a little bit more Family Summer Fun (July/August)

One night, when it was just me and the boys we had a silly string war.

In Sunbeams, Gavin's teachers usually go overboard, every week he brings home a gallon size zip-lock bag full of goodies.  As primary president I tried to stop this, but realized its how they share love and I was just rocking the boat, and have since quietly looked the other way.  This week, they sent home cookie dough and a heart shaped cookie cutter because their lesson was on"Turning the Hearts of the Father to Children." Both sets of Grandparents happened to be having dinner with us that Sunday, it was fun he was able to share his Hearts with them especially.

We helped Grandma Elva celebrate 90 years!

Beth and Philip treated the kids to a sleepover in their emergency shelter.  A most excellent cousin 

party. 

A few crazy sand creations.

One day I found Hollie had adopted a zucchini.

But what made me really laugh was the next morning when I found 

where she's put her baby to sleep that night...in the fridge!

 And what's a mom to do when she receives a picture like this on her phone

well, it's only a matter of time, until we have more pictures like this:

Yes, Jotham brought home a new puppy.  He's a Border Collie/Mini Assie, we named him Koda. We had to rehome Toby, after much frustration and dismay, we discovered he just wasn't the best fit for our family... but at least now Jotham knows this and can say he once had a walker hound.   Toby went to live with a cowboy in Idaho who was already familiar with the high energy of walker hounds and had plans to train him to be a search and rescue dog.  I'm sure he's happy there.

 

We were able to enjoy Melanie's kids for a few days while they were in the middle of their housing crisis.  We took the whole crew to the fair one night and I realized what it was like having eight kids and had a whole new empathy for my mother and realized why we didn't go anywhere when I was a kid.  Not that it was bad, but definitely just easier to stay home.  Mark was the perpetual favorite.  Brielle loved him the most and so did everyone else, I think he babysat and entertained those kids the entire time they were at our house.

Speaking of Mark, he earned his Arrow of Light in Cub Scouting!  Well done Mark!