July

July was a crazy busy month.  We had lots of fun adventures!

The first day of the month we took a family trip to the zoo.  It was a great time as always! 

 

While getting our trees trimmed we found a humming bird nest.  Watching the hummingbird grow up became the highlight of the summer.  We even bought a hummingbird feeder so it would stick around. 

Some random pictures from the month.  We had lots of fun swimming, having lots of movie nights and just spending time together.  

Mia got some hair chalk for her birthday and was excited to try it out.  It was a little hard to see with her dark hair but still fun. 

Brandon made Alex and me a delicious omelet from the tv show "The Bear." 

The real highlight of the month was Mia turning nine.  I can't believe she is so old! We had a great day celebrating her.  She was a little annoyed her birthday was on a Sunday this year but it was still a great day.  

She got lots of cute clothes and presents.  Her last present led her on a scavenger hunt that ended in the basement.  She got a new desk for her room for all her art projects.  It has been so nice because now the kitchen table isn't always covered with her art things.  

Since it was the Sunday before the 4th of July I had to make them coordinate and document it as well! 

After church we had Mia's birthday celebration with our families.  She chose a Gravity Falls theme which we were all very excited about.  She even wanted to dress up like Mabel for the occasion.  

Brandon made another amazing cake! 

We spent the better part of June moving and updating Mia and Alex's rooms.  I didn't anticipate how much work it would be so we were very happy in July when all the projects were finally finished. Both of their rooms turned out very cute though. I had to take some pictures while they were actually clean.  Alex moved downstairs to the preschool room.  The preschool room was combined with the play room and Mia moved into Alex's room.  

We had a great 4th of July.  We started out with our traditional neighborhood pancake breakfast in front of our house. I never remember to take very many pictures but I got a few.  

Boo tried to sneak out and join the fun.  

Always making Mia look into the sun to take a picture.  

Next we headed over to Grandma's house for games, food and to celebrate her birthday. 

Once again Boo snuck off but this time to get some alone time in.  

We ended the night with the Murray fireworks. 

This month Mia got to attend Camp Tracy with the Activity Days groups in our ward.  I volunteered to go with them.  It was a fun day! 

They got to rotate around and try lots of fun activities. 

Mia is good at lots of things but wall climbing is not one of them.  

One of Alex and Mia's requests for the summer was to go to the aquarium.  We spent an afternoon there one day and it was a lot of fun! 

Always posing for crazy pictures. 

A week after her birthday Mia had a friend birthday party.  She wanted to do an art party at Gardner Village.  It was easy for me and was a lot of fun! 

The next Sunday Mia got to choose the meal for her birthday as well.  Sarah was not pleased we sang to her yet again! 

This month Alex got to go to Young Men's camp.  Brandon got invited to go as a medical person so I was glad that meant he could take lots of pictures for me.  They only stayed two nights but Alex had a great time.  

Someone had the grand idea to give all the boys foam swords and have a big battle.  Luckily there were only a few injuries but in both cases it was boys attacking their dads.  Luckily Brandon wasn't one of them.  

Brandon does not love camping or participating in things in general but he was willing to go to camp to hang out with Alex.  We are so lucky to have him! 

Mia and I had a fun time at home without the boys. We had a sleepover one night and she slept in until almost noon.  

Also this month Mia got to attend drama camp with Elsie and Lilah once again.  This year they were performing a rendition of The Greatest Showman.  Mia had so much fun again!

Afterward we went to get some dinner.  Mia also had to do dance intensives this week.  She went to camp from 9-3 and then dance from 4:30-8:00 every day.  By the end of the week she was very tired.  

On Saturday we had the annual Cul-de-sac of Fire.  It was fun and delicious. 

Sadie organized an intense Disney trivia game.  

We had to make it the church of fire this year because fireworks were banned in our neighborhood again.  

The next day we had a water fight at Grandma Clements house.  It went as they usually do and ended in tears and fights but it was fun while it lasted! 

Since I am the secretary in the Young Women's I got to attend girls camp for the first time this year.  It was four nights up at Heber Valley Camp.  I was a little nervous to go but ended up having a great time.  I get to serve with some incredible ladies so it made it fun and easy! 

This was our before picture. We smell good still! 

We saw lots of beautiful nature. It was a beautiful camp except for the mosquitos where so bad this year I came home with so many bites! 

One of my assignments was to come up with some fun games to fill a few hours one afternoon.  We got into teams and competed in some little challenges.  They were a lot of fun! 

At the end of camp looking more tired and smelly! 

Trying not to get wet on the lake.  This didn't last.  

I even got to try the rope swing and axe throwing. 

Four days felt like a long time to be away though and I was very excited to see my family again. Luckily Alex and Mia got invited to go stay with Trevor's family for a few nights so Brandon ended up being home alone (which he didn't mind).  Alex and Mia got to do lots of fun things with their cousins and had so much fun! 

It was a very busy but fun month! We will need to recover in August.