Summer: Month TWO!!

July was a busy month at our house . . . it seemed like we were running almost the entire month.  We were still able to squeeze some fun in though.  The first week Chase and Trey spent at the Burley pool working on the requirements for the swimming merit badge.  Chase was able to finish it and Trey has one requirement left.   

We had a pretty low-key 4th of July which was great!  We went to the Rupert 4th of July parade that morning, and it was HOT!!  I was really good to make sure that everyone got sunblock on . . . everyone that is except for me.  I put it on my face and arms, but completely forgot my legs and they go fried (enough that I could hardly walk the following day).  The little boys loved seeing all the tractors, fire trucks, police cars, and horses. 

We went to lunch at Burger King and then picked up our fireworks on the way home.  The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing and swimming in the pool.  That night we let off our fireworks.  The older three boys were more interested in lighting the fireworks than actually watching them.  It is going to be interesting when we have ALL six boys each wanting to light the fireworks. 

Chase went to Scout Camp at Camp Bradley during the second week. He was able to earn 8 more merit badges as well as do some fishing with his Scout Master. He had a great time!

The third and fourth weeks were full of dentist appointments for cleanings and fillings, doctor appointments, and swimming lessons.  We told Chase that because he had completed the swimming merit badge that he didn't need to take swimming lessons, which he was more than excited about. So he got to stay home and take care of Declan, which was much appreciated because there was no way that Declan would have sat for an hour.   The boys did great in swimming lessons and all passed their classes and will move up to the next class next summer. 

We spent an evening bucking hay bales.  Can I just say how nice it is to have boys that are strong enough to do a good chunk of the work now . . . especially since I was unable to help out this year other than drive.  After the work was all done we finished off the night with homemade chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches and italian sodas.

July was also filled with fun in the pool, canning beets, a bike wreck (Chase), fixing a car, and lots of fishing!  It was a great month!

 

 

Lazy 4th of July

Despite the hot weather we had a nice, relaxing 4th of July. We had met G & G Yearsley in Pocatello the evening before so that Chase, Trey, and Layton could spend the week with them. So we just had Zander, McKay, and Declan. We had a pretty low-key morning with a bit of sleeping in--about 8:00 (that is sleeping in at our house). Had breakfast and did a few things in the yard. Then we drove over to the parade in Rupert. We got there just in time for the boys to see the tractors, ambulances, and horses. After the parade we went to Carl's Jr and picked up some lunch. We then drove to a quiet little park in Heyburn. We were surprised to find that we had the park to ourselves, minus a few crows. We ate our lunch and layed around in the shade. Zander and McKay had fun playing on the swings, slide, and chasing butterflies. We threw some fries on the ground in a path and watched the crows work their way closer and closer to us. After spending two hours at the park we headed to Walmart to pick up some food for dinner. On the way home we stopped at a firework stand and bought some fireworks for later in the evening. The boys could hardly wait. They kept asking all evening "Is it time for us to do fireworks." When we got home we watched Shrek: Forever After. We had a late dinner and then decided to do fireworks at about 9-9:30. Zander and McKay had so much fun watching the snakes, ground flowers, tanks, laying hens, and airplanes. They weren't sure what to think when we lit off the Saturn Missle Battery. Our neighbor just up from us did huge fireworks and the boys loved that. They also had fun looking around the valley and seeing all the fireworks going on.It was a great day celebrating our country's Independence. I am grateful to all those who have served and currently serve to protect our nation's freedoms. We truly live in a blessed land!