It's a Wrap!

Summer raced by with a ferocity that left us with wind blown hair and blood shot eyes!

But it was GREAT!

We summed things up with some fun and exciting activities such as:

The annual Ward Camp Out

 I admit that we didn't actually camp this year or any year so far for that matter, but it is in the plans sometime in the future. We don't actually own camping supplies and my husband doesn't think a night in a small tent with 3 kids 6 years and under sounds that fun. I can't think why he things that! I actually think the kids would surprise us and be great campers but until we buy a tent and sleeping bags, we will just have to be party poopers. We had fun at the dinner and the kids loved the annual candy scavenger hunt. The night would not have been complete without a ghost story around the fire to give the kids good dreams (oh compliments of one of the bishopric). :)

The Homestead Free Concert Series

We went to hear my cousin Stephanie Mabey (actually 2nd cousin) who is a super talented singer/songwriter play at a free concert up at the Homestead. She has a great newer CD out that my kids make me play on repeat in the car. The CD includes a few songs she did for the EFY soundtrack last year and Ava especially loves the song Glorious. Ever since I told Ava that I had a cousin who sang on stage and introduced her to the music, she has been asking to see her play in person. We made the trek up to Heber for some yummy greasy food at the Dairy Keen and then off to the concert. Ava was fascinated and I could see her plotting her future in her head as she watched. A few months ago Ava was singing and dancing around and I asked her if she would sing a specific song (I can't remember which one but something like Twinkle Twinkle) and she told me that she only sings "original" songs.  First of all, how did she know that word or what it meant? Second of all, she knows her mind and there was no persuading her otherwise. I love watching her creativity growing and developing. She starts piano lessons next month and she couldn't be more excited. 

Ava was enthralled and Claire was a little less so. I think she was more there for the treats!

Ava was a little star struck and couldn't believe she was meeting the girl that sings "If I were a Zombie." Her eyes just glimmered with the hopes and aspirations of her future possibilities. I hope she never loses that belief in herself.

And of course while we were there we had to check out the crater and walk around the beautiful scenery at the Homestead.

Oh, and we made new friends too! Claire again was a little unenthusiastic about one dude who tried to share the bench with her, But she loved Heather (Stephanie's sister who also is a talented singer). She was adorable with my kids and my kids love it when "grown ups" take interest in them. That is a cute and scary prospect sometimes!

Talmage was snug as a bug in a rug as he slowly let his heavy eyelids close and be lulled to sleep by melodic tunes.

 Definitely the definition of a Perfect Summer Night!

Taffy Town Tour

Thanks to our great friend Katy Ramsey, we took the kiddos on a Taffy Town Tour.  The fragrance was heavenly and the kids were too.  They actually behaved very well and were so interested to see how the Taffy was made and packaged. They don't do the traditional taffy pull, but the kids watched while the smoothed cut and separated huge batches. Of course they favorite part was the sampling. They each got to pick the flavor of their choice to sample. Ava tried her hand at reading the label signs by herself and ended up picking caramel apple. There second favorite part was picking taffy to buy in the gift shop when we were done.  There were some pretty incredible flavors. My kids wore their hair net around for days. The two babies, Talmage and Simon even cooperated and wore their hair nets without complaint.

RaNea and Lola Johansen, Robyn Elsie and Von Hardcastle, Katy Ava Sawyer and Simon Ramsey & Us!

Bear Lake for a Day

We had been talking all summer of going to Bear Lake for a day but never put a solid plan in the works. Then my nursing school friend Erin approached us about heading up the weekend before school started because they wanted to go and didn't want to go alone. Some friends from church decided to come too and we made a quick day trip out of it. We were a little slow getting up there due to chaos trying to get out of the house and 2 small bladders traveling with us. We went to North Beach for the first time and it was beautiful. The beach was lined with canopies and kids. The water is nice and shallow but quite a while and pretty warm too. It was perfect weather. As we drove along the beach front road the water was crystal blue and beautiful and Tyson and I immediately wished we were back in Hawaii. 

Talmage loved the water and I think drank half the lake. He would get so mad if you tried to pick him up or make him stand. He wanted to sit and splash as the waves rolled in.

 These girls practiced swimming and just played to their hearts content.

The Sand was perfect for building sandcastles and we all jointed in the fun.

Jaysen brought his raft and took the kids out for rides.  It was a big hit and some good exercise for those who rowed.

All in all I think the day was a hit with the kids and maybe even the dads too!

There have been a few fires that have created some incredible sunrises and sunsets. There have been red suns and moons that are beautifully eerie.

It has been a great summer full of lots of family fun and togetherness and there is no other place that I would rather be than with these 4 people.

Artwork compliments of Ava Anne. She is such a good little artist.

(btw Talmage is sitting in his Bumbo chair)