Last Days of Summer

 We've had a great summer. 

Violet got her second ever haircut.

Enjoyed a huge indoor playground at Provo Beach Resort. It was a great, cool way to burn off energy!

We came home and had ice cream cones.

This is what I want their summers to be. Just kickin back, enjoying ice cream on our front swing together. 

Violet and Laykin put on a terrific magic show.

More time at the local splash pad.

Talmage discovered he loves salsa.

Pillow fight on the tramp!

One last night at the pool.

Ivy discovered she loves the indoor water slides! She goes over and over and over...

And to wrap it up, we had one last outing with cousins. Playdates with cousins is one of their favorite parts of summer vacation. They always look forward to it.

All in all, we had a fantastic summer. I wouldn't change it for anything.

Summer Memories #3

Drinking pop in the shade.

We had lots of fun at the splash pad! Especially this little guy.

We decided to take a day trip to BYU. Violet and Ginger were asked to participate in a graduate study and they each earned a whopping $5 for it. :) 

Stopped by the Bean museum.

Violet and Laykin always have something planned for everyone. This time is was a "circus" with different acts. I think they're telling jokes here. I hear next time it's a magic show.

Took Violet skateboarding and the firemen were out exercising nearby. Talmage loved checking out their engine.

Lots of library trips. They had to do reports off and on during the summer so we'd often come for research. Because I'm a fun mom like that.

More time in the tree. Sometimes they get so high it makes me nervous. 

Jaxon made a couple k'nex cars for Talmage since he enjoys vehicles so much. He loved them!

And of course, more time at the cabin. 

Once in a great while we'll treat the kids to ice cream at T-Cees in Fairview on our way home.

 

Summer Memories #2

 We celebrated the 4th with fireworks at Mamie's house with cousins.

Finished swim lessons for the summer, the kids did very well! Here they're climbing the wall before a lesson.

Water balloon fight with cousins

The girls did a group number for their summer recital.

And just hanging out together.

Jumping in the rain.

Sometimes cousins make the best of friends. Ginger and Beckham made a little clubhouse behind Mamie's couch and called it the French-Chinese Club (gotta love immersion programs).

I know one day I'll be missing the times when these two could just sit and talk about nothing together.

Summer Memories

 Our kids just up to their usual antics...

Saratoga Springs Temple open house

We love our huge tree.

Jaxon was finally able to play the role of engineer at Space Camp- his favorite, for obvious reasons. 

We went to Bear Lake for a quick Talbot reunion. It rained the first day, but then it was beautiful the next.

Playdates with cousins at Mamie's house.

More cabin time, more hikes. The girls like collecting flowers and sticking them in their Camelbacks. 

Talmage Turns 2!

We've got a 2 year old! Crazy how fast this little boy is growing. Talmage loves trucks and excavators, food and playing with old school Little People. ;)

He's gone a little dirty blonde this summer which I never ever imagined any of my children getting close to, but apparently Travis was also blonde for a few summers as a small kid, so there you go.

He still doesn't say much other than "mama, Dada, uh huh, no" and a few grunts, but that's not surprising for our kids. He's very determined and enjoys his independence, yet loves to get involved in whatever his older siblings are up to. We love our little "Tal Tal".

Violet Turns 9

We drove up to the cabin to celebrate Violet's birthday.

We love this girl so much. She is self driven and a wonderful friend to others. She was actually invited to join the accelerated program in the fall, and it turned out to be the most emotionally exhausting decision she's ever had to make. Much harder than it was for Jaxon. After much praying, fasting, and pondering, she decided to stay at her current school and keep learning Chinese.

We enjoyed the chocolate cupcakes. Especially Ivy.

I call this one, "Sit down, Judas..."

The next morning we went on our usual hike. Talmage had a way of letting Travis know he was ready to be carried.

Anyway, we certainly love this animal loving, adventure chasing, 9 year old.