Summer Stuff

The day after returning home from the M Reunion, Brinley packed up again and this time she and Alison were headed for Girl's Camp. Since Jared & Stephanie's family were in town for a few days, we arranged to have Alison join Brinley at camp for part of the time.

Early morning shot of Brinley and Alison in their tie-dyed camp t-shirts.

 It was especially fun for Brinley to have her cousin at camp this summer!

Meanwhile, the other kids played plenty with the rest of the cousins (Sariah, Grant, Isaac)...

...and managed to find the neighbor's mud.
Our neighbor's are working to put in a yard and didn't seem to mind the extra bodies creating havoc - but I did!  It was quite the clean-up project.

Mud-bath anyone?

Now that Jantzen is 11 years old, he can attend the overnight camp-outs with the deacon's quorum (since Aaron is always there).  I guess that's one positive about Aaron's frequent camp-outs...

Sunset from the Sawtell Peak in Island Park

And Mom made good on her birthday gift - after changing paint colors mid-project.

Not exactly the easiest wall to paint.
Steve P. would not approve of the acrobatics required on my part to get the job done.

Jantzen loves the final result.  And so do I.

Speaking of birthdays, Tanner decided to celebrate his half birthday this year.  He thoroughly considered all his options and determined he would rather get his gifts in the summer since Christmas is so near his actual birthday.  He had a list of outdoor backpacking/camping items that he "really wanted/needed" - and we had access to a discount catalog situation - so we jumped on it.

Proof of purchase - we'll remember this when December 16th rolls around.
It was a win-win for everybody!

 

Raspberry picking time.  The kids have spent hours in G-ma's berry patch.  And Brinley has become very proficient in making freezer jam.

Bread-making also made the list of things for Brinley to learn this summer.
This loaf (along with jam) was delivered to a ward member who just had a baby.

Great job, Brinley!  The bread was delicious!

Pea-picking is the second favorite item to collect in a bowl around here.
The sugar-snap peas are a definite repeat for planting next summer.

Our garden is a mixed bag this year - a few wins (onions/peas/spinach/carrots/squash) and a few loses (tomatoes/beans/basil).  Note to self - DO NOT use old seeds:).

Good friends - Shane & Anna G.- stopped by for a visit en route to a family reunion.  They currently live in Arizona (and Japan before that) so it's been several years since we've actually seen each other in person.  Between the two of us - we have 11 children!

Shane & Anna with Heather & Aaron
We all share the same magical age - 40 years young!