SUMMERTIME...

We love summertime at our house. No schedules, no one to report to, relaxing, sleeping in, and spending time together. We were busy with a lot of different activities but we managed to fit it many fun activities (many of which I did not get pictures of!!!)

COWABUNGA

(We got a season pass again this year but did not use it nearly enough)

SPLASH PARKS

WE GOT A SUMMER BOWLING PASS

It was HILARIOUS watching Kade bowl!! He would throw his head down, almost head butting the ball, each time he tried throwing the ball.  

Needless to say, sometimes it was much easier to use the ramp. 

SWIMMING

Playing some basketball with Grandpa

Swimming with some buddies 

Too bad I didn't get a pic of the "awesome" moves I was doing off this diving board:)

BACKYARD CAMP OUT

(remember this? I don't do real camping unless I have to.)

We laid in the tent and watched "Kid History" episodes and laughed and laughed and laughed. 

SKATE PARK

My boys developed a love for the skate park this summer. Almost everyday they asked to go there. I'm a little too paranoid to send them off on their own (the company there is questionable) so I would take them and read or just watch their newest and greatest moves.

THE "UP" HOUSE

They have built the actual up house right down the road from us. Although we haven't actually been inside, it's been fun to visit the outside.

LOVE this picture of Kade and his best buddy Evan!!! It truly shows the love they have for each other

KENNECOTT COPPERMINE

Breckon, Kade, Kaylee, Brayden, Brooks and Bella

This totally freaked me out watching Kaylee up on the railing like that. My fear of heights and falling is unreal! 

HARRY POTTER

Brayden was invited to see the new and last Harry Potter the night it came out in theaters. Well, none of us have seen any of them so we thought it would be pointless for him to go. We decided to start with movie #1

and work ourselves to the final movie that we got to see in the movie theater. 

It was fun spending late nights cuddled together on the couch watching these movies. After the first movie, Kade was a little nervous so he found himself a wand (aka: stick from outside.) He kept that "wand" with him anytime we watched one of the shows. If he got scared he would cast a spell on the tv and he was no longer worried. He protected me quite a few times.

The kids also participated in SWIM LESSONS

and spent countless hours PLAYING OUTSIDE with friends.

Weblos Scout Camp...

I love that Brayden still enjoys having me around (unless it's the first day of school.) When I told him I had volunteered to come to scout camp with him he said, "Thanks for being the kind of Mom that does that stuff for me." It's fun watching him interact with his friends and do things he just absolutely enjoys!

Here he is shooting guns. Really? I'm not really ready for that. He even purchased a knife the first day when I wasn't there. Beware future cub scout Mom's, they let the boys buy that kind of stuff.

Next they were off to BMX riding. They had a trail through the hillside that the boys got to ride down.  

Obstacle course 

Canoe riding. I was really upset that the canoe only fit 6 people (In my sarcastic tone.) I "had" to sit on the side and take pictures and watch the kids get drenched by the other boats. 

It was a fun day spent with the Weblos. I think this will be my last scout activity until Kade starts up. Next year Brayden will be with the big boys doing over nighters.

Finally...

I have taken 994 pictures this summer! It has been a crazy, awesome summer. I have so many memories and experiences that I want to document but there hasn't been time. It's amazing how little time there is when the kids are around. I have loved having them home, although it has been very challenging. We have had many up and down moments with Brayden, but I think we are slowly settling into a routine and figuring each other out (I know, he's been my child for 10 years, I should have him figured out by now....but I don't.) He's had some challenges to overcome but we are optimistic for a good year. I am slowly getting on top of my blogging now that summer is coming to an end. Hopefully I can share all the wonderful things that have happened over the past 3 months. Life changing is all I can say. Here's to being back in the blogging world!

Summertime in the Neighborhood...

This summer has been fun, rewarding, challenging, and exciting. I have had many growing and rewarding experiences. I have also had many experiences that have tested me to my core. I have been challenged as a mother and wife. And although this summer has been unforgettable in many different ways, my kids and I are ready for the new experiences this next year will bring. One thing I am tremendously blessed with is an amazing neighborhood. It is filled with so many wonderful people that help me learn and grow. We have had some fun this summer.

Copperton Park

The kids played, ate lunch, rode scooters (Brayden even found $30 while riding around) and we even made our own ice cream in a bag.



Chalk Festival

We have a giant path that runs down the middle of our neighborhood. The awesome girl in charge of it, split the path into sections. Each family received a section to decorate. It was so fun seeing the different personalities, and talent of each family.

Brayden decided to design a football play Davis' against the Copper Creek neighborhood.

He won the award for most athletic

Kade and his friend Mason decided to do self portraits of them playing soccer.

They received the award for best self portrait. 

Children's talent show

Some of the girlies 

Kade and Evan decided to show off their soccer skills 

Kaylee and some friends put on a fashion show 

Brayden and some friends did a skit they learned at scout camp..."Yaputcha" 

The girls after the talent show...minus Abby

Katrina, Addi, Kaylee, Hallee, Gracie, and Taylor 

Slip 'n Slide

This is a fun neighborhood tradition. At the entrance to the neighborhood we have a couple "pit' areas. Add a few tarps and some bubbles, you got your self a good time!

These three boys are crazy! They have such a good time together.

Kade, Evan and Bennett

Kaylee and some of her girlfriends

Somehow I got talked into going down...white t-shirt and all 

Steph, Holly, Britt, Me and Mitzi

Brayden has been a little (ok, so a lot) difficult this summer. Their are many activities he has chose not to participate in, that's why he's not posted here.

Dessert in the Driveway and BBQ's

We hosted Dessert in the driveway a couple different times. It's so fun gathering with neighbor's and chatting.

There were other times that someone would bring their BBQ out to the pathway and everyone would bring their lawn chairs and a side dish and we'd just eat and the kids would play. What an awesome way to enjoy new yummy foods!

Crawdad Party

This is an annual even put on by the Mitchell's and their neighbors. It is so fun! This year they had so much going on. Food, bounce house, face painting, volleyball, a live band, bike ramp, and more food.

Kaylee getting her face painted. Pay close attention the hair piece she has in. This has been her love for the summer. I'm trying to figure out a way to burn it without her knowing.

Kade and Stone 

Kaylee's finished product

Kade in the bounce house 

The Crawdad table. Yes, people actually eat them. In fact they line up for their turn at the table. I'm happy to announce that I have never eaten one.  

Brayden however tried them this year. He wasn't impressed.

Kade was a little too lazy to go get some utensils. Why when you could eat like a dog?

Brayden trying to impress with his volleyball skills 

A view of the whole party 

Crawdads! 

Kade in line for the bounce house again

The band. Well, one singer from the band. 

Brayden and his friends going off the jump

Brayden giving Stone a ride