This summer Joey went with his cousins to CYT's summer camp. At the end of their week long experience they put on a 30 minute musical. There were about 35 kids at the camp and only 4 lead roles. Joey and Aubrey got two of them, so they were super excited and practiced running their lines with Anna on the way up to camp in the mornings. They put on a really cute showcase and had a lot of fun doing it.
Summer for Carlee included saying goodbye to one of her silly little buddies, Tatum. She forgets sometimes that she has moved and still asks if she can come over to play. We will miss the Call family but wish them the best as they start a new pediatric dental practice in New Mexico.
Since we were in NY for Sara's Birthday we decided to have a little get together with friends and family after we got back. What I thought would be simple meal and treat ended with me making a "School of Rock" birthday cake and about 7 families coming to celebrate. We had a blast and Sara was able to entertain everyone with the new game she invented with her aunt Cindy "Cupork." (If you really want to know, Cindy posted several videos on her Facebook page.)
Fourth of July. . . The one day that its okay to play with fire and potentially burn down the neighborhood. We love it, and once again we lit up our front yard with fireworks.
One of our cute neighbor friends didn't like it quite as much. Hopefully she isn't too traumatized, but I couldn't help myself. Her reaction to sparklers was priceless.
The boys favorite part
This year Chad got to go with the kids on their Youth Conference TREK experience.
While I am not a huge fan of the hiking in pioneer clothes, the girls were glad they went. They never want to do it again, but they left feeling a sense of accomplishment. The theme was "I can do hard things." There are many good ways to teach this ideal, but giving up a little bit of comfort and working together with other kids to achieve daily goals was a unique opportunity. I am glad that they enjoyed their time together and that Chad could go with them.
After TREK we had to say goodbye to more close family friends . . . the Billings.
We have grown up with the Billings family for seven years and it is weird to think that they won't be here with us anymore. We have played with them, vacationed with them, worked in church callings with them and really adopted them into our family. We hope that moving to Atlanta will be a good thing for Shane and his career, but if they ever decide they want to come back. . . we will have a room ready for them.
We finished out the Summer with the girls traveling to Utah for their Young Ambassador Camp (mom showing up to watch their final showcase) and girls camp.
I am always so impressed by what the girls accomplish during their week at BYU. I wish everyone could see and feel the spirit that envelops the stage as these young performers sing and dance with such incredible talent. The kids at the camp were truly a privilege to watch. I hope that they will continue to bring this type of light and life to the world.
This was the first trip I have taken alone for more than one day (that wasn't a part of a church calling). After spending a few days with good friends and my kids, I can't tell you how wonderful I feel. I didn't even mind the delayed flight home, but it did change a few of our plans as we tried to make it to Shannon's Sweet 16 birthday party on time and meet up with friends from Texas who were passing through AZ on their way to CA. It was a pleasant surprise to reconnect with the Sawyers and watch their youngest son and Joey play. By the time they were ready to head out their son wanted to cancel the trip to Legoland and just stay and play. The great thing about friends, is that no matter how long it has been, the gap narrows when paths cross and you are once again blessed to see them.
What a great summer! Now its back to school.
