Family Time!

The last couple weeks we had the chance to spend lots of time with our family. Whether it was at the family reunion, hanging out with cousins while I had a doctors appointments, or the four of us just enjoying the view from out porch.

The last couple of weeks have been really hot, and I can't say that I enjoy going outside. We've had so many landscapers and such at our house, which also makes me want to avoid going outside. But we have enjoyed sunsets, rainstorms, and cooler temperatures in the evenings. JJ wanted me to get of picture of this sunset.

Cousins hanging out at the Bywater Family Reunion. The kids had a great time playing with each other, and Spencer and I enjoyed catching up with my cousins!

Grandma Julia had a lot of fun things planned for the reunion, crafts, games, and prizes. Eva really loved the squirt gun fight!!! She loved getting people, and would giggle when she got wet!

Hangin' out in the tent. Spencer and JJ went on a hike at about 4:30 in the morning, so it was just us girls!

One of the prizes Grandma had was this bow and arrow set. JJ tried to make a quiver out of paper (didn't work so well), so naturally I pulled out my craft supplies and got to work. JJ loves it!!!

JJ and his cousins have Art in the Park once a week. The projects have been a lot of fun, and the kids have had a blast playing together after!

We went to the Expo Center to preview the floats, the kids had a fun time!

Someone ran into our van a couple of months ago, we finally got things settled, and the van is now in the shop. The rental car is a Dodge Nitro. The kids think it's great going off road. So Spencer and I decided go for a drive on Guardsman's Pass. The views are just spectacular!!! 

Funny thing about the rental. Spencer said, "I'll be waiting in the truck." Eva said, "It's not a truck." so I asked her what it was, and she told me very confidently that it's a, "4X4". Well, what could I say, she was right!

We went as a family to Build-A-Bear. The kids had never been, and we decided this would be a good baby's coming gift. They love their bears!

Happy Pioneer Day!

Fireworks at Grandma Julia's house. Almost all the cousins were there. Our baby will be the 21st grandchild for my Mom. If nothing happens this week I will be induced on Thursday, and BOY am I ready!!!

Busy Week!

 

Birthday celebrations continued on Sunday Grandma and Grandpa Pratt came over to give Eva a birthday gift. She loves her new barbie and horse!

 

On the 4th of July we went to Cars 2 in 3D. Then we went to the Sandy celebrations, JJ enjoyed climbing on the rock wall and the bounce houses.

 

Eva didn't want to go on any of the bouncy stuff, so Dad took her to get her face painted, and she even got a tattoo. Eva really enjoyed the parade. She sat on Dad's lap eating candy, and would wave to all the Princesses. Later we went over to the Truman's house for fireworks. The kids had so much fun playing together, and we enjoyed catching up with Tim and Lori. Tim is quite the pyrotechnic, the fireworks were great!!!

 

Tuesday night we had a big thunderstorm roll in. The kids loved getting soaked, and playing in the gutters. The thunderstorm was followed by a beautiful rainbow, JJ was determined to get to the end.

 

Wednesday Spencer left on a quick trip to Tennessee. I decided to invite the cousins over for a sleep over. JJ and the cousins have been begging for one ever since we had one when Spencer went to Peru. The kids had so much fun. Things were not winding down by 11:00, so I turned on some tunes and the kids had a little dance party. It was just the thing to get some energy out. I think all the kids were asleep by 12:00. JJ was the first one up, at about 6:30, he said he was just so excited. Needless to say everyone was a little tired.

 

JJ's second week of swim lessons. He's really gained a lot of confidence and skill, so proud of him!

Dad got back late Friday night, so Saturday we spent the day together. We went swimming, then we up to Silver Lake, and then to Chuck E Cheese for dinner. We had a great day together!!!

Whenever we have family time we do a cheer, 1.2.3. GO FAMILY!!!

Eva's 3 year pictures

Happy 3rd Birthday Eva!!!

Spencer had the wonderful idea of giving Eva a girly day. So for her Birthday we started to day off with Mani/Pedis, then I took her to Cookie Cutters to get her hair trimmed (It was her first hair cut). They styled it really cute. Eva and I went and got some lunch at Kneaders, and then went shopping. I took her to pick out a dress, she tried one on, and wouldn't take it off. Once she was all dolled  up I took her to get her pictures taken. Meanwhile the boys were hard at work putting together her bike, getting balloons, hanging signs, ect. After pictures we went home. She was so excited about her bike, that we were actually able to get her to change her dress. She loves her bike, she seems so big riding it. The kids rode bikes all afternoon. After dinner we had cake and ice cream. I am glad I got to spend the day with Eva, she is such a delight! Happy Birthday Eva Pretty!!! We love you!!!

 Mani/Pedi

 Eva did really good getting her hair cut, she is still worried that her hair is going to turn brown (Thanks Tangled!)

 

SURPRISE!!! 

 Crusin'!

Make a wish!

Business mixed with pleasure...

We have been very busy at our house. We've been working on some major organization projects. Cleaning closets, building storage shelves, ect. Amongst all the work we've tried to squeeze in some fun.

 

The kiddos enjoyed running in the sprinklers

 

Heading home one evening, I had to stop to get pics of the sunset. The picture doesn't quite deliver the whole picture. Sunset, valley view, and the little yellow flowers on all the greenery, it was so pretty!!!

 

We had gone swimming with cousins, and I was dying for a shower, so the kids got to take a bath in the "Jets" while I showered (no worries, I can see them the whole time). Taking a bath in the "jets" is a special treat, they especially like making tons of bubbles!

 

Last Saturday we spent the afternoon at the Cottonwood Heights Pool, then we took a drive to Oakley. Spencer's Grandma Rosemary had a cabin up there, so he spent a lot of time up there in his childhood. He loves to visit, especially when the rivers are raging. Here we stopped at Smith & Morehouse. JJ told me he really liked that he was able to see what a real flood looked like. There are flood planes everywhere, and there are many cabins in flood waters.

 

Sunday we celebrated June/July birthdays with my family. 

Happy Birthday to William, Cambria, Eva, and Marc.

 

Monday night we spent some family time at the tennis courts. I think JJ's hand eye coordination is awesome for a 5 year old!!!

 

We have long awaited for landscapers to start working on our yard. We have many projects going on, but this by far will be our biggest transformation. I will post the "After" shot when it's complete.

 

With all the workers outside we've been working inside. This pile is 5 years of boy clothes, and 3 years of girl clothes. I think this project took 3 days, I folded and sorted into size and gender everything! I think we ended up with a dozen bins. Yikes!

After all the projects going on at home, I just needed to get out of the house. Friday morning Kristin text me to see if she could bring Eva's birthday gift over, instead I invited her to join us at the aquarium. We are grateful that they could join us! We enjoyed spending the day with the girls!