in full swing...

...summer, that is.

I can't believe how crazy busy we've been over the last four days...and yet we didn't really do anything at all, lol. Here's a quick recap...mostly so I can remember later.

Thursday

The kids had been planning to have a lemonade stand for several days - they even took around little flyers to the neighbors. Who knew the day would turn out to be rainy and cold? They didn't care though - they wanted to do it anyway...and so they did.

We were actually surprised at how many of the neighbors came out to buy some lemonade, cookies, rice crispy treats, chips, and/or fruit snacks. One neighbor who has a daycare in her home brought all of her kids with quarters in tow - it was so cute. And of course, Grandma stopped by and bought lots of goodies...and told them to "keep the change." (the change was actually double what her total was...the kids were thrilled!)


We also went to the county library and signed up for the summer reading program. The kids have already colored in enough pictures (for minutes read) to pick a prize from the prize box...so I'm sure we'll be returning soon.


Oh, and we had some visitors -- in the form of 3 cute neighbor girls with some not-so-cute frogs (or toads) and lizards! The kids were excited. I stayed inside and watched out the window...except for the few minutes I felt very brave and went out to take a few photos...


Josh's game was cancelled due to rain...

Friday
We spent a lot of time out of the house on Friday. We went to the hospital in Provo to visit Grandma Vida and then spent the rest of the afternoon shopping...

Saturday
Of course, Brad always comes up with fun activities to do with the kids on the weekend. Unfortunately, his plans to go 4-wheeling were thwarted by the rain. Instead, he decided we'd go to the pool in Kamas. The kids were absolutely ecstatic. They swam for over 2 hours and were pretty much exhausted by the time we left. I wish our town had a rec center like that one...instead of a pony palace...


Some of the kids fell asleep on the way home from Kamas, so I spent a few hours working while everyone rested. We were planning on grilling dinner...only to find the propane tank empty...so we cooked inside - hamburgers and corn on the cob - and it tasted just as good - we must have been starving!

Zach and Brad decided we need to go for a ride in the mountains. Brad was wondering if the snow was melted up at the pond, so we all piled in the truck and headed for the mountains. We left just before sunset - we counted over 20 deer between Timberlakes and the gate to the pond. On the way back down we saw lots of deer, probably most of the same ones...but we did see one buck.



Of course, all of these photos were taken in a moving truck, through a dirty windshield...but I couldn't resist another photo of Timpanogos.




I love this gorgeous lodge/home we pass every time we go up to the pond...I wish I could see the inside.


We caught this trespasser on film.


Sunday

A pretty lazy day. The kids spent a lot of time making cards and pictures for Grandma Vida. We actually skipped church and went down to Provo to see Grandma in the hospital (I know....no lecture, please.) Then we spent the evening at Mom and Dad's visiting before they left (this morning) on their vacation.

Monday
We had plans to meet Kristy and her kids at the State Park at 10:00 am...but we were up late last night and not ready to be anywhere by 10 this morning. So I was glad when I called her and she said she would do some other things and meet us at noon instead. The kids played at the park and fed the ducks and generally had a great time together. It was nice to be able to visit with my sister...it doesn't happen very often.

After we left WMSP, I took the kids to Park City. I wanted to get the boys some shoes I'd seen at Osh Kosh on Saturday (when we were searching...in vain...for one of those plastic swimsuit covers that you have to have on babies over their swim diapers and underneath their swim suits...another story for another day...). We ended up buying some shoes and a few t-shirts at Osh Kosh. I really wanted to do a little more shopping, but poor Zach was not in the mood. So we grabbed lunch at Wendy's and came home.

I did take the Propane tank to get filled, so we grilled steak for dinner and I cooked shrimp and baked potatoes. Then we were off for the evening. Meagan had achievement days at 4:30 and then baseball practice from 6:00 - 8:00. Josh had a baseball game at 6:15.

The little boys were excited to get out at the baseball field...the headed up the hill, right onto the dirt track. They couldn't believe their luck when the train pulled into the station behind the ball fields. All of my boys love trains!


They also couldn't believe how many dirt hills there were to play on.




They were a bit distracted by the horses in the makeshift stables on the rodeo grounds. Zach kept saying "hi horsey. hi horsey." over and over and over. When one finally looked up at him and made a noise, you should have seen him jump - it was classic. After that, he wanted to pet one...so Brad helped him. Seth was more scared than he was trying to let on. I don't blame him. Horses are BIG!



And of course, we can't forget those green grassy hills. Perfect for running, tumbling, and rolling down...over and over and over again.


Oh, did I mention we were actually AT the baseball game? We were watching it the whole time...from the hill. Can you see Josh? He's running to first base.


Safe.

(I need to take my zoom lens next time.)

I did work on a few scrapbooking projects, a few house projects, and spent some time just hanging out with the kids...so that's where we've been for the last few days. Tomorrow we're planning another trip to see Grandma...hopefully she won't be in the hospital too much longer. We also need to start a painting project in the basement. It's nice not having to throw a silly thing like school in the mix of our busy lives right now -- I am so glad summer is in full swing!