Summer things

In what feels like the few short days we've had at home so far this summer, we have packed in the fun!

Right after Trek we had a fun Fathers' Day with literally the best guy ever. He is the greatest dad in the world! His kids love him so much. (So do I.) 

We had a quiet day at home, enjoying his requested zupa toscana and apple pie. As part of his gift, I scheduled a couples massage for us a few hours after we got home from Trek. Best idea ever. Lance actually mentioned it offhand awhile back and I followed through!

Over the past few weeks we've had an exciting bird saga in our backyard. We first noticed an empty nest in our little pear tree, and then small blue robin's eggs started appearing one by one. The girls were thrilled and we gave mama bird plenty of space while still keeping an eye on it. A couple weeks later 3 little babies showed up! One egg didn't hatch. 

Unfortunately, a few days after they hatched, we found two baby birds at the base of the tree next to the nest, and one missing. A vicious cat attack! We placed the babies and the nest back in the tree and hoped for the best, but two days later found the same things, with another baby missing. With just one baby left, and mom and dad bird still hanging around, we moved the nest to a box and secured it to the top of our monkey bars where the stupid cat couldn't reach. Sadly, the little guy didn't make it and passed away the next day. We had a little funeral the next evening. The girls were heartbroken, and Lance and I weren't thrilled either, but we felt like we did everything we could. A good lesson on how nature works, I guess. Stupid cat. 

The girls have been loving swim lessons every day. Reagan is learning how to dive. 

Maddie loves chillin like a villian on the side with me. 

She also started Mommy and Me gymnastics last week and is ridiculously adorable in her little leo, but terrible at following instructions. (She is too young for the class, but it's something to keep us busy while her sisters are in their classes). 

Family picnics and bike rides at the park! I'm loving that the girls are big enough for that. 

And Maddie thinks she is just one of the big kids- she insisted on a turn on Daryn's bike and actually almost fit it. 

Dinner at Cracker Barrel

 I know it's a lot of the same pic but her smiles seriously kill me. I cannot get enough of her!

We've been spending lots of afternoons at the library summer events, too!

 The girls really enjoyed getting buried in the soda can boxes. 

This is exciting because I looked down and Maddie was coloring for the first time! Not just eating the crayon. 

Been staying busy so far and I don't expect that to change over the next month. These girls keep me on my toes!

Reagan is 6!

Reagan's birthday was a week ago! Super exciting stuff. Since we've been busy with some many trips, we decided to keep it pretty low-key. 

The girls have had swimming lessons every morning the past couple weeks, so we had that first. Reagan did some beautiful jumps off the diving board (her favorite part of class).

Maddie and I were happy to watch the big girls!

After we left swim lessons at noon, we drove straight to the Roy pool- our first trip this summer! Lance joined us about 45 minutes after we arrived and we spent the afternoon splashing away together. 

Reagan loves the diving board. After a couple jumps off the regular one, she decided she was big enough for the high dive! We weren't sure, but let her go for it.

And she loved it!! Went twice and would have stayed there all afternoon if we let her. 

Eventually we were all swum out so we left and stopped by Tonyburgers for some delicious food. Then home for the rest of a party! Finally time for presents- Reagan had been anxiously waiting all day!

 A new pillow, as requested. Best $3 at Walmart I could have spent. 

Hot wheels cars for racing down the driveway from Grandma and Grandpa!

Her new magnifying glass from Lance was a huge hit and it only took her a couple tries before she learned to burn holes in leaves. 

 Not pictured are her other favorite gifts, a polaroid camera from Lance's parents and a fidget spinner and The Book With No Pictures from her cousin Grace. What a lucky girl!

 After presents we played in the back yard and Lance built a fire and roasted hot dogs while I cooked broccoli and asparagus, as requested. 

Then Meagan came and it was time for cake! Her choice this year: strawberry cake with marshmallow and sprinkle frosting. As you wish!

We had such a great time celebrating our biggest girl! Reagan is very smart and likes to think through problems and solves them on her own. She is very artistic and is forever working on new projects (and constantly asking me to save trash "for art"). She can be a little wild and crazy some days- she just has so much energy. She likes dance and gymnastics and tennis but I think her favorite sport is swimming- now she says she wants to join the swim team. She loves being outside and working in the garden. She is very adventurous and loves to try to new experiences and almost always enjoys them. She is fearless and a bit of an adrenaline junkie. She is very responsible with her younger sisters, especially Madelyn. She started getting an allowance plus doing extra chores for money and is learning to be responsible with her money and how to pay tithing! We are very proud of her good decision-making abilities, and she really thrives when given responsibilities. She is a star reader and recently learned to read books quietly in her head. She is reading the Magic Treehouse books right now and also enjoys reading to Daryn. She is a great helper around the house and is always laughing about something!

At her doctors appointment yesterday she was 46 in (65%) and 42 lbs (45%). Tall and skinny! I swear most days I can see her ribs but she eats like a horse. 

 Some questions for Reagan:

1. What is your favorite color? White, purple, and pink

2. What is your favorite toy? My fidget spinner (a birthday gift from her aunt, which may or may not already be lost)

3. What is your favorite fruit? Peaches

4. What is your favorite tv show or movie? Bob the Builder

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Grilled cheese sandwiches

6. What is your favorite game? Chutes and Ladders

7. What is your favorite snack? Apples

8. What is your favorite animal? Fishies

9. What is your favorite song? I Am a Child of God

10. What is your favorite book? Madeline

11. Who is your best friend? Madelyn

12. What is your favorite cereal? Lucky Charms

13. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Swing

14. What is your favorite drink? Soda

15. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

16. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Beary and Cherry and my blankey

17. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cereal

18. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Hot dogs and cheeseburgers and cheesy broccoli and asparagus

19. What do you want to be when you grow up? A firefighter and a doctor

20. I am very proud because… I graduation kindergarten and to go to first grade

21. I am afraid to … the dark

22. Name one thing you do really well? Running

23. What is your favorite time of day? Lunchtime

24. What makes you feel sad? When you spank me (seriously??)

25. What makes you feel happy? When you let me have treats

26. Where do you want to go on vacation? Disneyland

27. What is your favorite thing to do with Mom or Dad? Jump on the tramp. And fishing.

She is such a unique, happy girl! We are so grateful to have had her for 6 whole years! She is going to do great things in life. 

Daryn Age 4

I can't believe this sweet face is 4! I still think of Reagan as 4! 4 is big, and she is so little!

The girl has more darling personality packed into one tiny body than anyone I've ever met. She is universally adored by anyone that knows her. She loves to snuggle and give hugs and kisses and we get in fights a lot about who loves each other more. She knows what she wants and has a strong sense of justice. She is very determined. Her confidence in her abilities and skills is growing daily. Sometimes she has to be encouraged to try new things but she almost always loves whatever it was afterwards. She is very cautious by nature until she is sure about something. She is a great big sister to Maddie but fights for her place a lot with Reagan- she sees herself as Reagan's equal but Reagan does not so much. She gets very attached to people. Daryn loves being read to, coloring, building things, and helping me with whatever I'm doing (especially laundry and cooking). She's known her letters and numbers for ages and is learning now to write them right now and starting to read. Her new favorite things are riding her bike (it was hard for her at first, but now she rocks it) and racing cars down the driveway with Reagan. She does not have a sweet tooth and it's not unusual for her to not even finish a serving of dessert. She loves to sleep and asks for a nap almost everyday. She is definitely growing- she fills out size 4t clothes and pull-ups nicely (but still has tiny feet in size 6). At her doctors appointment pictured above, she weighted in at 30 lbs (10%) and 38.5 (15%) inches tall. She got all her  kindergarten shots (a year early) and put on a brave face. Poor girl has got the short end of the stick with the number of times she has been poked in her life. She is overall very healthy and strong and is handling the challenges she has in life very well. 

Some questions I asked Daryn:

1. What is your favorite color? Blue

2. What is your favorite toy? LEGOS

3. What is your favorite fruit? Strawberry

4. What is your favorite tv show or movie? Word World

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Grilled cheese sandwiches

6. What is your favorite game? Hungry Hungry Hippos

7. What is your favorite snack? Cheese crackers

8. What is your favorite animal? Zebras

9. What is your favorite song? Give Said the Little Stream 

10. What is your favorite book? The Carwash One. The Scrubbly Bubbly Carwash 

11. Who is your best friend? Reagan

12. What is your favorite thing to do with Mom or Dad? Jump on the tramp

13. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Jump on the tramp

14. What is your favorite drink? Lemonade 

15. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween

16. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Sunny and Tutu Bear

17. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Eggies

18. What is something Mommy always says ? Clean up

19. What do you want to be when you grow up? A doctor. And a teacher. 

20. I am very proud because... I don't know. I can't think of anything.

21. I am afraid of...monsters and bad guys.

22. Name one thing you do really well? Cleaning up.

23. What is your favorite time of day? Reading bookses. 

24. What makes you feel sad? When you hit me. (I don't hit her!)

25. What makes you feel happy? When you give me ice cream

26. Where do you want to go on vacation? Disneyland!

27. What is your favorite cereal? Frosted Flakes with marshmallows

Daryn is just the most incredible kid I have ever met. We are so lucky to have her in our family!

Trek

Lance and I had the opportunity to go on the stake pioneer reenactment this year. AKA Trek! We got a be a Ma and Pa, which means we were in charge of a "family" of 10 teenagers ages 14-17 for 3.5 days. We were feeling a little trepidation about the whole thing beforehand but it turned out to be the most incredible experience. Life-changing!

The morning of on the way to the church. All fresh and clean!

We had to fit all our possessions in 5 gallon buckets and a garbage back to sleeping stuff and load it all onto this handcart and pull it for 28 miles. No easy feat! Luckily we had some strong teenagers for the bulk of it. 

Luck was on our side and we had the most perfect weather imaginable. Not too hot during the day at all. It did get pretty chilly at night. Plus everything was so green from all the rain recently. Stunning views!

The first day was a grueling 10 miles. We were at the front of the whole stake for a good portion of the day.


 We were dead tired when we got to camp. We set up our tents, shoveled in our food and basically crashed. 

Fun games and family bonding on the second day (4 easy miles)

And a dance on the evening of the second day! Loved getting my two-step on with this handsome dude. 

Our sweet family flag, dyed with gatorade packets. The Brunson Burners!

The third day was a very special day. They had a part called the youth pull. Starting up the steepest, mile long hill, they pulled off us from the cart, and then one by one pulled off our strongest youth. It was to simulate us dying; we could walk by the cart but couldn't talk or help push. It was extremely difficult for all of us- those of us who wanted to helped but couldn't and had to watch the others struggle, and the those 4 youth who were left by the top of the hill. I have never been so proud of anyone as I was watching "my" teenagers get that cart up the hill. Lance and I felt that we got a small glimpse of how the Savior feels watching us struggle. It was also impressive to see the boys that were pulled off do everything they could to help, including taking the backpacks off those pulling and taking the heavy water jug off the back and carrying it up the hill. It was a very spiritual experience. 

This picture was taken right after we reached the top- missing two of the kids that were a little further off. Such great kids. We had the best family that I could have imagined. 

Trina and I were almost totally matchies that day!

I was totally caught off guard when I found out our oldest boy, Colter,  had a man bun- he wore hats the whole time before that! Hilarious. If anyone can pull it off, he can. 

 Some of our other great kids! Vicky and Oliver (real-life siblings) and Raegan and Jackie. 

The last day was another 4 pretty easy miles back to the parking lot.

Last family picture!


Getting ready to head out.


Feeling good and enjoying the vistas!

We did have several water crossings of various sizes throughout the trip. It was fun watching the boys/men try to get the carts across without getting wet! Sometimes they were successful, sometimes they were not.

Lance and I are so grateful we were able to have this experience. It really strengthened our testimonies and our relationship with each other. I was also so impressed with the strength of our youth. They are going to do great things!