Summer Happenings

Well, I've put up four new posts in one day. Not the easiest way to blog, but I'm almost caught up now. Just wanted to post about a few more things that have been filling our summertime.

Elle had her dance recital in June. Her class danced to "Say a Little Prayer". She did great and looked so cute!











Our fruit trees gave us great apricots and plums this year!








Elle took her first set of swim lessons. She's so much braver in the water now!








The twins were in Summerlin's Patriotic Parade for the 4th of July. They were Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb. Man, they're going to hate these pics when they get older!












Fun trip to So Cal to see the Nielson's.









Playdates galore!








Fitting piano practice in between swimming everyday.

Carlsbad

The week after school got out, we headed down to Carlsbad for the Stoddard family camping tradition. Growing up, Bud's family went to Carlsbad every year with other families in their ward. The tradition's been interuppted with all of Bud's siblings out-of-state and Will and Carol on their mission, but we got to go this year and it was a blast. The Fontano's came all the way from Houston and the kids had the greatest time. Tuesday the boys headed up to LA for a Dodgers game, Wednesday we hit Disneyland (almost for FREE - thank you "Give a Day, Get a Day"!), Thursday we boogie boarded and my sister Kim and her family came to visit for a bit and enjoy some dutch oven cooking, and Friday we headed home. It was a whirlwind, but so awesome. Hopefully we'll be doing it more often.

San Francisco

My annual girls-trip with Megan and Dana was amazing this year. We headed to San Fran and had the most fabulous time despite the freezing cold weather (in May!). Ate great, walked a-lot, and reconnected with friends who have known eachother since Arizona! Love you gals!

Baptism

This is crazy late, but better late than never. After a very fun-filled Star Wars party (complete with a life-size talking Darth Vader) on April 9th, the boys got to be baptized on their actual birthday, Sat., the 10th. It was such a beautiful experience and we were so grateful to have so many dear friends and family there. Right before we left for their baptism, I walked down the stairs to see my little men dressed in their suits standing in front of me. Of course, I started crying and told them they looked like missionaries. Jake said, "We look like kid-anaries!" It was truly a wonderful day topped off with a Cafe-Rio catered lunch at our house after. Doesn't get much better than that!

The Grand Canyon

About six months ago, our bishop challenged every family to read the Book of Mormon before our next General Conference. Well, thanks to Jake and Jonah's desire to read almost every day, we got it done last Wednesday. I am so proud of our family for finishing it, especially before the boys get baptized Saturday. To celebrate (and to get out of town), we headed for a quick 30-hour trip to the Grand Canyon. It was amazing. Truly a sight to be seen! Crazy dangerous though! There are so few rails and walls, you can literally walk right off the side. At one point Mae said, "Owie Mommy", holding up her hand where I was holding it too tight. : )

Spring Break

Spring Break started a little early for us when the Fontano's came into town for their spring break and the boys missed a couple days of school. It's one of the first times I played tourist in my own city taking the kids to the Ethel M chocolate factory and the Mirage Secret Garden. Of course a trip to Chuck E Cheese's, lots of jumping on the trampoline, and way too many of Nana's cookies were in order too.










Last week, Samantha was baptized and it was great to have the whole family together. It's amazing that Traci's youngest got baptized and even crazier that the twins will get baptized next week! That same day, all the cousins got to attend the Summerlin Egg Hunt which my mom, dad, and Traci worked at. Kim got to stay an extra few days and all the kids had a great time together.





There's a couple more fun events, but I'm going to give them their own due post...