july photos

Layla's typical summer outfit- a swimsuit.  She's still as much of a water baby as ever.  Except now I guess she's a water girl.  This year her swimsuits range from size 2T to 5T.  She's three.  It somehow all works out.  

McKay and Brian go to a lot of sports events together.  Dates, if you will.  It's harder for me and Elle to go to things...I think mostly because whatever I take her to do, McKay and/or Layla would enjoy it too.  When I needed to go to a wedding reception (we hardly ever go to any) I knew it would be the perfect date for my Elle.  McKay actually did really want to go.  But this was just for me and my girl.  She loved it- wanted me to take lot of pictures of the bride. 

Second trip to day camp for this cub scout!  Look at those socks!

Crazy group.

He had a blast!  I was so glad his scout leader sent these pictures to us.  I've never been to day camp before so it was fun to see what it's like.  

This makes me think of his awesome leaders.  He's been lucky enough to be with Sister Argyle as a wolf and she is so awesome.  She puts so much into teaching them and truly loves and cares about them and what they learn.  She's a good example of magnifying any calling.  She's kind of like the cub scout guru around here too- she kind of knows everything!

In August he will be with Melanie McBee who is another super organized, creative, fun leader.  I know he'll have a great time in her den also, as a bear.  Grateful for these awesome ladies and that they are helping to make my boy a better person.

Look at Ellery.  Lately she has become such a great "big cousin".  She loves the babies and toddlers and is so good with them.  Also, look how cute baby James is.

These two troublemakers at the aquarium.  They are quite terrible together.  Best friends and super annoying enemies.  It's very hot and cold, off and on with these two.  They sure are cute though.   

Water girl at her finest.

Brian, Darrell and Alex hiked Timp- mostly as training for their Alaska hike.  Darrell wanted to add some weight to his backpack and pulled that baby out at the top!  I love this picture so much because maybe he's the only person to ever carry a watermelon to the top of Timp and cut it up.  Brian said he was very popular up there.  

We had a fun visit from Buffy and her friend Jody.  Can you tell how in love Layla was with her?  I really love this friend of mine and we had so much fun while they were with us.  

We took them for a walk up to the crystal pit and who knew that Jody is a rock fanatic?!  She was SO into searching for cool rocks and crystals with my kids- Buffy and I were amazed.

Two cute buddies.

Layla's best next door neighbor buddy Nick moved to Arizona.  We miss the Kerby family a lot.  We will miss those three boys (Nick and the twins, Chase and Chandler) coming over at all hours of the day to play with Layla.  She had quite a fan club in those three.  They were fun neighbors and I'm so glad we got to know them....but I WILL NOT miss their dog Mika.  We are all very glad she moved to Arizona.  Now McKay isn't nervous to go out the front door, which is always nice.

One thing on our summer bucket list was to go to the Peppermint Place candy factory.  I gave each kid three dollars to spend and they had quite the time figuring out what to get and how much it would cost.  

McKay threw and impromptu water party.  I think at one point there were nine boys in this pool.  They splashed, jumped, played with water guns and ended the party by wrestling in the pool.  And by wrestling, I mean wrestling each other until one could throw the other one out of the pool and onto the grass.  He came inside with scratches all over his stomach from his match.  Wow.  Boys?

We spent Pioneer Day boating with the Allreds and my parents.  We actually got my parents out on the actual boat!  I had to make sure dad was dressed appropriately, as he was about to go out in jeans.  The kids loved this little pool by the marina where the natural hot spring fed into.  It was quite warm and cozy.  

We had so much fun tubing on the boat.  I went out with Brian and haven't laughed that hard in a long time.  The water was choppy and it wasn't the best day for boating, but it was still fun.

After boating, we had a quick dip in the pool, then went to Grammy's for a bbq.

Me and my sweet Elle.  

When my girls are getting along (and they usually do) they like to call each other "best sisters".  But they say it in this sing-songy voice.  I know I say this all the time but I love that they have each other.  

And lets not forget this handsome man!  He is getting so old.  I have been noticing him interacting with adults lately.  He is so polite and trying hard to pull his weight in conversation.  This makes me happy- that he has good social skills and is polite.  He's growing up every second.

Ah, the PG pool.  We have spent at least two days a week here (sometimes three) all summer.  This picture was taken on a stormy day, that cleared up, and there were about twenty people there.  It was crazy- because usually it seems like there's probably hundreds.  That's Layla int eh pink floaties, playing with some of my beehives.  

I loved that we got a pass this year.  It was so worth it.  Ellery improved in her swimming so much this summer- she is great!  She also conquered her fear of the water slide after avoiding it the first few times.  McKay mostly loved playing pass with whoever he could find to play with him.  He was always easy to spot- I'd just look for a ball going back and forth.  And Layla?  Well, she was so happy any time we were at the pool.  She loved to practice swimming with me.  We'd take off her floaties and she would swim from me to the side and back and forth, over and over.  She has no fear of the water and thinks she's a much better swimmer than she is.  We sing "dead man, dead man, come alive...." as she does a back float....and she can do a mean back float all on her own, let me tell you.  

His heaven.