Free Summer Kits

Weird fact about me: I REALLY like free things. Like, more than the average person does (cause who doesn't like free things?). I always have my antenna up for free stuff, and for the last two summers the city (I think?) gives out free summer activity kits once a week for a month for elementary school kids. Each week is a different theme (science, art, reading, fire safety) and come packed with several activities and ALL the things you need to do them (even if it's something you'd likely have at home like water or scissors). They are really well done, and especially Jake and I had SO MUCH FUN with them. This was a cool science project: glow in the dark name plates!

Learning Mowing

Eli's been learning how to mow the lawn this summer...a little. Logan still does it most of the time because he'd rather mow the lawn than do daily indoor chores, but every once in awhile Jason does it so he can teach Eli. I sure appreciate the nice job they all do.

Money to Spend

Logan has been mowing two neighbors' lawns this summer and has enjoyed having money to spend. I've actually been impressed with the things he has chosen to buy; he's made some really grown up purchases. He also bought a really cool lego set. It's fun being in that in between stage!

Yearbook

Ali was asked to be on the yearbook committee last year and she worked really hard on it! It was fun to see the pages she created in the book once it came out.

Father's Day

I'm late posting this, but Happy Father's Day to my sweetheart. These kids have no idea how lucky they are. Jason loves to play with them, take them to do outdoor things, works hard for them, is a great example, loves them...he's the best and we're glad he's ours.

Grand Canyon

We also enjoyed the Grand Canyon. We all agreed that Bryce Canyon was prettier, but the Grand Canyon is certainly worth seeing. It's amazing how huge it is! 

We took a hike through the forest that took us to a cool view. Mostly, though, you couldn't see the Grand Canyon, it was just a super peaceful hike (and deserted; again we only saw one other couple) where I really loved the pine smell, shade, and forest sounds.

Bryce Canyon

 We absolutely loved Bryce Canyon. I couldn't get over how pretty and unique it was. 

We went on two main hikes while we were there. The first was along the upper rim and we had the place to ourselves-we saw literally two other people going the opposite way we were but otherwise the trail was ours!

Jake was really good at holding our hands during the hikes to avoid the "death falls" as he called them. We learned last year hiking in Tennessee that Jake will hike all day long, as long as you're telling him a story. Jason got very good at telling stories, some of which sounded suspiciously like  Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and some incorporating Jake's beloved Lovey (who would often have super powers).

The second hike took us down to see the hoodoos up close. They are amazing.

St George

We loved being in St George with Jason's mom. Of of the kids' favorite parts of this section of the trip was our visit to Jason's Uncle Lance and Aunt Pat's pool. The water was so warm and the pool so lovely, they wished they could go back again the next day!

We celebrated Jason's birthday a couple of times on the trip (why not?!)

The kids and Jason had a list of places they wanted to eat while in Utah, and so of course we made that happen. I wanted to visit Deseret Book, and we made that happen too!

Summer Vacation Colorado

 

Our summer vacation this year was to go out to Colorado and Utah to see Grandparents. We drove to Colorado on a Saturday, then onto Bryce Canyon on Monday, onto St George on Tuesday, visited the Grand Canyon on Thursday, back to Colorado on Saturday and then home to Illinois on Monday. It ended up being about 4,000 miles and 55 hours in the car in 10 days. Whew!

We enjoyed being at my parents' house; it was Logan and Jason's first time being there. 

And as an extra treat, my Grandma Blau was there. Four generations!

We always love seeing cousins that live near my parents when we're there.

We were there over the 4th of July and I was so pleased we were. We got to light off all the little fireworks at the end of the driveway like we used to when I was a kid and I loved having my kids experience that fun. We also got to watch the bigger ones all my parents' neighbors lit off. That night was one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Logan loved that Grandpa showed them his guns and things in his big gun safe; that was a highlight of the trip for him!