July 2011

What a busy, fun month! Although Mila was down in Chicago with Ali, we were still pretty busy. We started out with our traditional 4th of July picnic at the Bairds. Earlier that day Tal attended the parade with the Lines, and that evening we all went down the block for a cookout and Devan's awesome fireworks show. Rowan played in the splash pool with the big kids. Good times.

Later that week Tal and Devan went to the Father and Son Outing which was held up on Hawkes' property. Tal had a great time chopping wood and afterwards he and Dev did some target shooting.

Our friend Janell, who had lived in the Omatorium for a few months, headed back to Boise . . . news about an impending change in marital status is expected any day.

The week of sisterly fun took up most of the planning for this month: it was truly a feat! On Sunday, July 10, the Tal and Ro and I left after church and drove down to the Daws. On the 11th, Beebs and her big kids and Tal and I went to Cowabunga Bay, which is an amazing swimming place near their home. We got a babysitter to watch Ro and Brennan and Elise. We have wanted to go there for over a year--we always see it as we drive to and from Beebs. Although Mila wasn't with us, we hope to get back there sometime soon. Tal and Weston and Aidan had a great time on the lazy river and going down the waterslides. I even braved some of the slides myself!

On the 12th, Alison arrived with Milena and Meredith. Earlier that day I drove Tallis out to aquarium camp at The Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy. It was such a fun program! He went Tuesday and Wednesday mornings--he'll do a write up for the CuzChron. Elise and Ro had a great time playing with Meredith. Beebs' backyard is set up PERFECTLY for kids to play--even little kids. So I could set Ro free out there and not even worry! He had such a great time.

On the 13th Tal went to camp on the morning and we all went in the afternoon to pick him up and tour the aquarium. Even though it is small, it is a fantastic place! There are lots of fun exhibits and the camp was great. After we picked Tal up, we all went to a park near Beebs' house, ate a picnic lunch, and played on the SplashPad. We celebrated Meredith's recent birthday with cupcakes, too.

On the 14th Milena did some babysitting for us while we went to Kohl's. Combined, we saved over $500 (we threw away the receipts, so I don't know the exact amount) plus we got $50 Kohl's Cash! We combined all of our coupons and used Beeb's charge card. (The more you know . . . )

The 15th we picked Hil up and had a movie night on the big screen in Daw's basement. We watched Inception, which was pretty good! Some Facebook hacking also started to take place on this day, regarding swimming pools and boogers. Enough said.

On the 16th Tal and Ro and I picked up Mila from space camp and she gave us a tour. What fun! She will write a description for the CuzChron. On the 17th we were all feeling pukey--some of us even becoming pukey in actuality--so we stayed home from church and did laundry. Monday, the 18th, Ali and Mer flew out and the kids and I stayed at Beebs and rested from our labors. That evening, at FHE, Rowan was irreverently running through the room and tripped and hit his head on the handle of the chest in Daw's living room. He bled like mad and I had to run him in to the ER for four stitches. He kind of looks like Harry Potter now. Throughout our stay we did fun crafts with the kids, including a lot of play dough and making sun visors for all of the little cousins (basically, that is everyone but Ethan, who is a big cousin and might not want a foam sun visor).

Tuesday, the 19th, we packed up and headed out, stopping for several hours in Salt Lake to visit Grandma. She showed us all around the Family History Center and took us out to lunch at the Church Cafeteria. We also saw Marie Davis and Matt Flitton of Sugar City fame while we were there. We arrived home that night in time for Taco Tag!

On the 23rd, the kids went to the community breakfast (Pioneer Day celebration) but I had come down with a cold and was languishing at home. Around this time new monuments with name plates were put up in each of the Sugar City Parks--there was quite a controversy about the name "Strugglebuggy Park," which several people wanted for the park by the big hill. I think it sounds great, but it is too risque for some people, who seem to prefer "Mayor's Park" and stuff like that.

On the 30th Devan took all of the kids down to Shelley for a little family reunion at Nana's house, but I stayed home to welcome our Belgian dancers. I will give a full account of their comings and goings in next month's report. Although we have had much rain, Devan has been able to get a lot of work done on the shop, which is really looking good. All for now!