Our Last Family Outing Before School Starts--Deanna Rose

The Saturday before school started we decided to take the kids to Deanna Rose Park after lunch for a few hours. It's been the hottest and most humid summer ever and so we've mostly spent it at the pool. But it was overcast and not too hot so we thought we'd give it a go. We pulled up and sure enough the clouds parted and the sun beat down on us. It was going to be HOT! Oh, well. First things first--we bought a pass that included all of the activities (I never do this, so we only ever do the free things). The kids were ecstatic! They could finally ride the ponies. So we headed over to that FIRST.

Then we got to meet the new calf at the park and feed it some lunch.

Thank goodness they had some sprayers to cool off. After we were sufficiently soaking wet, we moved on.

This park is made into an old pioneer town. So, the kids learned what it meant to go outside and get some water. They raced to see who could fill up the bucket first.

I always love feeding the pygmy goats. They all crowd around the kids when they know that they are carrying food. It reminds me of when I bring out Popsicle's on a hot summer day and the kids all attack me to pick the color they want first.

Amelia's trying to look coy when what she's really doing is trying to avoid the goat from eating her shirt.

The gardens are usually full of beautiful flowers but the heat has been so bad I took pictures of my own beautiful flowers instead-my kids!

Cardon has a good sense of humor and went along with my proddings!

We took a walk in nature where it was a bit shady. Jace kept announcing that he was sure we were lost. We did find our way back around though--the big loop helped us out!

Jace will be in his 2nd yr. of pre-school this year. Right away he found HIS letter--J for Jace!

We ended the day with some delicious ice cream to cool us off. Happy summer kiddos-Now Back To School You Go!!!!!!

Ahhh! The Heat!!!! Must Go To Pool!!!

This summer has been the hottest, most humid summer of my life---and I lived in Arizona for 3 years!!! We had record heat and humidity this year--the hottest in 25 years. The worst part about it has been that there hasn't been any breaks. So, we have literally spent the entire summer at the pool. Everyday we get up, get our work done, have lunch and then head to the pool. I take a giant thing of ice water and all sorts of snacks and then we spend 4-5 hours playing in the water. Jace took swimming lessons this year and after 2 weeks he was swimmin'! He was so proud of himself--and he should be! Swimming is quite a feat!

Cardon loved to show me that he could throw Jace high in the air and then Jace could swim back to him. They would laugh and then do it all over again. It was a great brotherly bonding time together.

Amelia loved to show me her perfect float. She learned how to do different swimming strokes this summer but the float is her favorite. She looks quite dead, but she isn't.

Jace spent a lot more time swimming this year with the girls and Cardon because they loved seeing that he could do it and he loved showing them.

It's always fun to bring friends to the pool. Katie and Brinly are good friends.

I decided it was a good day to teach the kids some new pool tricks. When I was a kid we spent a lot of time at the pool each summer and I was especially daring. I could do all sorts of flips off of the diving boards. So, I figured I ought to teach the kids a few things. Each of them learned how to do a back dive off of the side of the pool. It was so fun to see one of them get it and then cheer on the rest with all sorts of advice.

Once they all had it down I had them do it all together! Thank goodness for digital cameras. It took quite a few takes to get this just right!

Then Cardon decided once he'd perfected the back dive to take it one step further--The Back Flip!!!!! He got it down and was quite impressive on his height!

My great friend Olivia usually accompanied me to our pool with her 3 kids---Aiden, Mia, and Jack. We spent many delightful afternoons here sipping our Sonic cherry limeades.

Here is the usual group. They are all growing up so fast. I hope that they will always remember the summer where life slowed way down as they swam there little hearts out!!!!

School is around the corner my friends!!!!!

Cardon's Season End Baseball Game

For the last 2 years Cardon has played for the "Gators". It's been so much fun to watch him improve over the last 3 years of playing and this year was no exception. His team is great--lots of friends from school and the parents make it a blast. This season Cardon was soon recognized as the "Black Hole". He just seemed to be able to catch anything that came his way. They had a great season and went into the final game playing for first place. The inning started off slow with quite a few mistakes but Cardon got the 3rd out when a super high pop fly came his way and he caught it! Let me tell you--the crowds were cheering! The entire game was close and we were all on the edges of our seats every inning. I almost wet my pants because I couldn't bear to leave and miss a moment. BJ was the assistant coach this year. It was fun to see him interact with the boys and cheer them on. I felt pride in him as I watched him work with the team.
Most of us moms couldn't even sit down because it was such a nail biter. These are a few of my friends and baseball moms--Jennifer, Suzanne and Kathy with no nails left to chew on!

One of the parents got us this little good luck charm when they went to Florida this summer. Go Gators!!!!!

The boys always have fun in the dug out. I've never seen so much Big League Chew and Sunflower Seeds!

When all was said and done----WE LOST!!!!! We were all so disappointed in the outcome, but the boys played hard and had a great season!

Cardon got his trophy for 2nd place. There are good memories here on these fields this season.

Way to go Gators! You got'm next year!!!!!!!!!!

The 4th of July

This year for the 4th of July our Ward had a pancake breakfast. We spent the day before decorating bikes so that we could be festive for the bike parade. The kids always have a great time doing it and I always have to remind myself to let them do it by themselves. They did a great job! My face looks like if I poked it with a sharp object, it would pop. This record heat has caused this pregnant momma to swell up like a balloon. I already can't wear my wedding ring and I'm only 3 months pregnant. It better cool down soon or else I may run into some problems. The Bike Parade

Brinly was lookin' stylish in her peace glasses and 4th of July t-shirt.

Brinly rocked the gunny sack race. She is quite the athlete!

Cardon hooked up with Aiden for the 3-legged race.

They didn't quite get it down, but they had fun doing it!

Jace and Jack decided to be buddies on the tug-o-war.

Jace means business!!!!

Amelia and Mia

After the kids Tug-o-War it was time for the adult version. BJ got up near the front and worked those athletic legs of his.

I had to get in the mix too.

Later that evening we met friends to watch fireworks.

Happy 4th of July everyone!!!!!!

Arrow of Light Ceremony

Last night Cardon got his Webelos badge and his Arrow of Light. Since no one in BJ's family did scouting and neither of my brothers did scouting--we are new to this. I called the scout master the evening before the ceremony to ask if there was anything we needed to do and she said "YES!" Apparantly the Arrow of Light is a big deal and Cardon was supposed to be given a special arrow with a letter as well as a special board to mount it on--from his parents. This was news to me. I hate those moments as a parent-- when something important was supposed to be taken care of and we were going to blow it. So, BJ and I got busy. He got the wood ready and then I got it finished the next day--just in time to give it to him. Now that I understand the importance of the Arrow of Light I want to tell Cardon how proud I am of him. It took a lot of work to get this and he perservered and did it. Way to go Cardon!!!!!!


We have to take 2 of every shot because Cardon is in the stage where he has to make a funny face in every photo. So we compromise--1 good smiley shot, and then 1 funny face. I just had to put this one in there to document this stage in his life. Plus, it makes me laugh when I look at BJ.

Notice I didn't put the funny one of us. That's what happens when I am the blog master!

Way to go you crazy boy!!!!!