Yankee Meadows

Dutch oven dinners, smoky campfires, playing in the lake, outhouses, catching horny toads, and swatting flies: all part of the fun at Yankee Meadows.

Our family spent a few days camping there before the Robb Family reunion.  (Grandpa Gary Miller's side of the family).  Luckily we got to shower in a hotel room before the big get-together.

Our camping candle - to celebrate Richard's 45th birthday.  Notice Ivy's hand sneaking into the cake box.

Hanging out with her friends

Silly mama's girl

gettin' sleepy before bedtime

Hoping for a prince

Mama and her boy

Maia happily entertained Kaitlyn

Not happy about something!

Completely in his element - dirt, water, rocks, sticks, and dead fish

Smiling in anticipation of a swim back to shore

Ian and Coop - Quite a pair!

Fishing Fun

Still playing in the water

Cute Camper

Coloring with her pet

Camping Cousins

And the big boys

Tessa

Cooper

Maia

More toads but, most importantly, a happy face!

Gurney's Soccer Camp

Our neighbors are superb soccer players.  And, to earn money for their soccer tournaments, they put on a soccer camp each summer for the little ones in the neighborhood.  Ivy was SO THRILLED to be playing soccer.  But, truth be known, she really just wanted the popsicles at break time, and the treat at the end.  And she really liked sitting on her ball watching all the activity around her.  Cooper, on the other hand, loved the running and the kicking and the scoring.

Hogle Zoo

Hmmm, I can't remember why I (the mom) didn't go to Hogle Zoo with everyone else. 

I'm guessing it had to do with the heat, the smell, and the stickiness?

But I'm usually a good sport about that stuff when my kids will have fun, so I'm sure I was sick that day.

At any rate, here are my cute kids at the zoo because their daddy took them.

Annual 5K in Canterbury

Each year our ward does an Independence Day 5K run and breakfast.  I don't know how long it's been going, but I'm pretty sure we slept through the first few.  Or perhaps it started while we were in Boston.  At any rate, this was the first time our family showed. Pretty sure it's 'cause I was on the committee.

We thought it'd be fun to have Ivy participate by driving the Jeep.  I actually thought it was fun, because I was back at the start/finish line taking pictures.  However, Richard thought it was less fun because he was out on the route pushing the Jeep when the battery failed. 

Getting her on the track, ready to go - completely unaware of the upcoming irony.

Won't care less about the irony.  Will have fun anyway.

Ready, Set, Go - Coop's on the right in a fierce stance, waiting for the whistle.

Came in strong . . . after he lightened his load (the Jeep and the girl).

Cousins were there for the day with us.  Jake and Lexi, with Maia and Ivy.

Mormon Miracle Pageant in Manti

Years ago, when Austin and McKenna were small, we took them to the Pageant.  But it starts at dusk and doesn't end until close to midnight, and then the drive back to Cedar City made for a looong night.  So we hadn't done it again - until my parents moved to Ephraim.  Just 7 miles from Manti. 

It also turns out that my parents were assigned as member missionaries for the two-week run of the Pageant so they went early and reserved good seats for us.  I brought all five of the kids, and our little neighbor friend Brenna.  We had a fun evening eating dinner at the food carts, wandering the town, and watching the Mormon Miracle unfold on the hill of the Manti Temple.

Splash!

Ivy took her first swim lesson this year, and boy was she excited - and brave!

The other kids have taken plenty of lessons over the years and so they continue to improve.

My goal is to make sure each of my children is lifeguard qualified, but I've slacked off and need to get the two older girls through that program. 

This year we had swimming lessons at our friend's sister's house and so our classes were full of mostly neighborhood friends.  What's better than water and friends combined?  Not much.

Only Three Little Ones Left

Tessa graduated from elementary school.  Before we left for Boston, she was in elementary.  Then, in Boston her grade was part of the middle school.  Then, back in Utah, she was in elementary again.  This time she's done for good.  She'll go on to junior high next year - and get to wear makeup.  She's been looking forward to that for a long time . . . since she was about three.

It's strange to have another one grow up, although I guess I should be/get used to it. 

Watching the excitement.  Unaware that mommy is worrying it will be her turn all too soon.

With Miss Menlove

It's official

Get Your Groove On

Freedom Elementary celebrates the end of each school year with a Dance Festival.  Each grade learns a different dance, and the children come in appropriate costumes.  It's always outside, rain or shine, and causes parents to scurry around the field trying to get the best shots of their children.  Cooper was particularly excited for the Festival, as this was the first year he was able to participate. 

Now Ivy's the one looking forward to dancing on the grass!

Newest Soldier in the Family

Austin arrived home after nearly five months at Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  He was happy to be home . . . and tired.  He especially liked not having to get up at 4:00 a.m. any more.  The kids were sooooo excited to see him. It was the first time he had seen Maia with her short hair, and he wasn't very happy about that.  It wasn't long before he had hair on his own head again though.

The Little Good Wolf

Cooper has been excited to be the wolf in the class play for Mrs. Down's 1st grade.  I say he's the cutest wolf there ever was!  Of course, a case of shyness overtook him and he didn't speak very loudly, but he delivered his lines perfectly . . . and scared all the sheep appropriately!