Lagoon

Still smiling at the end of the day!

Me and So So on the ferris wheel

Only pic I got of the older kids--they were off playing too much

Cute little pink boat

Riding the helicopters!

Livi on her first ride of the day. This turned out to be her favorite ride.

I love Scott's job. They know how to party. His company party this summer was at Lagoon, and the kids were so excited! When we went to Disneyland they kept comparing the rides to those at Lagoon. And Disneyland was coming up short. They want it faster and crazier. They must get that from their father. This trip to Lagoon just reminded me I'm getting old. The flying swings made me ill, and they used to be my favorite! So sad. We hardly saw Christian and Lyssa. They rode on everything at least a couple times.

What made this even better was enjoying it for free. We didn't make the kids run around and try everything because we were trying to get our money's worth. They also fed us lunch, and Scott won a $50 gift card while we were there, too. Not bad. Thank you Sirsidynix!

Growing from a wolf to a bear

The wolf print

My reward for helping the wolf advance

So excited to be moving up!!!

Christian turned 9 in August and advanced from a wolf to a bear in Cub Scouts. It was a cute ceremony and I'm so proud of him. Of all my children, Christian is the most anxious to complete things. He always wants thing done and on time, so scouts has been pretty easy for him. It's been good for me to spend a little individual attention with him, too. Good job, bud!

His birthday this year was pretty low-key. I felt a little bad, but as he has had large parties the past couple years I figured it would be alright. He wanted to play Wii and go swimming with Michael. So we went to the Massengales and he did just that. I love you, my sweet boy.

Pioneer Day

Panning for gold

Cute little pioneer children (Lyssa is very proud of her mustache)

Christian looks a little too natural throwing a tomohawk

Scott and Lyssa competing for root beer chugging champion. Scott won.

I love the 24th of July here. There's a big celebration at the park with a bunch of free activities. I meant to enter the pie making contest this year but forgot. Next year. The kids had a lot of fun panning for gold, shooting ducks, doing the obstacle course, and making crafts. We also got to tour the pioneer village. I don't know how they did it! We are so grateful for our tough ancestry! And we're glad we're not them.

We have been playing hard! I can't believe the summer is half over already. Hopefully the rest will be a little more relaxing. In June we had 3 family reunions, 2 week long camps, 1 day camp and the summer school. For the Reece reunion we had a park day, the guys went golfing, the girls went to Mimi's Cafe with the cousins for dessert, and went to Lowes Extreme Sports (a lot of fun). We had the Sweeney reunion and sadly/happily Scott got to spend the day with us. Sad for him because he got out of the horseshoe tournament the first round, happy for us cause then we got to see him and play with him! I went to Girls Camp and Lyssa went to 5th grade camp at Big Springs the same week. We both had a great time. Christian had science day camp the next week. Lyssa has been in the summer ballroom program. And at the end of June we had the Thompson reunion where we hiked the Y, went ice blocking, This is the Place park, extended family BBQ, fireworks at Fox field and the 4th of July parade. Scott and I were able to run the Freedom Run together this year. I beat my time last year by 1 minute but more importantly I beat Scott by a minute, too. It was a lot of fun. Can't wait to do it again. Amber has started an art class and loves it. I took the Activity Day girls to day camp this week. It was nice to spend some time with Lyssa. And Soran and Livi have been growing so much I think sometimes I can actually see it. Good times!

How close can you get?

Skit night

Chelsea and I rocking our hike again.

Fear Factor game--pass the orange

The Manti pageant

Scott in front of the Manti temple

Scott and Lyssa egg toss partners at the Sweeney (she doesn't like to be his partner because somehow the egg always winds up on her)

Thompson cousins conquer the Y

Me and Soran iceblocking

Soran, Livi, and Kayla in the wagon

Soran all dressed up

Christian the cowboy

Christian really wants a pet. He talked the kids into helping with a yard sale to raise money for it. They screamed at every car that went past. Too cute.

Lyssa and Alexis racing boats

Lyssa was a pretty good archer. She says she wants to save for a bow and arrow now.

Lyssa the rockclimber

Livi's turns 4!

4-year-old birthday cake

Pin the kiss on the frog game

Telling princess stories

Princess Livi--I couldn't get her to stop squinting

Freeze dance game

Livi had her first real birthday party this year. She of course wanted a pink princess party, just like all my other girls at this age. The day was supposed to be rainy and cold but after much prayer and fasting it turned out beautiful (thank goodness, I did not want to try to squeeze 10 little kids in my house for party games). We decorated in pink and purple and painted fingernails while everyone was showing up. We played pin-the-kiss-on-the-frog, throw the golden ball into the wishing well, freeze dance and duck duck goose. I think between cousins, friends and siblings we had about 20 kids there. It was pretty crazy, but fun. Happy birthday, my little princess!

Livi at age 4: She is a sweetheart, she never hurts anyone. Ever. Even if they are mean to her she will never fight back. She cannot stand being wet. If I touch her with wet hands she has to change her clothes. She loves puzzles. And she's very good at them. She loves dresses and dancing. Love you, Livi!

Livi's preschool graduation

The cute little graduate

Graduating Class of 2011--Livi, Jonas, William, Daphne, Mikey, Joseph

Livi and I had a fun year doing preschool. There were a lot more boys in her class than I've ever had but it went well. The day of the party was rainy, just like every day this spring has been. But we had it anyway. Good job, Livi!

Amber

Someone said she looks like a jack-o-lantern. I think that's about right.

Flowers from daddy for her dance recital. She did awesome! Look at those eyelashes!

Dance recital 2011--Magic in Me.

She did a great job and it was a lot of fun to watch. She told me after the rehearsal she loved dancing in front of all those people. I was like, "really?!?" But it makes me happy she's getting so much confidence.