I was thinking about our summer and how it played out differently than I had originally thought it would. We never made it to Murray Pool, Discovery Gateway, the Bees baseball games, concerts downtown, and so many other fun things that makes Salt Lake unique. Our day at Lagoon and the Real Salt Lake Soccer game (both without our kids) may have been the only thing we spent money on (and even then we had big discounts thanks to Wade's work). We needed to be frugal so we could finish our front yard (which we did. Wahoo!) And I even decided last minute to hold a summer camp for 2 months to help us make money.
But I am AMAZED at what a blast we had just doing
the simple things that were either free or cost very little, such as camping, hiking, biking, tubing down the canal, playdates at the park, swimming and running through the sprinklers in our backyard, playing hopscotch, building forts, sidewalk chalk drawings galore, watching the orginal Parent Trip movie again and again, blowing bubbles, eating ice-cream cones, making playdoe masterpeices, and of course playing with cousins. What a summer to remember! And I know that I WILL remember it because for the first time, I learned to really let things go and just live in the moment. Maybe it was the fact that I spent so much time with preschoolers this summer, particulary my own, but they taught me to just PLAY.
I thrive on order. So usually, my house is clean and organized, but not the last few months. It's been a wreck, but I've had some of the best tea parties ever with my kids, so I just didn't care what my house looked like. I have had less mommy guilt because I've been playing with them more and scolding them less for making messes, and it feels great! Don't get me wrong, I'll start cleaning again...sometime. But in the meantime, I'll share with you a few last pictures of our summertime fun.
After teaching summer camp in the morning, I often met up with my cousin, Marne, and my friends, Darcy and Kristal, at Sunnyside Park. A few times, they came over to my house for some water fun in my backyard. Here's Emily, Gwyn, and Salote.
It was hilarious when Marne's daughter, Melanie, got stuck when she tried going down the slide into the pool.
Here's Emily with Marne's twins, Sophie and Emma.
Ironically Darcy also has twins. Here she is with Tuimana. What a cutie! The next few pictures are when we joined Traci and Brynn at the Davis County Fair. Brynn's twins also make me smile, and after spending so much time with all these adorable sets of twins this summer, I'm starting to think maybe I want twins....maybe.
Jonny milking a cow at the fair
Emily taking a turn at milking
Emily and Sammie riding in the little cars
Emily chose a pink and purple sword balloon
Jonny chose a brown elephant and contrary to what his face in this picture suggests, he was actually thrilled to have it. lol
Sammie, Etta, and Emily giggling at the silly noises they were making with their whistles
the best experience of Jon's life: riding a horsie :)
Emily enjoyed it, too, but just not the same way her little brother did.
Emily dipping her head in the water to make what she calls "crazy hair" during another swimming playdate in our backyard
Every summer, it seems we have to say goodbye to more great friends. The Lake family has been really special to us. Elaine is an amazing person, and I look up to her so much. We met in our Gospel Parenting institute class when Audrey and Emily were barely 1 years old, did Joy School and the Mommy and Me Music Class together for 2 years, traded babysitting, and had some memorable playdates. We'll miss you guys!
Emily started dance class with Miss Julie, and she's been on cloud nine ever since. Moms were allowed to stay and watch that first day, and I have to admit I was a little teary eyed watching her dance because she was SO happy! Since she's with me in primary every Sunday and preschool three days a week, her dance class is her only opportunity to be away from me, and it's been so good for both of us.
Miss Julie told them a story about Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella and talked about how a princess would stand. So every time Miss Julie says, "Think Princess!" the girls stand up straight with their shoulders back, dancing hands in place, and a smile on their face. I could just see Emily's confidence grow when she did it. It was really sweet.
one very happy girl
Jonathan
Okay, so green has always been my favorite color, but I am especially loving it lately. You'll see why in a second. Some of you might remember 
It has taken a lot of patience and hard work. 
But guess what?
We finally did it!
Emily and Jon helping daddy. Sorry about the behind shot Waders! 
After a long drive in the car, Jonny takes a minute to rest. Ahh, so comfy.
my two boys with their crazy morning hair-do 
Lucy and Emily with their hula hoops during the relay race
playing tag
Little Gwyn and me
These older boys were crazy about Jonny all weekend. If he was sad because his mean mommy was making him actually eat his dinner, they would come up to us and say, "Jonny, don't be sad. What's wrong buddy?" And of course they invited Wade and Jon to join them in playing water baseball. Later I begged them if I could play too, but mostly just so I could go down the slip and slide at home base...like 50 times. I was loving that thing. It's kind of ridiculous what a big kid I am really. They almost kicked me out of the game because I kept stealing bases so I could slide into home base again.
One of the best parts of the weekend was tubing down the rapids of the canal. We used to do this at every reunion when I was a kid, and I loved it. Still do. Thanks to my mom for watching Jon and Emily while we were gone.
The crazier the waves the better!
Trying to get back to shore before the current took us too far down the canal
Here's a few fun pics of Emily and Jon on the swings on our last day there. They couldn't get enough of the swings the whole weekend. They asked us to push them several times a day everyday.
