Trip to Utah 2012

We made our annual summer trip to Utah for Derek and Ashley's wedding and the 4th of July. We had so much fun and did so much stuff. I am always amazed at how much we can pack into one trip. It's mostly thanks to Sandy's never ending energy and capacity to plan fun activities.

 We painted bird houses and there were a few tears shed over which kid gets which bird house. You know how that goes. That's why Jimmy looks so happy.

 We made a trip up to Salt Lake to visit the This is the Place Monument and museum. I don't remember a whole lot about that day other than it was extremely hot!

We hiked up to the Battle Creek waterfalls near Craig and Sandy's home. It's kind of our tradition to do that every summer.

We also got to visit our friends the Neilson's up in Salt Lake. They were our neighbors for a couple years while we were at UCLA. It's always a treat to spend time with them!

Trip to Arizona Summer 2012

We made a trip to Arizona shortly after my parents moved there from Billings. As always, we had a great time, but it was super hot!

 We love Missy but unfortunately her energy level doesn't really match up with Jimmy, Ben, and Luke's. We seem to really wear her out when were there. Sorry Missy! You're a trooper to put up with us!

 The boys loved riding in this Mercedes convertible (or maybe it was a BMW, I can't remember). Too bad that like a month later Brittany got into and accident and totaled it. Luckily no one was hurt, just the car.

 We got to visit Shawn and Byrdie and their kids. They moved to AZ for Shawn to do his residency in Emergency Medicine.

 I actually made that blanket for Sadie when she was like one and she still has it and sleeps with it every night! I'm glad my boys aren't the only ones who still sleep with their blankies.

Luke's Pre-K Culmination

This happened over a year ago but it's not every day that you graduate from Pre-K. We have to make sure that we remember that day forever! Way to go Luke!

 Jimmy had a nice teacher and she let him come to the ceremony. Ben's teacher wouldn't let him come. :(

Luke with Teacher Renee and Teacher Kim. This year was actually the very last year that they had Pre-K at Clover. They had to shut down the program because of budget cuts. :( I'm just glad that Luke got to be a part of it.

Camp Whitsett

One of the best activities that we ever got to do with pack 219 was the Memorial Day weekend celebration at Camp Whitsett. This place was awesome! They provided all of the food as well as the tents. Activities included archery, shooting, rock climbing, ropes course, crafts, canoeing, fishing and swimming (if you were willing to get into the 50 degree lake). There was no end to the fun and entertainment that Camp Whitsett provided! It's an experience that we will hopefully never forget.

 On the way we drove up with 2 of our favorite friends, Leslie and Aedan. We stopped at Sonic for lunch and the boys wanted to sun themselves on the sidewalk.

 Jim and I and a few other adults did the ropes course. It was super fun. I can say that now, but at the time the heights were freaking me out a little! But I made it through in one piece and I would totally do it again.

 The lake was freezing but in order to go out on the canoes an adult had to pass the swim test by swimming a couple laps in the ice cold water. I told Jim there was no way I was doing it so that left him. Can't have a sissy dad, no way! He did awesome!

All three of the boys made it to the top of the wall - even little Luke! I was a proud mom. Way to go guys!

Sleepover on the USS Midway

It is way past time to catch up on my blog. Back in 2012 (yes, I am a year and 4 months late!) the boys were able to go with Jim and their cub scout pack to spend a night on an aircraft carrier called the USS Midway in San Diego. This was not Jim's favorite activity with the cub scouts. It might have been the claustrophobic sleeping quarters or the horrible food or the fact that Jimmy had his very first asthma attack that night. Luckily there was someone with an inhaler. We didn't even know that Jimmy had asthma! Gotta love living by the 405 freeway. Despite all of these negatives the boys had a great time, they learned a lot and they will have fond memories of being able to sleep on a famous aircraft carrier!