Summer Fun

We spent A LOT of time at the Pool...


Hot Tub was a favorite spot for all of us

Enjoyed the rainstorms and playing in the rain puddles

Soccer, until I spranged my ankle :(

Playing at the Playground

Rock Climbing with Friends

Outdoor concerts at the park


Cooking breakfast
Library Summer Party, many things to do and see



Jamie and I having fun with Nickell who came to visit from Utah.

Our cute kiddos!
Roller Skating with friends


Jamie and I having fun with Nicole who came to visit from DC.

Our cute kiddos!

We also enjoyed going to the movies, and having picnic lunches...GOOD SUMMER FUN!!!

FedEx ,Here I Come!

Cassidy has been a fan of FedEx since she could talk because her daddy works there. Whenever she would see a FedEx truck she would shout FEDEX! This summer she has been asking Derek if she could go to work with him. Derek gave it some thought and surprised her with a Daddy/Daughter work schedule.

Cassidy was soooo excited and packed her backpack with coloring books, puzzels, "Greenie" (her favorite blanket), some toys, water bottle, snacks, band-aids, etc. She was so prepared, I didn't even have to help her.

That Thursday afternoon couldn't come fast enough. Derek thought it would be best to start at just one hour and then I would pick her up. She did great! She colored pictures for all of Daddy's co-workers. They had such a fun time. I think once every other week is going to stick. It's a special time for the two of them. And for me, it's a great time to read, go shopping, or catch up on some phone calls.

I just love what those two share together!

Ward Campout

I asked our Bishop if our ward can have a family camp out this summer...the wish came true. I really enjoyed helping with the planning. We had 23 families come. Everyone helped out with the program, food, games, etc. I think it was so fun and hopefully we can make this a new tradition every year.

Devotional about our Pioneer Heritage

The day of the camp out, we got permission to have a campfire. The fire restrictions were lifted. And every night that week it rained but not our weekend of camping. The weather was perfect! The moon was so bright we didn't need flashlights. Talk about being blessed!

Adorable Brother & Sister Kofford (Doesn't he look like President Hinckley?)

Sitting around the campfire, singing songs and sharing pioneer stories. Brother Kofford played his harmonica.

Our Bishopric served us a pancake & bacon breakfast. Yummy!

Friends

Activities: Catching Balloons from the launcher, and water balloon volleyball

Bishop caught one! And got all wet!

Cassidy & Aspen doing the 3 legged race

Egg Toss

Frog Race...1st, 2nd, & 3rd place. Guess who won??? I did! :)

Oatmeal Cream Pie eating contest

Cassidy and her friend Emmeline enjoyed this game

Suzanne ended up tying for first

Patricia showed us how it's done...bobbing for apples

The kids loved climbing the trees

Marbles

Taking down the tent :(

4th of July

We love spending time with FRIENDS!

I love this girl and those dirty feet

Girls just want to have fun!

Friends Forever

Our Guys

Waiting to watch the fireworks on our deck

Growth!!

THE BEGINNING...

NOW...KINDERGARTEN!!

(Picture taken in the courtyard at her school)

Time sure does fly by!! We had a "Back to School" party the night before the big day. Cassidy chose the menu for dinner (mac & cheese, broccoli, chocolate shakes). Then we read a scripture about "Joy in Learning" and talked about how blessed we are to learn so much as we live here on Earth.
We gave her couple of gifts. We bought her a wonderful kids book on Manners in School. Love it! Also, a little seashell jewelry box we bought in the Bahamas. We told her it was filled with her parents love even if she couldn't see it and if she ever needed to feel our love she can open her box anytime. It was wonderful to help prepare our little girl for this new chapter in her life.

First day of school. Derek had the whole week off so we were fortunate to have him be a part of it. We were all very excited for this day and the rest of the week!

Right outside Cassidy's classroom. Love the name of her Kindergarten teacher...
Mrs. Panek (Panic)

Cassidy did GREAT!! She gave us hugs and the cutest smile before she walked into her classroom all by herself. She didn't waste anytime to start with her desk work. I had to walk in and take just one more picture before we left. It wasn't until I turned the corner outside of her classroom that I started crying. I was so happy that she was happy but I was sure going to miss our old routine together. It was like I had to mourn my 4 year old and now embrace my new Kindergartener. I couldn't be more proud of the way she handled herself this day and every day since. Bring on this new adventure! :)

I just love that her school follows an uniform dress code

A Welcoming Home Surprise

There was a surprise when we arrived home. A House Wren built her nest on my wreath, that hangs on my front door. And we found 5 baby eggs in the nest. So cute!

She's sitting on her eggs, what a good mommy bird!

Checking for danger

1st Baby Bird that hatched. The baby was looking right at me.

We enjoyed watching the baby birds hatch and grow. We were so careful to use our garage door to go in and out of the house. She would fly away every time someone came to the front door.

Unfortunately, one night it was so windy the next morning we found that the nest tipped over and those sweet babies fell to their death.

We didn't have the heart to tell Cassidy what really happened. So we just told her the baby birds went to a better place. It was so sad. The birds didn't even have all their feathers yet. But for the time we did have to watch them it was a neat experience.

I wonder if their mom was the bird that pooped on our car??? It wasn't our fault. :(