We packed in as much fun as possible in the 6 weeks before school started. It was exhausting. I've been putting off blogging for a while so get ready for the mother of all posts featuring these fab four:
Reagan and Daryn did Arts in the Park. It was Daryn's first year and they both loved it. First day and last day, 3 weeks later.
I loved only taking 2 kids to the store.
Lance got LASIK sugery on his eyes! No more glasses for this guy and he's loving it.
He was a trooper to take Daryn on a movie date the very same day.
Family trip to Lagoon that weekend! Crazy hot (it got up to 105) and pretty tiring but so so fun.
Go Brunson girls! So much energy to start the day.
Lance and I had a great time taking turns going on the big rides with Reagan. She is an adrenaline junkie just like us and gave every single one a try this year!
Blade loved riding with me or Reagan or Lance. The other girls, not so much. I guess he thought they couldn't protect him?
So Daryn and Maddie went together a lot.
He was just happy to be part of the action.
Since it was Pioneer Day weekend, we had to check out Pioneer Village while Lance wait in a long line for log flume. The girls loved the old toy displays and the dress shop.
Blade and I were happy to watch while they got soaked on Rattlesnake Rapids.
Well, at least one of us was.
We always save the Ferris wheel for last. It's tradition!
Fountains to end a long day. Mostly because we were too tired to stop them. We slept good that night!
The big girls love to help weed at the church farm.
On Pioneer Day morning we went hiking to the waterfall. The girls have been so anxious to try out their camelbaks and they loved them.
Made it! Maddie hiked the whole thing besides the switchbacks at the beginning.
Neighborhood bbq and then a few fireworks in the evening.
I took the kids to check out a new splashpad near our house. It ended up being an overcast day but that didn't hold them back. Blade especially was thrilled.
We had free tickets to an Ogden Raptors game. Lance took the girls, and good thing, because we ended up missing the SL Bees game we had tickets to because of sickness (story of my life).
Another family hike day! We took a whole Saturday and spent it up Big Cottonwood Canyon.
First up: Mill B South Interpretive Falls. The perfect little hike.
Then across the street for a little climb to Hidden Falls. On the way, you pass an abandoned mine.
Then on to the big one for the day- Donut Falls! We last hiked this when Reagan was a baby. Things have changed a little since then... The parking was so full that Lance dropped us off at the trailhead then parked and walked in, so we did the first 2/3s of the hike without him. The girls were troopers. Even Maddie hiked 95% of it on her own (Lance put her in the carrier right before we rounded the bend and realized we were basically there).
The girls took lots of breaks to stop and examine nature with their magnifying glasses and binoculars.
The falls are in the background. Are these the cutest hikers ever or what?
There were tons of wildflowers on the way that really made it just a stunning hike.
After finishing, we had to wait in the parking lot for Lance to go get the car. Poor guy really got his cardio in.
We still had some time and energy left, so we made one last stop at Silver Lake. One of our favorite spots but we don't get there as often as we would like. We brought a picnic lunch (except I left half of it at home. Oops...) and our fishing things. Lots of casts but no catches that day.
The girls scampered like goats up this big rock face. I was a lot impressed and only a little nervous.
Finishing off with ice creams cones. The perfect end to a long, hot day. I'm tired just writing about it.
After eating at a new teriyaki place in Layton, the girls went through a chopstick phase. They used them for every meal for a week. I was more impressed than anything.
One of Lance's clients sent the girls an American Girl giftcard and they were thrilled to pick out matching pjs with their dolls and some fun accessories. Reagan and Daryn also got new dolls.
Lance and I went to a Lonestar concert here in Layton. SO fun and they put on a great show!
Swim lessons for all the girls. Maddie's first year and she did great!
Blade, on the other hand, was a complete nuisance. On popsicle day, he got one in each hand and screamed because they were cold. Wouldn't even eat them. Then screamed even louder when I pried them out of his frozen fingers.
We paid a visit to the Weber County Fair this year. Different but still lots of fun!
Inside a real tank.
Pony rides and train rides!
The girls are obsessed with water buffalos (I blame VeggieTales) so you can imagine how thrilling it was to meet a real one. They were a little disappointed to earn that they do, in fact, eat food also.
Of course the big girls flew up the climbing walls.
Surprisingly, we actually made it on our annual overnight camping trip. We love Box Elder campground.
It turns out, Blade is the most adorable camper in the world. Who would have guessed?
"Helping" Daddy with everything.
Of course the American Girl dolls and all their accessories came along. It kept them up until around 10:30.
Blade slept decently. I think. I can't actually remember that far back.
We were so tired the following morning, but decided to stick to our plan of swimming at Mantua Reservoir (even though we somehow left the basket of beach toys at home). We made do with water bottles!
We all survived and fulfilled our camping quota until next year.
We got to check out this beautiful historic chapel for my cousin's wedding.
Church is exhausting sometimes.
But sometimes it is exhilarating! Two weeks ago Elder Uchtdorf came to visit our stake and it was such an incredible experience. The building was filled to overflowing an hour before the meeting started, but thankfully we had seats on the 3rd row. Lance also reserved me the parking space next to Elder Uchtdorf. He gave a great talk and afterwards met many members of the congregation, including our family! We got to shake his hands and Blade held out his book and "ehhhh!"ed him, and he took it and read a few pages of Polar Bear, Polar Bear to him. Super neat.
These kids like to be cozy! They were watching tv from directly below it...?
One last pool day at home while Lance picked blackberries so I could make jam.
Looking back, maybe a double recipe wasn't the best idea?
And one last pool day at Roy. The little girls were so glad daddy came so he could take them down the slide.
More date nights with Daddy.
And more temple dates for us! So far we haven't missed a month this year.
The girls have been taking cooking, sewing, and art classes at a new company near us. I love it so much and so do they. Reagan's class put on an art show to display their masterpieces!
And Reagan and Daryn did a little cooking expo. So fun and yummy.
End of summer Activity Days, Relief Society, and ward activities.
The girls love it when they bring out the bubble machine. Lance and I kind of hate it because those kids have to ride home in their carseats all wet and soapy. And we never get a warning so they can wear swimsuits. I guess they are only kids once?
For Labor Day weekend Lance went to visit his parents and grandma's in New Mexico (Mimi and Mumsy haven't been doing so well recently). He was reluctant to leave us but I forced him into it. It's been a very long summer for both of us and we could each use a break- mine is in 2 weeks :). While he was gone, we had to stay entertained somehow, so I let the girls watch Mary Poppins and sleep in my room. It went ok, except it turns out that they are really noisy sleepers and kept me up a lot.
The girls also built a fort on the porch with all the blackberry and various other branches that I cut down. It was pretty cool at first but not so much 3 days laters when all the leaves had dried and crumbled off.
Meanwhile, Lance got to do lots of hiking, fishing, visiting, relaxing, and sleeping, which was just what he needed. He deserved every minute! We were super glad to have him home, though.
Maddie has always called this singing cowboy pony a camel and it cracks us up. "Camel is all ready to giddy up!" It's so adorable.
Meagan came to visit on Sunday for her birthday and we had a great time being with her for a little while. The kids always pose better for her.
We all got invited to a little friend's birthday party on Monday. They had water inflatables set up and the girls had the best time.
Maddie: I can be a big helper!
Thanks, baby.
It's been a very challenging summer in a lot of ways, but also very entertaining. These kids are the best and I wouldn't change any of it. (Well...maybe less poop. And pee.)
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