I promise to try to do better on weekly posts, it is just pretty nuts with everyone here all day. Finding time to sit down for more than a few minutes, interrupted, is just a fond memory of the past right now. Hopefully, when fall comes around, things will get back into some sort of a routine again.
OK, here we go. I absolutely NO particular order...
The sidewalk of fire.
This is a neighborhood tradition that grows bigger and bigger each year. Everyone who wants to attend, can donate any amount of money to the "firework fund" and some of the guys in the neighborhood drive to Wyoming and get HUGE fireworks. A few days before the 4th of July, we all meet in a cul-de-sac, have a big potluck barbeque, and when it gets dark, we have the best firework show ever! Seriously, it is amazing, and it gets bigger every year. It was definitely the highlight of our 4th of July this year. We have such a great neighborhood.
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| it was getting dark by this point, but I was trying to capture the size of the crowd that now gathers for this |
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| starting to set up some of the fireworks for the show |
The kids new hobby of jumping scooters. The jumps keep getting bigger and further. They are learning new tricks every day. My kids have some guts!
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natural hazard of jumping scooters. This picture is actually after a few days of it healing. It was quite the road rash for Sammy boy.  |
This cute girl, and her crazy hair.
Molly has, by far, the craziest bed head of anyone I know. Somehow, it is absolutely adorable to all of us. Who am I kidding, everything Molly does is adorable to us.
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| watching for daddy to get home from work |
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| I did not do anything to this hair. This truly is how it was when she woke up one morning |
Next...
We went to a downhill bike/skate park for family home evening. Ben, Mary, and Sam, rode bikes up at the bike track, and me and the littles, played down below at the park. After about an hour, William decided he wanted to join the older kids up at the bike track.
The walk up to the bike trail, is a big hike up the side of the mountain. I figured there was no way Molly could make it, and planned on holding her.
She ended up stomping up the entire thing, and a few times, she would look back and tell the boys to "come on." It was amazing! Even I had to stop to catch my breath a few times, but there was Molly marching up the mountain. It was awesome!
Next...
7/11
On July 11th, Seven Eleven gas station gives out free slushies.
We grabbed some friends, and seized the opportunity to get out and do something...anything! It was great!
Open gym.
The kids were literally climbing the walls and jumping on the furniture one afternoon, so I gathered them all up, along with some friends, and we headed over to Mary's tumbling gym, where they were having open gym.
It was a huge hit! All of the kids loved it, and they came home completely exhausted. Score!
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| William and Tyson |
up next...
Birthday parties.
We have had a LOT of these this summer. So far, between all of my kids there have been 6 Birthday parties. Luke went to his very first party, and had an absolute blast! It was so cute to see how excited he was.
Next...
Late nights.
The beauty of summer, is that there isn't a strict bed time. (although, that will be changing soon)
The kids have had some really fun "late nights" with friends, watching movies, hanging out, and eating treats.
Since we don't allow sleepovers, "late nights" are the fun thing to do instead. A lot of the families in the neighborhood have the same sleep over policy, so late nights rotate around the houses, and everyone takes a turn. The kids love it, and it really is a party every time.
Next...
Scouting.
Sam earned his Wolf about four months ago, but he finally got to do the "ceremony" this month at pack meeting. He LOVES scouts, and it has been great watching him learn new things, and grow in confidence. His new bear name is Howling Antelope. Ha!
And then there is...
Day Camp.
Mary and Sam were both able to attend the scouting day camp. They have set aside a day for the Activity Girls to attend the camp, after the Boy Scouts have been there. It is a huge highlight of the summer for both of my kids.
The get to shoot bow and arrows, shoot BB guns, make a craft, shop at the Trading post, do contests and games, and spend an entire day having fun. This year, we let them both get a pocket knife. It may as well have been Christmas!!! Sam especially, was so, so, so excited to finally have a pocket knife. He uses it for everything.
A few weeks ago, Ben was able to fly out to Washington for his best friend Tosh's wedding. He said it was a really neat wedding, and I am glad he was able to go support his buddy.
And most recently, Dan and Kristen (Ben's brother and his family) came to visit us this past weekend. We had a great time with them. Dan is hilarious, and had us gut laughing several times with his knack of telling stories. On Sunday, we went on a hike up around Sundance. Ben was extremely excited to show us parts of his downhill bike course he races on, and the kids had a ton of fun playing in the mountains.
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| Ben showing us part of the course |
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| This little face melts my heart. Oh Lukie. |
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| miss molly pointing the way |
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| my little guys |
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| cousins |
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| William found the biggest stick, and was very proud. He carried this thing all the way down to the car! |
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| the boys, contemplating what it is like for daddy to go off this big jump |
As far as for me, and summer with 5 kids home all day long, it definitely has it's pros and cons. I think this sums it up nicely though.
Happy summer everyone!
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