Chloe and Sariah

Annabelle and Sariah

Hyrum and Mrs. Ward-Pink

Carley and Sariah

Mrs. Rapp and Sariah

Sariah, Carley, Annabelle and Heidi at Heidi's house on the last day of school.

Summertime!!!

Good Little Workers

Rex and Lyle have turned into some good little raspberry pickers.

We also got to go pull weeds and pick up pinecones at the temple.

Hyrum

8th Grade Graduation

I didn't realize 8th grade graduation was such a big deal.  Talmage went to school in his gym shorts that day.  Oh well.

Zane Maughn, Talmage, Colton Anderson, and Cole Barrow

Father and Sons

The boys had a great time with Dad even though it was short.  

And....NO MOSQUITOS (answered prayers).

Last Kamiakin Graduation

Last weekend was bittersweet for James.  

This year's seniors were kindergartners when he started at Kamiakin.

Day Camp

Even though none of my boys actually attended Day Camp, the life of our family has revolved around it for the last month for sure.  In fact, I had something that was totally unrelated to Day Camp the other day but when Rex saw it he said, "Is that for Day Camp?"  When that comes out of a 4-year-old mouth that doesn't even know what Day Camp is, you know it's a hot topic.  So here is the cut out for the rocket Lizza made, since I really don't have any Day Camp pictures.  I just have to say, I worked with some amazing women who I will miss for the next 6 months.  The most supportive people, James and the kids, I get to return my attention to though for the next 6 months.  (We had pizza 4 out of the last 8 nights---no one complained.)

Talmage was a trooper.  He came all three days and helped in the stations that needed more hands to help all the little hands.  We left here at 6:30 each morning and didn't get home until about 5pm.  He never complained, and I heard a lot of people say how impressed they were with him.  I was happy to have him along.

Girls Night!!!....

...I mean Father and Sons.

Little ones gearing up for a late night.

First Father and Sons with all 5 boys.  Go Dad!!

Let's go shopping!

Found some deals.  

Sariah had never been "shopping" at a department store, and I had a gift card from Hyrum's school teacher for helping in the classroom during the year.  We found a clearance rack and had too much fun.  Sariah was in heaven.  She loves what I loath. Trying on clothes.  However, I found myself doing exactly what I remember my mom doing, putting everything back on the hangers in the dressing room.  I hope my mom had as much fun as I did.  

(But, I'm afraid I wasn't the happy shopper that Sariah is.)

She found the maxi skirt she has wanted for so long.

Afterwards, we stopped by Value Village and we each found a purse.  Then it was home for popcorn and a chic flick.  We slept in the same bed and didn't wake up until 8!  We hurried out to wash and vacuum Daddy's truck as a surprise for him.  We had so much fun together!!