Boy oh boy did we have a July!
We started out the month getting together with church friends to shoot off some fireworks. Tanner was the designated Firework launcher and no one was injured...there was one "firework" that we learned a little too late was more of a rocket, and it came down real fast. Thankfully it didn't impale anyone, but lesson learned; if it looks like a rocket, it probably is.
The fireflies mixed with the fireworks were just magical, but I couldn't really capture it.
We didn't have plans for the fourth so I decided the day before to throw a party at our house. I made the kids do a bunch of yard work that morning in the sweltering heat, but they persevered.
Chet was excited to help make the flag cake and because I made two this year, he got to decorate one all by himself.
Aunt Heather really outdid herself with the face paint
Tommy's was my personal favorite.
We set up our big slip and slide and had a bbq. It was so nice to visit with good friends and felt more like a holiday. We just might have to make it a yearly tradition, if only to get some yard work done around here.
The next day we decided to go to Melrose's celebration and it was a hoot. We had to find shelter right after the parade for a torrential downpour but it was beautiful after that. We especially loved the frog races; all our kids participated. I was Asa's little helper and Mariah claims I was a little too enthusiastic "helping" him. She was horrified when I was basically doing it all on my own while Asa wandered off. "All the other parents were encouraging their children and then there you were, all by yourself trying to win the race while Asa walked away!" I'm just pleased that I may have finally embarrassed her, a right of passage for a teenager.
I got to go to Girls Camp this year and was so happy to be there. Tanner came up to help with the canoeing and stayed a night as well. I followed him around like a puppy when he first got there...he loved it.
Mariah got a bulls eye with axe throwing. I was just pleased when I actually hit the target.
Tessa came to camp and these two had a blast together. We were so happy she came with her bright/never knows a stranger, personality. We had two nights of solid rain, one with a tornado watch, but we stayed dry and safe. The last night I got some earplugs and slept like a baby.
Esther flew out to watch the kiddos for us and Heather was there as well during the tornado watch. I'm so thankful for their help. Esther helped the kids make a Little Red Riding Hood video with them.
Vivi made herself a vanilla wafer sandwich one day and was very pleased with her creation.
We got to go down to the Hiltons' and celebrate Elsie's first birthday. We just love that little ray of sunshine so very much.
We went to Nauvoo to watch one of Kathleen's shows on Sunday afternoon and had dinner with the cousins. Gordon was way too fun with Eliza and Vivi.
And then we got a kitten. One of our neighbors found her and asked if we wanted her, even though we were leaving in two days for our Crossley reunion I said yes. And then Barry, our contractor came over and promptly volunteered to watch Skippy (the kitten) and Josie while we were gone. Which was a huge life saver. We are so grateful for good friends who come in clutch.
Ty's family stopped in for a couple nights on their trip out and we had fun fishing, going to the pool, riding in the motorhome, and taking out the go-cart and Ace.
Lisa was teaching Asa the joys of riding bikes.
We headed to Nauvoo Thursday night planning on watching the pageant. But that was cancelled because of thunderstorms. So then we headed to the cousins' airbnb to spend some time together.
Grandpa (in the background) had the right idea here...
The youth had baptisms early the next morning and then we tried to see as many of Kathleen's performances as we could.
Eliza, Benson, and Jack got to be flag bearers for the opening ceremonies.
The littles were in awe of Kathleen. Ok, I was too.
Vivi loves her Uncle Ty
The kids got to wear missionary tags during one of the vignettes and Vivi snagged Kathleen's. We'll have to recreate this picture one day if she serves a mission.
Eliza and Vivienne loved playing "pioneer" while the rest of us recuperated between shows.
That night we went to the British pageant. The littles had fun running from station to station and then ate their weight in snacks during the pageant. It was so fun seeing the Chad Crossley family perform. The next morning the adults had a wonderful time in the temple for an endowment session. I always love the opportunity to go to the temple, especially with family.
We headed home that afternoon to do some yard work and get our house ready for guests later that next week. We had a wonderful ward conference the next day and then that evening we headed to the Hilton's for the official Family Reunion.
Only half the group got the silly face memo in this group picture, which makes it so much better. We missed Tiesha's family this year.
Eliza's pretty flowers in her hair...The cousins ran hard the whole time. Even though it was crazy hot, they played ultimate frisbee and created their own water balloon tag to beat the heat. There was also lots of ping pong, pool, board games and intense wrestling matches. The older girls made an awesome scavenger hunt as well.
I barely so my big kids because the were constantly on the move with their cousins.
Bethany is a good sport with her cousins...and her aunt.
After Missouri we headed home and hosted Chad, Grandma, Heidi, Heather and Brittany's family at our house for a couple days. The weather calmed down and was down right pleasant. The big kids spent most of their time riding the go-cart and Ace around the property and then spent an afternoon on the giant slip and slide.
More fishing was done as well...now I just need to have canned corn next time so they can catch the grass carp; I'll be ready Gordon.
These kiddos wanted a "family picture".
Vivienne and Miriam decided we should have a tea party with "muffins" so thats just what we did. We spoke in British accents, recited poetry, and went through several bowls of sugar, as one should at all tea parties.
Eliza posed them for this picture and was very proud of herself.
My house now feels empty...who's coming next?!
