So,if I happen to have anyone that hasn't given up on me blogging...I am really sorry I have been such a slacker lately. Although, I have NOT been slacking. July has been the craziest month for me in a LONG time. Where to start....there has been starting work at home (which has required 10 more hours a week from me..tough but totally worth it at home!), Matt and Courtney's visit, Becky and Mikes visit, finishing the basement, Andersen family reunion, Wade family reunion, Kylie's 12th birthday, Brian's 35th birthday, and yesterday just got back from Girls camp. So...here are a few highlights.
Brian worked his little tootie off and got my office finished just in time for me to start working from home July 1st. I have absolutely LOVED being home, although it does require me to work 30 hrs a week, and I have been doing 20 for several years now. The adjustment has been tough, but totally worth it being home, and I'm sure it will be a piece of cake once school starts. The kids are constantly interrupting me, and I love it. It makes my 6 hr shift (6am-12pm) go by so much faster!!
Andersen family reunion was a BLAST!!! We went to Park City and ruffled the city up a bit. I'm sure you've all read the details on Heather, Becky, Brenda, and Courtney's blog weeks ago, so no need to go over it all again. We had a fabulous time...and were super sad when it was over. Highlights were Olympic Park...going down the slide and the zip line, the guys doing the bobsled, girls shopping//guys golfing, and a family talent show night. I think it would be better suited being called a family goof off night. Boy it was entertaining though! The kids had a total blast, and the adults played texas hold em' night after night, and did our best to keep all kids contained. Everyone got home with all their kids in one piece, so it was a successful attempt! Thanks to my Dad for helping Brian soo much with the basement...tiling, electrical, and plumbing. Thanks to my Mom and sisters for helping me paint. The bright orange bathroom is still glowing...yes glowing. I don't know how I let them talk me into that one. Thanks for the help anyway!!
Wade family reunion was here in Saratoga at our house. It was a lot of fun too, but I realized I wasn't nearly as prepared as I should have been to keep so many people entertained for a few days. It was so crazy the weeks leading up to the reunion that all of a sudden it was here, and I wasn't ready. Oh well...I tried!! We went to Lagoon for a day...holy cow it was crazy! I think the entire state of Utah was there that day! We had a good time swimming, and playing games at the Park and Pavilion at our Clubhouse and pool. We also did some fireworks one night which was a big hit for the kids! We're so glad everyone came long distances to be there!
Kylie turned 12 on July 16th. I can't believe I didn't do a birthday blog for her. The guilt on that one might haunt me for a LONG time! We sooo love having Kylie in our family...she is such a joy. She is a witty little girl and keeps us laughing all the day long. She got her ears pierced, after only one failed attempt. She got a little nervous upon seeing the "guns" they use to do it. After a little nap and some reassurance, she tried again and did it. She looks darling with her new ea rings in! She then left for a camp for school for 5 days. We missed her terribly while she was gone, but she had a BLAST, and I knew she would. When she got home the whole basement was finished, which included her very own bedroom and bathroom. She was ecstatic and it is hard to pry her out of her room now! She even sleeps down there, which I wasn't sure would happen. Sydney and her have both kept their rooms spotless since the change, so it was totally worth the money to get it finished!!
Girls camp this year was better than I could have ever imagined. Kylie was there with me, and that made all the difference in the world. Oh how I loved having here there! We rode horses, went swimming, canoed, hiked, did archery, and had many great spiritual experiences. The last hike we went on was about 2 hrs long...one hour of it being a STEEP uphill climb. That's right...one HOUR of climbing!! I was really proud of the girls for accomplishing this...and proud of myself that I didn't have a heart attack!!
Brian turned 35 on the 30th...and no blog for him either. Really...why has this month been so hard for me? I love Brian soo much, and am so grateful for the wonderful husband and father that he is. He is one of a kind, and I'm so glad he is mine!
Sydney had state swim meet while Kylie and I were at girls camp, we were so sad we missed it. She was one of four on the whole team who qualified for state, so this is a major accomplishment in itself! She finished 8th in the state for her butterfly. There was a lot of drama right before the race for her, so I was soo happy how she handled it all and swam her little heart out. She really is amazing to watch. She also placed 8th in the freestyle earlier in the day. This was not for state but a final meet for the year. There were about 45 girls that swam that event, so she did great! For only being on the swim team for about 8 mos and only swimming a few days a week lately ( actually not at all in July), we were VERY proud of her.
Tyson lost his first while we were away at camp too. The thing was literally hanging for a week! He refused to pull it. Finally as they were sitting at the swim meet the tooth literally just fell out! He looks darling with his new toothless grin! He wrote a very sincere letter to the tooth fairy asking him to "plis, plis, plis, plis leev mi a hundrid dllers for mi tooth". LOVE IT! That letter made me laugh so hard that I cried. The toothfairy felt like a jerk only leaving $2. Tyson was thrilled the next morning...so all was well.
Happy Birthday's in July...Kylie the 16th, Trent (Brian's brother) the 23rd, Ralph (Brian's Dad)the 25th, Jackson (my nephew) the 27th, and Brian the 30th!! Hope you all had a Great Day!! Phew...Did I forget anyone??
Well, now that July is officially over, and school starts in 15 days, I am anxious to get back to a "schedule", less craziness, and more consistent blogging, I promise!! p.s. Sorry I am totally lame and have no pictures of either family reunion. I was NOT kidding when I said I have TOTALLY struggled this month!!
