Bear Lake - Thursday: Sand & Relaxation

After swimming and showering it was pajama and playing time.  We started off the playing an awesome game of Left, Right, Center.  We used starburst and everyone had so much fun.  The kids loved being able to play and eating the candy.  While playing Rich brought in two big trays of cookies and that was the after game dessert.

We decided to all go outside where it was beautiful.  The boys played some sand volleyball while Allie and Megan played on their scooters on the back deck.
It was perfect weather and we loved sitting on the porch watching the kids play while chatting with our siblings.
Us girls then decided we wanted to go for a walk before it got too dark.  So everyone went inside to play and us ladies went on a nice walk.

We ended up going further then we thought we would because we thought we were taking a short cut that ended up being a dead end.  I was glad because I wanted to go on a long walk and it was perfect weather and great conversation.
It was getting dark by the time we got home and the boys were surprised how long we were gone for, but they did a great job putting the kids to bed for the night.

Bear Lake - Thursday: Travel & Swimming

After the kids last tennis lesson we loaded up the car and started our trip towards Bear Lake.  We first stopped in Logan and went to Gossner's Dairy to pick up some flavored milk.  The kids liked trying the different cheeses and picking out a variety of different flavored milk.
After the dairy we headed to the Pepperidge Farm factory in hopes of finding some cookies and/or fishy crackers.

We lucked out and found a big bag of princess fish crackers (pink cheese crackers).  They didn't have any big bags of cookies, but they did have some smaller bags that the kids wanted.  It was a successful trip to the cracker/cookie store.
After we got our goodies we went to the ice cream factory (Fat Boy Factory). The kids each chose their ice cream flavor (and Tony too) and then they all enjoyed their yummy cool treat.  I enjoyed watching them eat it and dreaming of the day that I will eat ice cream again.

After our ice cream trip we had one more stop before going up the canyon.  We needed to go to Sam's Club to pick up a few things for our trip.  After Sam's we then headed through the canyon and made it to our house in Bear Lake.
Julie and Kevin were already there when we got there and so we were all unpacking our cars together.  We got everything in our rooms and put away in the kitchen.

I then started getting dinner ready for everyone.  After we all ate a yummy dinner we got the kids in their swimsuits and let them play in the water that was right up to our property line.
It was fun sitting on our lawn and watching the kids in the water.  They had a wonderful time playing in the water and didn't want to get out.
But they finally did and we got them cleaned up and put in jammies.

We then let them played for a while before sending them off to bed.  It was a great first day at the house and we were all excited for the next few days of fun with family.

Candy Necklaces

Around Easter I bought a candy necklace making kit.  I had been saving it for a special day and this day was the day.
I had a project that I was working on and I told Megan that I would get her something special to do after I was done.  She was patient and I got out the candy kit.  All four kids had a great time making (and eating) their necklaces.

Tennis Lessons

I put the three older kids in tennis lessons for two weeks.  They all really loved it and it was fun to watch them play.
There was a park close by so Allie and I spent most of our time playing at the park with some other little kids while the older kids played tennis.
I am glad that they did it and I think that I will have them do it again.  It was the perfect summer morning activity!

Back Yard Swim Fun

We love swimming in the pools and sliding down the water slide in our back yard.  Allie even did really good in the cold water.  At first I had to hold her hand while she slid down the slide, but after a few times she got brave enough to do it by herself.  She has got much more comfortable with the pool, slide and playing in the cold water.  These kids are so fun to watch.  I am such a lucky mama!

Water Time at Julie's

Julie invited us over to her house to swim in her pool and play with her kids.
They had their pool all ready for us when we got there.  They then found out that the pool had a leak so the kids played in the water until the water was all gone.
When the water and pool got low Bingo decided to join the party.  Tyler loved playing in the water with the puppy.  It was pretty adorable.
Allie actually got wet this time, unlike last time when she wouldn't play in the sprinklers.  She had fun splashing around with the other kids.

After they were done swimming all the kids got changed and played in the house.  They wanted to practice their singing and dancing to "The Greatest Showman" for the family Bear Lake trip.  They sure love that show.
The kids all had a great time and so did I.  We love our family time!

Megan's Dance Recital

Megan had her Spring recital for dance.  She was so excited to perform her dance on stage and to get a trophy at the end of the program. 
She did such a good job and knew all of the steps.  We were lucky that Grandma Margie, Papa Lloyd, Nana, and Sherri and Graham came with our family to see Megan in all her glory.  We are so blessed to have such a supportive family and such a great little dancer in Megan.

Fun Times at Aunt Julie's

We went over to Julie's house the other day to hang out in the summer sun.  The kids got into their swimsuits and got out the fun sprinklers and had tons of fun getting wet.  They put one sprinkler by the trampoline and played with that too.
Allie had me change her into her swimsuit and then decided she didn't want to get wet or even be outside...adorable.  So I set her up at the kitchen bar with a bowl of crackers and a tablet while the rest of us went outside and enjoyed the sun and water.
Megan loved playing in the little sprinkler and the boys loved the wiggly sprinkler and playing on the wet trampoline.

When the kids were all done with the water they changed back into their clothes and wanted lunch.
We all ate lunch and hung out.  I love chatting with my sister and the kids all love playing together and generally play really well together.  It's so nice when Julie is out of school and we can all get together and just hang out on a lazy summer day.

Tyler's Last Baseball Game & The Team Bat

Tyler had his last baseball game of the season last night.  He got to play catcher the whole game and did a good job.  The sun was right in his face and I worried that he couldn't see the ball coming, but he said he could see and stayed in it.
I am so proud of Tyler.  His coach told the team at the beginning of the season that he would give the most improved player a bat when the season was over.  He gave Tyler that bat last night and told him that he was impressed with how hard Tyler had worked all season and that he greatly improved his skills.
Tony was able to be an assistant coach and really got some quality time with Tyler and the other boys.  We have loved watching Tyler play ball this season and especially seeing him be able to play catcher.  Tyler has wanted to learn how to be the catcher since starting baseball last year.  I am glad that this coach finally gave Tyler a shot.  He is super motivated to get better and wants to play fall baseball.  This mama loves watching her kids doing what they love!

Josh's Last Soccer Game

Josh has really enjoyed playing soccer this season.  His favorite position to play in goalie.  He only got to play it a few times because lots of the other kids wanted to play goalie too.  I must say he does a great job at being goalie and it's fun to watch him get into stopping the ball.  Josh is a silly kid who loves to play but isn't super competitive (like his mama).  He wants to continue playing and I think that if he tries hard and is aggressive will just get better and better.