4th of July Hike
We spent the 4th checking out a new area on the Yuba River. There was a nice, easy hike down to a swimming hole we thought we would check out. Well, the hike wasn't so bad until we go to where you had to break off to get to the swimming area. The kids took a few tumbles down the hill to get there, but the spot was amazing.
I think Nathan jumped and skipped the entire way. This kid is crazy!
My mom looks way excited to hike, right?! :)
For Bailey, of course, this was nothing compared to Yosemite. So a nice leisurely stroll for him as the rest of us are grunting.
I cannot tell you how amazing the water was up there. It was super clear and there were all sorts of places to explore.
We had to convince Gid the water was OK to swim in. He was not so sure about it. Emma was the first one to get him in the water with a stick.
Bailey and Ben jumping from the rock.
The water was beautiful and the kids loved exploring. Ben ended up hiking back up and then we started walking up the road (which we didn't know existed before...oh well) until we met up with him.
Later that night, we walked to the school down the street to watch the fireworks show from McBean park. We all were exhausted from the hiking and swimming and probably could have just stayed home and been happy:)
He kept asking when we could go home and sleep.
In July every year, Chick Fil-a gives out free meals if you dress like a cow. This is our second year, and I wish we had jumped on the bandwagon sooner! The kids actually enjoy it (even Bailey if it means getting to order anything off the menu you want)
We met up with two other families and also took advantage of the fact that is was July 11...Free Slurpee Day on 7/11!!!
July brings the celebration of the birth of Bailey
He turned 13 this year...13!!! It's still crazy to think about. We went to Leatherby's to celebrate with family. He heads into 8th grade this year. Now we officially have a teenager in the home (the three girls don't count, even though they like to act like them!)
In Nathan news, he lost more teeth and is now helping with the dishes one week a month. He LOVES doing dishes and keeps asking to let him be the only one who does it. He actually isn't bad at it, so it's tempting. But then Bailey and Emma wouldn't get the chance, and they would be oh so sad, of course:)
Emma has a new piano teacher now and is still progressing really well. She can play simplified versions of primary songs and hymns. It's nice to see her do so well and music in the house is wonderful!
Our family friend, Alyssa, left to serve a mission at Temple Square. The girls miss her a lot and write letters all the time. I try to gather them and send them to her as much as I can.
Kate and Addison are also now official swimmers! A friend of mine in our ward volunteered to teach them. It was so fast and they were jumping, swimming and having the best time. This makes it easier when we go places to swim so I don't have to worry (as much) about them in the pool.
They spent the summer doing so many fun things, we liked to have rest time too:)
I felt like a lot of the summer was taken up by girl's camp prep, but we tried to have fun as much as we could with swimming, lake trips, going to the library, etc...
Of course, I have to include some of the pictures of my time at camp.
The whole gang (minus the 4th level hikers)
I always love being able to spend time with friends who live in the Stake. It's a great bonding time for leaders who don't see each other as much outside of camp each year.
The girls and I always have fun together.
I like to dress up as much as they do. Nothing says girl's camp like a fake beard and an E.T. shirt. It says "It's all Good In The Hood"
I don't participate in the Challenge course because it's all heights and that freaks me out. But I will don the safety hat and take pictures.
At tomahawks.
Our three ward leaders: Me, Tiphanie and Lena
I didn't get a front pic of my NKOTB shirt, but it was a hit with all of us (older) ladies
So, this hike. Let me tell you... Oh my. It was beautiful, yes. Dangerous, yes. Well, for me it was terrifying. At one point the so called "trail" was only able to be crossed if you held on to the bushes on the side of the mountain. If you didn't, you might slip and fall sown the steep side, crashing into rocks and then eventually the lake. We eventually found out the lake wasn't accessible that way and had to turn right back around. It took a lot for me to get to that side, and then I had to go right back! But I am alive to tell the story....
More yurt pictures
The girls practiced and practiced the Haka for one of our morning jingles. It was amazing! We got so many compliments and even won the jingle award for that day.
At our family history station, I spent some time with William and Kate...no biggie
We get really delirious at camp which usually leads to weird conversations and faces
Prior to going up, I had the girls all make rock frogs to take up for decorations. They turned out so cute.
Every year at camp, I have had some sort of encounter with this girl. It was her last year at camp, so we had to take a real picture. Usually I would just find random pictures of her on my phone when left unattended. Before I knew her, I spent a good chunk of the =day walking around holding the picture up to girls trying to figure out who kept messing with me:)
Our theme this year was Tiana from Princess and the Frog, and our woman from the scriptures was Eve. So, our Bayou Garden of Eden needed an Adam... get it?
When I got back from camp, we headed up to Tahoe with my family for the weekend. Bailey loved learning to play pool.
The twins were pretty worn out from the activities. This was the only picture I got at the lake. It's too bad because it was all of our favorite day up there.
Emma played darts in the cabin, and was able to be the officiant for the enchilada contest.
Which, of course I won!!!! My brother needs to learn to not challenge me on this kind of stuff:)
And so our summer rapidly came to a close. School has already started and I really need to upload those pictures before they are all in college.
And so our summer rapidly came to a close. School has already started and I really need to upload those pictures before they are all in college.
