The month began with a campout on August 1st. Tyler and I had to split up the responsibilities with it though. Tyler feverishly packed and loaded up the kids to get to the site before dark. Although we had this trip planned 6 months beforehand, we were not prepared. I was finishing up a video I made for Grandma Stoehr's 90th birthday celebration. I was quite stressed and didn't want to go camping at all. It was expected to be cold and I hadn't packed a thing. But Tyler insisted we go, and not forfeit the $30 of whatever it cost to go. Just before the kids were loading up, our pet bunny at the time, escaped again, and was in the neighbors yard. Jocelyn and I tried to capture her but to no avail. We couldn't waste any more time trying so we left her out in the wild of the neighborhood. Also, that night the Bishop wanted to meet with me to release me from Primary presidency and called me as an adviser in the Young Women's. I was pretty surprised (I had only been serving in primary for 9 months) but I love serving in the YW. Needless to say, I stayed home wrapping up the video, very late at night while Tyler took kids camping. Going to bed late then waking up early to drive to the campsite (which I'd never been to and cell service is very spotty).I barely found it in time for Tyler to leave to to go work for the day. I spent all the day with the kids while he worked. He came back up that night. We camped for 2 nights total. It wasn't terribly cold though the kids were not prepared with warm clothing particularly pjs. Tyler and I did not communicate very well about what food to pack so....yeah....it was interesting. Very survival feeling. However, the main reason we went was because Jennie invited us. She goes every summer with her group of friends so I was happy to tag along. Our kids had a hard time socializing with other friends there, but still had fun and met some new teenagers and enjoyed being with their cousins. The little kids mostly ran around in the woods, not very far off, while the older kids played board games. Although they were clingy and bored at times, it was good for them to be in nature. That night we had s'mores, talent show and stayed up laughing and chatting with the adults around the campfire. It was a fun weekend. Oh, and a neighbor found and caught our rabbit and put her safely back in her cage. Here's a link to Gma Stoehr's video
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| Cecily helping with the dishes. She really was happy to be doing them. The Sleight's were pretty prepared with their camping gear. |
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| We didn't' take enough pictures!! |
The day we came back from camping Marci and kids were waiting for us! The kids were ecstatic to spend time with them a bit longer before they went back to Texas until next summer. We went to our traditional Bliss froyo stop. Repeated the cousin pic, oldest to youngest. Samuel tried comforting Colin who got whacked or something during the lineup.
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| Eva teaching Cecily some baking skills |
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| Chickens caught in their natural habitat, sleeping in trees. Before the coops was completely finished, they escaped and jumped on the tree above the coop. We had to get them down so they weren't prey to a larger animal that night. |
The kids barely got their summer reading in for the county library campaign. They earned tickets to Elitches. We went with Jennie and the same camping friends. Samuel brought Elijah (and Sienna, you can see her face on the spider looking ride, she's sitting next to Samuel, not pictured) along. It. was. SO. HOT!!! It was one of the hottest days of the summer to go. Luckily, we got there after lunchtime. I bought Little Caesars to eat in the car on the way over and sandwich materials to make for dinner in the parking lot. We were allowed to bring in empty water bottles. They had drinking fountains with mildly cold water so we kept refilling and dumping on our heads and drank a ton of water. But you can see Colin's' cheeks, combination of sunburn and just being hot. The lines weren't terribly long but the kids agreed they didn't need to go again for another year. Sam stayed a bit longer and went home with his friends. Sam was brave and went on nearly every "scary" ride. Although, he declared they weren't scary enough. I was brave and went on one of the major roller coasters with Sam. It whipped my head around but it was so fun. It was the kind that goes fast, steep drops and upside down but the worst was the dangling feet. I closed my several times, especially when we went upside down because it feels like you're going to kick something below. Anyway, I'd go on it again!
Tyler and Smauel participated in the Tough Mudder. It was Sam's first time and he loved it. It was at a different location this year, I can't remember where though.
The girls found some frogs in our backyard
My great Aunt Claudia suddenly passed away due to health reasons and old age. She was 91 years old and married at the age of 90!!
Jennie and I flew out for the funeral. It was a quick but special trip. I am grateful Tyler knew the importance of this to me and made arrangements for me to go. Claudia was like a second grandmother to me and my siblings and eventually to my children. I admire her for her perseverance, patience, keen sense of humor, generosity and kindness. She always smiled, always laughed, always complimented and collected the neatest treasures. She was not known for her cooking abilities but loved to share her kitchen and snacks. One time she invited Rose and I to help cater one of her friend luncheons. I felt so honored that she'd think of me in this capacity. She was good like that, she could see people's potential. Going to her funeral reminded me of how special she was. It was a cathartic experience.
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| After we enjoyed a lunchat Rose's house and before the viewing, Levi, Rose, Jennie and I went for a walk at City Creek park area, this little canyon that sits below the capital building. It was fun to see all the varitites of dogs, that weren't supposed to be swimming in the water, but were. Sadly, this is the only picture I took. It was fun to be outside chatting and laughing with my siblings. |
Random things:
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| I found a wasp on my windshield one day trying to collect this piece of food or gunk off. After observing it for a few minutes I drove off thinking it would get blown away. But to my surprise, it didn't. It stayed on here for a good 2 minutes, hanging on with all of its strength with this those tiny little legs. I admired its determination, strength, perseverance, desire, courage and abilities. All qualities I try achieve. Sometimes I find it hard to hold onto life. I wonder if I am holding on tight enough and I lose sight of my priorities, my health, my needs. Eventually, it got blown off but it held on tight for a while. |
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| Harvest bounty. |
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| Come Follow Me home church. |
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| We went to eye doctor for checkups. To Cecily's dismay, she doesn't need glasses. |
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| Only Cecily got her eyes dilated but Colin wanted the cool shades too. We went to Costco afterwards. Here they are begging for more gigantic stuffed animals. Their cuteness did not win the prize. |
