Summer Lovin'

Have I mentioned how much I love SUMMER TIME?! Nice weather (unless it is extremely hot), tan lines-especially on my little kids, playing outside, going to parks to play and eat lunch, yard sale season, camping, boating, fishing, yard work (I tend to grumble a little when it needs to be done but when I am actually doing it, I really do enjoy working outside), spending time with family, BBQ's, pool time, Swimming lessons, etc. This post contains some of the things we love about summer mentioned above.

Swimming lessons

For the past 2 weeks Payton and Kenzie have been in swimming lessons with their cousins (Allyssa and Ashlee). They have loved every minute of it and even dealt with a few chilly days!

Payton and McKenzie all wrapped up.

It is diving board day and the kids are all in line waiting for their turn to go off the board while shivering due to a little wind.

Payton taking a leap...he said he was going to do a Cannon Ball all day but he kind of chickened out when he got up there.

McKenzie's turn on the board. She was pretty brave for her age and had a good time.

Kenzie and Ashlee playing on the last day of lessons.

Cute girls!

Payton swimming around with his dolphin. He is a little fish, and loves exploring under the water for long periods at a time. He is getting pretty good at floating and putting the strokes together. I am impressed with his skills for his age.

Taylor was such a little trooper. He hung out in his stroller almost the whole time and enjoyed watching the kids have fun.

The 1st Mow

Payton loves to help his daddy and tries to be just like him in all that he does!! There is a small bar on the mower that makes a perfect handle for Payton and he loves it.

The grass is coming in great and we actually have a yard in perfect time for those fun SUMMER nights!

Visitors

Megan and Bret and their cute kids came for a visit this last weekend and the cousins got along well. Payton and McKenzie were so sad when it was time for them to go. Cousins are the BEST!

The kids all dressed for church. Aren't they precious!!

Maggie and Kenzie look a lot alike.

Sweet girls.

Kade and Payton, both looking sharp.

This is the best I could do for little Taylor. Every time I think he looks so handsome and try to snap a shot he tries to maul the camera and won't give up on the idea, so this is the best I could get.

Father and Son Campout

At the beginning of June, Mckay took Payton on his 1st Father and Son Campout! Taylor stayed home this year but will be joining the boys next year. I think it is great that they had some time to enjoy themselves and the great outdoors. While they were there Mckay found a large walking stick for Payton to have during their hikes and while exploring the wilderness. I guess it was the envy of a few of the boys there as they kept trying to bring Payton a different one that was more his size to exchange it for his large one. Payton held his own though and even brought the stick home (yeah). Mckay said that they were rained on most of the night and that Payton woke up a few times complaining with leg cramps and missed me a little, which makes me feel good, but then the next morning he was not ready to go when the time came. I guess Payton would practically take off all on his own to explore the campground and Mckay had to keep an eye on him. Guess he is all boy and loves the Mountains just as much as Daddy does!

The walking stick they found/made.

Payton and Daddy

These pictures makes me wish I was there too, but I am glad they had a good time!

Payton and his friend Tanner goofing around.

A MeMorable Memorial

We spent Memorial weekend in Utah. Some friends of ours invited us to go to Park City to their beautiful Time Share and we had such a great time. Here are just a few of the things that we did with a bunch of pictures. It was great to take some time away and be as a family.

The Hogle Zoo

A family picture at the zoo.

Payton with the elephants.

Riding on the Rhino

Taking a cat nap to catch up on some zzzzzz's.

Payton on the gorilla.

McKenzie enjoying the ride.

Taylor taking it all in.

The Boise zoo is a little small so it was fun for the kids to see a few more animals that they haven't seen before. After all of the hard work we went swimming in the pool and hot tub (almost everyday), and this is what 3 kiddos look like after one long day of going hard.......

Payton and McKenzie crashed on the bed.

Little Taylor fast asleep.

All of the kids were such troopers and slept so great even though they were not in their own beds. I always worry about that as a mom, but I'm grateful bedtime went smoothly, probably due to all the running.

The Olympics

We also spent some time where part of the Olympic events were held.

It was pretty cool to see in person.

The ski jumps.

While we were there some people were practicing on the carpet ski runs and then would land in the pool to break their fall. It was a neat place.

The Swensen Bobsled team!

Temple Square

We took a walk down memory lane to the place where Mckay and I were married. It is always such a treat to visit Temple Square and it was fun to show the kids.

McKenzie is passed out in the stroller this time.

We even took some time to stop and smell the flowers.

The kids loved the reflection pool, it was hard to keep them out.

Our HAPPY FAMILY!

What a beautiful place.

I love this picture because McKay and I posed like this on that exact spot, on our wedding day!

The last night of our trip we split up from our friends and spent the rest on the evening at a hotel. Now reality has hit again and Mckay is back at work, and we are once again counting down the days until our next family get-away!