4th of July

We had our annual neighborhood 4th of July celebration on Thursday. All the kids were really looking forward to it because it is always such a blast.  This was our 5th one.  Sunny was missing because she got to go with Mimi to the Stadium of Fire to see Carly Rae Jepsen and Kelly Clarkson.  

We started with a bike parade.  The kids decorated their bikes and rode around the block a few times.  Yes, I know we have a freakish number of kids on our street!

That is Griffin right in the middle with the pink and blue helmet..

Next up was water balloon launcher.  Griffin loved it!

Watermelon eating contest for all!

It was a night of games, fun, music, friends, and fireworks!

Swimming at the Lehi Pool

Yesterday we went swimming at the old Lehi pool with my parents.  I think Mom got more pictures, but this is all I have.  We had a blast and then went out for a fun lunch after we were done.

Night At The Pond

We have had an amazing summer so far.  It has been packed with fun activities.  I seriously can't remember when I have been this busy, or had this much fun.  

Today I am stuck on the couch because I have a pinched nerve in my back, so I am attempting to use my free time to catch up on blogging.  I have tons of pictures on my phone, but usually that is where they stay.  

The other night after Ryan got home from work, we headed over to the little pond near my parents house.  They decided to meet us and we all hung out for a couple hours.  It was really fun.

Mom decided to stick Jack in the kayak (I think it was his first time) and he was enjoying it for a bit.  The only problem was the strong wind that caught him and send him towards the open lake and rocks.  He was completely freaked out (it wasn't a big deal.  The lake is small and he was in no danger).  He wasn't strong enough to paddle again the wind, but he was able to hold himself in place long enough for Ryan to swim over and pull the kayak back to shore.

Girls Camp 2013

In our church, each year all the girls ages 12-16(ish) have the opportunity to go to girls camp together.  I absolutely HATE camping and I HATED going to girls camp when I was a kid.  It was never my thing.  I have not been camping since my last girls camp as a teenager.  

This year, I was asked to be the assistant camp director in our ward.  I was horrified!  This meant that I would have to go to camp and be a leader for the 19 girls we had going.  Of course I said yes, but I was seriously panicking inside.

Our camp was scheduled for June 10-14 up at Heber Valley Camp, which is a gorgeous church owned camp.  I ended up only being able to go for 3 days (Wed-Fri) because of Ryan's work schedule and I was pretty excited about that at first, but now that it is over, I wish I would've tried harder to work things out so I could go for the whole time.

We had the girls do a photo scavenger hunt one night and we decided the leaders should do it too.  Again...totally NOT my thing, but I survived, and it was actually a little bit fun.  Here we were trying to fit all of us in a tight space.  That would be 8 leader in a canoe.

 This was our pyramid.  They were heavy.  I was dying under there.

One morning during our free time, we had a "spa day".  We painted nails, washed hair in buckets, and did facials.

It was so fun to be able to hang out with all these girls.  I really enjoyed them so much.

Savana did not want pictures taken, but we snuck one while her head was in the bucket.

"Why fit in when you were born to stand out"

Turns out this week could barely quality as camping We had beautiful cabins and full bathrooms just outside.  We had a food room with a fridge for my diet cooks and we had all our meals prepared for us down at the huge pavilion. 

While I still don't think I like camping, I truly love all the girls in our neighborhood.  They were so awesome and we had so much fun.  I had a blast staying up late in our cabin and whispering and giggling with them.  I have always been a little afraid of teenagers, but it turns out they are really cool.  I can't wait for next year!

The Learning Club 2012-2013

 Her last day of preschool for the year!

Lila and I went on a special shopping trip yesterday to pick out the perfect dress.  We had a great time and she tried on tons of clothes.

My beautiful girl in her new graduation dress!

With her Daddy.

Sitting in her chair before we started.

Miss Melody called each child up and said a few things about them.  She talked about what a sweet child Lila is in class and how she is a good example to all the other kids.

She also told everyone how Lila likes to bring her gifts to class.  Usually these are random drawings, cut up magazines, weeds, just whatever special treasure Lila wants to give Miss Melody. She told us she had a whole wall where she taped up the special gifts, including the beautiful American Girl doll that Lila cut out of the magazine for her.  

It makes Lila feel so special to know that her teacher really loves these special gifts.

Her self portrait.  Sept 2012 on the left, and May 2013 on the right.

One more of me and my baby girl.  We love her so much!