The Gators win the League Championship

Cardon has been playing on the Gators team this past season. It's been such a great group of kids and parents--it's been so much fun to go to every game. They ended up winning the League Championship--something this team hasn't ever done before. Last night we all met at a field and played a game of "Kids" versus "the parents" for our end of season party. The kids ended up winning it by 2 runs and then we headed back to the coaches house for cake and a video of the season. Way to go Gators!!!!! It blows my mind but Cardon has loved playing baseball so much this season he has decided to go on and play next season with the same team instead of football. I'm not sure how I feel about that yet--I love fall football--I'm going to miss seeing him out there in his pads, making tackles. Oh well, I'll just have get used to him chewing Big League Chew, getting stains out of his white baseball pants, and biting my fingernails with anticipation when he gets up to bat!

Summer Cooking Class

This summer we are having summer camps at home. Each Tuesday afternoon between 3-4 you can count on a cooking class going on in my kitchen. This was our first lesson. Amelia and Jace made peanutty dip while Cardon and Brinly cut up all the fruit. It was delicious!!!! Then Brinly and Cardon made crusted chicken and after that was completed Cardon made biscuit rolls. It was tons of fun for all of us--dinner was made----AND, they all ate it because they were so excited to have made it. I call that a WIN/WIN in my book. Up next, craft camp with the homemade pinata---WE can't wait!!!!!

I think I might have a little chef on my hands!

Omaha Zoo and Temple Trip

This past weekend we had the opportunity to go to Omaha, Nebraska. Our ward had a family temple day on Saturday morning so we left early on Friday so that we could make a trip out of it. We spent the day at the Omaha zoo. It is an amazing zoo with so many incredible exhibits. However it was HOT, HOT, HOT. Luckily we had a water bottle with us that we just kept refilling and there were misters all over--so we managed just fine. After seeing every single exhibit and wearing the kids out completely, we went back to the hotel and let them swim for an hour or so. That evening we met the ward members at a buffet restaurant. I think Cardon spent most of the evening at the ice cream bar--Oh well, we were on vacation! The next morning we got up and met the ward members with little children at the Temple Visitors Center. They were kind enough to allow us to use the basement classroom as a childcare area while all of us did a session. Several youth from a ward nearby came to help the other volunteers from our ward watch all of the kids. Our ward had all sorts of crafts and activities for them to do. They had a great time. It was such a joy to do a session at the Temple with BJ. It's been 3 years since we've been able to do that together and I loved every minute. When you don't live close to a Temple (our nearest Temple is 3 1/2 hours away) you realize how much you took it for granted when it was just minutes away. After attending the Temple we all met back at the Visitors Center Pavilion and had lunch together and then hopped in the car to drive the 3 1/2 hours back home. What a great experience for my family. I hope my kids know how much BJ and I love the Temple!!!

Whenever Jace saw a peacock he would yell out "Look guys it's another PeaHock!!!" So we all started calling them PeaHock's. I love this stage with Jace. If he doesn't know the word for something--he just makes it up. It's always quite funny!

I love to see the Temple......I'm going their someday.

Our Fieldtrip to the Marble Company

The kids and I took a fieldtrip to see the Moon Marble Company. The store is filled to the rafters with toys that take you back to your childhood. It was so fun to walk around and show the kids all sorts of toys that I played with as a kid. In the back of the store they have a demonstration on how to make a glass marble. It is quite incredible. The lady doing the demonstration studied glass art in Venice, Italy. After the demonstration I let the kids pick out a tube full of marbles with a guide on how to play. After we'd had our fill of the Marble Company we headed over to Miss Hatties Tea Room to have lunch. After placing our order the kids got to go to the back of the store and get completely dressed up in tea party attire. The selection was grand. Cardon went begrudgingly but ended up getting dressed up in a military uniform and thought that was pretty cool. The lunch was wonderful and came with an endless pot of pink lemonade to drink in our little tea cups. To end the day we headed over to the neighborhood pool and swam the rest of the afternoon. I love summer!!!!!

Happy 4th of July

Since BJ and Cardon were fishing in Alaska for the 4th of July this year it was my responsibility to make things a bit festive in my neck of the woods. The kids each decorated their bikes or scooters and we rode in the neighborhood bike parade. After we survived the heat and humidity of that we went to our ward party at the park. We enjoyed delicious food, and games and then headed for home. The next day when BJ and Cardon came home we had a great time watching fireworks with friends while roasting marshmallows and eating smores. I love this country and am proud to live here. God Bless the USA!!!!!!!

Alaska Fishing Trip

Cardon had the privilege of going on an Alaskan fishing trip with his dad the last week of June. Grandpa Lewis had all his sons and son-in-laws as well as his oldest male grandchildren join him this year. Cardon had a great time catching salmon and halibut all week despite a day of throwing up on the charter due to sea sickness. He still never complained--had a great time with his Dad, Grandpa and Grandma, Uncles and Cousins and will never forget his adventures in Alaska--Oh, and he brought me home 100lbs. of fish to enjoy--I can handle that!!!!!