Finishing out June / July 4th!

On Monday June 15th, my friend Shaylah and I took our boys to the temple to take baptism pictures. I'm glad the grounds crew were around so we could take pictures at an otherwise closed temple. Here's a few of my favorites!

We ordered a climbing dome (and swing to go in it) for our backyard. We got it on a rainy / blustery day so we held off putting it up. The kids begged for us to put it up so we (Casey) built it the next afternoon despite it being another drab day. The kids were so anxious and excited! They've enjoyed it since, and even more now that we have a big swing in it to hold them. I even built a "fort" with it this afternoon.

Peter chose to have a friends birthday party this year for his extra birthday fun. The Thursday before his birthday we went to the city park and he had a handful of ward buddies join us for some pizza and fun. We did bottle rockets, played capture the flag, and mostly just let the boys enjoy their time playing around and seeing each other again since Covid hit. Peter's friends at his party were - Lincoln, Trace, Sam, Gage, Austin, and Deacon!

We went out to Raft River that Friday to spend some time with Casey's parents. Cheryl was super sweet and bought Peter's favorite pizza and a cake so they could celebrate Peter with us early. They gifted Peter his scripture set that he's been excited to get all year! Saturday we helped them clean up some things in the basement and the kids played around.

Saturday afternoon we made our way to Logan where we were spending the next week with my family. Sunday we got to celebrate Peter's birthday and Father's Day! Andy came into town with Campbell, and David, Anica and their boys joined us that afternoon to play and eat. I made dole whips and cake for Peter's birthday. The kids shared their videos with Casey and Grandpa. Casey got a ukelele as his Father's Day present this year. He's learned a lot on it and enjoyed learning to play it. The kids made a treat box with fun sayings for the treats that he got before we headed to Logan.
It was a great day to celebrate the amazing boys in my life!

Casey helped David with work while we were there and my Dad had some of projects around his house that the kids and I helped with. The kids helped paint trim boards on Tuesday and the fence on Wednesday. I also helped paint the house with my parents during the week as well. Katherine was awesome and helped with Alice / the kids most days so I could help with projects as well.

Monday we ran into Billie at the store and she took Kendal and Peter back to Tony's to play with her kids in the sprinklers. I took Alice at the end and she and Maggie had a ball together!
Wednesday afternoon we went out to Nana's house. The kids played the afternoon away with Emma. That night after dinner we went up to enjoy an outing to Aggie Ice Cream. Casey and I drove the kids around campus giving them a verbal tour of our old stomping grounds / happenings. We also pulled out the pool for a couple of days for the kids to play in.

Thursday David and Anica came over for dinner and we did bottle rockets with the kids. They had fun playing. (Alice would empty her bottle of water before it even got put on the launcher - so funny.)

 

Sunday after lunch we met up with David and Anica and went for a walk along the golf course river. It was a beautiful day and the kids enjoyed time with each other. That evening we went out to Nana's and the kids played with Billie's kids. It's always a good time in Logan - the kids are spoiled with love and sweets. We may not have adventured much given life's current situations, but we worked, played, and snacked ourselves silly.

The kids had their dentist appointment this past Tuesday. The office was backed up, but we made it through. Alice did great in the chair instead of my lap for the first time (Thanks to Frozen 2 being played on the TV). Sadly Peter's loose tooth remains intact; we'll get it out one of these days. All the kids are cavity free and did a good job. We celebrated with Jamba Juice afterwards! We had Jemma a couple of days this week (I think she's learning too much from Alice - see below pic with the t-shirt skirt, and doll down the top ; ). On Wednesday I had a YW's activity where a gal in our ward taught us to paint a butterfly.  Casey took the kids out to watch Grady and Bryker's baseball games that night in Filer. The kids had a fun time with cousins that night!

Kendal and Peter have worked hard reading the past month to earn a reading goal from Barnes and Noble. Casey took them Wednesday to get their free books and Peter's birthday treat. They're on track to earn the library's reward in a couple of weeks. Aside from reading and a chore we've kept expectations minimal this summer. After home school we just wanted a relaxing summer without pushing the kids. They have options to do more (school) things to earn rewards, but it's up to them.
This past week Kendal and Peter have been spent most of their lazy summer afternoons playing with friends. They leave for a few hours every afternoon and come home tired and sun kissed. There is a new bike park (aka a couple of mounds of dirt to bike over in a field) that they've enjoyed with friends this week. They sold lemonade and even got away with 3 popsicles in one afternoon (from different houses ;) ). Alice is stuck with us and Jemma most days. She's upset when the kids go, happy when they play here, and takes charge in play time when they're gone.

I won a giveaway for Putter's Golf so we took the kids out Friday morning to play. It was chaos as expected with some real play here and there; nevertheless the kids had a great time and that's what matters. After a while Alice would just take the ball and drop it near the hole to try and hit it in. We ended with a shaved ice and smiles all around. We met up with Kate and her kids at the school park for lunch that day. It's nice being able to do simple play dates again! I gave the boys and Kendal hair cuts on Friday as well. Friday night Casey and I got to watch Hamilton! Out of all of the Broadway shows it's probably one or two on our list of shows we'd love to see. So we were thrilled that Disney + put it out for our viewing awesomeness (especially since we'll probably never fork over hundreds of dollars to see the live show). We enjoyed the show and it was a good addition to our fourth of July weekend!

We opted for a simple at home Fourth of July this year. We went up into the South Hills in the morning and did a short hike to Ross Falls. The falls are low this time of year, but it was still a good morning together! We let the kids spend time with friends that afternoon. I made an apple pie and Casey made homemade coconut ice cream to go with it (DELICIOUS!!). We had burgers, and watermelon. Afterwards we let the kids watch the Great Mouse Detective and eat desert before heading out to fireworks. We decided to head into Twin for the fireworks (7 years here and we've never been around for the fourth). We picked our spot on the CSI campus, played games with the kids and watched fireworks. Alice covered her ears with her blanket the whole time, but in the end said it was "awesome"! Peter didn't like the noise after awhile, but also enjoyed it nonetheless. Kendal enjoyed it all! We came home late and put the kids down while still listening to neighbors partying outside.

It's great to be 8!

Peter is 8!

Peter got to celebrate his birthday on Father's Day this year. He was happy to share his day with Dad / Grandpa / uncles. He wanted everyone to enjoy his day! He requested an Avengers cake. So I made him a cake with Captain America's shield on it. Peter got a new smart watch for his birthday. It's got a lot of cool features, and an app to go with it that he's enjoyed since. He also got his scripture case and fun pen to go with the scriptures Grandma and Grandpa gifted him. Aunt Katherine gave Peter a fun Lego sign, a Star Wars shirt, and a little Chewbacca. Grandma and Grandpa Loosle gave him a new tie and a Build-A-Bear gift card that he used to order some outfits for his beloved bear this week. David and Anica gifted him a fun new Lego set. We had a wonderful easy going day with family for Peter's birthday and enjoyed celebrating our favorite 8 yr old and Dads!

Peter has been so excited to turn 8! He completed his baptism interview and has chosen to be baptized this coming weekend!
Peter had a long spring - being stuck homeschooling with Mom was tough and getting through school work was a big deal. Peter's such an active kid that being stuck at home this spring was a bit rough for him, but we managed. Peter is smart and good very able in all things related to school; however he lacks confidence in his abilities, and the patience and perseverance to get things done without some push. We are very proud with how much he's grown at school this past year. He's reading well, and enjoyed his class / teacher.
Peter enjoyed soccer, and basketball this past year. He did well in both sports and grew in his skills. I would have to say his most requested active time though is bike rides (especially with Casey). He enjoys the quality time and getting out and active on his bike. He's also big into rollerblading!
Peter is a very loving and caring kid. He's very willing to help and do things for people. It's not always easy for him though, because he likes to take charge and do things on his timeline. He is my most thoughtful kid with his kind words and gestures. It melts my heart when he shares his love with us.
Peter is still our inventive / creative Lego master. His world is Lego's and that's his top (mostly only) request of play at home. He loves his Ninjago sets the most, but happily goes on adventures with his Superheros, Star Wars, and general sets of Legos as well!
To say Peter has a short fuse is an understatement. We are trying our best to love, teach, and help him through his difficult attitude, but often we come up short. I know his strong personality will someday be an amazing attribute and help him go far in life. For now in these younger years we're just doing our best.
Peter; we love you with all of our hearts, we believe in you, we care about you, we are lucky to have you in our lives, we are always here for you! Happy 8th birthday - may this be a great year for you!

Peter's 8 yr old birthday interview:

Favorite color: Blue

Favorite animal: monkey

Favorite food: spaghetti

Favorite snack: yogurt

Favorite books: dragon master

Favorite toy: little Legos 

Favorite song: I am a child of God

What he wants to be when he grows up: A person that builds houses

Nickname: Pete

Lazy Days of Summer

Since the kids missed out on end of school year parties (class, reading, and last day fun) we decided to let them do something they've been wanting to do for a couple of years - kayaking. Casey booked a kayak and took Kendal and Peter out on June second. They went from Centennial Park to Pillar Falls and back. They even got to play around on the rocks at the falls since the water level is low right now. They had a great time (even if the kids' rowing wasn't very helpful ; ).

That night we took the kids to the high school to watch the senior / graduation parade. It was good to get out and support the students and kids from our ward that are graduating.

My YW group did a glow stick dance activity where we made videos at home and then one of the parents put them all together for us to watch. I wanted to motivate my girls by going first, and Casey was sweet enough to join my crazy.

I had a good birthday! Casey made us pancakes for breakfast and I got to open cards from everyone. Casey also learned the happy birthday song on his Ukulele - so I got a couple of serenades that day. We ventured out to Mermaid Cove falls on the north side of the canyon later in the morning. It was a quick little hike, and we were lucky enough to miss the rain. We picked up some lunch on the way home to eat at home. That afternoon the kids ran off so Casey and I watched the latest Toy Story with Alice. When the kids came back Casey made home made Dole Whip. (Sooo Good!!) We ended the night with homemade pizza!

 

 We've had a very lazy week this past week. With sports cancelled and our days being hectic with school during lock down I'm welcoming a slower pace. I do have a reading and learning on the computer incentive going on with the kids this summer. They have to read everyday and can get extra tickets for doing writing and school stuff on the computer. The tickets go towards prizes (treat, Wii time, outing with mom / dad, etc.)  They spent their first weeks on treats and this past week they combined tickets to have a movie / treat. Kendal and Peter spend most afternoons off with friends while Alice naps or plays with us / Jemma (we have Jemma twice a week). Casey has open gym with basketball for the next month, so starting last Monday he's gone every night for a couple of hours. I got to have my first activity back with my Young Women group this past Wednesday. We had a pizza party (since we won the indexing competition with our ward youth), and we played volleyball. All our activities have to be outside for the next month so we'll see what we end up doing.
Friday evening we went over and had a cookout with the Welch's. Kendal and Peter had been there for a couple of hours and we joined after Jemma was picked up. Alice dressed up the whole time and we enjoyed chatting while the kids were playing around.