June
We have been spoiled this year, with the weather staying nice longer...we don't think we even hit 100 degrees consistently until the end of June. We had a beautiful spring and it was greener, and we had more time outside...it was lovely.
Jonnie and Janson getting a bike ride in early, before Jonnie started work for the day.
The 3 boys joining Jonnie on a bike ride--
We got a punching bag, for some new exercise. Should be fun.
Along with that, Janson also has committed to running a half marathon in October, at Lake Powell. He has started his training and is doing great!
Enjoying that nicer weather, before the heat...
We've been enjoying "Four Square" together, in our backyard--
We taught Grandma how to play one night, for Family Home Evening. She's a pro!
We've had a lot of reading going on in this house, too. With the summer break, the kids are enjoying all the extra reading time! Even Sierra is into her chapter books, so there is a lot of reading going on. I love it!
Curling up with a good book, and then retelling their favorite parts to each other.
Right off, in June, we got to celebrate Jonnie's birthday! This will be his last year in his 40's...that seems a little crazy, but he makes it all look GOOD!
Sierra had the idea of getting Jonnie a mug for his birthday, with a Super Dad symbol....I wasn't sure where to find that. But then, when I took Janson and Ryah to Goodwill, to find a few things for their "Hope of Israel" activity, Janson found a mug like Sierra had described! What a pair. So, that's what they gifted Jonnie with.
Ryah, Colton, and Daxton gave him a National Parks T-shirt--pretty awesome.
And I gave him this "RV Pilot" shirt, and I have a matching one that says, "RV Co-Pilot". So fun!
His birthday dinner--
The birthday boy, with 5 of his awesome kids! We love this guy!
Ryah trying to surprise him....
....with his birthday fruit trifle! Yum.
That next week, Janson and Ryah left for "Hope of Israel". I think of it as a "new and changed up Trek". It was a stake event, and it was for 4 days. They had a "ma and pa" in the "families" they were assigned to. They had different challenges they were to face each day and learn from. They both made great contributions to their groups and had a great experience. They are awesome.
Before they left--
The younger kids tried to handle missing them, and we planned some fun things--
We rode our bikes to the park and played.
Daxton busted out some science experiments--
Grandma and I took them to "Out of Africa" in Prescott. It was a bit cooler than Anthem, and we had fun discovering this awesome place.
"Ginger", the red skunk.
Three cute kids--
On the safari ride, checking out the 'wildlife'--zebras, giraffes, cows, etc.
Feeding the giraffe!!
The giraffe trying to join us, onboard--
Getting ready for the "Tiger Splash Show"--
I've never seen anything like it! We were quite impressed. It was fun.
Visiting the tigers--
The shuttle driver told us about this Grizzly, who he called his 'girlfriend', and claimed they sit here and share smooches--Sierra thought that was crazy and couldn't get over that silly story!
They got to touch a real snake!
They saw cougars, panthers, wolves, lions....all kinds of animals roaming about.
We also happened to be there on the day of the "Predator Feed" and so we got to watch them throw huge chunks of raw meat to the animals, and watch them take it eagerly.
Daxton loved the zebra smiles!
We were really pleased with our visit. It was a great place and the people working there really seem to love it and do such a great job. We learned a lot!
I was sent a couple of pictures from leaders of Janson and Ryah at Hope of Israel--we really missed them, but were glad they were having a great experience.
They came home that Saturday, dirty and tired...but happy!
Did I mention dirty?? Yes....very much so. The mark of a good time! :)
This was Jansons' group/family at HOI (he is second from the right)--
This was Ryah's group--she is second from the left--
They had a brief time home, before they were gone again! That Monday, Ryah left for Young Women Camp. She had some good experiences--she is great at making the most of things and being a friend to others. And I love her for that.
She was part of a group that did a musical number on testimony night--"Peace in Christ".
There were some challenges--mostly with some inappropriate pranks, and with there not being as much structure. I was proud of Ryah, though--she stood up for others and for more appropriate decisions. And she also sought out good things to spend her time on, and not just "hang out". I'm grateful she knows and values the importance of challenging ourselves and becoming something more. She is a true gem.
The whole YW group--
Ryah was also excited to see Jonnie, Janson, and Colton, when they got to YM Camp, before she headed home. I think Jonnie was excited to see her, too! :)
So, Ryah came home, and then 3 went to Young Mens Camp.
This was Colton's first year--he had a great time.
Good challenges for the boys--
Bullseye!
And one for Janson, too!
And Jonnie!
And there were even some Mission Prep classes--Jonnie does such a great job!
Janson enjoying camp--
Janson had an eye irritation while at camp, so Bro Hann taped it shut for a bit.
Good ol' Janson...he rolls with it all!
While Jonnie and 2 of the boys were up at Camp, Daxton and Sierra were happy to have Ryah home.
Playing piano for them to enjoy and sing along--
We also had the Allens over (church friends and neighbors around the corner)--
Ryah made sugar cookies for them to decorate. That was fun!
Sunday was Father's Day! We've got the VERY BEST in this house, and we are grateful for him.
(I got to join the picture, too!)
Helpers with the Father's Day dinner (enjoying those strawberries!)
Father's Day spread--
After "camp week", Janson and Ryah had FSY, up in Flagstaff. This was a fun opportunity for them to go together, as it was the first year that Ryah was old enough to go. They had an AWESOME week--they even got to be in the same group/company!--but I felt it as soon as I dropped them off..."I miss my kids". It was just a lot of back to back to back through June...and I was missing them. I love my kids and I love having them around. But I also want good experiences for them, so sometimes I gotta share them! :)
Since we were up in Flagstaff, I took the younger 3 over to Upper Lake Mary for a nice afternoon. It was delightful. Temperature was in the 70's, there was a slight breeze, and the lake was quiet and peaceful. It just fills up my soul. We had a lunch we had packed, and we hung out and the kids swam. It was a great afternoon and I'm glad we did it.
Daxton probably swam the longest--he was happy as could be.
Mmmm....pine trees. And water. I love that.
Colton "walking on water" (or wisely, strategically using the big rock underwater to his advantage!
The boys chatting--
Sierra and I enjoying the weather--
Love these guys--
Daxton and Sierra splashing!
I got this hilarious video of Daxton doing his impression of the ducks bobbing on the water. This is just a picture from that. He is a funny guy!
At home....the crew kept entertained with trips to the pool, drawing, playing games, piano practicing...
....and science experiments! Daxton made "rain in a jar".
And one day, we "swapped kids" with the Allens. Sierra got to go to their house to play with Lainey, and Westin came to play with the boys. He and Daxton had fun sliding down the stairs! :)
Later in the week, Uncle Justin came for a quick trip. He had some other things to attend to, but then just spent time with us. He had taken his family to Israel (he was my tour guide there when I went in 1997). He has a WEALTH of knowledge of the area and of the scriptures. So, he showed us all his photos and told us all about each place, the history and significance of it all. It was awesome.
And my kids were amazing! It was the 3 youngest ones, and they were captivated, listening well and even asking some questions. They really enjoyed it!
We drove up to Flagstaff that Friday evening, stayed in a hotel, and then picked up Janson and Ryah at NAU the next morning. It was SO good to see them--they looked great!!
We were happy to be reunited!
They told us all about their week, and we loved the details. So proud of them both.
Then, up in Flagstaff, we went over to Fort Tuthill, with our bikes. They have these amazing courses and jumps and ramps and such, for FREE! It was so much fun. We loved it!
(Sierra following Janson)
(Sierra cruising)
(Ryah)
(Colton)
(Daxton)
(Janson)
It was such a fun time! We want to go back.
"Helmets for sale!"--Daxton practicing his balancing skills!
That night, there was a party for the English Class students and volunteers. That's the class that Ryah and I volunteer at on Thursday nights. There are a huge number of Taiwanese families that have come into the area, to work at the Taiwanese Semi-conductor Plant. The Church is offering free English classes for them, and we have loved volunteering and helping them. The Stake President of that area hosted a party and so we went. It was fun to talk with them. Such neat people!
One lady showed us a special dance from Taiwan--
Classic scene--the kids on the couch, reading, and Sierra doing a workout!
Janson, Colton, and Daxton having a "race"--by blowing the toy cars to the finish line. Ha ha ha!
While everyone was at activities one night, Jonnie and Sierra worked on this art project.
A "nature mask". I love it!
Grandma has been cleaning out her storage unit and getting rid of some things. The kids were ecstatic when she was going through her holiday decoration bins. Janson has helped her a number of times, at the storage unit, lifting and moving things for her. So, she told him he could have first dibs on her Christmas decorations. Oh, man...he won the lottery! He was so excited. That's what he wanted to do "for his birthday"--go through the Christmas decorations. It was fun, and he has selected some choice decorations from Grandma!
June was busy, but good! We started July off with celebrating this guy.....
But that will be in the next post!
Life is good.
