Summer Pictures #3

Waiting for the train Lauren's picture at the Church History Museum
Troy wandering around, enjoying himself
Lauren trying to make it up the rock wall at the 4th of July picnic at the park

Jane smiling for the camera at the parade

Summer Pictures #2

Mel and I got to take the Activity Day girls up to Day Camp. We all had a lot of fun. We got to row boats, do a craft, listen to Indian stories, light cotton balls on fire, shop at the Trading Post, shoot bb guns, arrows, and slingshots. They also crossed a monkey bridge and did an obstacle course. Everyone loved the boats the best. They threw out a bunch of ball pit balls or "beavers" and we had to row out to retrieve them. I wish I could have done something like this when I was younger. I guess that's why I volunteered to take them. :)

Waiting to go out on the boats.

Lauren crossing the monkey bridge.

Shooting her arrows.

After making the 'beaver tales'.

All packed up and ready to go home. Lots of fun memories though.

Summer Pictures #1

Since I don't have a lot of time, I thought I'd post a few pictures every day. Here's some pictures from our day at Lagoon with family. I think it was on June 22.

Getting wet on Rattlesnake Rapids

I loved this picture of Auburn & Caleb getting sprayed on Odysea

Lauren, Erin, Auburn & Caleb waiting for Ladybug Bop

Caleb & Auburn. Can their eyes be any different in color?

Erin & Lauren

Summer Time!

Whew! This has been a BUSY summer! We've been hanging out with cousins, swimming, going to the library, camping out in the pop-up-trailer, working up in Boise for the Scentsy Convention (lots of nice people and a bunch of crazy ones too), etc... Right now I'm in St. George with the girls and Grandma. We came down to go to The Sound of Music at the Tuacahn Amphitheater. We kept praying it wouldn't rain last night. Thankfully we just had a steady drizzle during parts of the show. (One of Heavenly Fathers tender mercies) The actors were great sports to go on with the show. One actor kept making cracks about the rain. During the '16 going on 17' song the rain was a great special effect with the fake thunder and lightning. For the 'Lonely Goatherd' song they used human puppets. So much fun! The girls were great sports too. No complaints about the rain. We went on their backstage tour before the show and saw all the costumes, wigs, and dressing rooms. I love that kind of stuff! We also went to the dutch oven dinner....mmmmmmm! The only bad part was that the yellow jackets were trying to share our dinner. Auburn was freaking out so we had to go inside. When it started raining hard we were glad she made such a fuss. The motel has a nice pool and hot tub with a waterfall. Grandma and the girls are putting it to good use this morning. We're heading to the temple today and maybe Snow Canyon, then we're off to Cedar City for the Shakespearean Festival. I'm excited since I haven't been since Lauren was 1 or 2. We're taking the girls to Fiddler on the Roof. I love that show! We'll see how the girls like it. Don't have my camera hook up with me. I'll post some pictures later this week.

Ryan Shupe & The Rubberband

I really love this band. Brook and I went to one of their concerts at Thanksgiving Point for our anniversary a few years ago. They put on an awesome concert! I knew that they were going to perform at the Kenley Amphitheater this summer so I was checking out their website. It is so nice because you can listen to all of the songs on all of their albums with their JUKEBOX. I've been turning it on while I am on the computer. I love their bluegrass/folk/rock/country sound. Check them out on http://www.shupe.net/ and go to the JUKEBOX, then click on ALBUMS to find the one you want. My favorite album is DREAM BIG, but they have a funny song on their new album, LAST MAN STANDING, called CORN DOGS. I really like BANJO BOY, EVEN SUPERMAN, SIMPLIFY and RAIN FALLS DOWN on DREAM BIG. They have a lot of other great songs. For all you mothers, you might like 2 YEAR OLD ATTITUDE on the LIVE album. Here's the BANJO BOY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4IUb6qYGkY and DREAM BIG http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcTDDLavowM music videos. Hope you enjoy!

Happy Flag Day!

Ok, I know most people don't think much about flag day, but ever since Derek was born on June 14th, it's become a little special to us. The flags looked so nice lining the street today (way to go scouts). Auburn has been looking forward to this day for quite a while. She was excited for Derek's birthday and she loves the flag. She made this picture earlier this week and then today she put on her flag shirt and worn her hand me down flag shoes. She looked really cute...sorry no pictures...didn't have the camera with me today. Hopefully she'll wear them again on the 4th.

Ode to Laurie Keller

Laurie Keller, one of my favorite children's book authors

I found this book at the library once while looking for books with audio cassettes. We quickly got hooked. The pictures are so cute, the story is funny, and the little extra comments make the kids (and me) laugh. We bought the book, the game, and the puzzle. I like that they can learn and have fun at the same time.

This is Lauren's newest favorite book. I think it's hilarious! If you've ever taken your kids to Krispy Kreme or eaten a doughnut period, you'll like it. I took the girls to KK the other day so Lauren could buy a doughnut that looked like Arnie.

This is a cute book about manners and the golden rule. My family is in serious need of this book.

This book teaches kids about taking care of their teeth and going to the dentist. Summer - I wondered if it would be helpful for Caleb. Isn't he afraid to go to the dentist?

My kids love for me to read The Scrambled States to them all the time. They never get sick of it. I decided to look up the author and send her an email about how much we loved the book. She emailed me back the next day. I was so surprised to get a response...Lauren thought it was soooo cool. She told us that a sequel was coming out in August. We're excited....well maybe I am more than the girls. I love great kids books with awesome illustrations.