The 4th on the 3rd and the 5th

We had a pretty big weekend with the holiday being celebrated over the course of 3 days. Here is a look into our wild weekend...

We enjoyed a delish BBQ up at the Jensen's. Afterwards, we lit smoke bombs and threw snaps all over the place.

Oliver enjoyed this unless he was being engulfed by the smoke and he LOVED being able to throw something without being told "no".


We drove out to the golf course to watch the fireworks that night. It was fun to see Oliver sit still for nearly 20 minutes straight.

The following day after church and resting up, we headed out to another BBQ at the Kattleman's. Kat made some yummy BBQ dutch oven chicken and potatoes and peach cobbler for desert.

Then we drove out to meet up with our friends to go fake camping. (fake camping is setting up tents and sleeping bags in a super nice backyard equipped with gas fire pit, pool, and anything else you may need to make a camping experience as easy as possible...)

The adults made playing with sparklers a very entertaining activity. Who knew they could be this fun.

And we ate s'mores.

Finally at around 1 we called it a night and went to our tent to get so some shut eye...but in the process we woke up Oliver and it made for a very interesting/long/tiring night that ended in a drive home at 3am with just me and O. Not cool.

But the next day O and I came back to play in the pool for about 4 hours. So much fun. Brittany and I mostly laid out while Luke and Kassidy made up any and every pool game possible to stay entertained.

Later that night, we enjoyed the fireworks at the annual Cul-De-Sac of Fire! Good food and great company is always a good mix.

Our weekend felt like it lasted a week, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. Tuesday morning we woke up a little more tired then usual, with more color on our skin, and probably a few pounds heavier, but it was well worth it. We really feel blessed to live amongst great family and friends and are grateful for all the freedoms we enjoy.

A Fave

One of my favorite things about summer....

flip flop tan lines.

Happy July!

Being Artsy

For Field Trip Friday this week, Oliver and I met up with some Friends to enjoy a fantastic time over at the Art Festival. It was our first time and we LOVED it! Who knew art could be this much fun?

Oliver and I in the art tunnel. He liked being chased through it so when I stopped him to take a picture, you can see he wasn't thrilled.

Playing with all the fun sculptures.

Some of the crafts that Oliver did were make a seed head thingy (I really don't know what it was), Color a mask, and paint. His favorite activity was washing up in the bucket of water with his friend Leisel.

Cooling off in front of the fountain. It was so blasted hot that day and I loved it!

Oliver drank plenty of water and even playing in it for a while. Like I said, It was hot.

And part of the group. Love these ladies!

Festivals are some of my favorite summer activities to attend. I love all the fun booths to look at, the different activities going on, Bands playing, and of course the food. I can't wait to attend more this summer. If anyone knows of any other good ones to go to, let us know!

Help Wanted?

Oliver's idea of helping in the garden...



Was it really help, you may ask? Heck yes! It kept him entertained for quite a while so that Luke could re-plant the corn and I could pull loads of weeds. If only he could actually learn to pull the weeds, we'd be set.

Ohh laaay Oh laaay oh lay oh laaay...

REAL SALT LAKE!

We got a chance to go to the Real game the other night. Something that we have tried to do every year (with the exception of last summer). We were excited to take Oliver to his first soccer game and hoped that he would make it through to the end being entertained with loud people, balls and food.




So far so good...except for that blasted wind...


...and sun in the eyes.


Oliver being very happy and mischievous. Just look at that face and those hands getting ready to attack the hat.





Enjoying the game and a cold snow cone...



...and then we scored a couple of goals. Oliver freaked out and tried to climb up me saying "mommy, mommy!" I guess he didn't like the loud noise and sudden burst of screams.

But he got over it, we won 2-0, and we enjoyed our nice long warm stroll back to the car. Only downside to the night- paying 3.50x2 for a 20 oz bottle of Pepsi! Are you kidding me???

Splash me!

I am incredibly happy that we are finally starting to show signs of summer. This past week, Amy invited us to come up to her place to enjoy the sun and let the kids play in the water. We desperately were in need of some serious summer fun.




Killer splashes! (Andrews face at the top right is my favorite)


Amy and company. Love these pictures!

So happy to be in the sun. Aiden took these pictures and I think he did a darn good job.

Wicked jumps!

A fun day like today wouldn't be complete without some silly face shots.

And last but certainly not least- My favorite odd ball quote of the day,

Aiden: "Hey Kim? Take a picture of me being a Megatron" (referring to the picture above)

Happy Summer!

For: Amy

Oliver loves his Amy. Besides Mom and Dad, Amy is the first official name out of that boys mouth. Whenever I ask if he wants to go to cousins he says "mayme" or whenever we pull up to their house he points and of course, says "mayme".

So Mayme, this one's for you!

love,

Your 6th child, Oliver