Snapshots of Summer 2014

While I'm playing catch up on journaling, I'm falling farther behind! So here's my attempt completely get up to date by documenting with just a few words, loads of pictures, and a few short video clips.

7 Peaks with the Reasch's. No Kids. Best. Day. Ever. with our BFFs.

Our first paddle pool day on the new lawn....

FHE playing baseball and doing Jack's favorite "tricks"

This pic captures the many tranquil nights we spent at the field, while Heath moved sprinklers. 

This happened just before school got out, but I love this one and want to remember it...(yes, even though it has to do with cows...:)

Ice cream with our wonderful neighbors the Winsor's. Jack loves playing with Hunter.

Digging in the sand with buddy Kason at the K9 for Alvin Fundraiser.

I spent a few days at girls camp and youth conference this summer. I love the youth in our ward. 

Crazy. Fun. Silly. Spiritual giants.

The Blue Park. Over and over and over.

Lazy afternoons. Escaping the heat.

Boating with the Jordan and Mandi Wheeler. Mandi has become one of my closest friends out here in Stansbury. Her little girl Oakley and Brock are 4 months apart. Fun times on the lake. Minus Jack screaming and shaking in fear when Heath put him on the tube.

I'm finding I love gardening...

I love to see the green

And yellow corn husks

And juicy red tomatoes

Yum.

Too many ulcer causing races down the drive way...

We had a lot of fun going through two boxes of otter pops...

Shooting hoops. Practically every day.

       

Bike riding and wrestling with Alvin.

"Helping" dad work

Summer 2014, you've been good to us.

Grandma Kristy's Zoo Party

Grandma Kristy invited all her grand kiddies to a day at the zoo with her. What a fun day for the boys! Jack was a little disappointed the giraffes weren't out and about, but the lions and elephants made him feel a bit better. The best part for me was seeing Jack and Brockster have fun with their cousins. 

All the little tigers...

Lil' B LOVED the carosel. Jack... not so much.

See ya later alligators!

Project Green Grass = Complete!

I think one of my most favorite moments of this entire year is seeing this...

turn into this...

And this view go from yucky clay-brown....

to come roll on me luscious-green...

Project Green-Grass took longer than building our house. We finished our sprinkler system over a year ago, but with problems with our water pressure we had lots of investigating and digging to do before I would have my day with the lawn mower. Spring came and went and still couldn't figure out why we didn't have enough water pressure, so I prayed for solutions to come. I had been craving some outdoor play space for me and my boys. Sounds like a silly thing to pray for, but I know Heavenly Father cares because after a new main line was installed we had enough pressure to run a sprinkler zone and the kitchen sink! 

After clearing our weed jungle, planting a few more trees, spreading compost, and a little more waiting this beautiful load pulled up in front of our house on June 9th...

 

We ordered with our wonderful neighbors The Winsors and practically had the entire neighborhood helping us lay 20 pallets of sod. Tara and I started at 2:30 and with everyone's help we finished at 9. I went to bed exhausted and overwhelmed with gratitude.  Grateful for the color green and being surrounded by caring people. 

Let the playing begin!!

Simple Moments : Jack the Babysitter

This last week, our house seemed to be babysitting station. We watched three of our neighbors kids on three different days. Jack loves having friends over to play and honestly, so do I. Both my boys much better behaved and happier with other kids at our house. Surprisingly, Baby Tanner even kept my little rascals attention. I saw Jack's tender, protective side come out while Tanner was at our house. He didn't leave Tanner's side the entire 30 minutes and held him for at least 5. Jack makes a great big brother and loves babies. The Captain was glowing as he held him, kissed his forehead, shared his tractors, and read to him. I didn't encourage any of it because I was busy keeping Brock from licking or sticking his finger in Tanner's eye (that's the Brockster foot in the first picture...).
These little moments were heart melting.

"We Go See A Snowbird!"

Our annual trip to Snowbird with all the Bleazards was a blast. Jack loved every minute of the trip. Even though he was confused about where we were going, he was clearly excited even before we left. Heath told me we were going to snowbird, so he asked, "what a snowbird say?". Confusion still lingered after Heath explained Snowbird is a mountain. "Hey Mom, we go see a snowbird! You comin'?" Throughout the trip Captain informed us every bird we saw was a snowbird. Here's some of our fun...

On our stroll to church, Jack copied everything Easton did. I don't blame him. Easton is one cool dude.

We played

and played...

and played...

and played some more...

at the park. 

Jack's first tennis lesson with dad was a success...

No surprise there...

Brock practiced his standing and taking a few steps...

and being clingy to his mama...

Jack took on Easton for a little soccer match...

Easton has got skillz...

Hank and Jack snuggled while

we all watched Planes...

And the gang of 7 boys under six just did boy stuff the rest of the time...

Sadly the we didn't make it to the pool this year. It was pretty windy and too cold for my Goldielocks boys. We did take a beautiful hike, eat fabulous food, and simply relax. See ya next year Snowbird!