July 4th Weekend

I love the 4th of July!  We have the opportunity to celebrate our freedoms in this county, pay tribute to those who protect our freedom, and let's face it...I've always LOVED americana decorations!!  Chris may have "banned" it from our daily decor here in Centerville, but for the month of July it is out and displayed everywhere!!!   :0)

The 4th is always such a fun filled weekend with family and friends!  This year did not disappoint...we went swimming, fishing, boating, ate yummy food, watched neighborhood fireworks, and also attended the annual July 4th festivities at Layton Park with the Campbell Clan.  Here are a few photos I took to document for the kids.  (side note...They love to look at pictures and especially movies of our adventures.  I really have been "camera crazy" this summer!  Colin and Lindsie are so young and I never know what kinds of memories they are creating and retaining in their little brains? 

 Pictures and movies will ALWAYS help...right?  Well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!)

Girls on "Papa's boat"

Colin helping daddy drive the boat.  So far the only thing he likes about being in the boat.  He doesn't seem to enjoy the swift breeze when we drive fast.  Clings to me like a little monkey. :)

Whitney showing off her skills on the diving board at the Carver family pool.

Lindsie and her best buddies...Colin and Ellie

Nana and Colin @ Layton Park for "big boom booms" 

Whit, Shaylee and Lindsie

**Sparklers**

Cutest girls at the park!!!  (Shay, Whit, Kris)

Colin with his light up and sound making sword.  He was in HEAVEN...and hilarious to watch!!

Thanks Nana, it was fun while it lasted.  Unfortunately, that was only the next day. :(

Double Digits

 Whitney celebrated her 10th birthday on June 27th.  She is thrilled to tell everyone that she is now a "double digit."  The day of her birthday was a routine day and she complained almost ALL day that she was bored and wished we could do something fun.  Little did she know I had planned a "late night" with a few of her friends. :)  She was excited to have her girlfriends come swim, play, eat brownies and ice cream, and stay past dark.  We finally gave in to her many requests for an electric scooter for her birthday this year, and she was thrilled!

Words to describe Whitney... helpful, responsible, creative, organized, sensitive, talented, and SO many more!  She is a great big sister, friend, and daughter.  Happy Birthday Whitney!  We love you and hope you enjoy being 10!!!

Summertime Events

We have had an eventful summer so far, and it's only the second week in July. :) Chris had knee surgery on the Friday before Memorial Day.  It was quite rough the first couple of weeks (for all of us) but he is  recovering well and glad to be somewhat back to normal.  Tomorrow will be his first week long trip away from home in 6 weeks!  It has been nice to have him around more often to help out...especially at dinner and bedtime.  I'm sure we will all struggle a little this week while he is gone?

Click to enlarge - if you dare!! :)

After laying around the house for so many weeks, Chris decided he was up for a family outing.  I had bought a pass to the Ogden Dinosaur Park on Go Deal Go, so we headed out for an adventure.  I have never been to the Dinosaur Park...it was really fun!  I highly recommend it if you haven't been there yet! They have lots of life size dinosaurs to look at, a great playground, and my kids loved the digging for fossils area.  It was a lot of walking for Chris, and he suffered a little later that night, but we had tons of fun!

Click to enlarge

Knowing since April that Chris would be having knee surgery and it might be tough to travel with the kids this summer, we decided to take an easier or more laid-back family trip to Southern Utah. We had the opportunity to visit Chris' grandparents, see "The Little Mermaid" at Tuacahn, swim at the hotel, and hike at Zion's National Park.  Although it was hotter than we had hoped, we had a great time and enjoyed being together away from home.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the weekend...

On our drive home from St George we stopped in Sandy and celebrated Whitney's birthday with my family.  Whitney was thrilled to get some new shoes, clothes, and $money$ for gifts!! 

More on Whitney's birthday later.... :0)