July 8th Swim Meet

After a busy 4th of July it was time for Ryder to get ready for his next meet.  This one was going to be across town at the SHAC.  This was his first time competing at this pool so nerves were high.  He was going to compete in 3 races plus the relay.

All checked in and waiting for warm ups.

Ready and waiting
Warm ups don't take nearly long enough.

Nerves or mental prep??

The boys relay coming from behind only to take 2 place by 2 tenths of a second.  Longer arms was hit fate.  

#14 25 Backstroke  9-10 Boys, 6th Place, Official Time 23.64

#26 25 Breaststroke 9-10 Boys, 4th Place, Official Time 29.42

#34 25 Freestyle 9-10 Boys, 3rd Place, Official Time 19.78

He was one tired boy by the end of the meet but had to wait for the final ribbon to be printed.  Lucky for us his coach convinced him he could leave and she would bring them to him at next practice.  His times have improved with each meet.  

There are only 2 weeks left of the summer swimming program. Hopefully, he will stay focused and have some fun with other members of his team.

4th of July Celebration

It was blazing hot outside that we decided against a barbecue outside instead went out for dinner instead.  The dinner topic was do we go to the concert and fireworks or go home?  The kids voted for fireworks while the Dads were all for going home.

Kids won!!!!! We had our bottles of water and blankets.

Found a spot
Dang!! The turf is hot.  We are going to need
more water!!!

Crazy selfie

Staying hydrated.

Diamond Rio
They sounded great and put on a good show.

Cooling towels or snapping towels.

Pirate Ryder
Keeping cool...It hasn't cooled down at all.

Sawyer Brown

They also put on a good show.  I enjoyed singing along and watching people dance.  The kids not so much but were being good sports while waiting for it to get dark enough.  The fireworks didn't disappoint this year.  It was a good show minus a couple of headlights from cars in a nearby parking lot.  

The city is promising a bigger and better show next year.  My suggestion is don't grow it bigger.  Focus on more bathrooms, shorter lines for food, and maybe more water stations for fill ups.

We love celebrating the birth of our country and are proud to be Americans.

Early 4th of July

We are getting an early start to the holiday.  The neighborhood as having a kids parade and breakfast at 9:00.  Ryder made sure I was awake, ready, and willing to make bacon for the breakfast.  We had to decide what is the perfect piece?  I like crispy and Ryder prefers chewy.  Solution...Have Ryder be in charge of cooking it.  He did good job cooking the package with a variety of crunchy, chewy, and left slimy out of it.

Ginger hoping that he will share.
Ryder doesn't share bacon with anyone.

Time for the parade or rather bike race down the street & back.

Great job decorating.

Lining up...
Ready...Set...Go...

The parade lasted 5 minutes officially.  Unofficially the kids kept ridding back and forth having a great time.

It was time for another adventure... Going for a hike.  The day was already warming up so we needed to hurry and hit the trails before we started to melt.

Found a trail with water in hand.

10 minute hike to the top.
The view was awesome.  So much construction below.

Overlook Selfie

King of the Rock!

Thank goodness it wasn't a long hike.  We headed home with the a/c blasting away.  Time to for water, a nap, and lunch in that order.  

We needed to relax before the fireworks tonight.

New Tricks

Ginger loves fresh water.  I love when she drinks out of the tub.  She doesn't leave large puddles on the floor that need to be mopped up.  One morning this week Ryder came running asking me to follow him.  He wanted to show me Ginger's new trick.

Dang!!! She can reach the faucet in the bathroom sink.  I was amazed she could balance long enough to get long drink.  Ryder just giggled and let her continue.  I am sure glad it's not the toilet.  She loves the bathroom getting into and eating garbage with a little toilet paper thrown in.

No stretching required.

New game

Friday morning we could hear growling.  Ryder was in his room but Ginger wasn't playing with him.  She discovered her rope by the door and tried to pick it up.  It was stuck in the crack.  This didn't stop her.  She kept tugging, pulling, and growling at the door to let go.  The rope finally broke and she left with the piece in her mouth.

Note to self when we are too tired to play with her just put her rope in the door crack.  She will entertain herself for awhile.

Gifts

The honeymoon was ending but not until the presents were unwrapped.  It looked like Christmas in June for the newlyweds.  Ryder's eyes lit up at all of the presents until he realized none were for him.

Not much wrapping paper
now days.

They aren't sure how this was going to work.
Do you want to open the present or the card?

Spencer found some cool oven mitts
or welding gloves??

Togetherness.

Ryder discovered the bubble wrap.
These bubbles would need more than what a 9 year old could bring.

Packing up
3 minds working together will succeed.

We are glad they made it home safe from their honeymoon.  They now get the fun task of putting everything away in their new apartment and starting their new adventures together.  We hope to be included in some of those adventures.

Happy Father's Day

It has been a very busy weekend.  Time to celebrate the special guy in our house that works so hard for all of us.  We couldn't agree on what to get him and he told us not to bother.

It was time to plan and decide what we could do to surprise him.

Bucket full of favorites.

Kids cards....

Is that a thank you or a head lock?

Hug or mashing her?

The kids had so much fun planning and selecting cards.  Dave loved all his treats which he didn't have to share.

We LOVE you Dad!!!! Happy Father's Day!!!!

The Wedding Day....

Saturday June 17th finally arrived.  Jacy & Spencer were getting married today.  We were going to be busy and most important have fun with the Wheeler's.  Our clock always seems to be running behind and today wasn't going to be any different.  Saturday mornings everyone want to sleep in but not today.  We were on the road with a quick pit stop to pick Dacoda up (he was waiting at the curb) we weren't that late.  Or were we??  Dave had left his recommend at home.  Squealing tires and a few green faces in the back we made it to the St George Temple with minutes to spare.

It was a beautiful ceremony with a lot of family and friends filling the room.  

Time to start the party.... and a few pictures...

They did it!!!

Gorgeous Girls
turning into beautiful women.

It is official...
Spencer is a part of our family.

Jacy & Spencer Rawlins
aka The Bride & Groom

Hold on....
When did these girls grow up???

Everyone was hot and hungry time for lunch at the Bell Tower.

The Head Table
Proud parents with the bride and groom.

We had a yummy lunch and were able to visit.  Time know to head home and catch a nap, maybe a few errands, and catch a nap before the reception.

The Abbey Inn was a great place to get out of the sun and enjoy the celebration.

We are in the right place.

Time to head out
and
relax...WAIT

Dang...
Sparkles, confetti, and who knows what else.

Both cars had been decorated which one would they drive away in?  Jacy's car won but so much glitter, sparkles, and confetti who it ever come clean?  I am sure those drinks had to be thrown away.  Glitter doesn't taste very good.

It was a great day and we were so blessed to share the day with them.  Congratulation!!!!

June Pack Meeting...Rain Gutter Regatta

Last month at the end of pack meeting the leaders handed each boy a box with a boat inside to make for the next meeting.  The day finally arrived and the boys were ready to race.

First off was the flag ceremony by the Bear Den.  Sister Hafen is very organized and quickly reminds the boys of the importance of their job.  They listen very intently and they are soon marching.

Lining up

Following instructions.

Awards Ceremony

Flag ceremony, skit, awards, and treats.  Time to race...rather play in the water.

Its floating...

The boys all had a lot of fun.  The leaders were really thinking and had them race down this little stream in the park.  Matching two by two the races began.  There was a lot of squeals,  screams, and laughter.

Everyone had a great time.  Ryder raced his boat so much the nails started to show through on the bottom.  It was also a prefect way to cool off and enjoy the summer night.