Summer Adventures Part 2

If I could give July a theme this summer, it would be "family". We've spent so much quality time together that it really strengthened relationships within our immediate family and extended family.

We celebrated the 4th in our usual fashion, hot air balloons and doughnuts, followed by a very American barbecue lunch we threw for our ward friends.

That evening we joined the Talbots for fireworks and treats. We were so tired by the end of the day, the thought of staying up till dark was too much. Luckily our kids were also too tired and only wanted to see the daytime fireworks (parachutes and tanks) anyway. Yes!

We've really enjoyed time with cousins this summer. Britain and Jaxon and Laykin and Violet just love being together. Language barrier or not, they just LOVE playing together.

My Mamita passed away the first of the month, which was very bittersweet. She was pretty frail and had suffered a lot of ailments (90 years old), so we at least had the comfort that she was no longer suffering and that she had lived a very long life. She was one of the first pioneers of the LDS church in Mexico, and we are so grateful for her sacrifice to join the church and serve a mission even when her family shunned her for it. It's really amazing the effect her decision had in all our lives.

We made the decision to drive to LA for the funeral. Travis said we would regret it if we didn't. It was 108 degrees in the middle of a scorching heat wave, but I still don't regret it.

 More cousin time.

Jaxon had Bright Ideas Summer Camp through the Alpine School District gifted program. He loved it so much, he's still talking about it and playing with the things they concocted weeks later.

No time in between a birthday party and Lego club for Free Slurpee Day? I don't think so!

Violet has really caught a reading bug these last few months. This summer we've let the kids pretty much read themselves to sleep. I don't care how late it makes them stay up (usually no later than 9), I figure summer is the only time of year where reading is more important than sleeping. Besides, they can always sleep in. And if they sleep in, guess who else is sleeping in? Win-win!!

We've enjoyed a couple fun birthday parties...

And Ginger has demonstrated the same animal-loving characteristics as her sister.

Playing piano together

We splurged and got this swing for the front tree. Best summer toy ever!

More cousin time, this time up the canyon with the Anderson cousins. The kids got to float little wooden boats and held them by a string.

These two are always in cahoots with each other...

And guess who decided that she needed a haircut? Violet's first ever haircut, and she did it herself. Apparently it was Jaxon's idea. Like I said, in cahoots with each other.

And that sums of part 2 of 3 of our adventurous summer! Part 3 is the big finale!