We had a crazy summer. I don't think we were home all day for more than two or three days all summer. We were going, going, and going some more. It was a fun summer - but we didn't get much done around the house!
Dani and I got a phone call from her cousin asking if we wanted to go to the Jonas Brothers concert with them the next night. I had a church meeting that I had to get covered and once I was able to do that we said yes! we'd go! It was a fun night - very loud though! We were able to get some ear plugs from the service desk which made the sound just about right! It was a fun night!
We started the summer by MSN and X-Man having parties. We had boys coming and going for two days straight! Our boys enjoyed having their friends over and being the "host with the most" for a few hours. They just wished we had better gaming systems for them to play on. Needless to say, an X-Box is on MSN's Christmas list!
Spot managed to find some time to take the kids fishing. They love getting out with their dad! MSN is the only one to catch a fish...so far!
We celebrated Canada Day buy waking up early and heading to the church to help with a yard clean up. We had fun with our friends cleaning, sweeping and making our church look nice. We were also treated to a pancake breakfast! After the clean up we headed to Spot's sister's house for a family party. She has a pool so the kids enjoyed swimming and playing with their cousins. We were hoping to see some fireworks on the way home but we somehow missed them.
The next big event was a church Trek camp. X-Man was old enough to attend this year. It took a few days of sewing and some trips to the second hand store to get him outfitted and ready to go. He went and lived the live of an early pioneer in the 1830's when our church was first organized. He got to witness reinactments of historical events that happened during that time. Spot and I were asked to be a Ma and Pa and to also do the food for this but we had to turn it down due to Spot's new job assignment. When we heard what an amazing time X-Man had we were really disappointed we weren't able to participate. I picked X-Man up on Friday afternoon (July 10th) and we headed home and then loaded up the van and headed to Alberta.
We were going to Alberta for a Beazer Reunion. We missed the Friday night activities because we had to wait for X-Man but we got there in time for breakfast on Saturday morning. It was really great to see everyone and for our kids to get acquainted with several generations of Beazers. It was hard to be there without Grandma but felt her spirit there several times. We had fun games on Saturday morning, went for a hike up the Beazer Hill, the kids got to try out a waterslide (with cow patties included!), buy several things at the auction - including marshmallow shooters, we watched videos of Grandma and her brothers and sisters, had the traditional beef dinner - complete with baked potatoes and onions, and ended Saturday night with a fun program where each of the Ten Tribes presented a skit or musical number. On Sunday we gathered at the homestead and had a testimony meeting. I always love to hear the testimonies of my family. We then had the famous pot-luck lunch. It's always amazing to see what comes out of the tents and trailers! Once lunch was done we heard the plane flying overhead! We all ran out and were thrilled to see the plane swoop down and drop candies and peanuts for the kids. I remember years ago being at the Beazer Reunion and the plane coming for the first time. I was only about 8 or 10 and we were so excited! It was fun seeing that excitement in my kids' faces! I'm so glad that I can share that tradition of going to the Beazer Reunion with them.
Once the Beazer Reunion was done we headed to Lethbridge and did laundry and got ready to head down to Kalispel for the first Shirley Reunion. We headed over Logan's Pass - which I had forgotten how beautiful it it. Spot wasn't too fond of the heights - or my crazy driving - but we made it over safe and sound! We stayed in Kalispel for two nights and tried to pack in as much fun as we could. We did some shopping, the kids swam in a freezing cold hotel pool, went to a go-kart park and finished off the few days with a trip to the water slides. It was fun just being with my sisters - our brothers weren't able to make it. We headed home back over Logan's Pass - which was a little more tricky coming home because you're literally riding on the edge of the mountain! Spot was really glad when we finally made it over the pass and had solid ground on both sides of the van!
We stayed in Lethbridge for a few more days and took some day trips. We got to meet our newest nephew/cousin Dylan. The kids had fun playing and helping feed him. It was nice to have a baby around again!
We went to Lee Creek and the kids had a blast swimming in the current and building dams. We also went and saw the new Harry Potter film. We could only get tickets to the 10:15pm show - Bat Man was the only one that didn't stay awake through the whole movie. After several fun days we headed home. We were glad to have no car troubles and make it there and back safely. It's always nice to go and visit - but nothing beats coming home to your own bed! Here's a picture of my mom at Lee Creek - this is where she spent most of her summers growing up.
Once we got home we were right back into football. Practices were every night of the week except for Friday. The kids also still had swim club until the end of the month. Every day were were off to the beach meeting up with friends or family. We tried out Hick's Lake this year and realized with a nice, peaceful beach that was - and so close to us!
Spot was gone the last week in July - it's been so long, I can't remember where he was! I think he was in Toronto at summer meetings...but I can't remember!
August was just as busy. We met up with friends to do berry picking - we picked blueberries , black berries and raspberries. Every day we seemed to get a phone call to go to my good friend's pool or meet friends at the beach. We did a lot of swimming this summer! I was amazed to see the difference in Lala's swimming abilities from attending swim club. All our kids were great swimmers by the end of the summer! One day we were at my friend's pool and it was so hot! Geneva and I usually just sat by the pool and visited while the kids played but we looked at each other and both agreed that today was a good day for a swim! We both jumped in with our clothes on and had a fun time swimming around. The kids were shocked that we actually went in the pool!
We got a call one afternoon from the Bumby's asking if we wanted to head over to Cultus Lake and go for a boat ride. We took them up on their offer and quickly got our stuff together and headed over to their house. We had a fun afternoon of boating around the lake. The kids got to try out their tube and we had a nice time visiting in the boat. We were amazed to see that on a Friday night the lake isn't very busy - so it was really nice and peaceful - if you didn't listen to the 6 screaming kids jumping off the boat! :)
The boys had their annual Man Camp. Spot has always organized this fun event for all his brothers and brother-in-laws and their sons. They go away for a few days and burp and fart all they want and have fun with no women around telling them what to do! Us girls met up at Spot's sister's house and had a sleep over. In the morning we had a wonderful breakfast and then all headed out to Cultus Lake and met the men at the waterslides. We had a fun day sliding with all the cousins. It was a cloudy - almost rainy day - but perfect because it kept the crowds away.
MSN and X-Man got to go to a flatwater training session. It was an all day event. They are training for a Scout camp they are going to be attending next summer at the Bowran (?) Lakes in northern BC. It will be quite the trip and something I don't want them to miss!
Our wedding anniversary was on the 14th. Spot was supposed to be having a scout camp that weekend but plans got changed and instead he had a scout sleepover on the Thursday night. We had football that night so I took the kids out so the boys could have some time without kids bothering them. We had planned on going out that night and almost got away! We got over the bridge and got a phone call from home. The boys were fighting. It wasn't worth leaving them home so we just turned around and headed home. We spent a quiet evening at home celebrating our 16 years of marriage!
Spot got a calling change. He was the president of the Young Men in our ward but got a new calling as 2nd Councillor in the Stake Young Men's Presidency. We were told that this would be a less time consuming job - not so! He's been busy ever since attending other wards and all the youth activities in the stake. He's enjoying it though - it was time for a change!
I went and helped some friends organize clothes for a city wide clothing exchange. Our friends work for Social Services and they went and collected all of the lost and found clothing from the schools in Chilliwack. They then wash all the clothes and bring them to a church, organize them and then have a huge clothing give away. Because I went and helped - I got to take whatever I wanted. We didn't need anything but the kids found some hoodies that they liked. It was a fun few hours and a good thing for my kids to participate in.
The end of August came fast and due to our new budget - I tried to find thrifty ways to get everything we needed for back to school. I shopped the sales and the kids and I looked over everything that they had brought home from school at the end of June. We managed to re-use a bunch of stuff and didn't have to spend too much money getting them outfitted for back to school.
The Labour Day weekend was the start of football. We have three games to attend each Saturday. It makes for a busy day! The kids were so excited to start playing games and they all did well for their first games. Dani, MSN and X-Man also played games on Labour Day. It was a busy weekend and believe me - I was so glad to see the first day of school finally come!!
Here are some videos of the kids on the water slides and the plane coming over the Beazer hills... (if you turn off the music player (scroll down to the bottom) you can hear the sound on the videos)
1 comment:
Yay! Great update!
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