Painting at Preschool

I am having so much fun teaching in David's co-op preschool.  Last week the children got to paint and use foam stamps.  Elijah enjoys the learning activities too.  As you can see he got carried away with the paint.  It's amazing what he can do in just a minute while my back is turned.

Family Reunion

Something we enjoy every summer is family reunions.  This year we went to Wyoming for my husband's family reunion.  We had fun hiking to a geiser.  One of their family traditions is a money dig for the kids.  David thought he was rich when he had a cup full of change.

Pioneer Day Parade

Okay I really have to work on taking more pictures.  Luckily I took a few of my kids with their cousins.  Lexie loves cousins.

The night before we went about 9:00 pm to find a place and it was packed.  I couldn't believe it.  Next year we will have to go really early  and hang out so we can find a great place.  It is also hard saving a spot for about twenty people.

Sadie is going to kill me for posting this picture.  She basically had time to get her clothes on, brush her hair and head out the door.  By the way the boy in the picture is my little brother.

Rule number one when going to the parade find a place in the shade.  We were in the shade and toward the front so it was great.

Toward the end Elijah was done.  He kept trying to lay down on the ground, silly kid.  Family fun.

Wheeler Farm

I decided we needed to visit Wheeler Farm last week.  It has been so hot I tried to get their early but it still wasn't early enough.  It was very hot but we still had fun.

Elijah has found a new talent.  He has learned to climb.  Wheeler Farm was a great place because they had lots of things for him to climb on.

David enjoyed seeing the calves.  One was just a few weeks old.  So cute.

There is a great big tree that  is perfect for climbing on and had great shade.  Lexie loved being able to climb so high.

There was this one chicken that Elijah loved chasing.  He tried to catch her but was not fast enough.

Summer Fun...Church History Museum

This summer I have been trying hard to take the kids on outings at least once a week.  It has been so hot I have had to come up with ideas that keep us from getting hot.  Last we took Trax downtown to the Church History Museum.  It was David's first time on Trax and he loved it.  He loves Thomas the train plus his dad takes Trax every day so being on Trax was a big deal for him.

We went to The Church History museum.  The kids loved the activites.  They got to dress in Biblical costumes and be part of the nativity scene.  

Elijah found a new way to have fun with the bean bag toss game.

Lexie enjoyed coloring paper dolls.  It was a fun day.

Steve's Official Graduation!

What an awesome day!  It was one of the best days ever.  I can't explain how much admiration and love I have for my husband for completing his bachelor's degree.  It was a LONG hard battle but he did.  Despite life's hardships and obstacles he finally was able to finish one of his greatest goals in his life.

 Steve's mom and sister were there to support Steve at his graduation.  After the graduation Steve's mom took all of us to ice cream.  She also decorated the house and had some great banners hanging at our house, telling Steve what great job he did.  I love his mom. She is a wonderful woman.

This is part of my family that came to support Steve.  I love having a supportive family.  They are the best cheerleaders and friends anyone could ask for.  That evening everyone came over to celebrate. We played games and laughed and talked about what a great guy Steve is.  Could you have a better day than that?  Way to go Steve!

4th of July Weekend

I loved having the 4th be on the Sunday.  We were able to celebrate Independence Day the entire weekend, rather than just one day.  On Saturday we watched fireworks at Murray Park.  I wish I had gotten pictures of that.  It was so fun.  I just loved having my children snuggled up next to me as the loud booms went off.  There is nothing better than hearing your children ooh and ah at the beautiful fireworks. 

On Sunday we had a BBQ with Grandma and Grandpa Colbert.  I had to miss out on that one.  Lexie was sick and we stayed home. But we got to watch a movie and hang out. 

On Monday our family's big tradition is to have a big breakfast in the park, have an Independence Day devotional and then play until the afternoon. 

The weather was perfect and we played and played until  Elijah couldn't stand it anymore and needed to be napped. 

That evening we BBQ'd at my sister's house and then watched her fireworks and watched the kids with their sparklers.  It was a busy, exhausting day but very fun.  Man I love the 4th of July.  And I love this country.  I love being able to reflect on how blessed I am to be in this country that God has preserved for my family.  I am very blessed and am thankful for those who have fought to keep this country free.