Happy 4th of July

We were able to ride on a float for Jer's work in the St. George 4th of July parade.  The kids thought it was so much fun.  It was actually a big trailer pulled by a semi.  The kids got to throw candy as it went through town.  Next year we definitely need more candy so we don't have to be so stingy but it was a fun thing to do.

Truman was part of the flag raising ceremony for our ward's 4th of July breakfast so was unable to join  us.

Jer and I went for a quick run and then we loaded up and headed to Gunlock reservoir to cool off.  It was really busy but we found a secluded little alcove and had it mostly to ourselves.

After the reservoir we headed back for a quick nap before heading to Cafe Rio for dinner and then off to watch the fireworks.

We were there in plenty of time with a great spot...we thought.  When the first firework went off we realized we couldn't see them from our great spot!  We quickly moved and were able to see the rest.  They did them at a different location this year so we will be ready next time.  The place we watched them from was nice because there were lots of rocks for the kids to climb on and stay entertained until the fireworks started.

Surf Cup

The first of July we made a trip up north for Truman to play in the Surf Cup with the competitive club Cima.  It was a unique situation because Heat had joined with Cima the first of the summer and right before the tournament Cima had backed out.  The problem was the teams were so combined players were having to decide to stay with Cima or go back to heat.  The problem with the 05 boys is there wasn't an 05 boys team to go back to.  Matt who had been coaching Truman on the Cima team really wanted him to stay but we had really gotten used to Heat and felt like Truman had done well under his coaches there.  They were now coaching the Heat 04 team and had previously asked if we would play up a year with them.  We weren't sure how he would do playing up a year but were happy and flattered that they felt he was good enough to play at that level.  We ended up putting him on the Premier Cima team at the time but when they didn't join with Heat we had to reconsider.  Jer especially has no love for the Cima organization and we had had a couple poor experiences with a couple of their coaches.  We decided to put him back on Heat with the coaches (Brett and Dom) that we had so appreciated.  I felt like they were a great fit for Truman and his personality.  I'm a little worried about how much playing time he might get but we will try it for this year and maybe reevaluate next year, especially if they are able to have an 05 team next year.  Soccer for us has been quite the ordeal this year with many choices and decisions to make.  I sort of feel like the kids are in college and being recruited for different teams.  This competitive thing is no joke.  Of course it stresses me out a little but I'm already feeling like things are settling down and working out.  Proud Truman and Tacy for being such great kids and athletes to have multiple teams wanting them.  Truman's coaches from Heat told Jer they were so impressed with his commitment, smart play, and coachable attitude.  

The wagon is seriously the best purchases we've made this year!  So nice loading everything up for the games.

Truman's team did great.  We had told Matt we would play in the tournament with the team if he still wanted us to even though we wouldn't be on the team for the season.  They do guest plays for tournaments a lot so it wasn't a huge deal but still a little awkward.  They won the first 2 games and lost the 3rd in overtime by one goal.   It was fun to watch a little strange to be playing a cheering for a different team.

We also spent a couple half days at Lagoon with cousins.  It was so hot they even got Jer and I to go on Rattlesnake Rapids a couple times.  We got brave because the first time we hardly got wet and the second time we were drenched!

This kid is the best at fake sleeping.  He had us all convinced he was asleep and then started laughing when we had us all fooled.

Aunt Liz had the best idea to keep them cool and happy with a water ballon fight.

On the way home we stopped at the Apple Store to get the kids ipods fixed.  Wish every store had things to entertain my kids!

Lemonade Stand

My kids have always wanted to do some kind of lemonade stand.  I have always not wanted to do a lemonade stand.  Truman and Prentice had been especially insistent this summer so with the prompting or our neighbor saying we could donate the money to a humanitarian effort our ward is doing, I decided I should get on board.  Tacy and her friend took the lead with Aubrey's mom and they made drinks and cooked treats.  They made the sign and got ready for the half day of selling.  Most the other kids between our two families were involved in one way or another and they were all pretty excited about it.  They ended up making over two hundred dollars to donate and I think maybe I don't hate lemonade stands anymore.  At least if they are for a good cause.  The kids are wondering if maybe they can keep just a little of the money next year!

Pine Valley

We went up to Pine Valley to escape the heat that has been pretty unbearable so far this summer! Always trying to think of things to do to cool down a bit.  One Saturday we decided to take the Razor up to Pine Valley and do a trail we hadn't done before.  It was such a great time.  I love how we can relax and get away from everything.  And by relax I mean we still have 4 kids with us who most the time thought it was too hot at 85 degrees.  We stopped for lunch by a little stream and the kids were thrilled to cool off and find crawdads to catch.  After our ride we did one of our favorite hikes that has a stream.  The kids and I were more than happy to cool off and play in the water before we decided to call it a day.

Boys and dirt...

Tacy found the biggest dandelion for Chambers, which kept him happy until we got to the first stream.

Never a cuter sight than boys in their unders!

Happy 10th Birthday Tacy!

Tacy's Birthday Interview

Favorite
Food:  potatoes
Color:  Mint Green
Sport:  Soccer
Thing to do outside:  Jump on the trampoline
Treat:  chocolate peanut butter bars
Veggie:  carrots
Fruit:  pineapple
Show:  Brooklyn and Bailey
Movie:  Trolls
Game:  Clue
Vacation: Bear Lake with family
Thing about school:
Teacher: Mrs. Ward
Scripture Story:
Book: Little House on the Prarie Books
Friends: Aubrey Olsen


Tacy likes to do the right thing.  She is usually quick to get her jobs and responsibilities done, most the time without even being asked.  She has gotten more into reading and even goes to the library with her friend Aubrey quite often to check out new ones.  She always gets good grades and her teachers have nothing but great things to say about her.  They say she does well academically and also has a positive and happy attitude in class.  She is determined in what she does and does well because of it.  She makes friends easily and likes to be social.  She has gotten really good at soccer and just joined a new competitive team, Heat FC last month.  They are ranked #1 in southern Utah, so it is awesome she was able to make it and we look forward to watching her play this year.  She is so good to help me with the little boys and likes to play with them.  She is getting so good on the piano and practices 5 days a week.  She has gotten quite the opinion lately on what she wears and how her hair is done.  I'm sad to say my days of dressing my little girl and putting bows in her hair are coming to a close.

I can't believe she is 10 already and growing before my eyes.  She can even wear my shoes now.  She is becoming a young woman, and I'm not sure how to feel about that.  Most days it makes me pretty sad.  I hope she knows how much I love and appreciate her.  She is one of those kids that makes a mom so proud.  Sometimes I forget to tell her how wonderful she is because she's just so good.  I have a tendency to point out the negative when there is so much good.  We all love her so much and I look forward to making some great memories with her.  Happiest Birthday my sweet girl!

For her 10th birthday she wanted a birthday party.  I looked up a few ideas on pinterest and she picked a "Cupcake Wars" theme right away.  I'm not a big party planner and tried not to go overboard.  It was definitely more work than just taking her and her friends somewhere, but it was so fun for her.

Actual Birthday

Her favorite breakfast:  Pancakes with strawberries and Nutella

Helping to make her birthday cake.

We had church activity days activity at the pool.

She wanted to go to Pizza Pie Cafe for dinner.

Singing and presents with the family.

Birthday Party

The night before her friend birthday party she helped me make about 200 cupcakes.

This little one helped too.  He loved to smell the batter after it was mixed.

Prepping the table while we watched "Trolls."

The next day when her friends arrived we started by watching an episode of "Cupcake Wars."

Next they each decorated their own apron.

Then, the each got to decorate some cupcakes to eat and take home.  They were so cute and fun while they were creating and I loved how they complimented each other on their creations.  They were such a cute bunch of girls and they were well behaved and kind to one another.  Birthday parties with younger kids can be pretty chaotic and stressful for me but this one really was easy.

 When the party was almost over, Jer brought the boys back and they were able to make some cupcakes as well.  I couldn't believe how many toppings they could fit on each one!

Opening presents

Happy 10th Birthday my best girl.  You are loved and so special.  Hope it's a great year for you!