Pioneer Days

We went, once again, to our traditional July 24th bash. The waterslide was a huge hit in the hot July weather. I was even tempted to go down it just to cool off!

This was the ball Evan threw just before the one that actually hit the target and dunked Cade. Evan has a great arm, and my camera wasn't ready in time!

Evan getting a spider painted on his face.

Kendal showing off her flower that she had painted on her face, but everytime she showed someone, she just rubbed it off with her finger. Haylee had a flower and butterfly painted on her face.

Ahhh, the squirt bottles to keep everyone cool.

The bottles always turn into a big water fight~

I am so bummed this picture came out blurry. We had some security guard take it, not sure what he did.... Anyway, these are our awesome friends who we go to Pioneer days with every year. We love you guys! (and miss all of our friends who used to come each year before moving away:(

Our yearly family picture we take just as we are getting ready to watch the fireworks.

Mt Charleston

Mt Charleston is a great way to beat the Vegas heat. We headed up one Sunday afternoon and had lunch. The kids, along with Spirit, enjoyed running and exploring. The 85 degree weather and overcast skies were perfect.

*Happy 4th of July*

We started the day off BBQing and swimming with friends, along with an intense game of football on the X-box between Bryce and Eric. Then it was nap time to get the kids ready for more friends coming over for dessert, night swimming and fireworks. It was a long day (everyone finally left our house around 11), but the kids loved every minute of it! It was an awesome day spent with lots of friends:)

When we tell Kendal to smile, she closes her eyes! I had to stop telling her to smile so I would have some pictures with her eyes open.

I love this cute dog of ours!

Evan and Kendal holding hands...so cute!

Haylee all decked out with her bow, shirt and flip flops! We love the 4th around here!

Haylee with her favorite babysitter Leah.

Getting ready to watch the fireworks

I'm not sure what this sad face is for.. but it's cute anyway.

Our first few weeks of summer

Haylee and friends (& Kendal) - little cuties!

More friends - they have SO many friends in this neighborhood!

Crazy kids!

What is it with boys and climbing trees? This time it was to retrieve a flip flop they had thrown into the tree.

Of course, swimming lessons with the most fabulous swimming teacher ever!

Our official summer kick-off

Even though we have been swimming and BBQing for over a month now, Memorial day is technically the 'official' kick off for summer.

Nothing says summer like these two cuties in their goggles:)

Of course, endless hours in the pool. On a side note, it looks like someone should jump in and rescue Kaycee who is face down with her floaties on. Not to worry, she is a little fish, and was just swimming away.

It just wouldn't be a pool party here without the dads taking turns to throw the kids in the pool.

I didn't get very good pictures of our water balloon fight. They were all throwing the balloons way too fast. Cade managed to get Bryce right in the chest with one - he was pretty proud of himself. All that football practice is paying off:)

Not a typical walk around the neighborhood

We love to take walks around the neighborhood at night. We have a walking trail in our neighborhood that we usually stick to. Last night, we decided to change it up. We tied the wagon to the back of Bryce's quad. The kids all took turns riding in the wagon, and driving the John Deer tractor (or as they call it - 'their' quad) I jumped on the back of the quad with Bryce and we took off -at a whopping 5 mph lol. I think we earned ourselves the cool parent award last night:)

Sorry the pictures are so dark - but you get the idea.

Yes, Cade is WAY too big for this. His quad needs a new chain, so he is settling for this right now.

Kendal was not quite ready to give up the wagon ride yet. I had to drag her kicking and screaming into the house. Something tells me our wagon is going to be hooked up to the quad a few more times.

Cade's assignment at school

It was called "My Special Mother" The blue words are where he filled in the blanks. Lol, gotta love kids!

My mother is the most wonderful mother in the whole world. She weighs 60 pounds and is 7 feet tall. She has blonde hair and blue eyes. Her favorite food is Everything! In the good old days when mom was little she used to play with her friends. I think my mom looks funny when she runs, and I know she is really mad when she spills. I wish my mom would swim with me everyday. I wouldn't trade my mother for 100 dollars. She is great!! Love, Cade