summer

Summer started out with a bang.  Cameron headed to Camp Fiesta Island in San Diego for scout camp.  The girls and I headed down to pick him up so we could take him to meet Grammy at Disneyland.  On our way down we stopped at seven magic mountains.

seven magic mountains are seven stone towers that are brightly painted in the middle of the deseret.

Each of the stones is taller than the girls.  They are really cool and totally stand out in the middle of the desert. 

 We stopped at the mission office for the California, Rancho Cucamonga mission and dropped off a package for Thomas.  It would have been really cool to see him but better that we didn't.

We made it to the beach long enough for the girls to bury each other in the sand but it was really cold so we didn't stay long.

 Cameron had a great time at scout camp.  He got to do a lot of really fun things and he even went deep sea fishing.

 We missed him like crazy and we were so happy to pick him up.  He was happy to get out of the sand and take a long hot shower.  

 We stayed at a really great resort where I washed all Cameron's clothes and got him ready to meet Grammy and Grandad.  We rented a surry and rode it all over the island.

It was a beautiful place called Paradise island.  We truly felt like we were in paradise.  

 We took the time to visit the San Diego temple.  This was the same day as a shooting in Orlando.  It was so nice to be able to visit the temple grounds after such a tragic event.  We felt peace and were reminded of the love that our Heavenly Father had for all of  His children.

 I surprised Cameron and took him to see Torrey Pines golf course.  This was a dream for him to visit this course.  It was beautiful.

 This course runs right along the Pacific Ocean.  It is so peaceful and relaxing here.

 We met up with Grammy and Grandad, Molly and Kolton.  Cameron was really excited for this trip.  He did great and had a really fun time.

 As long as we were in California I decided to surprise the girls with a visit to Harry Potter World.  They were totally surprised and super excited.  We spent nine hours just in Harry Potter land.  They were mesmerized.  It was magical and I loved spending the day here with them.  It is so fun to have them excited about a story and books that I love as well.

 back at Disneyland, Cameron was having a great time.

 He got a little tired so he laid down to rest while Molly and Kolton went on screamin.

 Cameron brought home BB8 and we love him.  He is voice activated and follows us all around the house.  He is so cute.

 We love summer when there is no schedule and the kids can sleep in every day.  We roasted marshmallows over the fire while I burned all of our old documents.

 The Batchelors came for a visit.  We fried an egg on the road.

 We had cupcake wars.

We were in Provo for the fourth of July and we all ran in the freedom run.  Me, Dave and Clara ran the 5K.  The others ran the mile fun run.  I was proud of Clara.  She came in 9th in her age group out of a bazillion kids.  She kept waiting for me so I wonder how well she could have done if she had just run ahead.  She is a funny kid.  Next time she wants to run the 10K.

We had to walk across campus to get back to our car so we took this opportunity to brain wash our children.  I thought this picture was super cool.

 In the afternoon we all went to Scotty and Bethany's house.  They had rented a dunk tank and a water slide.  We played all afternoon.  Cameron loved the dunk tank.

 Ava, Lauryn and Asher.  We love cousins.

I love this group of little people.  

The next day we headed to Yellowstone for our family reunion.  We ate lunch in Malad.  Aunt Bev and Uncle Jay met us there.  Aunt Bev is my grandma's only living sibling.  It was so great to see her.  She is a spitfire and I have always loved her.

 We went to the cemetery to find the graves of Clara Setta and my grandparents.  We found several other family members.

 Yellowstone was amazing.  It is beautiful there.  We loved all the beautiful scenery and the animals.  I still haven't seen a bear.  One of these days I will see a bear.

 The kids slept out in this tee pee.  They were very brave.  Shanelle, Bethany and I checked on them throughout the night.

 This is how Clara and Ava handled the stinky geysers.

 This water may look icy cold but it is actually toasty warm.

 Lauryn fell madly in love with this kayak.  There is a good chance she will be getting a pink one for her birthday.

 Nixon caught a cute little frog.  His smile was the best.

 For Narnia.

 Grandad gave ride after ride after ride on the boat pulling the float.

 How many grandkids can you fit in the boat?

 family pictures.

 birthday buddies

 cute little girls.  I love these little ladies.  I am so grateful that my girls have such tender and loving relationships with their cousins.  I know they will be a huge source of support to them in the years to come.

 
 shortly after we got home from Yellowstone the girls spent a week in Arizona with Grandma and Grandpa.  They had the best time.  They rode horses every day.  I was worried that they would get homesick but Lauryn told me that when she got homesick she would just climb in Clara's bed and they would snuggle.  my heart melted.  I love them so much and I am so glad they have each other.

 The girls took a diving class this summer and absolutely loved it.  They can't wait to do it again next summer.  

 We went on our annual trip to St. George to meet Aunt Bethany, Ava and Grammy.  This year Nixon came too.  He was a trooper to hang out with all us girls.  We saw Peter Pan and the kids got to meet Wendy.  The next night we saw Tarzan.  We loved them both but Tarzan was my favorite.

 I love this trip with my girlies.  I love watching them grow and I love that we are friends.  They are a bright light in my life.

 I love this picture of Grammy.  It is one of my favorites of all time.

 The girls thought Tarzan was hot.  (:

Clara has now started competitive gymnastics.  Heaven help us.  She goes to gym three nights a week for two hours and sometimes on Saturdays.  She loves it and wishes she could go every night.  She would totally home school and spend every minute at the gym if I would let her.  

School starts next week and I will also be starting my last semester as well.  I will miss having my kiddos around and the house will be really quiet.  I will be depressed for a few weeks but I will recover.  To finish the summer with the same craziness that it started with we decided to take a trip to the beach and a dodger game this week.  We must cram in all the fun that we can.