dosdall family news: may/june 2013

Seems like our summer just got started, but it's almost halfway over! We've had a fun, productive, and busy summer so far. Up until this week the weather's been beautiful, but we've had a serious heat wave (along with most of the western states) with temps above 100. The biggest news this summer is that my parents and youngest brother (who is severely developmentally disabled) moved to Utah and are now within 30 minutes of us--yay!! I flew out to help my parents fly Jeffrey here. He really enjoyed the airplane ride and seems to be adjusting fairly well, though he's a bit more subdued than normal. It's a big change for him so I'm sure it will take him some time to adjust, but we've already had him over to our house and plan on spending a lot of time with him.

Derek:

1. Spent a whole Saturday in 100+ temps installing some extra sprinklers for a major yard project we're working on (actually it's meant to simplify our yard...hmmm...)
2. Got an article accepted for publication
3. Got a new phone for Father's Day, some videos for his birthday, and a birthday date to the Melting Pot--a fondue restaurant in Salt Lake
4. Is preparing for two backpacking trips with the scouts and our boys this summer

Aly:

1. Has spent many late nights trying to meet some crazy crafty deadlines for work
2. Spends lots of time driving kids to/from band, work, and summer camps
3. Had lunch with some college roommates I hadn't seen in a while
4. LOVES having her parents and brother, Jeffrey, so close

James:

1. Received a Gold Presidential Award for academics and was awarded one of two male science awards for 9th graders leaving Centerville Jr High
2. Attended his first dance after the awards and danced with several girls (so did Jeffrey)
3. Works 6 mornings a week at Bangerter Farm picking crops starting at 8, ending sometime between 10-12pm
4. Plays french horn with the Davis County Symphony, rehearsing once a week for 2 hours

Jeffrey:

1. Also received a Gold Presidential Award for academics and was awarded the second of two male science awards for 9th graders leaving Centerville Jr High--they must be identical twins or something
2. Enjoys high school marching band, even with 7 am rehearsals three days a week--his first parade is on July 4th
3. Works the other three days at the farm with James
4. Is doing very well with his driving, though we haven't ventured onto the freeway yet

Ashley:

1. Works on the farm with the boys and really enjoys it
2. Just got back from girls camp and loved it
3. Got her braces off, but is preparing now for another round starting with two tooth extractions--ouch
4. Enjoyed "ditching" the last day of school with her eight favorite girl friends, spending the day playing together

Lexie:

1. After complaining about not being able to see the board toward the end of the school year, got her eyes checked and now wears glasses
2. Loved attending a beginning Scratch class (basic video game animation and programming) at the University of Utah last week
3. Got a nasty stomach bug twice in June
4. Is looking forward to her two-week long parks and rec archery class starting next week

Faith:

1. Loves having the kids home to play with
2. Started reading simple two- and three-letter words
3. Is obsessed with bugs--especially snails
4. Got her first haircut, which makes me sad but makes brushing her hair much less torturous