Summer at its End

 The day before school started, I took the kids to Provo Beach Resort for a summer finale party. Ginger was bummed she could do the ropes course (she accidently wore sandals), so I took the three to buy an ice cream while Jaxon and Violet had fun looking down on everyone.

We've enjoyed playing at Mamie's every week with cousins. It's always a fun highlight of our summers. Violet and Laykin are mailing letters to each other every week now. Like in the "olden days". Violet checks the mailbox every day after we get home from school.

It's fun to see these kids grow up together.

Travis took Talmage on his birthday activity- he wanted to go camping.

It was probably a good thing Ginger was wearing a helmet.

This is what I love seeing the most. Just kicking back, doing nothing but chatting with each other and eating popsicles.

We went to Payson Lakes for the 24th- it was a lot of fun. The kids liked jumping off the pier.

We even caught a fish-before Travis realized he forgot his pliers. So one and done. They ate it, too.

The three older kids loved their climbing classes this summer, I think they learned a lot! Maybe this will have to be a repeat Christmas experience gift.

It was a quick, but great summer. At the end of every summer I look back and wonder if I made it fun for my kids. But then I think of this picture, and think, "Yeah, this is what I want them to remember."

Middle of Summer

After the reunion we felt we could finally get into the swing of things. The kids started swimming lessons, including Talmage. I think he was excited he was finally old enough that he didn't have to sit and watch his siblings anymore.

Usual shenanigans. 

A couple of times we've gone to Provo Beach to play on their big, indoor (air conditioned) playground.

We've gone to the cabin here and there when we can.

And don't forget the fireworks at Mamie and Papa's.

The kids love going to BYU and getting a chocolate milk. 

Or going to the top of the Kimball Tower and trying to spy our house (we can't, just the trees in our neighborhood).

Or the Bean Museum. Talmage is absolutely terrified of the growling grizzly in the lobby. He kind of has this thing with bears, lately.

This is the elevator; they just wanted to lie out in the "forest".

Sometimes we'll go to the church and play around there.

Travis still takes the kids on their one on one birthday outing. Violet wanted to camp this year.

I bought an $7 bag of sand at home depot, put it in an old bin and it's been one of the biggest hits this summer.

More swing in the shade.

And more time at the splash pad. This time we brought popsicles!

Anderson Reunion 2024

 Chad and Wendi hosted a wonderful reunion in St. George. It was so nice and laid back. Poor Travis had to work during most of the days, but at least he was available to come down and be with the family in the evenings. Jaxon was at BYU Math Camp, so he was unable to join us but had fun staying with my parents for the week.

We hung out at the backyard pool with cousins...

Violet and I went scuba diving for the first time-I wasn't able to get a picture of it, but this was just in the lobby. She asked me beforehand if she was going to be able to find any buried treasure. I assured her this was just a public pool, and there would probably be no treasure. Obviously, I was mistaken, for she found a quarter on her dive and bragged the whole way home that she found treasure after all.

We also went to Sand Hollow. The water felt so great!

Talmage had lots of fun in the sand and just lounging and eating way too many snacks.

Before we knew it, it was over and we were on our way home to meet up with Jaxon again.

A Start to Summer 2024

To be honest, it felt a little difficult getting summer up and off the ground this year because we had a lot going on. Violet had a birthday party on the last day of school (to catch everyone before they left on vacations), Travis had a campout, we spent a week at the cabin, and then I did a stint at girls camp. Then after one normal week, we had a family reunion and Jaxon was at BYU Math Camp.

We love the splash pad. I know I have a picture of Jaxon as a toddler reaching up for these controls, but I haven't been able to find it yet.

Lounging and chatting about nonsense.

Ginger started piano lessons! She was so excited to start.

Popsicles on the swing.

And then we were on to the reunion in St. George!