Camps & Cousins

There have been lots of camps for the older kids this summer.

 Quinn and Elsie finally got their chance to attend a camp as well!

 They were all about participating in the Cloverbud Day Camp (4-H) for a few hours on Tuesday.

 Besides making their own lunch (and ice cream in a bag), they decorated money banks and learned about Marlon the Monkey (money management for little kids), made various crafts, played games and just had fun!

 Later that afternoon, they convinced me to make "Magic Mud" - the cornstarch and water trick.

 This activity allowed us to complete the "challenge options" for the summer reading program the kids have been participating in.  The next day everybody turned in their reading booklets to the library and claimed a few prizes.  Coupons for free ice cream, french fries and cookie dough were among their favorites.

 Jantzen was recently recognized at a Scouting Court of Honor.

 Not too shabby for this 12-year old to be awarded the "Star" rank advancement already!

Jantzen, Carson, Spencer, Porter

 Thanks to his awesome leaders - he's well on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout some day.

 And yes, we came directly from the soccer fields...

 

 The backyard pool we inherited from Bob and Janene has provided lots of entertainment this summer.  Unfortunately, our recent neglect has created a little algae problem so I don't know what its future holds for us.  Regardless, it was a popular place for Will and June to hang out while they came for a quick visit this past week.

 Quinn, June, Will, Elsie

 June and Will are all about their goggles.  In fact, I had a hard time getting a decent picture of them because they preferred spending time under the water rather than above it.

 June was accommodating for this one - only partially under.

June and Quinn

 Despite the crazy windy day, the kids spent a lot of time outside.  We even ventured to the sand dunes in the morning.  Fortunately, we were equipped with sunglasses and/or goggles to protect our eyes.  I didn't bother with the camera but we had fun running and jumping off the sand cliffs for a bit before cruising back to town for swimming lessons.

 We talked of plans to ride the 4-wheelers, swim in the middle pond, ride the carousel, do a few foot zones, etc., but we ran out of time together!  Guess the TP clan will have to come again next year...

Our best efforts at a "selfie".

 Jen and I managed to squeeze in a morning run one day and attend the temple together the next.

 And I should mention there were only SEVEN soccer games played while they were here.  With Aaron out of town all week, it was super awesome timing for Jen and Taylor to help cart the kids around to the various games in the evenings.  Teenage drivers aren't always (ever) available - Tanner works Wednesday evenings and was laying sod for the neighbors on Thursday night. 

 Friday afternoon I picked up Aaron at the airport in time for the four of us to enjoy lunch together at a local Thai restaurant.  Maybe Hilary will come for a visit once she finds out there is yummy mango sticky rice here.  After lunch, we showed them the impressive BYU-I Center on campus and ran into our local fire chief (and bishop) who was just finishing up with a full-scale drill response to a mock biochemical attack coordinated with the National Guard and our fire department.
Good to know they're prepared for such events...

It was fun having Taylor, Jen and the kids around to play.  Now Will can have new memories of our place (instead of his surgery last summer during the P. reunion) .  

Thanks so much for coming our way!