Absolutely Awesome Eight: July 2019 in Review

Mariah & Anna at Quickwater Camp

For two weeks (June 29-July 13) Anna spent time at Quickwater Camp in Victor, ID. There she participated in all kinds of activities - milking goats, mountain biking, photography, moving sprinkler pipe, a 3-day backpacking trip, daily tai chi, watercolor painting, visiting local elderly (including LaVerne's brother, Dale), singing/devotionals, woodworking, and the list goes on. She brought the "Green Team" together along with her awesome leader, Elizabeth, who adored and appreciated Anna's friendly and willing disposition. You cannot bring 30 girls together from around the country, put them in cabins with zero technology and not expect a little 'drama' - haha!

Anna and Lulu

Green Team performing for visitors on last day at camp.

Anna with leader, Elizabeth

Girls singing for visiting guests prior to departure.

Jantzen - practicing his vertical jump in parking garage.

Jantzen and Aaron spent a few days in Las Vegas for a basketball tournament (July 11-14) and had a great time together when Jantzen wasn't on the court playing games.

The boys were pretty excited about watching and meeting some famous people during the tournament.

I think Jantzen enjoyed eating out. And his food selection seemed to be quite healthy - NOT.

Alas, I see some green, leafy stuff...

AAU Western Conference Champions

These boys from four different high schools in our area play well together. They managed to out play teams from Montana, California, Utah, Arizona and Texas to bring home the championship title. It was an undefeated season for them. Congrats to Jantzen and his buddies!

With Quinn's regular scout leaders out of town, I found myself helping out at Krupp Hollow Scout Camp with the webelos den on July 15. Quinn is the leader of the group and loves scouting.

Hugh, Mason, Quinn, Gavin, Grady

Quinn loved his purchase (rabbit fur) at the cub scout Trading Post.

M. Family Reunion - Heber City, UT (July 17-20)

Back: Jared, Cameron, Aaron, Bob, Bryant, Erica, Chris
Front: Matt, Janene, Brandon

Jantzen, Aaron, Heather, Anna
Elsie, Quinn

House we rented for a few days.

Isaac, Jantzen, Sariah, Garrett, Elsie

Jordan, Matt, Jared, Aaron, Bryant - all on phones

Bennett & Quinn

Isaac, Greta, Quinn, Jagger, Jack, Faye, Jett

Bonnie & Tyler, Breanna & Ryker

Fishing at nearby hatchery

The pay-per-pound fishing excursion got pricey.

We took our bikes along and climbed a few mountains.

Lots of great food. Took turns preparing meals.

Stephanie, Janene, Jared - watch while Chris prepared the fish for dinner.

Jantzen helping Jett with "Guessing Game".
Each family member got to guess number of items in each container.
I won a snack-pack this year!

Anna & Lillian - did a lot of sleeping!

Oliver & Aaron chillin' in the kitchen.

Visiting the local ice creamery.

Janene, Heather, Jantzen

Sariah & Elsie

Whitney holding Rose, Heather, Stephanie, Faye

Brandon's Stephanie, Julia, Jordan and Jared made serious progress on this puzzle!

Let the night games begin!

Bryant - explained rules of the 'game'

The little cousins had a great time chasing after Jordan, Garrett, and Jantzen to grab treats off this t-shirt. Afterwards, a large group of adults/kids played "missionary tag" for a LONG time. It was a major work-out running around trying to catch the younger kids. Quinn was especially speedy! The game of "Four Dollars" was a hit for all that participated. Those of us that were busy getting babies to bed were glad it was played outside by the pool. I didn't get a picture of me holding sweet little Rose (born July 1) but I was happy to skip out on the game to help Whitney instead.

Penny, Jagger, Oliver, Jett, Jack, Greta, Bennett, Quinn, Faye w/Jordan

Garrett's turn to be chased.

Quinn reaching out to Jantzen

Alyssa, Erica, Steve, Jordan

Night games for the older kids.

Jack, Jagger, Quinn, Jett

Loved the family devotional on our final evening.

Bonnie & Heather - morning clean-up duty
(and too many late nights!)

After a wonderful reunion with everyone (except - Tanner had finals, Jameson in Oregon, Brinley in Texas) we packed up and headed out stopping at the outlets in Park City briefly and meeting a guy whom we bought a new bike rack from off KSL. Calculating it to be the only chance we would have to visit with Taylor & Jen's family during their time in the US, we drove to Logan for a late lunch Saturday afternoon. Out time together was too short but something is better than nothing!

Hilary, Taylor, Heather

Our own little P. family reunion - at least with a few of us!

Dad using his new smoker to prepare lunch.

It's been a hard summer for Aaron's bike training with his broken toe. Happy day when that darn toenail finally came off.

After the M. reunion, a few of Aaron's siblings from far away lingered a little longer. Penny, Jack and Quinn trying out G-ma and G-pa M's new hot tub.

Pack Night - Quinn received several awards for his summer efforts.

Bonnie, Bryant and Aaron - surprise run-in at IKEA

Aaron drove to SL (Friday) to get a few items for his new IF office space and so he would be closer for the Saturday morning (7am) pick up of Anna and her friend, Grace, in Provo. What are the chances he would run into these two during a random stop at IKEA?

Anna - kneeling with rose

Anna and Grace attended the Provo EFY July 22-27.

Anna and Grace

Girls in Anna's company - she's 4th from right

After picking up Anna and meeting Grace's mom in Brigham City, I drove from home with the other kids and we met up with Bonnie and Bryant's family for a day of boating at Willard Bay (July 27). In great anticipation, we all loaded up and started out of the marina only to hear an alarm go off. Long story short - mechanical problems prevented us from spending our day on the lake. Instead, we hung out at the 'beach' and let the kids play in the water and visited a bit before making the drive back home. It was a bummer but at least we packed our coolers with plenty of snacks!

Bennett & Quinn

Bryant & Aaron - the only shade we could find was near the dumpsters - haha!

Bonnie & Breanna with the twins

Aaron with Ryker?

I always enjoy talking with Bonnie and we never run out of conversation topics. Alison drove down from Logan (will be attending USU) to join the group and hung out with us for a while. Breanna took the twins home for a nap and a little quiet time for herself! She's a busy mama with those boys. Derek missed the reunion as he had to work (moved to Kentucky) but flew to UT a few days later to welcome Jameson home from his mission.

Stephanie & Heather

Jantzen, Jared, Stephanie, Isaac, Sariah, Quinn, Anna, Elsie, Aaron, Tanner, Grant

Jared & Stephanie lingered after the reunion so they could bring their two oldest kids out for college. Sariah will be attending BYU-I and living with G-ma and G-pa M this first semester/year. Alison will be attending USU until she leaves on mission this winter. They came to the mainland from Hawaii with four children and returned with only two of them!

Kayla, Tanner, Anna, Elsie, Paige, Jantzen
Collin, Aiden, Brock, Quinn

Our second chance at a boating adventure was also met with some challenges (July 29). We had been looking forward to our FHE with the Nielson family for a while. Initially the weather cooperated and a few people actually got out on the water before the lightening/thunderstorm struck. It was a crazy experience trying to quickly get to shore and load the boat up in the furious but short-lived rainstorm. With such busy schedules, we weren't able to coordinate for another time and literally had to take a 'raincheck' until next summer.