The Rest of July...

Summer is flying by and the kids haven't yet reached the "I'm bored" stage.  With school starting in a week, I don't think that moment is going to come this year.  Here are a few July memories....

Elsie & Quinn - paddleboat

We were invited to spend a few hours at the "Busby Pond".  Amazing place in the middle of town (private property).  Paddle boats, canoes, zipline, and loads of water fun with friends.

Elsie on the zipline

After scheduling and canceling this particular procedure several times, Anna finally had all four of her wisdom teeth removed (July 13).  The recovery process was a bit rough.  As our 4th child to endure this experience, we were better stocked with jello, pudding, applesauce, ice cream, etc.

Aaron, Brett, Matt - Cache Gran Fondo 100-miler

Aiden, Collin, Quinn, Brock - Bear Den earn fishing award

Our neighbor is a master craftsman with impressive skills and cool tools.  Dale P. made this 'dog sled' for Ruby and had Quinn take a ride around.

First time this summer Aaron was able to get away for a little fishing with his brother, Cameron.

Heather, Aaron, LaVerne

It's been fun to see Tanner's friends returning from their missions this summer.  Jacob C. reported on July 22 (returned from Singapore-Malaysia mission).  Later that afternoon, extended M. family gathered at Chris & Julia's cabin for dinner complete with razor rides.  We drove two cars so we could bring G-pa LaVerne along.  I knew he wouldn't want to stay all evening so I took him home when he was ready.  Aaron stayed longer to let the kids could make smores, hang with cousins, and enjoy the beauty of the Palisades area.

Anna, Brinley, Elsie, Greta

Palisades Reservoir in the background

Uncle Matt brought along some "virtual experiences" the kids had fun with.  I laughed watching Aaron fight a shark while being in an underwater cage.  Ahh, technology!

Elsie, Quinn and Jack (in green) making smores.

I didn't get a group shot but Brandon & Stephanie's family were in town from Florida, Erica & Steve and Jordan, Matt & Whitney (Oliver), Chris & Julia's family, Cameron, Aaron & Heather's family and G-pa LaVerne were in attendance.

This summer Anna has been babysitting Paisley & Jace P. on Tuesday/Thursday from 9-4pm.  The days can get long for her so I planned to take everybody to Rigby Lake for an afternoon.  We were able to cross that item off our bucket list and the kids had fun playing in the sand and water.

Quinn at Rigby Lake

Collin, Quinn, Aiden, Spencer, Cameron, Carlos, Coach Heather
Evelyn, Corbin, Brock, Lily, Sowon

Brook N. and I co-coached our boys' city rec soccer team this summer.  Too bad she happened to be gone for the last game and missed the photo op.  We had a great season and the kids progressed.  

The Nielson family invited us to join them for an FHE boating trip at Ririe Reservoir (July 23).  Brinley had to work but the rest of us enjoyed tubing, swimming, cliff jumping, surfing, eating, and jammin' to the music Monday evening.  We helped break in their new water tube:).

Brook, Jantzen, Heather

Jantzen, Aaron, Heather

Jantzen got up easily on the surfboard.  Paige and Anna made some attempts but when the sun went down, the temperatures dropped quickly!  Matt enjoyed the final surfs of the night before calling it day and pulling the boat in.  It was totally dark. 

Collin, Brock, Aiden, Quinn

Aaron and a few riding buddies.

Cam, Brandon, Olivia, Aaron, Heather, Quinn, Stephanie, Jack, Penny

We hosted an extended family BBQ while Brandon and Stephanie were in town (July 24).

Anna, Elsie, Payton F., Quinn, Aaron

 Aaron received a few tickets to a Chukars baseball game - checked that off the bucket list too!

LaVerne gave the Homestead Assisted Living a try for a few months but happily moved out and returned home the end of July.  He will head for St. George right after Tanner returns home.

Quinn & Cooper - huckleberry picking buddies

Stacie M. and I made our annual pilgrimage to the mountains to pick huckleberries.  We found a fantastic patch and spent four hours picking - each of us brought home a gallon of the precious purple treasures.  The kids and I got our fill of picking raspberries this summer as well.  We froze most of them but made a few batches of our favorite - raspberry-huckleberry jam.

Elsie has mastered the art of making huckleberry milkshakes.

Jantzen & Ethan D. in Provo

Anna w/Avery, Ainsley w/Piper in Logan

Aaron drove Jantzen and Anna (and friends) to UT so each could attend EFY for the week of July 30- Aug. 4.  Jantzen and Ethan (a friend he met at the Logan EFY last summer) spent time on the BYU campus in Provo, UT while Anna and Ainsley stayed at G-ma and G-pa P's house for the Logan Stay-At-Home option at USU.  It worked out nicely that Jenna and her C. cousins also attended EFY that week so Hilary chauffeured the group of girls.