A few of my favorite summer things...

Watching my kids jump up and down with excitement when I came home from Costco with a box of Creamies and then watching them give each other tastes of each kind on the way to the pool.

 Watching my boys get an idea and then work together...

 Looking through old photos and finding this little beauty of my sweetie and his brother in the summer of 1986ish? You gotta love those shorts.

 Speaking of my sweetie, I loved celebrating Father's Day with him. I loved eating lunch at Pei Wei and then watching him hit golf balls until he found the right driver.

 Seeing our 5 year old who LOVES her breakfast, create a note and find a gift for her daddy on Father's Day before she even asked for her breakfast.

 Spending time with my dad on Father's Day.

 And being able to visit with my grandpa on Father's Day.

 The amazing flowers at my grandparents house. Always a treat.

 Watching my hubby and boys fly their new remote control helicopter. Todd won it in a golf tournament and it has been a favorite with the guys. 

 Watching my oldest son leave for high adventure with a backpack bigger than he is because I know he's so excited he could hardly sleep the night before.

 Watching my baby take care of her baby

 Chillin in the shade while my kids play.

 Listening to Mary's details about the David Archuletta concert with her friends and listening to his album over and over.

Project lunch

It wasn't very long into Summer break before I realized that preparing and cleaning up 3 meals a day was going to get old quick. So I borrowed an idea from NieNie. It's called project lunch. Each kid has  one day a week to plan, prepare and clean up lunch (I'm Sara's assistant). We just completed our first week and it has been great for all of us. The kids love coming up with their own lunches and we all love having the variety. They thought of menu ideas that I never would have.

Luke made pepperoni bagel pizzas.

 Michael made beef and cheese quesadillas.

 Benjamin made grilled cheese sandwiches (with white bread- a special request in this house).

 Sara made macaroni and cheese.

 Mary made turkey wraps.

A new record

This month marks 4 years since our 11th move when we moved back to the U.S. from Australia. 

Four years is significant for us for a couple of reasons. 

First of all, we were overseas for 4 years. 

Second, this is now the longest we have lived anywhere. 

We were in our first house in Saratoga Springs for 3 years and 8 months. The next longest time was our house in England for 2 years and 6 months. Our Colorado house came third with 2 years and 3 months.

This is a new record for us.

Now with Todd's calling as Bishop, we plan to stay in this house for an additional 5 or so years.

It's a different mind-set knowing that a move isn't on the horizon.

It's good to be settled although I need to be careful not to collect things now. ;)

When we moved in 4 years ago, we borrowed a few toys and some furniture until our shipping container arrived from Australia.

Here are our kids playing in the cubby under the stairs in 2012 with borrowed toys.

Our kids in the cubby under the stairs today.

 The kids on the swing set in 2012

Our kids on the swing set today

June happenings

Here's what we've been up to during the first few days of summer;

We visited a local splash pad.

 It's been hot enough that our boys head for the water even when they are in their clothes.

An early morning visit to the park (before it was too hot outside).

 Michael got a phone. I've been fighting it for years.  We finally decided however, that it was time. I still have mixed feelings about it, but I'll adjust :)

 Dad and Mary before their Western daddy-daughter date. Mary's comment when she came home that evening; "THAT was SO much FUN! I couldn't stop smiling!" She loved dancing with her daddy.

 Tying shoes is kind of a big deal around here right now, mostly because Sara figured it out and Luke is still learning. He wasn't crazy about having his little sister coach him before church on Sunday.

Luke and Sara practicing for their duet in the Father's Day program on Sunday.

 I'm still adjusting to Sunday afternoons since Todd was called as Bishop in January. Sometimes I find myself trying to stall dinner until Todd is finished with meetings so that we can eat together. 

At the end of 8th grade, Michael brought home a weekly journal from his history class. His teacher had them write about what they learned during the previous week. It was brilliant! Personal history and dinner delayer in one! We're two weeks in a row writing or drawing about what we learned throughout the week. I love it!

 We recently enjoyed an amazing summer rain storm. My favorite!

 Our little gymnast and her Christmas tree. Both of them caught doing what they love. Gymnastics and dressing up.

School is out!

As of today at 1:55pm, the school year is officially done for all 5 kids! Benjamin is finished with elementary school. I can't believe it!

Michael finished school last week although it hasn't felt like summer break for him yet.  

He has already started on his summer homework projects. 

And today he started his 7:30am summer gym class so that he can take more elective classes next year!

 Let the summer fun begin!

Camping and a service project

We're going to try and spend more time outdoors as a family this Summer. So when our church asked for volunteers to help get a camp property ready for summer youth camps, we volunteered.

 We arrived a little later than we hoped, so it was a race to get our tent set up and the dutch ovens cooking before dark. The kids and I started on the tent while Todd started the charcoals for the dutch ovens. This was only the third time we had used our massive tent and I didn't pay close attention when it was set up before, but my Boy Scouts were awesome (and Todd came to the rescue).

 Benjamin was in his element. He loves everything about camping.

 Luke had a tremendous amount of exploring to do...

 Last year's pioneer trek taught us to love cooking in the dutch oven.

 Serving up our peach cobbler. YUM!

 Our guys in the tent.

 Our boys were thrilled to get out their scout knives and make swords.

Mary found a really cool rock that she wanted a picture of...

Sword fighting

I found pictures of wildlife and wild flowers on my camera. It looks like Michael has started his Biology summer project.

The camp had some vandalism over the winter, so Todd and our boys helped build and paint a new shed door.

Then we primed and painted the entry gate.

So if you go to JR Property this summer, check out the new paint job on the entry gate ;)

Overall, our first camping trip of the Summer was a huge success. Star gazing at night was amazing. I definitely want a foam pad or a mattress to sleep on for next time though. After 5 pregnancies, my back doesn't bounce back from sleeping on the ground like it used to!