Anyhow, with school out we've enjoyed some fun activities. With our passes, me and the kids have taken weekly trips to the waterpark. Derek took us up in the mountains near our home for an awesome afternoon/evening of hobo dinners, hot dogs, and s'mores by the campfire (right before the fire ban). We hosted Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Jeannie, and some of the Wilkins family for dinner, which we really enjoyed. We also met some of the Wilkins and Derek in Salt Lake to tour the conference center and swap kids for a cousin sleepover. My family reunion in Heber (my mom's extended family), and then Park City (my extended family), were both wonderful--we went swimming; saw the movie Brave; had a BBQ, fireworks, and sleepover at our house (since all fireworks were banned in Park City); spent the day at Trafalga Fun Center; and rode the zipline and alpine slide at Olympic Park.
Derek:
1. Bought a $15 working projector from surplus so we can now project movies onto our 2 story wall in the living room. That's been fun!
2. Celebrated Father's Day with a dinner date in the canyon overlooking the Salt Lake, a yummy grilled steak dinner, some cute lawnmover cupcakes from the girls, and some passes to play indoor paintball with the boys.
3. For his birthday the kids took him on a GPS-like treasure hunt to find his present--a new Garmin GPS set. We all celebrated by going to see the latest Madagascar movie, and had some delicious s'more pie for dessert.
4. Just returned from a fun, tiring, but neat week at scout camp where he helped cook food and make sure all the 12-13 year old scouts were where they were supposed to be, and doing what they were supposed to be doing.
5. One of his post docs, Jun Ling, left and decided to pursue a different career path so Derek's down a set of helping hands at work.
Me:
1. Finally bought some new running shoes to replace my college volleyball shoes. My feet and knees are much happier. I've finally reached a comfortable 3 mile/30 minute run. I hope to start throwing in some hills and increasing my speed in the next month or so to get ready for a 5K in September that happens in the foothills of the U of U campus for Derek's lab.
2. With the kids all home (which I love) and requiring lots more meal prep (which I don't love) I started having the older kids prepare a meal once a week. One of my better ideas over the years, I must say. =) The kids actually like picking the menu and are much more polite and tolerant of the meals I prepare that they don't like.
3. I finally finished the content for my online class that starts in August. I'm very excited about it, and a little nervous. I hope the students enjoy it. I've had many late nights finishing up scapbooking/cardmaking assignments. With the industry trade show next week in Chicago and a couple of upcoming HSN/QVC shows there is a never-ending demand for projects. Again, good for our budget, but a challenge to find a balance.
4. Cooked up our first veggie garden yield of zucchini and yellow squash this week. Can't wait for more!
James:
1. Wants to grow his hair longer, but needs some help learning how to shape/style it. We're working on that, though he's not happy about it.
2. Has finished a rough draft of his new book. Several obliging family members have read it and he is now working on their edits and suggestions.
3. Spent a Sunday afternoon playing Polly Pockets and other games with Faith. She was in heaven.
4. Spoke in church today about prayer and personal revelation. Did a great job!
Jeffrey:
1. Wrote new Gilligan's Island episode that the kids acted out and recorded. Yes, my children are obsessed with that show. I think we need a 12 step program for that.
2. Has enjoyed watching the individual Avengers characters' movies (Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, etc).
3. Had a great time at our Stake Young Men's encampment (as did James). Loved target shooting, biking, building teamwork games, archery, and a cool ropes course.
4. He and James are now attending band camp for an hour a day, four days a week until early next month.
Ashley:
1. Loved attending Young Women's camp for the first time. Even though she's not quite 12 yet, they let her go and I'm so glad they did.
2. Enjoyed her friend, Jade's, party at an awesome trampoline place nearby.
3. Is the queen of sleeping in late every day and is proud of it, too.
4. Has been diligently saving money from birthday, Christmas, and babysitting for a while and has a bigger savings account than the other kids. Very disciplined girl!
Lexie:
1. Her soccer team finished the season with a winning record, and Lexie learned a lot of great skills thanks to a couple of dedicated coaches.
2. She sang in Relief Society at church with Ashley, and did a great job.
3. Is also writing a book. I love that she's has found a fun project to keep her busy this summer.
4. Was thrilled to go see Avengers for her friend's birthday last week.
Faith:
1. Finally gave up the pacifier last month. She's done pretty well and only asks for it now as a joke because she knows only "little teeny babies need pacies."
2. Loves having the kids home to play with. I think during the school year she gets bored of me.
3. Has been staying up late, and doesn't always take naps these days. She has always struggled with a good sleeping schedule.
4. Came down with a rash due to fifth disease on the first day of our family reunion in Park City. Apparently it's going around our neighborhood and is pretty harmless, though the rash looks really bad. Once the rash appears, however, you're not contagious anymore, so no one caught it from her at our reunion thankfully.
Well, that's all for now. We love you all and hope you're doing well. Enjoy some photos below--you can click on them to enlarge the images.
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| various June/July photos |
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| James and Jeffrey and Young Men Encampment |
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| My family reunion in Park City |
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