Swimming Lessons

Both Parker and Paige took 2 sessions of swimming lessons again this summer. Parker was in level 3 the first session and Paige was in level 2. They both did really well, but needed some things to improve before they were passed onto the next level. So the next 2 weeks they both worked hard in their classes and Parker was able to pass level 3 and move onto level 4. Poor little Paige worked hard, but she is still so small that she had a hard time in the depth of the water. She is able to swim short distances, but has a hard time putting her face in the water and keeping afloat in the deeper water, so she will be repeating level 2 again next summer. I tried not to look at the cost of the lessons and the kids having to repeat the same class over and over. I just want the kids to be good swimmers and to be safe and have fun while they are in the water. They love to go swimming so at least it has given them the confidence to be in the water. They are growing up and turning into such big kids, I can hardly believe where the time has gone!

Kids Weekend part 2

On Sunday, the last day of our kids weekend, we took the kids to Hogle Zoo. It was in the 90's that day and it sure felt like it, but the kids were pretty good about not complaing and we had a fun time see all the different animals. Our favorites were the Elephants, Giraffes, and Monkeys. Parker love the snake area and Paxten seemed to be fascinated by everything. There were a lot of areas in the park that were under construction/renovation which was disappointing, but will give us an excuse to come back next year when it is all done. We packed a picnic again this day into the zoo and the kids rode the merry go round inside the zoo.  After we had seen all there was to see, each of the kids picked a souvenier from the gift shop and we got in the van to head home. All of the kids were asleep in no time, we wore them out! We had such a fun time together. It is great to have a sister to do these fun things with and I think we may have to make this a tradition! The kids loved being together and doing something out of the ordinary, we only wish that Matt would have been able to go with us as well.

Kids Weekend of Fun

Charyn and I thought it would be fun to take the kids on a fun weekend to Utah after school got out. The kids were most excited about sleeping in a Hotel and swimming in the hotel pool! We left on the Friday school got out, after Parker got home. We drove to Layton and stopped for dinner at McDonalds (this is after all a kids weekend, right!) Then we went to Hobby Lobby, our choice, to look around and find a few home furnishings and scrapbook supplies. The kids started to become restless in the store and we knew we had pushed our luck, so we made our way to our hotel. The kids immediately wanted to get into the pool. So we did! They swam for over an hour and had a blast! after swimming we had popcorn and watched TV until they finally fell asleep close to 11! The next day we had plans to visit Scheel's, go to the park for a picnic, and then to Boondocks for miniature golf. The kids rode the ferris wheel in Scheels and looked at the huge aquarium. They ran around at a nearby park and we had a fun picnic. Then in the afternoon we went to Boondocks to play mini golf. I am not sure what Charyn and I were thinking taking 4 kids and 2 strollers to go play miniature golf. The kids were everywhere, except by us! I think Charyn and I managed to actually play a total of 4 holes, which was a waste of money, because we were trying to keep caught up with the kids. It was extremely hot outside so the kids were fussy and whining! We did manage to make it through all 18 holes and then went inside to play some video games. Zander and Paxten had fun playing whack a mole and Parker and Paige liked the ski ball machine. We ended up getting only about 100 tickets, which didn't get very much in return, but the kids had fun. After a long morning and afternoon, we decided to go back to the hotel and let the kids swim some more and order in Pizza. It sure is fun to eat pizza in a hotel room! The kids were exhausted and fell asleep before 10 that night!

Sleepover

The kids have been begging to have a sleepover with the new neighbors, Claire and Avery (who we have know for along time and we were super excited when they bought the house next door!) Last week I finally gave in to the begging. Although they wanted to sleep outside in the tent, I felt it was still a little to cold to do that so the girls came over and we pulled out they air mattress and the kids watched a movie and had popcorn. After 10 pm I finally said it was time to go to bed. Paige and Claire were in Paige's room just giggling for the longest time. I finally shut my bedroom door after 11 pm and told them to go to sleep!! I am not sure what time the finally fell asleep, but they were up at 7 AM!!! Crazy girls!! They hada fun time and I am sure this will be the first of many sleepovers for these kids!! So glad we have good neighbors with kids my kids get a long with!

What We've Been Up to

Since I finally have my computer up and working I have a minute to catch up on what we have been doing this month. The first part of the month we had a family reunion with my mom's side of the family. We get together once a year with everyone that can possibly make it and have a great time visiting with Aunts, Uncles, and cousins that we don't get to see very often this year we had about 60 people there. We had the reunion at Heise Hot Springs and had fun time golfing, swimming, miniature golfing and just hanging out. The weekend wad great until the end when I tripped in a hole and sprained my ankle as we were getting things packed up. It hurt so bad! I have never had a broken bone or sprained anything so this was a first. Everyone around helped me out and made it feel better and I didn't have to do any of the packing up. A lot of people pitched in and got all our stuff packed in no time. I was really grateful to them and all their help. Also I was given the opportunity to have a Priesthood blessing from Matt and my grandpa. It was neat to have that experience and it went right along with the previous days family home evening on Priesthood and Motherhood. It was so fun to see everyone and to catch up on what everyone is doing. I think I have some of the greatest family in the world!!

When we got home after I had rested for a while we met up with some friends, The Maugers, for a BBQ and fireworks for the 4th. It also happend that there was a UFC fight going on too so the boys enjoyed watchin that while the kids played. We had a fun night spent with good friends.

My sister Tara and I got the kids together to take some 4th of July pictures with new outfits that Grandma Kerry bought them. They all looked so darm cute and Little Sister wears her dress often, she really like it.






We have been ejoying going to the park and playing and having school lunch with friends on a regular basis. Also the movies every week at the theater have been fun for the kids. The weather has been really nice and it has been great to have the kids playing outside. We haven't made it to Ross Park yet this summer, but are hoping to make it sometime next week. Hopefully more pictures to come and more regular posts in the near future.

One thing I forgot to mention when I was talking about Heise. When we first arrived I was busy setting up the tent and getting everything ready. The kids were playing with my Aunt Rebecca's kids and having fun. Before I knew it I couldn't find Paige. She wasn't with the other kids and no one knew where she was. This really worried me and I began to panic. The river is so close to the camp site and she doesn't know how to swim, it really got me worried about her safety. Well I let my mo know and soon we were all looking all over the camp ground thinking she couldn't have gotten far. We were all yelling Paige and looking for her. Every moment seemed like hours, and the more time that went on the more upset I became, thinking every horrible thing that could have happened to her. Thinking I was going to have to call the police and Matt and tell him I lost our little girl. I was sooooo worried. We started walking in the other direction towards the river and before I knew it this wonderful man was walking towards us with my beautiful little girl!!! He had seen he wandering and was concerned that she was alone and heading towards the river. Then he heard us calling for her and had the good sense to grab her and walk her back to our camp. Thank Goodness!!! I am sooooo happy that she is alright and that there are still good people in this world. I would have never forgiven myself if anything happened to her! From that moment on we made sure to know where Paige was at all times. She is took much of a wanderer and not afraid of anything!! What a scare!