Signs of Summer

What an eventful summer we've had! We've been going and going! and I think it finally hit us (definately me) this past week and we have been in a summer coma, slightly exhausted and just wanting to hole up in our cool, cool basement watching movies. We are all kissed by the rays of the sun. Hair is lightened, freckles have appeared, and tan lines installed. I confess, I am slightly looking forward to some sort of schedule and that includes school! You can feel a slight change in the morning and evening air. Although we have been in the 90's here (yeah!), it still always drops 40+ degrees at night and there is a crispness now that comes with that drop of temperature.

We've had so much fun going to the lake, swimming everywhere, trips to play with cousins and friends, playdates and our favorite...Family days.

At the end of July, Reagan spent 4 fun-filled days with Aunt Heidi. She swam until she was a legally a fish, got to go to Seven peaks and play with her cousins in UT, shopped, went to the Aquarium, visited with our old neighbors, went to the movies, and ate at Subway (which I refuse to do). She loves and misses her Aunt Heidi and she loved every minute of staying there. Those of us left behind used it to get in some really long, good hikes since she's more of a "when's the end of the hike" instead of a "how long can we hike" sort of girl. Kade's a total trooper though, and hiked over half of a hard 3 mile hike one of those days.

Kade and I picked her up and then traveled to my sisters to play with cousins, and then to my parents to play with more cousins and see Uncle Gary and Aunt Lisa, which is a rare treat :) She's got the biggest crushes on their boys and they are SO SO good to her and Kade. They let them give them wedgies, beat them with sticks, chase them, and love on them. We spent a day at a lake there, and Reagan even took a jump off the cliff with Uncle Gary!! I was slightly afraid but I wanted her to jump anyway. Gary's wild at heart (and actions), and held her tight while jumping about 30 feet! She did not, however, want to repeat the action!

 This picture doesn't make it look near a high as it seemed :)!!

 Dawson and Kade

We then were back "home" for a picnic with Mike's family and an awesome air show by the Blue Angels.

 Brock, Brody and Kade

The first weekend in August we met some dear friends from UT at Lava Hot Springs for a few days of fun. We attempted this last year if you remember, and we all came down with a nasty flu bug :( We stay at a campground called Smith's Trout Haven with is PERFECT!! Nice sprawling, green lawns everywhere, so you don't have the dirt effect. There are a few little playground areas for the kids, and it's typically a quit place. We swam at the Olympic Pool on Saturday and the girls had fun going down the slides. Gossiped, ate good food, and mostly slept well even though it was bloody cold that night. A camper in our future is a definate check!! Sunday we floated the Portneuf River and it was A BLAST!! Slightly nervous to take the kids down it, although it's not a raging rapid of a river, there are a few parts where you spiral around like crazy. But, we saw others going and really wanted to attempt it. We all got wet and had fun. We probably could have done it many more times but only rented the big family sized tube for an hour (not to mention it was quite the hike back to the top of the river).  Sans camera so we didn't get any pics but it would have been awesome to have something waterproof to take them!

 Nothing tastes as good as a roasted hot dog when camping

 The crew..minus the mommas :)

 Piggy backin'

Grandma Judy brought more cousins this past week and we had a fun day at the lake. We LOVE LOVE having cousins and friends to play with! Kade's gotten quite adventurous and wild in the lakes and pools this summer.  He'll wear the life vest only if forced.  It means I'm less relaxed but he has more fun;)

It's now just a week and a half until Reagan will be in FIRST grade! The little man and I will wander aimlessly wondering what to do with our days I'm sure!

Here's to the last of summer vacation, and squeezing in a little more fun!