summer.... where has it gone ???

 

We love our family/work vacations with Mike to California !!!!

(Mike still doesn't consider this a vacation.)

 

 

 

 

We started the trip off right.  It was actually very quite except we kept hearing banging coming from the trunk.  JK

 

 

We love to go to the Bass Pro Shop.  It's always an adventure.  When we walked in Ethan told Mike, "Alex would love this place."  And he is right.  There are guns and knifes and camo and dead animals everywhere.  Someday we will have to take him there.  He'd be in heaven.

 

The kids have a blast swimming.  We practically had the pool to ourselves.  It was great.  No tan for me and my white legs as it was indoors.   Darn.

 

 

 

 

We went bowling for Family Home Evening.  Ethan was on fire and was so happy he didn't lose.  Poor Jaime, she should have used the bumpers this time.

We went to a lake for a few hours.  Jaime and I had fun kayaking with a little old man.  Just kidding.  It's my dad.  My niece graduated from high school and so my parents came out for a few days as well. 

Yep, Ethan is on the roof.  I don't watch him for 5 minutes and look what happens.  Luckily he could get down.  And yes Adam joined him as well.  Thank goodness no one got hurt or called the cops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adam trying out the new lawn mower.  Yep, it's another push mower.  I couldn't see spending the money to get a riding lawn mower when I have two healthy little boys who love to mow...  and I have Jaime. 

 

 

Ethan was so excited to mow that he offered me 50 cents to let him mow.  Of course I took it and went and bought myself a candy bar and watched some tv.  JK

 

Our beautiful daughter who is growing up before our eyes.  We love her very much, even though she doesn't like to mow the lawn and thinks our idea of another push mower is dumb.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed a family camping trip up Logan Canyon in June.  Of course it rained on us.  It always does.  So, if it ever needs to rain, just send us on a camping trip.  Problem solved.  We did have a blast and made great memories.

 

 

We told Ethan not to climb up in the tree because he would get stuck.  Sure enough he didn't listen and couldn't get down.  We had to call the fire department to come and get him down.  JK  It's a good thing Mike is tall and we talked him down to where Mike could reach him.

 

Jaime turned 14 while we were up camping.  We were all awake at 12am on her birthday and sang to her and let her open her presents.  It was fun.  But the most fun was that we sang happy birthday to her all day long at random times and in different voices and we drove her nuts.  It was great.

 

We hiked China Wall (Crimson Wall) up Logan Canyon.  And yes I did it.  I was the one taking the picture.  It was a beautiful hike.  The weather was great and no one fell to their death.  Luckily it was a pretty safe hike unless you decided to look over the cliffs, which they all did.  And on another positive note we didn't run into the angry baby rattlesnake that some other hikers had warned us about.

 

 

Yummy breakfast...   and the best part was we slept in and cooked it for lunch!!!!

  

 

There was snow still up at Tony Grove.  Sure enough the boys had to try it out.

 Adam skiing.    Ethan went down on his bum.

 

 

 

 

The boys went for a swim in the cold water. 

We made the mistake of telling Ethan there were leaches in the water. (I have no idea if there are.)  And that's all he could talk about the whole time.  Go figure.  Why can't he ever remember anything else I tell him??  For example : clean your room, don't hit your brother, flush the toilet, don't climb that tree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adam is a natural at swimming.  Maybe we can buy a riding lawn mower someday with all the money he will make as an Olympic gold medalist.

 

So Adam and Ethan found an air soft gun in a friend's yard.  I was told that Adam pointed it at his bike tire and it didn't shoot.  So then he pointed it at Ethan's leg and of course it did shoot.  Ethan said it hurt and Adam didn't believe him and so he pointed it at his own stomach and pulled the trigger, thus leaving that mark.  This all happened while I was standing 20 feet away from them talking to someone.  The only reason I finally figured out something was going on was that I heard Ethan whining.  And not because Adam had shot him.  Ethan trying to shoot the gun and got his finger stuck in the trigger.  Will the Lott boys ever learn??  I guess it's in their blood.  Their older brothers were always grounded from their air soft guns for doing dumb things with them as well. 

 

 

Manti Pageant

 

 

 

 

We went to the Manti Pageant on June 19, 2015.  While walking to the concessions we noticed this piano in the middle of the street.  I bet Jaime $5 to play a song.  She was nervous but really wanted the money.  I was really proud of her for playing.  It sounded beautiful.  I wish I had the talent she does.

 

 

While waiting for the pageant to begin, the boys had fun playing catch with Mike and Jaime and I had fun hitting the concessions and a craft boutique.

 

 
 
 
 
Jaime's piano recital

June 27, 2015

The boys love to swim.  Ethan really wanted to go off the high dive.  I had Adam go first to try it out.  He didn't want to do it until I offered him a dollar.  (It's looking like my kids will do anything for money.)  They both loved it.

 

Our little cowboys.  Then they went outside to catch grasshoppers.  They also like to get a rope and try to lasso the goats, even though I have told them many times they aren't allowed to do that.

 

July 2, 2015 

The boys have really wanted to set up a lemonade stand for a long time.  We finally let them.  I was amazed they actually earned $14.  I am sure most of the money was from our neighbors who felt sorry for them, however, I did see the FedX lady stop and buy some stuff.


 

 

 

For the past five years or so we take a picture of Adam with a dragonfly on his face.  He calls them teddies (we have no clue why).  He's pretty brave to do this and only has gotten bit a few times.  Sadly that happened this time.  Poor guy.  To be honest it's really hard not to laugh when you think about it.  Poor dragonfly.  It's probably scared to death.

6-30-15

We enjoyed a night at the drive-in movie with cousins on July2.  It happened to be the year make of Alex leaving on his mission.  We all signed this poster board for him.  We love you Alex.  We are so proud of you can can't wait to see you next year.

 

 

 

Groupon offered season passes to 7 Peaks in Salt Lake and our family, along with practically every other family in Utah, partook of the cheap $10 a person deal.  It was very busy when we went and the water was super cold but we did have a fun time.

7-3-15

We spent the 4th of July in Malad, Idaho with Mike's Grandpa Moon.  We enjoyed the parade in the morning and then had a picnic.  The boys were so thrilled to get a ton of candy.  It was a great day to visit with Mike's 92 year old grandpa and Mike's mom was there as well.  We are so thankful to know this great man.  We all adore him so much and are so thankful for all he has done for his posterity.

 

 

 

 We have had a Happy Happy Happy summer thus far!!!

 

 

Elder L Tom Perry tells us in  2008, "Perhaps when difficulties and challenges strike, we should have these hopeful words of Robert Browning etched in our minds: The best is yet to be."  We can't predict all the struggles and storms in life... but as persons of faith and hope, we know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and the best is yet to come."

 

Elder Perry also tells us, "The Lord is very kind.  Even though some experiences are hard, he floods your mind with memories and gives you other opportunities.  Life doesn't end just because you have a tragedy.   There's a new mountain to climb.  Don't spend a lot of time sulking over what you've lost.  Get on climbing the next mountain."

 

I am so thankful for these inspired words.  Elder Perry has known heartache.  He lost his wife and daughter and two grandchildren.  His example gives me strength.  We will miss you Elder Perry.