Runnin around

 June has only lasted a few weeks, but we've packed those few weeks full so far. 

Casey has been doing open gyms for the high school basketball team most nights this month. He took a couple of nights off for Young Men's activities (mini golf). He had an another basketball tournament up in Boise on the 11th and 12th. The girls played decently; he was stuck going back and forth across Boise though for two days helping out and splitting his time between the Varsity and JV teams that were playing in different places. He stayed overnight with his Aunt Stacy. He came home for a day and we were able to go out to Raft River for a monthly dinner with the Darrington's. We had a relaxed evening together with the kids playing all around and enjoying the evening. Casey left early the next morning back to Boise for some workshops for his "aware project" with a bunch of other teachers / administrators. He learned a lot, ate some good food, and enjoyed a lux hotel. We got to celebrate Casey on Sunday! The kids colored cards and we had an easy going morning together. We are so blessed and lucky to have this amazing man in our lives. He loves our kids so very much, teaches them, he blesses our family, works so hard, and is definitely the favorite at our house.

Kendal has had club volleyball open gyms twice a week. She's enjoying the opportunity to further her skills and practice some more. Kendal had her last track meet on the 9th. Se did a good job on her shot put (probably her best this season), her hurdles were cautious since she fell the previous week, she did long jump, and ran the 400. She's aging out of this little track club and will move onto middle school track next spring. Kendal got to go to girls camp this past week. She left bright and early Wednesday morning. She ended up in a tent since our ward was bigger, but she did fine. She had a difficult hike (6 + miles), but she persevered and made it to the top! She really enjoyed rec time where she did archery, ax throwing, rock climbing, crafts, and water activities. They did a skit night with the whole stake (near 400 girls), a testimony night, and a fun story telling night. She had a lot of fun and came back bursting with stories and fun! 

Peter has done decently in track this year. He did make the choice to compete up a level against kids 1-3 years older than him, but It was all about his progress, not the competition this year. He did well on the 9th, and had his last track meet on the 16th. He got third in hurdles, and did his best in the other events. Last week Peter had a basketball camp with the high school boys for a few days. He enjoyed going and playing around with the big boys and cousin David was there as well. On the 16th The stake put on an Activity Days day camp at the football field. Peter got to do a bunch of stations (rope tying, wood craft, police, fireman, games, etc.) he had so much fun. It did make for a long day because he was there from 8:30-2 and at track from 3-6. Peter turned 9 yesterday!! We celebrated with Casey's parents Sunday night when they came for a father's day dinner. Peter helped with his Chewy cake and was giving me pointers all along the way to make it "perfect". We went up to Boise yesterday to celebrate by going to Roaring Springs water park.  Peter loved the lazy river the most (he spent the majority of his pool time there) as well as the tidal wave pool. He went done one huge slide with Casey and Kendal and vowed not to do it again, but we did convince him to do the tube slide a couple times which he ended up liking. Kendal was willing to do most things, but always with questions lingering about height and such on the huge slides. I'll go on about Alice bellow, spoiler she had an epic time! Overall the kids had the best time; we were there from 11 to almost 6. Peter chose chick fil a for dinner and all of the kids zonked out on the way home from having such an awesome / long day in the sun/water. 

Alice isn't in any of the "big kid" activities yet, but she's carted to most of them, and a trooper to boot. She occupies herself at track meets with Jemma or James, playing in the dirt or in the grass area. We get Jemm a couple of times as week so she's got a buddy around which is nice since Kendal and Peter are in an out with activities and playing at friends. We've started going back to story time at the Library. While she's still shy some weeks, other's she's really into it. At Roaring Springs yesterday Alice was our bold kid who ended up addicted to the water slides. She went down the kiddie ones over 20 times and also a lot of the bigger ones. She did get scared in a tube one that she rode solo and it gave her a nice bonk on the head so she wouldn't ride again, but other than that she was our thrill seeker for the day.

p.s. she learned how to turn on my camera phone 

Together we made a Lego zip line on a random hot day. The kids built their own creations and Casey tied a line from the kitchen to the other side of the living room. It was a lot of fun to do. When Casey was away on the 11th I wanted to give the kids a bit of fun so we went out to Nat Soo Pa to swim. I was a human jungle gym for a while. Thankfully Alice warmed up to the water and was willing to trust her floaties. Peter liked the water slide a lot and was either on that or ridding a pool noodle around like a horse most of the time. Kendal did it all; diving, hot tub, swimming, slides. Casey and I took Peter and Alice our for some frozen yogurt while Kendal was at camp (so they could have some "fun" to). We've had some more movie nights since the kids "can" sleep in, and enjoyed a few tv shows together (Lego masters, Loki, Luca, etc.). 

Zip line / frozen yogurt

Nat Soo Pa

Fun family faces! 

Cabellas / Roaring Springs! 

Last track meet together

 

Peter is 9!

 Peter is 9!

Peter has grown leaps and bounds this year. He's progressed a lot in school and ended the year with strait A's and good test scores. He did great with reading this year and had a passion for graphic novels (mostly dragons,  Geronimo Stilton, Dog Man,  etc.; really he tried almost all of the books from that section at school.) Peter has a big personality and a bigger heart. He feels all of the feels and they're always strong. He still has a strong stubborn side,  but he's doing so well in recognizing when he's stepped to far and adjusts his mood sooner. In recent years I've made a birthday card with the kids favorite this doodled in pictures on them. This year Peter got, Chewbacca, Legos, monkeys, marvel avengers,  dragons,  climbing trees, friends, shows,  and sports (soccer,  basketball, track) drawn on his card. Peter loves to go out and play with friends.  He's a natural at sports, (we just need to work on his competitive drive). Peter you are funny, sweet, stalwart, friendly, giving, and so so wonderful; we love you too infinity and beyond!

Peter's favorites at age 9!

Favorite color: Blue

Favorite animal: Monkey

Favorite food:  Pizza

Favorite snack: Pop Tart

Favorite book: Graphic novels

Favorite Toy: Legos

Favorite song: I am a Child of God

What he wants to be when he grows up: Teacher

Nickname: Pete

At 9 Peter is 4ft 4in. and he weighs in at 68lbs

Farewell

Kendal had a field trip to Craters of the Moon on the 26th. She was able to go with most of her friends and got to ramble around and explore with their classes. She had a great day!

The kids had their first track meet on the 26th. Peter chose to do shot put, long jump, hurdles, and the 400. Kendal came later because she hadn't come back from Craters of the Moon yet. She was able to fit in a couple of races. She did the 200, and the 400. I had Alice and Jemma which were attached at the hip, but we made do. 

Kendal and Peter's dear friends moved this past week. Their mom put together a couple of events for her kids friends to enjoy before the move. On the 27th they put on a foam party after school. Peter dove right in and had an epic time in the foam. Alice was timid at first, but slowly engaged and ended up loving the whole experience. Kendal came a bit late since she had piano, but she took no time getting into the fun with everyone. 

 

For Memorial weekend we headed down to Logan. We got to get some time on the four wheelers Saturday morning. That afternoon we went out to the Clarkston Cemetery and then had a treat out at Caspers ice cream. I was able to visit Nana a couple of times taking dinner. It's heartbreaking to see her in her current state - my prayers are with her continually. Sunday we joined my parents at church and spent some time in the afternoon at the Logan Cemetery. All of the kids got to spend time together. Alice and Maggie gathered sticks together for awhile. Monday we went out early to the Hyrum cemetery to visit more graves. We spent the afternoon at Tony's. The kids played on giant blow up slides and a bounce house, while the rest of us conversed and ate. We were able to bring Nana out of her facility to see all of the grand kids. She was so happy to see everyone and it was so nice to spend some quality time with her. 

On Tuesday I got to go to the kids' school and watch an awards assembly. Kendal was awarded three awards! She received an award for being a top reader in her school. She also received recognition for earning her Honors in reading. Kendal was also awarded the Presidential award for academic achievement (meaning she had all A's for 4th and 5th grade, and had a glowing recommendation from her teacher about her being an outstanding student.) Even with two wiggly toddlers it was such a neat thing to see Kendal receive these awards. We're so very proud of her!

Peter had an Activity days activity Tuesday evening. He got to scooter around the church parking lot trying to memorize articles of faith. I don't think much memorizing got done, but he had a blast nonetheless. Alice finished her third preschool book last week! She's learned a lot this year and and I can't wait to see what she can do in preschool this coming year! I've taken Alice and Jemma to the library for story time the last few weeks. They made feeders two weeks ago and loved checking on them this past week. 

The kids had their last day of school on the 2nd. They had a field day at school. It was a very hot day, and while the kids had fun they were seeking the shade a lot as well. We've been so lucky to have Mrs. Robison take over Peter's class since January. She's been amazing in every way and so good for Peter. She would often tell me that a smile from Pete would brighten her day and he was a really good kid in class for her! Peter was able to have his teacher Mrs. Hedden (wasn't able to get a pic) back for a handful of half days in May. It was a bit harder than expected, but the kids were grateful to see her again. Peter ended his year on a great track for reading and his other subjects he did very well in! We're so proud of his growth and hard work this year! Kendal had an outstanding year with Mrs. Reed. I really appreciated that Mrs. Reed took the time to encourage and challenge Kendal academically. She saw her potential and was always sharing praises about Kendal's enthusiasm for school and her wonderful attitude. Kendal has been so sad to see school come to an end. It comes with a lot of changes (friends moving, new schools, and no more of her favorite daily thing - school). Casey also faces a lot of changes in school. He lost his core team of teachers to moves and retirement, along with a new principal and secretary. He didn't want to see such awesome people go, but I know he'll be a good team leader this coming year with the new teachers!

  

 

The kids had a track meet on the last day of school as well. Kendal and Peter did the same events (shot put, hurdles, long jump, and the 400).  Kendal had an off day and ate it on a couple of the hurdles, but she improved her time on the 400! Peter did better in shot put, and was on par with last week for his other events. It was a really hot day, but the kids did their best! 

 

 

To top it off that day the kids got a late night movie with their friends that were moving. We headed over at 9 and watched our last outdoor movie with the Bingham's. Alice even got to join this time because Casey was at basketball practice. The kids got to watch Raya and the last Dragon. It was by far the latest the kids have ever been up (near midnight), but you only live once and it'll be memories they never forget. 

Thursday the kids got to go to the Dansies for an end of the year pool party. Alice was pretty brave and got in and out of the pool a bunch of times, and even tried the trampoline a bit. Kendal was in the pool almost the whole time and Peter was in and out as well with his buddies. After lunch we headed to the park to see the Binghams (who earned a primary reward) pie some leaders in the face! The kids all got some cool whip and had some last laughs together. That afternoon Kendal and Peter had to say goodbye to their buddies - Adi and Deacon will be very missed and I know we'll see them again, but it was still very hard to see them go. 

   

Casey was off at a basketball tournament in Pocatello this past weekend so I took the kids to the South hills and we did the little hike to Ross Falls Saturday morning. We were a little disappointing that the falls wasn't very big, but it was a nice outing anyways. That evening we had early birthday churros and the kids played wii with Daddy. 

I had a nice birthday. We had an easygoing morning at home. I plunged into my new calling as Primary secretary - which Alice loves because it means I go to primary with her. Peter just made faces at me all during singing time. Casey made delicious dole whips and we played games together. All in all a good day. The kids started summer full swing this morning doing some typing and reading. Kendal is thrilled to continue school work, Peter just wants computer time and prizes, but i'll take it. It's a crazy month full of sports, camps, and other things, but it'll be so fun! Farewell Binghams, farewell school, hello Summer!