Busy days of summer

We've been busy busy busy trying to cram all of our summer into 3 weeks.  I'll try to remember everything we've done!

First and foremost, little brother turned 3!!!  He was so darned excited for his birthday.  On the actual day, we had pancakes for breakfast.  He didn't have any requests for any of the other meals, but we did make him a chocolate cake.  Which he didn't really eat.  But he was thrilled to blow out the candles!

 Little brother's main request for his birthday was that we go camping.  So on the 3rd of July when husband was off work, we set up the tent in the backyard.  He was thrilled!  The kids are all such great helpers...

 On the 4th of July we enjoyed breakfast at our neighborhood park.  The kids were good to help us clean the house after we got back from that, so we took them swimming for about an hour.  Then we brought them home and made everyone take a nap so that they could stay up for fireworks.  (one of our more brilliant ideas.)  They all slept right up until family started to arrive for little brother's birthday party.  We had a very nice BBQ and lots of yummy food.  Little brother had requested a Mickey Mouse cake, so we got one.  He loved it!  He also loved singing "Happy Birthday to me!"  Adorable.  We enjoyed some delicious homemade ice cream and then headed out front to watch the fireworks.  Wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles, little brother AND little sister decided to sit outside to watch the fireworks.  Wow.  That is big, my friends!  We even set off a few aerials that were pretty loud, and they were just fine!  4th of July miracle!

 The 5th of July we headed up to Strawberry Reservoir with my family and Aaron's brother Matthew so we could enjoy some four-wheeling.  The kids got absolutely filthy and had a great time exercising their imaginations in the woods. 

 We've taken full advantage of Dad's weekdays off and gone on a few hikes.  So much less crowded during the week.  This one was up little cottonwood - I can't remember the name of it.  But the kids loved collecting sticks.

 This was in Albion basin - the Albion Meadow Trail.  Beautiful meadows all over, and attached to some trees along the way are flip charts with pictures of native animals and information about them.  The kids loved that.  We actually ran into the ranger who was putting them up.  The boys loved her four-wheeler, and she was kind enough to take a group shot.  We didn't actually match on purpose, it just ended up that way.  Except for big sister who'd already worn her shirt the day before.

Husband made sure our car was running smoothly so I could take a trip with the kids to Reno to see my sister. 

 The night before we left, we hosted these handsome boys.  They were going to their uncle's wedding the next day.  Here they are in their wedding clothes - so handsome!

 After grandma came and picked up the boys, we headed out to Nevada.  The kids traveled really well!  I made more stops than we usually do.  It seemed to help when they could get out and just stretch their legs for a few minutes.  We were coming down the mountain into Reno when we ran into this:

A giant wall of traffic as far as the eye could see.  My Google Maps told me it would take me 2 hours to go the last 13 miles.  GAH!  I wanted to die!  We didn't have enough gas for that and I knew those tiny bladders in the back wouldn't last either.  Fortunately, it only took half an hour.  Still ridiculously long, but better than an extra 2 hours after already driving 8!  The kids were thrilled to see their Aunt, Uncle and cousins.  Saturday morning we got up really early and headed out to the lake.  Little brother liked sitting in the car.  Tiffany was nice to look after him for me!

Smashley.  She was nice enough to share her room with me and my kiddos.  Even if she was extra cuddly.  :)

Big brother and little sister.  Little sister actually went on the boat, which has never happened before.  She also went on a tube ride with me and my sister.  It was a little crazy for her taste, but she loved it!  Big brother loved playing with everyone's hair.

Big sister and cousin Gabe.  The water was really shallow for several feet and then it just dropped.  They're out pretty far and it's still only up to their knees.

My baby Ky!  The boys were especially happy to see her.

My kids LOVE the dogs.  They really really want me to get a dog. 

This little lady has been losing teeth like crazy.  We've been calling her toothless.  We went to the dentist today and discovered that she really is.  She is missing 4 permanent teeth.  As in, they are not going to appear because they simply don't exist.  1 on the top and 3 on the bottom just completely missing.  So we're heading to the orthodontist next month to see what he recommends.  It's a good thing she's so stinking cute.

And we brought back our cousin Gabe.  He's been bored this summer and with sisters heading to girls camp next week he was going to be more bored.  He and big sister are very happy with this arrangement!

And now we are glad to be back home.  We all missed Husband/Daddy.  He was working a long stretch, which is why we went when we did.  It was nice to come home to him!