June 2015 - 15th-20th

June 15th

This was the first day of swim lessons for these girls. Xander had diving lessons at the same time too.

We were able to go see Jurassic World!  It was such a great movie and I loved it all!

We went to Seven Peaks and this was the only picture I got. 

She was so content to just sit and eat her Gold Fish. 

One morning the kids were nice and let me sleep in. Xander got Melody up, gave her a 

bottle and played with her. This was the picture he texted me from downstairs.

I just love the way she was sitting in the car, holding her baby and sucking her finger.

For Maddox's 8th birthday we were invited to see Inside Out (the newest Pixar movie) with them. 

The kids were super excited for this, also because we were seeing it on opening day.

We were able to take Melody to Lana's so she could nap during the movie, where 

Grandma & Grandpa were there to watch her and Olivia.

Xander and Mara were invited to his actual birthday party and sat with him and his friends. 

The three of us sat in another spot along with Morri & Liza.

Here we are making our best impression of Anger!

We just love Maddox so much and loved being with him on his birthday!

Oh this girl, she loves hats. I found her just sitting like this looking at some toys.

Pat nicknamed her the Mysterious Binkinator!

Mara & Xander slept over at Lana's as part of Maddox's birthday.  Lana sent me this picture. 

She said that Mara was so great and played with Olivia almost the whole time. 

It made her and Olivia happy to have Mara there. 

Mara and I had the chance to go see Mary Poppins at the Scera Shell with Karri, Mom, JD & Chris. 

We had dinner at Culver's before the show.

We had chair seats so we were pretty close to the stage.

It was really fun to see this show again and fun to see it outdoors too.  During the second act, when 

the sun was going down there were a TON of dragonflies. They would fly right over our heads 

and dive bomb people.  It was cool for a minute, but became very distracting and irritating.  

Once it was dark they all went away so we were able to enjoy the rest of the show. 

June 2015 - Girl Time / Xander Campout

June 12th-13th

The boys were going on a campout with Xander's scout group, so it was a girls day for me.

We were able to meet up with Lana, Maddox & Olivia at the splash pad in Provo at noon.

Once again, Melody didn't want anything to do with the splashing, so she just 

hung out under the umbrella with Lana and I the whole time. 

Every so often she would venture out onto the grass and watch the 

kids, but would always end up running back to me.

Afterwards, we go slushies at Sonic (it was Happy Hour so they were half price!)

The girls wanted to see their tongues so they used my phone on the selfie mode and took pictures.

We got home and Melody took a quick nap. Then we met up 

with Karri at University Mall for dinner and shopping! 

Jaina: "Look Mom, I'm a creeper!!"

Meanwhile, this is what the boys were doing.

Xander with Ben Berky, a boy from a neighboring ward.

They set up their tent in this nice little shaded area.

Ben, Austin, Nick, Enzo, Kenny & Xander

The boys were working on Merrit badges the whole time, but here they were playing a game.

First Aid #2

Xander helped build this fire!

And learned how to chop wood.

June 2015 - Splash Pad

June 10th

The girls were getting restless and Jaina really wanted to go to play at the splash pad. I knew it looked a little chilly outside but she wanted to go anyway.  So I got all the girls ready to go and we headed over to North Park.  We got there about 10 minutes before the water turned off for an hour. 

Melody just wanted to sit with me and watch her sisters play in the water. It was windy and a little hot, and I forgot to put on sunscreen, so Melody and I sat cuddled up in a towel to keep the sun and wind off of us.

When the water turned off, we went to the adjoining park to play for a bit.

Later that day, Pat picked a bunch of Strawberries from our garden. He had washed them and put them in a bowl and left it on the counter.  Next thing we know, Melody had found the bowl, sat down and started chowing down on them. She was so happy and ate every single one!!!

June 2015 - Cabin Time / Temple Dedication

June 5th

It was finally time to go to the cabin!!!!  This was the first time this year and the kids were so excited to be there. We stopped off at Tee-Cee's for dinner with Mana & Karri. Melody didn't eat much there but she was really happy with her sucker, and it made the rest of the car ride more quiet too.

While we were away the kids started to work on Brag Tag activities, and decided that they wanted to make Duct Tape crafts. Mara even has a book of How-To's. So they brought all the fun tape that they bought with Mana & Karri so they could make new crafts.  Mara just loved the tape that had mustaches on it!

This is always a fun part of the cabin, watching movies!  We introduced Melody to Winnie The Pooh!

The next morning I was able to get a few fun pictures of the kids on the steps.

It was a quick trip but a fun one.  We left the next day after lunch so Melody could nap in the car.

Jaina even got in a nap too!  It's always nice when she naps.

June 7th

This was a day I was really looking forward to: The dedication of the Payson Temple. They did it in 3 sessions. For all of us to participate, Pat & Xander went to the 10 am session.

Mara & I went to the 1 pm session.

The sessions were broadcast to our Stake Center so we didn't have to go far. I really loved being there with Mara and sharing in this experience with her.  I hope that she will be able to remember this event.

I was able to go to the dedication of the Mount Timpanogos temple when I was a teenager.  We were able to get tickets to attend INSIDE the temple. I will always remember that, and because of that experience I knew that was where I wanted to get married. And I did!

June 2015 - First Seven Peaks Day

June 4th

We were so super excited for this day. My kids love love love Seven Peaks and were ready to go!  

This means that it's officially summer!!!!!

I was able to take some quick pictures while we were waiting for Pat to get our tubes.

I wasn't sure how Melody would do, seeing as she hadn't been 

swimming since January, and she was a lot smaller then.

I love that we have a giant umbrella. It always makes going swimming a lot nicer.

Oh this boy really loves his baby sister.

We took a quick group picture, but I'm not sure where dad was and why he's not in the picture.

Jaina absolutely LOVES these two slides and would be happy to just do this all day long.

She was so happy to go down with Xander too.

He was really cute and held her hand on the handle the whole time to make sure she didn't fall off.

Mara was the single rider.

Melody did okay in the water, but wasn't too happy about it. She just clung onto 

me the entire time. I know by the end of the summer she'll love this place.

She was worn out from a day in the sun and zonked on the way home.  It's always nice 

to be able to just lay her down when we get home so the rest of us can get showered.

Yay for summer!