Busy Busy (and quite possibly the longest blog post ever)

We have just been running from one activity to another lately. Lots of fun stuff, but it's crazy how I sometimes think that summers supposed to be relaxing time... Ha Ha Ha.

On Friday, June 5th, we went camping with my parents, sisters, brother and families. (Bob stayed home though, because he wasn't feeling well. He did get to attend Lily's birthday party that night though for us.) My parents picked a fun spot - an RV campground just past the Ashley Inn in Cascade, called Water's Edge. It was a quick trip - we only stayed one night - but we had a lot of fun! We had chicken tin foil dinners for dinner on friday night, with smores, rice krispy treats, and cookies for dessert. The kids played and played. Saturday morning we had yummy breakfast burritos and some cinnamon rolls. Then some of us stayed around the camp to hang out with the babies (Mylie & Jayden) while everyone else went down to the water to play. The park had kyaks that were free to use and Dan brought up Dad's canoe and life jackets. Braden, Mylie and I headed out just before lunch time and everyone else went home a few hours later. (I forgot my camera - so no pics until my siblings send me some...)

Saturday at 4pm was Lily's baptism! She was so beautiful in her white dress and Grandma Sara was able to be one of the speakers for the program beforehand. It was great for Braden to see what a baptism is all about. We are so proud of Lily for choosing to be baptized and for the excellent example that she is to her little cousins.

On Monday, Braden started 2 weeks of swim lessons. These are his first lessons, so he is in the beginner class. We found a place only about 3 minutes from where we live and it is great! There are 2 teachers and 6 kids in the class. Braden loves it and we are amazed that he is so willing to get his face wet for them. (He screams when we get water on his face in the bathtub still...)

Monday evening, we met Grandma Sara, Stephane & Shane, Jennifer and families at the park. The cousins played and played and then Stephanie taught a cute quick family home evening lesson and we enjoyed yummy lemon bars that Lily made. Thanks guys! Mylie also had her first ride in a swing at the park - she loved it!

On Wednesday, Braden got to go play with Katie, Zach and Morgan at Jennifer's parents house. They watched movies, swam in the hot tub, ate yummy food and played lots. Braden thought the hot tub was pretty cool stuff. Thanks so much Jennifer!

Thursday, Stephanie and Savanah were great and took Braden to swim lessons for me while I got caught up on some work. Afterwards we met at Settler's park, ate some lunch and the kids played a bit. Then we tried to go to a local library to see a magic show, but there were no parking spaces in the little parking lot so we headed to a thrift store instead. Braden got to go home with Savanah for a few hours and play.

Friday during the day we watched Jayden for a little while at my parent's house while Michaela rested and worked on recovering from having 2 wisdom teeth pulled that morning.

On Friday night, we met Stephanie's family and Jennifer's family at Settler's park to watch Speed Racer. The kids played a lot on the toys beforehand and then we settled down on blankets and in chairs to watch the movie. There were soo many people there! It was definitely a fun experience.

On Saturday, I had a yard sale at my parent's house so just Bob & Braden were able to go to Morgan's 2nd birthday party. (Mylie was asleep - and she needed it.) Braden loved the pinata and I heard that he took it's head off right at the beginning of the fun, so the head had to be repaired by Uncle Shane so that everyone else could have a turn. We gave Morgan this cute Little Tikes Gardening set (a mom clearly did not design this - white gloves??? what were they thinking?) and Morgan got to open it twice because Bob didn't watch when she opened it the first time.


Jennifer also brought birthday gifts for Braden and Mylie because she won't be in town next month for their birthdays. Thanks Jen - they love the gifts!

The yard sale went great. We sold a lot of the things we took over there including some big baby items that we don't want to store "just in case" we might need them again - baby swing, bassinet, cradle, & bouncy seat. We still have a few things to sell, but luckily my brother will be having a yard sale with his in-laws at his house in a few weeks and we'll take the things there.
I was also able to do a bit of yard sale-ing myself and picked up a wire rack for my pantry for 25cents, a nice outside thermometer - new in box - for $3, & a groovy girl for Mylie for $1. I went around with Dan and found some things for him to take home too - some cool divided lunch boxes 50cents for 2, a set of Eddie Bauer picnic plates/cups/silverware - service for 8 and new in box - for $3, and a Playtex Hip Hammock for $2!

Saturday night, Bob and I used some of our yard sale money and went out on a much needed date to see a movie. My parents watched the kids and Braden even got to spend the night and go to church with them the next day. On the way to see Night at the Museum, we stoped at Babies R Us and bought another much-needed baby gate. Mylie seems to think that our stairs are her jungle gym.

On Sunday, we celebrated Father's day with my parents and family. Mom made a great dinner with some melt-in-your mouth pork ribs. Dessert was cookies and ice cream.

As you can see - we've got a lot going on - but it's all good, fun stuff and we love it.