Lotts of summer fun

Why must the summer come to an end??   Didn't it just begin??  I recently mentioned to someone that I guess all good things have to come to an end.  She replied, "Or other good and new things start."  I told her that I liked that better.  So here are all the good things that we have done this summer and soon I will post about all the other new and good things that we will have started.

 We had fun camping up in Logan Canyon.  It rained a lot and the kids saw a few rattlesnakes while hiking.  Luckily we had no major accidents.  We enjoyed yummy dutch oven food and just spending time together as a family.   Thank goodness for baby wipes.  Ethan wouldn't wear shoes and his feet were as black as coal.  It was the first time in our new/old trailer and wow, that was great. The wind did blow one night and collapsed our canopy shade again for the second year in a row.  I found the humor in the situation even if Mike didn't.  I guess I will order a few extra replacement parts this time and plan ahead for next year.  We had a blast and can't wait to go again. 

 Adam loves being a cub scout.  He had so much fun during day camp up at Camp Kiesel.  Mike and I were the adult leaders (it was our date for the week) and we had a nice day watching the boys do various activities.  Adam's favorite was archery.  He has been working hard on his wolf and should receive his award next month.  I am still the Bear leader in our ward (along with my awesome mother-in-law as my assistant) and we have a lot of fun doing activities.  Ethan is thrilled that he usually gets to join in.  Adam usually joins in as well because we only have two Bears.

 The boys love to swim.  Check out Adam.  Maybe we have a Olympian on our hands.

Silly boys.  They came down stairs ready to box, and yes that is underwear on their heads.  Hopefully it is clean.   I let them go at it for a little while.  I got it on video and it's really pretty funny.  After a minute or so, Ethan had enough after getting hit in the face. 

Ethan came up with this idea on his own so the onions wouldn't hurt his eyes as he helped me make salsa.  Clever boy.

August 12, 2014 

(from the August 2014 Ensign.  There are so many wonderful messages throughout.)

I recently heard this quote.  "You will heal, but you are never the same."  This is so true.  I will always have a longing in my heart for my sweet Ryan.  And I will have joy, but it won't be complete until we are all together again as a family.  I look forward to that joyous reunion with all my heart.  With all I have gone through, I have learned so much and gained so much.  Much of this I wouldn't have been able to learn unless I went through what I did.  My testimony and love for my Savior is stronger than ever.  It has to be for me.  It keeps me going and gives me comfort and strength to endure.  I know it will all be wonderful in the end and I just need to be patient.   My Heavenly Father loves me perfectly, even though I am so imperfect.  And that's OK.  He sent his only Son to make up for where I lack.  And he sacrificed him so I can be with mine again someday.  My Savior loves me and my Heavenly Father does answer prayers.  He knows what's best for us, even if we don't agree at the time.  This life time is but a moment and eternity is what counts.  I try and look for the little miracles and blessings I receive ever day.  Even in a tragedy there are miracles and answers to prayers. We are never alone.

 Enjoying nachos at an Ogden Raptors game.  The boys are crazy about baseball  right now and love to practice with one another and with Mike.  I have to hide the metal bats as I am not in the mood for any head injuries or broken window.  The other day we went to the park to practice a little.  When I got up to bat Ethan told Adam (who was in the outfield) to move up closer.  How rude.  I showed him and hit a good one.

 Go Longhorns.  We went to the Weber County Fair.  The best part was the yummy kettle corn.  It's crazy we paid to get into a fair to pet goats and see chickens and cows when we have our very own little petting zoo at home.  The kids did have fun getting up close to these, which we do not have yet.  Just kidding Mike.

We went to a putting green for Family Home Evening.  Ethan was thrilled to get a dollar for getting a hole in one.  I even got a par.   We had to play super fast because a storm was coming in.  It was very fun and the kids can't wait to go again.  They love to practice with a set of Alex's old golf clubs in our yard.  Once again, they aren't supposed to use them unsupervised due to the fact that I do not want any broken windows or heads.  Apparently it's a secret but a ball has hit our house and one of the boys did get hit in the head with a club.  I can't remember which one though.  And thank goodness neither was too bad.  It's a good thing that Ethan isn't good at keeping secrets.  He always comes up to me and tells me he knows something but he can't tell me.  Luckily it doesn't take much to get him to spill the beans.

 We attended the Ogden Temple open house.  It was beautiful.  Ethan had fun pretending like he was a usher and directing us in the line.  He also loved to touch everything and sit on every couch and get a drink from every drinking fountain even though we asked him nicely not to do so.  I guess he felt pretty safe in the temple and knew he wouldn't get into much trouble.    Mike and I are excited to be able to volunteer on Sept 6th at the temple.  That will be a special opportunity.   I can't wait to be able to start attending this beautiful temple.  We are so blessed to have so many close by.  What a special opportunity it is to attend the temple and help those on the other side so they can be blessed to have their families with them forever.  It's also special to know that my dear sweet Ryan is doing a special work on the other side and we are working together in our Heavenly Father's great plan.

Ethan enjoyed wearing the shoe cover as a hat afterwards.  Silly boy.

Poor Ethan dropped a 35 lb weight on his toe.  He was so brave.  He cried for a few minutes and then was up and playing again.  It hasn't held him back.  I really hope he will now see why we have made the rule not to play with the weights.  I am just glad he didn't break his toe or worse.

 So soccer season has started and the boys are thrilled.  Yesterday Adam got his uniform.  It was huge.  I put it on and it fit me.  I guess I will try and shrink it in the wash or start hemming it.  Apparently they we expecting a giant 8 year old on the team.  Hey maybe I will just join in and play. 

I used this quote in a Relief Society lesson I gave a few weeks ago.  It is a great one and I wanted to share it.

The boys had so much fun making these little tool boxes for a scout project.  Don't be fooled, they came from a kit and only required four nails and a dab of glue and paint.  It was a perfect project for my two little boys and for me as well. 

Jaime  8th grade

August 20, 2014

Adam  3rd grade

   The first day of school.  Exciting times, except for Ethan who doesn't start kindergarten for another week.  He was up and dressed at 6:30am and couldn't understand why he couldn't just ride the bus with Adam.  We spent the morning playing some games to keep his mind off his heart ache.

Here's to all the good things yet to come.....