Parade & Annual Water Fight

This years state holiday fell on a Sunday, so a lot of the towns festivities were held on Monday. We started our day off by watching the parade. I witnessed something I have never seen before. When the parade began and the American Flag approached us we all stood up and put our hand over our hearts. As the horseman carrying the flag passed by , I heard him yell, "STAND UP! This is your countries flag!" I was shocked to look over and witnessed a whole group of people still sitting down as the flag passed right in front of them. I became saddened and upset at the same time knowing that people were choosing not to honor and respect our countries flag! By standing for the flag, we honor our country, and those who attempt to serve it in so many different ways. It gives me great appreciation for where I live and the freedoms I am privileged to enjoy! It's sad that those who live and enjoy the "land of the free" wont stand up and support it. :(

As the parade continued I wasn't quite sure what to think about the local county jails entry. A few men in jump suits were riding in the back of a truck as an entry for the parade. That's definitely something we don't want to encourage! The kids were a little disappointed to find out that no one was allowed to throw out candy. During the parade my dear friend Donna walked by with a bag full of candy. Her son was in the parade and had purchased candy to throw, only to find out that he couldn't. Donna started unloading her candy on my kids. Before we knew it she was surrounded by multiple groups of kids kids hoping to get a piece of candy. Donna always saves the day! She's awesome!

After the parade we went over to Matt and Janette's house for our annual BBQ and water fight! This is one of many favorite traditions! It must be the kids satisfaction in drenching the parents! Matt purchased some surgical tubing so we could somewhat have a chance fighting back! Surgical tubing was the water toy from my era! We had some interesting and troubling times with those growing up! Three feet of tubing filled with water quickly turned into about twelve feet! It was awesome! Adam and I turned them loose on the kids! It made it all worth it!

Swimming

The girls just finished swimming lessons this past week. I have been so impressed with the progress they have made! I'm not sure if it is the maturity of the girls or the teaching technique of the teacher that has made such a difference this year? Makell absolutely loves the water! Her teacher Kalie gave her the nickname of "little fish." If the other kids were struggling to get their dive toy, Makell would volunteer to get it for them. The majority of the lessons were spent under the water. :) She loved doing star fish floats. I was amazed at how long she can float for! Kaitlyn did awesome! Her self confidence has soared by leaps and bounds! She loved having races with Kourtney to see who could swim the length of the pool the fastest! Kourtney is amazing! I loved watching her gracefulness as she would swim laps in the pool. Her teacher really worked on the breathing technique with her and she had it down in no time! Adam and I laugh because our kids swim better than we do! We felt reassured by our kids when they told us that if we were ever in trouble while swimming, they could save us! :)

Island Adventure Camp

Talk about one busy summer! I thought the summer months were suppose to be relaxing while taking things easy, but NO... it has been everything but that! I feel like we were hardly home during the months of June and July! With family vacations, girls camp, JYC camp, Island Adventure camp, swimming, and sporting games, the last few months have been a blur. Now we get to begin the "prepare for school craze" which is right around the corner! I will say that I have only heard once this summer that the kids were board and had nothing to do. With only one complaint, I will consider the summer a success!

Double Beauty!

We were so fortunate to see the most beautiful double rainbow a few nights ago! It seems like it's a daily occurrence that we get wet by a small thunderstorm. This particular time the rain came down quite hard and I just happened to glance out the back window to see if it was letting up any. Instead of rain falling from the sky, it was filled with bright/vibrant colors! The kids and I ran out onto the deck to take it all in! To our amazement, it was a complete rainbow! When I was a child someone told me that a rainbow was a smile from God. It instantly made me think of this sweet primary song!

I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain and ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again. I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain. I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

4th of July!

We celebrated the fourth of July with friends! We all got together for a BBQ and then headed over to watch the fireworks in Provo. The kids look forward to this every year! I think the parents look forward to it just as much because we get to visit for hours!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to one terrific dad! Adam is the best! Love you!

Girl's camp with Kourtney!

This year girls camp was a special one for me. Not only did I get to spend four days with with some terrific girls, I was able to spend it with my own daughter Kourtney. It was one of those moments in my life I will never forget! In only a few short months she will enter the Young Woman's program as a beehive. We both think it's pretty exciting that I am her very first Young Woman's leader! This is definitely a time where my little girl transforms into a young lady. We had so much fun at camp this year. Our theme for this year was, "The Happiest Place on Earth". We spent four day at Palisades State park camping, canoeing, swimming, hiking, playing games, and swatting mosquitoes! The first night we were there we went and saw the Mormon Miracle Pageant in Manti, Utah witch was just a few miles away. It was a neat experience for the girls. Many of them were able to share their testimonies with others who didn't share their same beliefs. Kourt loved the lake! Canoeing was one of her favorite things! She was on the lake practically all day with her friends. My favorite part was hearing the sweet girls bare their testimonies of their beliefs and friendships during testimony meeting. Kourt bore such a sweet testimony and I was a proud mom with lots of tears! It was definitely a special time for me as a leader and a mother!