Mud

Sometimes I'm a fun mom because I try to be.  Sometimes I'm a fun mom because I didn't catch them in time....play on. 

Mid-week Race Series

      The Mid-Week Race Series is a major part of our summer.  These are the best, family friendly races around.  They have a few different venues and races every Tuesday night.  Adults cost $15 and kids are free....a screaming deal for our family.  The best part is everyone can participate.  We have a great time in our beautiful mountains cheering each other on and being together. 

                                                                        Our littlest racers

 

      At the end of the season they have a great dinner and awards ceremony.  This year it was pouring rain so we were all soaked, but we're die-hards so we stuck it out for our certificates and the prize drawing.  Thanks so much Mid-Week Series organizers!!  You're the best! 

First Scout Campout

     McKay had his first scout campout this summer.  He had a great time hiking, fishing and having a scout-camp experience.  Nice catch Mac! 

Flamming Gorge

     
     This year we went camping in Flamming Gorge with the Peterson side of the fam.  We used to do this every year growing up so it was super fun to do with our "big" families.  This top picture was Hayley's idea...she's cute like that. 
     We got there late to our tent set up for us, thanks fam!  The next day we started by taking out the boat.  It was great to be out on the lake and being together.  We skied, wake boarded and knee boarded.  We also played on the beach & enjoyed the sun. 

 

 

 

      After a windy nights sleep we decided to take the Dam tour....even more impressive than I remembered. 

 

     Then we took the boat out for one last spin.  We found the best beach ever with soft sand, a stream trickling through to play in and mini lizards for catching.  Thanks for the great trip family!!  We loved making memories with you!

 

 

 

    

Bye Zhao

     Near the end of Zhao's stay we wanted to give him a Utah camping experience.  We didn't have the energy to actually go camping and given Zhao's lack of adventure we decided to do a little back-yard-campout.  We started with a campfire, hot-dogs, and s'mores and ended with a movie in the tent.  Not exactly roughing it but the boys and Zhao loved it. 

 

     The time to say goodbye came too quickly.  When people would ask how it went I'd tell them "I'd keep him if I could."  The dynamics were just right.  He got along great with my kids.  He was easy to please, respectful and helpful.  He and McKay had a special bond and it was particularly hard for him.  We had to take him to his bus at 5am which was good.  We got most of the goodbyes over with the night before and then I drove him the next morning.  I was surprised by how hard it was for me.  I said bye and gave him a hug and got in my car and cried.  What a great experience, I think we'll be doing it again. 

Happy Happy Birthday!!

     All of our children were born in two months of the year, so we have big birthday celebrations in the spring and then in the summer.  It was fun to have Zhao here to see how we celebrate!  For Keaton's b-day we spent the day at seven peaks and then went to see "Despicable Me 2."  I love it when my kids want to see the movies I do...It was a lot of fun.  Sure love this spunky, adventurous, great kid! 
     On the twins birthdays we had family over for a cupcake party.  They're four this year and I can't help but be so grateful we're here and not in the NICU.  Four is such a fun age and it's really easy to enjoy when they're your babies.  Avery is Keaton's rival when it comes to spunk.  She really is the best of both worlds loving her dresses and dolls along with wrestling her brothers and riding through the mud on her bike.  Brecken is the opposite, quiet sweet boy.  He's my best hugger and I take advantage of that often.  We're so blessed to have wonderful families who celebrate, support and love us!!  It was a great time.  Happy happy birthday Keaton, Brecken and Avery! 

Sushi



      One of our summer goals this year was to try sushi.  Corey and I had gone out with friends for sushi and so our kids thought they needed to try too.  It was a fun "lunch-date" and I have to say...they probably liked it more than Corey did!