July

On the first day of July, we hit up our local Crumbl cookie-a cookie for everyone to snack on for the afternoon always makes for a good day!

 

Molly and Ivy got all decked out in hula clothes one day.  I don't know if it was for a movie or just for fun.  I'm thinking just for fun.

 

The kids got clever one afternoon and hooked the round swing to the zip line. They had a blast doing that.

Stockton wanted to float the canal since he missed out on doing it last year.  Our weeks were filling up fast so I had all the tubes ready one night when Justin got home from work so we could squeeze it in.  It probably wasn't the best time of day to do it because the water in the canal is super cold and we got a later start than I was planning.  The sun went behind the mountains and so we floated most of the canal with no sun warming us.  We were all freezing.  Stockton pretty much hated it but the rest of us made the best of it and managed to have a good time.  Justin and I both had little girls sharing our tubes and any time they moved, we got water further up our bodies so that added to the fun. We only did it this one time this year and I think we've learned to do it in the middle of a hot day when it would actually feel refreshing.  I definitely need Stockton to have a re-do so he sees that it is a fun activity!

Stockton wouldn't even sit down in the tube

We always look forward to doing a Broadbent swap sometime in the summer.  We managed to squeeze it in but it wasn't completely satisfactory, at least to me.  We brought Grant home after our 4th of July weekend (on a Monday afternoon) just to take him to Stockton's baseball game that night.  He had to play with Brynn and Ivy but I think he actually enjoyed it since the park at the fields is pretty awesome.  They ran back and forth from the field to the park all night.  He slept over that night and then on Tuesday the boys had to entertain themselves since Tuesday was my piano day all summer.  I had lessons from 8-4, with an hour break for lunch.  I can't even remember what they did but they made their own fun, I imagine.  They always do.  Molly stayed with Gavin and we swapped back Tuesday night.

Stockton and Grant

The Brown's drove down from Seattle to spend a couple of weeks in Utah so we were able to get together with them a few times.  The kids and I drove down to the Highland Pond for an afternoon on the water.  Paddleboards, kayaks, swimming, and jumping off the dock for a few hours before heading home.

Brett, Sam, Stockton, Luke

Evie, Brynn, Jake

Someone put Ivy in the garbage can.

This is the epitome of summer on a plate.  It was so pretty and fresh and yummy that I had to take a picture.  Grilled greek chicken salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta with a greek vinaigrette.  Watermelon.  Zucchini from our greenhouse (I borrowed my neighbors spiralizer), sauteed in butter with leftover corn on the cob (I cut if off the cob).  So delicious! 

Since our dinner was so healthy, our dessert was justified.  Banana splits is a favorite of mine.  We had them all the time growing up and I love to bring them back every once in a while.

 

(Justin had purchased a second hammock for a backpacking trip so when he got back from that, he hung the new and the old hammocks up "bunk-bed" style.  The kids have loved having them hung this way.)

I have to include this picture of my mom.  Months ago she made a goal to ride her bike all the way around Bear Lake-50 miles-and one July morning, she accomplished that goal.  She is amazing and I'm so proud of her!

Molly wanted to get Quench-It drinks so that was a Monday afternoon activity.  It's just a drive-thru but a popular spot in Heber!

 

Stockton had an early baseball game that night and Heidi had suggested that the girls go play at her house while we were at the game.  They loved doing that.  We took pizza when the game was over.  Molly went back to Gene and April's with Rachelle, Lizzy, and Tiana. Stockton stayed at Eric and Heidi's with all the boys (Luke, Jake, him, Sam, and Grayson). I brought Evie back with Brynn and Ivy.  It was a giant 3-way cousin swap.  Evie got to spend the next day with us-it was my piano day but we still found time to make soap clouds and jump on the tramp before Heidi came to pick her up.

Eli, Grayson, Luke, Stockton, Sam, Jake

Brynn, Ivy, Evie

Evie, Ivy, Brynn

We were able to see the Brown's one last time before they went back to Seattle.  This was more than we thought we'd see them.  Aaron had come to Utah by that time so their whole crew came up for dinner one night.  I can't even remember what we ate but we always have a good time.  Justin and Rachelle have always had a really good relationship.

Andrew is officially taller than Justin

Stockton, Brynn, Sam, Grayson, Andrew, Lizzy, Ivy, Molly

I caught these two cuties out in the raspberry patch one morning.  They were picking all the raspberries but none were actually making it into the bowl.  They were too yummy and they all ended up being eaten!  I don't blame them.  Justin has big plans for expanding our raspberry patch which is okay with everyone.

Sometimes on a Sunday afternoon, Justin will get out all the stuff for a nacho bar.  Everyone is a fan of this and it usually fills us up so much that we only need a light dinner. 

Molly made this fresh strawberry cake.  It was delicious.
I think this was taken by Molly while we were driving her to practice.  To me, these simple moments are what bring me some of the greatest moments of happiness.

We were finally able to go back to church in mid-July.  We were asked to sign up for a time (we always did the 9:00 session) and wear masks.  It was sacrament meeting only and only for 45 minutes.  We sat every other pew and the bread was put into individual cups.  The deacons carried two trays, one with the bread/water and one for the discarded cups.  The mic was sanitized after each time it was used for announcements, prayers, talks, etc.  It was very different but it felt so good to be back.  For the months of July-October, we were able to attend every three weeks.

 

I have one family of piano students that has two students that come for 30 minutes each plus the mom who comes for an hour.  That means the whole family (those three + an additional two younger kids) come to my house once a week for two full hours.  It sometimes tends to get a little crazy-and messy.  One week while I was working with the mom, Ivy and Layla found some shaving cream and started playing with it on the kitchen counter.  Next thing we knew, it was all over the counter and their hands.  But they sure were having fun!  And it was a pretty easy clean-up, so not a big deal.  It made for a funny picture!

Ivy and Layla Treu

We were able to get into Lagoon once with our Get Out passes.  We had to make reservations and wear masks.  We managed to find a day that worked for everyone on a Wednesday (the Moyes' ended up staying home and going a different day) and it was an amazing day!  The crowds were down and, despite some record-setting high temperatures the week and days leading up to this day, the day was really pleasant and hovered around 80 degrees.  So, we really couldn't have picked a better day.

 

Since it was the only day we would get there this summer, we made sure everyone was able to do their favorite rides, preferably multiple times.  It helped to have several adults that could take different groups of kids to the rides they wanted to do.  You know it's a successful Lagoon day when each kids tries a new ride and loves it!

Molly's new ride was the Sky Coaster.  She's done everything there is to do in previous visits and has been wanting to do this one for a while.  It's $15 extra but she had taken money for this purpose.  She was able to talk Gavin and Tessa into doing it with her.  She was so nervous but ended up loving it, like I knew she would.

Gavin, Tessa, Molly-I did this same thing with two of my cousins when I was about the same age as Molly

Molly, Gavin, Tessa

Tessa, Gavin, Molly

getting ready to go up-Tessa, Gavin, Molly

almost to the top

flying!

conquered!  loved it!  Tessa, Gavin, Molly

Stockton already conquered Cannibal last year so his new rides were Samurai and The Rocket.

Ali, Grant, Stockton on Samurai

Brynn possibly set a record this summer with rides-last summer she was so bummed that she wasn't tall enough for the big swings so she was hoping that she would be able to get on those, which she did.  She also rode Cannibal, Wicked, Colossus, the white roller coaster, and Spider.  She is an adrenaline junkie and loved every single ride she did.  She went on Cannibal three or four times.  Her face the first time around was pretty fun to see!

Christopher, Molly, and Brynn-Cannibal was our last ride for the night

Ivy seems to follow in her older sibling's footsteps and has no fear.  Her new ride was The Bat this year and she was pretty excited that she was able to do that.  Justin spent a lot of time with her while I was with the big kids so there were a lot of pictures of her.

Lucy and Ivy-this was also a new ride in the kiddie area

We love Lagoon!  I was sad we didn't get more chances to go this year but happy we got the one.  It's such a fun day with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all around you.  I love seeing the happiness on my kids' faces.  (And I still love to ride all the rides too.  Cannibal?  Exhilarating!)

Gavin, Tessa, Molly, Stockton, Grant

Lucy, Josie, Ivy

me, Molly, Ali, Lucy, Gavin, Jeff, Grandma and Grandpa, Justin, Ivy, Brynn, Chloe, Erin, Josie, Grant, Stockton, Harper, Tessa, Seth, Christopher

Justin, Harper, Brynn

Gavin, Tessa, Chloe, Molly-because of the milder temperatures, Rattlesnake Rapids had no line.  I think these kids rode it 4 times in a row without having to wait in line!

Molly and Chloe

Stockton, Gavin, Molly, Tessa-after getting soaked on  .  It really wasn't super refreshing getting that wet since the weather was so mild.  They were all pretty cold!

Molly, Gavin, Grant, Stockton, Tessa-the lions at Cannibal had masks on

 

Harper, Seth, Brynn, Jeff on Music Express

Ivy wanted to do a read-a-thon so we all gathered in the living room one afternoon to do some reading for a while.  Then we did a craft.  We made paper fans and Brynn and Ivy had fun making lots of fans.

We dog-sat Zoe for Eric and Heidi one weekend.  She is getting so old and is pretty easy and laid back these days so it's easy to keep her around for a few days.  Although I prefer the smaller size of Cash over a large dog like Zoe.

Pioneer Day-

We always spend the 24th with Gene and April but Stockton woke up with a stuffy nose that morning so our planned hike was put on hold.  We didn't want to stay home all day and Stockton was feeling okay so we tried to find some things that we could go out and do without being around people.  We decided to take a picnic to the golf course, hit a bucket of balls at the driving range, and then go search for golf balls at Huber Grove.  I don't usually go with Justin and the kids to hunt for balls, preferring instead to find a nice shady spot and read my book.  Stockton opted to stay with me this time and we found a neat little trail through the trees that we had never seen before.  The hunters took forever but no wonder-they found 198 golf balls in the river and on the river banks!  Probably their biggest haul to date!  Such a funny family activity but one that they love so much.

 

We went home and washed both cars, made refrigerator pickles with our cucumbers, and had a delicious dinner outside.  Shrimp tacos, watermelon, corn on the cob, zucchini from our greenhouse, and a layered drink made by Molly.  We finished the night showing our kids an old classic-Dennis the Menace.  They were very pleased with the movie and thought it so funny.  It turned out to be a pretty great day!

It's par for course in our family to get behind on our Valentine's Day dates but covid set us back a whole bunch this year.  I finally got out with Molly at the end of July for a dinner and shopping date.  We ate at Zupas in Park City (outside) and did some school shopping at the outlets.  We went home and watched a movie after putting all the other kids to bed.  She had read The Hunger Games a few months earlier and had been dying to watch the movie. I rented the movie and we got all settled in-and got about 15 minutes into it and turned it off.  She did great with the books but the movie was just so intense that she couldn't watch it.  When I looked at her with tears on her face, I knew we needed something light-hearted.  So we did a complete 180 and watched 13 Going On 30 instead and that ended up being just what she needed.

Justin saves soda cans for bb gun target practice so one day Stockton hung a whole bunch out on the pasture fence.  He got lots of practice in since it stayed there for the rest of the summer.  Also, our swing got finished (a long time ago) and I finally had my mom help me sew a cover.  Then I bought pillows to finish it off.  I still want to hang something up behind it on the house-to cover up the yucky siding a bit.

 

Along with the Lagoon pass, we also got a one-time pass to Seven Peaks.  They had no covid restrictions.  We met up with cousins and aunts one Monday afternoon and got in several hours of water time.  All the cousins were able to make it this time.  We left first because Stockton had a game so I snapped this photo of whoever I could get at the time.

Abby, Molly, Chloe, Ivy, Lucy, Brynn

 Not sure what Ivy was doing here other than hogging my laundry basket.  Keeping up with laundry is tough in the summer! 

We rescheduled our Pioneer Day hike with Gene and April for the following Wednesday night.  I have always wanted to go see the wildflowers at Albion Basin and they were going to be over soon so, even though Justin and Molly were busy with Young Men's/Young Women's, I took the other three kids hiking.  We drove to Sandy and then all piled in my car for the drive up to the hike.  I'm so glad we did this hike because it was so beautiful.  The beginning of the hike is through all these fields of wildflowers.  There were big boulders along the way and the kids couldn't resist climbing on every single one.  We stopped halfway up for a picnic dinner that April had packed for us.  And then the final descent to the lake changed entirely.  It got a lot more rocky and steep.  The views were hard to capture in my camera-they were so majestic.  When we got to the top, we were rewarded with a clear mountain lake, Cecret Lake.  I took one picture and you can hardly tell where the mountains end and the lake starts, so clear is the water and reflection.  We didn't walk all the way around the lake but explored for quite a while before heading back down.  We saw a porcupine near the lake and then a moose crossed right in front of us on the way down.  We made a wide berth but it was amazing to see.  The flowers were even more stunning as the sun was going down.  It was breathtaking to see and I'm so glad I made a point to make it, even on a busy night.  We definitely need to take Justin and Molly with us next summer!

cutest little hikers ever!!!

girls and grandma

kids with Grandpa

picturesque

Brynn and Brett

Ivy, Grandpa, Brett, Grandma-almost to the top

look closely-you can see Stockton trying to feed a chipmunk

kids with Brett

me, Brett, Gene, Ivy, Stockton, Brynn, April

moose sighting-you can see the back of it in the trees over Stockton's right shoulder

While we were hiking, Molly was at Young Women's.  They were able to hold activities about once a month at this point.  Maybe every other week.  On this night, they did relay races outside, including 3-legged and gunny sack races.

Molly, Sloane Ellingford, Pallas Andersen, Brooke Turman, Sam Steiner, Kelsey Larsen, Lauren Whimpey, Emma Stinebaugh 

Molly, Sam, Sloane, Kelsey

 

Brynn learned a new trick: climbing up the flag pole.  It takes her almost no time at all.  She is a little monkey and so comfortable climbing around and being up high.

 

We wanted to celebrate Harry Potter's birthday on July 31st but we didn't do anything too fancy.  Stockton, Brynn, Ivy, and I did a few Harry Potter how-to-draws in the afternoon and I had supplies for Molly to make butterbeer for everyone that night while Justin and I went out.

Brynn's

Stockton's

mine

Our summer had been so busy, July especially.  Justin and I were sorely needing some time together just to relax so one night after work and dinner we left the kids at home and went to Deer Creek.  We hopped on our paddleboard and paddled around for a while before heading back to the truck.  We stopped for some cookies and then went home.  It wasn't much but just what we needed.

excited to finally be on a date

 

And that is how we closed out the wonderful month of July.  Whew!  Not only did we manage everything in this post but we also celebrated the 4th for a whole weekend, went backpacking, and did another camping trip.  Stay tuned for details from all of those fun things.  July was seriously crazy-but I wouldn't have it any other way!!