The month of August.

Well, nothing like getting caught up for the last month in one fell swoop.

Ang invited us to visit the Bean Museum with her, Linc, & Dylan.  We had never been before and were duly impressed.  Such a fun place for kids to see cool animals up close.  I had the kids stand in front of their favorite animals for a picture, but it was before we had seen the whole museum and I'm pretty sure the bug collection was the whole family favorite. 

After we walked over to the creamery for ice cream and ate it out on the lawn. 

Yeah for ice cream, summer, and cousins!

They were supposed to make grumpy faces but I guess the kids were having too much fun.

The ER department was having a get together at the Trout Farm in Spring Lake on a Sat. afternoon so of course we packed up and left.  Zina and Wilson both caught a fish and Mark had fun doing the "fishing" thing with the kids.  Sam was super tired, hot, and ornery so the trip wasn't as fun for me, poor thing.  Afterwards we went and got snow cones and ate them on Grandma & Grandpa's patio.

Yet another Sat. found us at the Utah County fair.  The kids loved running around with their cousins, eating cotton candy, petting the animals etc.  This was one million times better than the AZ state fair.  Smaller, less people, and just relaxed with some great country music.  It was just how a fair should be!

Kate preparing for winter.  

Moody's Cabin - Scofield, UT

Grandma & Grandpa's friends let us hang out at their cabin one weekend.  We planned to leave by 2pm but by the time we had the fishing boat, the trailer & rhino, etc etc etc all ready to go it was more like 5pm.  We still had a great time though and since I had dinner for Thursday night I had yummy fettuccine Alfredo, foccacia bread, green salad and a keg of root beer ready for all those tired grouchy tummies. :)  And then I made our signature puffed wheat squares and got everyone addicted. :)

The kids on the drive up:

Wilson went to bed super late Thursday night but he was still super excited to wake up early (8:30) and go out fishing with Grandpa, Mark, and Trisha.  

Too bad they only caught 1 fish and 2 crawdads.  :) Later we took the canoe out and went swimming.

Nice life jacket.

Then we tried to get back into the gated area where all the big cabins were.  Mark was CONVINCED he could do it and led us up the 4x4 paths.   It was pretty comical.  But alas, he was right...AGAIN.  And we beat everyone else home by a long shot. :)

He even had to pull the fence apart and put it back together.  Nice hat!!

That night we had a wiener roast with watermelon and corn on the cob.

Sam carried his corn everywhere, as per usual. 

Mmmm smores.

Sat. morning Grandpa (who is friends with everyone it seems)  talked to his buddy at the scout camp who let us go play on the docks and do some swimming.  It was way nicer than where we had been before and we had a lot of fun.

Mark and I jumped in and swam right over and swamped that canoe

Boy were they happy to get in the water.

This picture cracks me up.  Lincoln didn't want to get in the water and Joel was bound and determined that Lincoln was NOT going to wuss out.  We were all giving Joel a hard time about it when all of the sudden Lincoln said "fine" and jumped in and pulled Joel in on top of him.  It was hilarious.  And Lincoln is not a wuss after all. :)

I'm not going to tell how many attempts these pictures took. :) Grandpa was running the camera and for some reason we just could NOT coordinate the timing.  Finally we tried it with Mark's Iphone and got these ones.  The last jumps of the day.  We'll blame it on the camera.  We got some good laughs in over all our failed attempts anyway.  And just so happens that on the last jump we broke the dock...oops.

Check out the progression of a jump in order from Jade (in the water) to Joel (foot almost to touch).  Each face is also very funny.  

Talk about elevation there honey, wowsers!!!

We lined up youngest to oldest

Jade, Josie, Lee, Mark, Becca, Joel, Trisha, Judy

Mark and I were able to go on a couple of runs (not together, sadly) and it was so great to be out in the fresh air with just a dirt path and the tops of the mountains.

 Yup, Sammy is addicted to puffed wheat squares too. :)

 Grandpa the photographer. :)

Kids getting creative in the "craft" room.  I went to the dollar store right before we left and the kids had a  blast with the few things we bought.   In hind sight... so glad!

 Another run.  This time in the evening.

And these are a few summer extras

Grandma, Marilyn, Zina, Kate & Piper.

 Weeding the garden out at Marilyn's.  You can't tell but there is a wheel barrow under that pile of weeds. :)

 Sammy just lounging at Grandma's table enjoying his favorite summer treat.

Corn on the cob. 

 Mark and Joel liv'n it up with Jake Heaps at one of BYU's open football practices.
Joel had to have a picture with him and Mark wasn't opposed.
Now he won't wash his shirt, so I did.  

 Our backyard Mecca.  I.love.it.  Maybe someday my house will be clean enough to take pictures of.  But don't get your hopes up. :)

And last but not least Kaitlyn's baby bump. 

 Baby shower pictures to come sometime after Sat! :)

It's been a good summer.  I feel so blessed.  So much to be grateful for.  Now bring on the Kindergarten and the fall leaves.  I am SO excited for Autumn!!