Summer Swimming!

June was the hottest month where we had a couple of weeks of hardly any cloud cover and triple digits. For a few days it was actually 105! I would say it was the most difficult part of the summer because it was too hot to go outside until 5:00 or 6:00 pm without looking like a lobster and it was hot indoors because the swamp cooler couldn't keep up. It's fine and dandy for people who don't have small children to entertain. But, when it's so hot and miserable and we can't get our usually active family outside, it really tests our patience. I don't think I took a single picture for those two weeks. I was too fatigued, and completely unmotivated. Even cooking dinner took a lot of energy. Who wants to heat an oven in a hot house? lol
I was so grateful when July came around to give us some cloud cover. That made a huge difference. I don't complain about the 90's anymore! We could get outside somewhat earlier in the evening. I spent a couple of weeks throwing extra water on the trees. The garden required watering twice a day. It was a high-maintenance time for the yard. It seemed I was just trying to keep things alive!
We were trying to keep ourselves hydrated too!

Any means of getting hydrated ;) ................. Haha

With the relief of the clouds and temperatures going back to the 90's like they should be this time of year, we were eager to jump back into our daily activities. I usually have massage appointments and garden watering in the morning ~ but much of the afternoon is spent in the sun, sand, and water!
We were able to get together with Gretchen, Matthew, and Emma a few times at their pond.....

Isn't this the picture of "summer" right here? What fun!

Pruess Lake has been our go-to spot for swimming most of the summer. We've spent many days relaxing on the beach and playing in the water.....

 Ava caught a fish one time. It was the biggest fish Willow has ever seen here and I think she was impressed.....

In fact I know she was impressed; that expression is priceless! 

lol 

She wanted to take it home. She cried when Ava let it go. She repeated, "Bye, Bye fish!" 

We brought our friends Jack and Ben to Pruess the following week......

At this time Willow was getting really good at practicing back floats and kicking her legs.....

Another day, our friend Charlie joined in the adventure!

 Sometimes you have to seek shade :)

Ava taking a break from the boys....... Ha!

I encourage the kids to get as muddy as they want; so long as they have water to wash off with ;) 

I told them I'm joining in the fun next time ;)

This mom knows how to wear out kids ;)

The McGill Pool was another great swimming experience. It's about a two hour drive; but totally worth it........

Jess and I took the kids and spent a whole afternoon.......

I'll end this post with one of our favorite swimming holes; Who's excited to go to Warm Springs again?! 

*Tick * Tock *Tick *Tock 
Goes the Summer Clock :)

Nephi Weekend

This month we were able to attend a small family reunion on my dad's side of the family in Nephi, Utah. Typically it's coordinated with the Ute Stampede Rodeo, Fair, and Car Show. In other words it's a busy weekend for this town. My aunt Tammy and uncle Jon had a house full of people. We were happy to pitch a tent in their yard and join in the fun. First we went to the car show where they had a great breakfast.....

Obviously they had the antiques; but Jon's Harley Davidson welded from metal was really original. He obtained a prize for that......

My uncle Jon and his daughter Jessica :)

Next to the car show in the park is one of the funnest swimming pools. We definitely took advantage of that!

Willow is getting a lot of practice swimming this summer......

We stopped by some street vendors where they were selling everything under the sun. We got suckered into buying a few things including spoiling the kids with a balloon and toy.....

Ava really wanted a hat (I got one too) and I thought it looked so great on her I couldn't resist.....

Before the evening festivities, we went back to Tammy's house to relax......

These are my cousins Derick, Aaron, Cliff, and Josh (and his little girl Harper)......

Not everyone was there when I got these photos because they were scattered like sheep around town doing their own things......

The evening was reserved for the fair.......

I wanted to save the Ferris Wheel to coordinate with the end of the rodeo because I knew that they would be letting off fireworks. The line was so long I didn't think we would make it. But, it was our lucky night. We sat there on the Ferris Wheel all the way at the top and watched the lights and sound burst through the sky. It was so great!

What a great weekend!

Bryan's Birthday!

So, I'm behind on my blogging which I usually try to avoid. Because of activities, time, and mostly technical difficulties ~ here I am. However in the near future when I do happen to get my photos uploaded I may go on a wild rampage of posts to get quickly caught up ;)

Someone turned 39 (and it wasn't me)! Bryan's birthday was in middle of the week so we had a very low key dinner. I like low key in the middle of a hectic week :)
Ava, Isaac, and I spent part of the afternoon making paper designs for the party.......

Willow looks so grown up in her pigtails and party dress :)

I guess these two were hinting at getting to the dessert part....... haha

You can't see them very well in the photos, but hanging from the light are our paper-made party snakes of all colors......

Willow said "Birthday" for several days after the party. I think she's into these annual parties ;)

Birthdays are pretty delicious!