Summer's End

Summer is coming to an end in exactly 8 days. Ugh. I can sense that my kids are getting bored and restless so I think it's time for THEM to go back. As for me? I've never been ready to go back to school not matter my age! After spending the first month and half of summer trying to get all our family past walking pneumonia and the flu I feel like I really need to fit as much fun into these past few weeks as possible! So here are a few of our end of summer fun activities:

 

Play date at a Herriman reservoir with friends

 

We signed Tristan up for his first season of tackle football through the Copper Hills football league. He had a full week of 2 hour a day try outs to see which team he'd be on. He made it on the "A Team" which is for the most skilled players! He (and the rest of us) was ecstatic!

 Way to go buddy!

 



 

The kids and I went to Gardner Village one afternoon to feed the birds some extra bread we had sitting around. Turns out the fish wanted the bread more! We made a trip to the candy store and it was so hot and the stores are overpriced so we headed home.

 

My parents joined us for a little field trip to the Aerospace Museum. I love this place! It is so full of war history and it's so cool to see the different types of planes! It makes me miss being on the USS Midway. I kept thinking I wish I could have been there just once with my grandpa. He would have been telling me all kinds of stories! I miss that man.

 

 

Tristan's football tryouts got rained out after an hour so we were able to attend Bill's work party at the aquarium for a bit. We got to see the baby penguins (which didn't look at all like babies).

 

Saturday afternoon we headed up Big Cottonwood Canyon with Emily, Cole and Dylan and hiked to Donut Falls. We had a little picnic when we got there. I always feel happiest when I'm in the mountains. So beautiful and peaceful.

 

And the not so fun of summer. This sweet girl had to have 2 more teeth extracted to make more space in that tiny mouth. Being the brave woman that I am I had my daddy come support the both of us (just in case I pass out again, ya know).  I can't handle seeing my babies in pain. He was so sweet. He gave Stella a blessing and she was such a trooper! Not scared at all and she said "the shot freakin' hurt!" Can't wait for her to be done with braces!

One more week to live it up!!!

The Rez

A few weeks ago we were able to get away to Huntington Reservoir with the Eichelbergers. They had invited us and we were so happy we could go camping with friends! We haven't been able to get much camping in this summer. It was a fairly close drive and you'd never know it was there if you weren't looking for it!

We had dinner in town and of course as soon as we were all set up the kiddo's  jumped at the chance to check the reservoir out. The section we went to was very rocky and I heard lots of complaints from Stella. Tristan was trying to surf off any small wave he could. Didn't have much luck. The boys all had fun playing on the raft the Eichelbergers brought with them. Our first night there the sunset was absolutely beautiful! It was a wonderful start to our trip!

 

 

 

The next morning the kids were up and ready to go back to the water as soon as breakfast was done! We headed to another part of the reservoir where it was less rocky and there was a big inflatable slide for anyone to play on. We spent a majority of our day there and the kids had a blast playing in the water and attempted some fishing. Ty got the first catch of the day!

 

 

 

 

That evening after dinner we did a little more fishing. The kids were trying to catch some crawdads with some raw chicken legs. Ultimately in the end it didn't work. However, there was some success with fishing. Each night was topped off with s'mores under the stars. One of my favorite parts of camping! Sunday night Tristan and Ty did a few skits to pass off some scouts certification. That was a good time had by all!

 

Saturday we went for a drive, found a lake, and did more fishing. It was a bit slow to begin with, but after a little time and patience T was on fire and caught 3! Stella had a bite but it got off. If nothing else the kids were able to get in some practice of casting and reeling in. Plus it was a beautiful view! In the evening we hung out at the rez and the boys had a mud fight, Stella and Bill played in the water, Melissa and I tried to stay out of the line of fire and find some shade on the dock.

Sunday morning Bill and I were able to get in a morning stroll around the lake before packing up and leaving. It was a great way to end our trip. (But then we had to actually pack up and the kids didn't care too much for that - but we'll pretend it ended on a good note!) We had lunch in a desolate place in the blazing hot sun on our way home. The kids shot some arrows at a target and that was the end of our weekend trip. It was fun and beautiful and relaxing. It was just what I needed! What I think all of needed.