Week 27, July 2-8

Sunday, July 2nd-

Sunday nap

Today was a good day. Sundays aren't the easiest days for me and Silas comes home so tired. Today was a better Sunday though which was really nice. The boys and Cora all fasted breakfast and the biggest boys almost made it to dinner. This is something we haven't been consistent with so the older boys should totally be fine with missing two meals but we'll work on it. Either way, they got something out of the fast and we talked a lot about prayers that go with fasting. They all thought of different things to fast for, on their own, so that was a good experience for them, I think.

Monday, July 3rd-

Swimming lessons!!!

First day of swimming lessons for the kiddos (minus Cleod) went really well today. Molly was bummed at first that I wasn't getting in the pool with her because last year we did a mommy and me class. Once she was with her teacher and the other kids she was so happy and couldn't stop wiggling. She was ecstatic. She's in a preschool class with 3 or 4 other boys and she is so happy about it. Cora is in Level 2 and Ryan and Grant are doing Level 3 together. Ryan isn't the most comfortable swimmer so he wanted to do Level 3 again.

While they have lessons Cleod and I sit on the lounge chairs and read or rest. It is kind of lovely.

Molly quote of the day:

“Mom, remember?! People died!” Molly says enthusiastically as she points to the cemetery.

Silly Molly

Tuesday, July 4th-

Happy Independence Day!

Playing the original Mario Brothers on the computer

Today was a long, but good day. The kids and I tried to escape to the parade without waking up Silas, who had a headache and hates parades, but he ended up hunting us down before the parade started. It honestly wasn't they best parade and it was hot, but the kids had a good time.

We picked up some lunch and headed home. The kids spent a good chunk of the afternoon out in the neighborhood and Silas and I even went out for a few hours before dinner. I started getting sick from being in the heat and not having enough water but luckily I felt better before dinner. Silas made burgers and we hung out with some of the neighbors until it was dark. Then we went down to the high school and watched fireworks and lit some of our own. Silas actually bought some this year, which was silly and funny. One of the big ones (big packages anyway) was a disappointment but overall it was fun to watch.

Afternoon fun with neighbors

We are going to miss the Huffs who are leaving for Missouri in a few weeks and the Rushtons who are building a house in Enoch soon. It was nice to spend the evening with both families as well as the Redhouses, Armours, Hudsons and Mary Saylor.

Molly quotes of the day:

"Put your hand on yourself" -when the flag came by during the parade.

"I have polka dot colds!" -after she noticed her goosebumps.

Molly banging on a bucket with Gideon

Starting fireworks

One of the fireworks we bought

Cora and Lexi

Wednesday, July 5th-

• Playgroup at the Lake on the Hill
• Swimming Lessons
• Lunch at Pizza Cart (This turned out to be the most pleasant dining experience we have ever had. The kids were nice, ate food without complaining and we were all happy. Yea!)
• Piano lessons
• Ryan to play practice
• Dinner
• No cubs or mutual

Swimming at the Lake on the Hill for playgroup

Cute kids at Pizza Cart for lunch

Fun at Pizza Cart

Ryan guy

Molly slowly crawling out of the pool

Thursday, July 6th-

This evening Grandma Rowley came into town to watch the kids so I could join Silas for Youth Conference. Tonight I just drove up with Amber tonight for dinner. We went to a cute pizza place in Duck Creek and had a good time with the youth. Amber and I were going to stay for Smores but Kade got hurt so we had to take him home for his parents to take a better look at his wound. Then the power went out everywhere but luckily it only lasted 15 minutes or so.

Molly being dramatic

Friday, July 7th-

• Drove up to Youth Conference at Duck Creek again (with Kade).
• Cascade Falls hike
• Rained for a while this afternoon so we didn't go to Navajo Lake like planned. The youth played cards and some other games and I had a nap.
• Went to Mammoth Caves in the evening before dinner. It was the plan for tomorrow but they are hoping to go to the Lake in the morning instead.
• Devotional, dinner and Smores by the fire.
• Silas and I stayed up til the fire died out.

Pancakes fried in bacon grease

Youth Conference Fun!

Cascade Falls and Mammoth Caves

Saturday, July 8th-

• Breakfast and take down of camp
• Silas and I stayed until Clint came to get the trailer and the other leaders took the kids to Navajo Lake.
• Fun time at the lake. The kids swam, canoed, skipped rocks and relaxed. The adults sat and watched and enjoyed the nice weather.
• Short devotional and headed back to Cedar City just as it started raining again.
• Once at the church, helped unload the trailer.
• Took until about 2:30 or 3pm to get settled at home. Silas napped (actually he never really woke up except to crawl into bed) and the kids watched a movie (they were really happy to have us home and also super hyper.)