July

Carmen got some new bedroom furniture and we used the card board to make a racing ramp on the steps. It has entertained Dallin for many days, but unfortunately I think it's time to trash the ramp.

I had to speak in sacrament meeting last week and my talk was focused on finding the tender mercies in our life. This had been a really long day and I was feeling particularly at the end of my rope. But after baths I found these kids cuddled up in the chair reading a bedtime story. This was a tender mercy for me that night. 

We went to Cow Appreciation Day at chik-fil-a dressed as cows (we had already removed most of the costume) and then went to 7-11 for free slurpees. It was a fun day of freebies!

 Charlotte can ride a two wheeler! We took her training wheels off and she just took off on her own, with no help from anyone. She's a rock star on her bike now.

Playing at Tonsler Park, we had never been here and it was exciting to explore a new park. 

I love this grumpy face, it's covered in kisses. If we had a nickle for every compliment we get on Dallin's hair, we'd be rich! Here, it is a sweaty mess, but still adorable. 

Like Nephi of Old

Last week Carmen attended an Activity Days day camp where she got to try out archery for the first time. Ever since she has been begging for a bow and arrow of her very own! Yikes! She had searched online how to make your own and we found some fairly reasonable ones we could make. I just really didn't want to do it... but after much begging I had a stroke of inspiration. I'm sure if was the spirit speaking to me. It happened to be Monday and I told her that if she could prepare a Family Home Evening lesson that somehow involved a bow and arrow, then we would make some as our activity. She quickly asked about who stood on the wall and preached as arrows were shot at him. I reminded her of the story of Samuel the Lamenite, but sent her to her room to prepare. I had no idea what to expect! 

She came prepared with assignments and costumes. She read the story about when Nephi broke his bow and everyone complained, except for Nephi. She used the "Who's Your Hero" Scripture books. She taught a beautiful lesson about not complaining when we are asked to do something hard. It was such a surprise and such a fun time to act it out as a family.

 So as promised we made our own bows! At first I thought it was a bust because they weren't working, but we didn't give up like Lamen and Lemual often did, we finally figured it out and had a fun evening of shooting arrows in the yard.

 Once the bows were made and working properly, we decorated them with electrical tape.

 I hope that I can remind them in the future of this lesson. I'm sure they will complain again, but hopefully they'll be able to remember the night we made our own bows like Nephi of Old.

Virginia Wildlife Center

The Wildlife Center only offers public tours once a year and it's very limited the number of people who get in. We registered to take the kids on a little field trip here several months in advance. I wasn't sure what it was going to be like, but it turned out really informative and the kids loved it. (except for Dallin, it was his nap time) They looked bored in the picture, but we were waiting for the tour to start. Once started, it was so fun.

 We learned the history and purpose of the center inside the library.

 Then we headed out to the encagements and saw all sort of birds and other animals. We were sad to learn how many birds are injured by vehicles and littering. Most of the birds at the center had eye damage, not wing damage!

 We then headed inside and saw the kitchen where all the food is prepared. And then the operating room and admissions rooms. It's hard to tell due the the glare on the glass, but there is a bald eagle on the OR table recovering from leg surgery. Several days later we learned that the bird did not make it.

This was such a fun outing! We learned what to do if we ever saw an injured animal in the wild. I'm so glad we took the opportunity to learn more about our local wildlife and how we can better protect them.

Kayaking

We spent a day at Chris Green Lake kayaking. Carmen is already pretty comfortable in the kayak so we spent this day getting Aliza warmed up to the idea of trying it out. After some prodding, she finally wanted to try.

Here Carmen is showing her how to turn. She was later brave enough to go all over the lake! She had such a great time that she now feels like she wants her own kayak! I love that my kids are finally finding something they love to do.

 

 Whoever wasn't taking a turn in the kayaks, were swimming at the beach. It was such a fun day to spend together!

Sunrise Hike

On July 4th David and I decided to go on a sunrise hike up to Humpback Rocks. 

Here is the back story: Humpback Rock was our first date....we never made it to the top due to getting lost and a very muddy rainy night. We have since hiked to the top before, but that was nearly 10 years ago. We had some youth in our ward who organized this hike to pass off some Girls Camp requirements. Our kids were spending the night at Oma and Poppy's house, so we were kid-less! The night before we went out with some friends and were tossing around the idea of going on this sunrise hike. I sort of wanted to go, but sort of didn't really want to get up that early on a day that I knew kids wouldn't be waking me up. 

But 4am rolled around and we decided to just do it! We threw on our shoes and headed towards the trail. In our eagerness to get there, we forgot flashlights. Thankfully, some of the youth had one we could borrow.  Which was good because we were quickly eating their dust! I remembered this hike being a tough one, but man alive, I nearly died this time around! Thankfully, I had a very supportive husband who kept encouraging me along. Each time I just wanted to quit, he'd encourage me more. I could tell he was frustrated with me, but he never let that get in the way of us making it to the top. 

The pain, sweat and tears was worth it! The view is always amazing up here and to see it at sunrise was even more gorgeous!

Splash Park

I was brave and took my kids plus Peyton and Lane to the splash park. We had a blast!!

 These two, who are normally like oil and water, were more like peas and a carrots this day. It was definitely a blessing for me to not have to deal with their normal fighting.

 Photo bombed by Lane!

This picture really has no proper place. The girls really wanted me to put it on the blog though. So here it is.... such sweet love. Several months ago Carmen got a warm fuzzy from church that she was supposed to do something nice for someone and then they pass it on.... she made her sisters beds for a whole week. Then Aliza got the warm fuzzy and made Charlotte breakfast in bed. Now Charlotte has it.... 

Driveway Play

Everyday I'm grateful for a large driveway to play on. What we lack in yard, we sort of have in driveway space. The girls love to draw on the driveway and place "chalk house".  It has offered hours of entertainment and is often the source of many arguments.

 I love these kids! (even though they only pose for me when they look like ragamuffins)