New Beds!

The kids have been over the moon about their new beds. Our neighbor Haven redecorated her boys room and gave us their bunk beds and bedding for a deal we couldn't pass up. At first Ty was really sad about his room changing, but when he saw how cool it was, he was all smiles!

Now they actually have a dresser, not just a nursery cabinet! It's so nice to have drawers for both boys.

The girls are thrilled too... they took the boys' queen bed and are sleeping together in Ella's room! They have always wanted to share, so we are letting them try this and see how long it lasts. So far it has made for late nights of giggling and reading too long!

On an unrelated note, Maddie discovered that she and her doll have the exact same basketball jersey, number, and red glasses. Cuties!

Discovery Park Family Time

Instead of date night a few weeks ago, we opted for family time. It had been a day of bickering and not listening to Mom, so we needed some Dad in our lives. We tried out the tennis courts and play area at Discovery Park in Pleasant Grove, and it sure delivered!

Squaring off against her opponent...

This is what memories are made of!

Kate Grows Up!

Mike and I enjoyed a little date night at Thanksgiving Point... except someone stole my date! 

They even walked down the aisle.

Kate is officially 18 months now, which means that she went to nursery! I was sure that she would freak out, because in the last month she has gotten more clingy to me than ever.

So Mike dropped her off, and came out with a big SCORE!

Of course I watched tearfully through the peep hole, hoping she was okay. I only heard her say "NO" and "Mommy" once, and didn't hear crying, so I guess it was a success!

 The slide and bubble had a lot to do with it!

The kids were all so proud of her too, and wanted pictures with her after church.

 

Yay for Kate Bug!

Early July

I told Maddie that as soon as temps reached 100 degrees, we would go to Lucky's for shaved ice. July will do that to ya!

This is hard to see cuz it was in motion, but we went on an evening bikeride and Jake and Kate fell asleep holding hands. Precious!

 July also brought an exciting event for Ty... he lost his FIRST TOOTH!!! You can see that the second was about to fall out too, and within a couple days both were gone!

July also brought the first green beans and zucchini from the garden.

Everything in the garden is in full bloom. The first sunflower came out.  

The hollyhocks are so pretty right now.

Maddie, Maycee, and Ella got bit by the garden bug and are growing corn, beets, carrots, and flowers of the own. 

To beat the heat we went to the Lehi splash pad with cousins. Of course right after this picture they sprayed me and I dropped my phone in the water, haha!

4th of July

Our festivities usually center around the Provo Freedom Festival. This year instead of going to the Balloon Fest, we decided to hike the Y with cousins and watch the balloons launch from our view on the mountain!

This photo doesn't do it justice, but it was really cool to see the balloons launch and float off toward the north. It was pretty windy and they traveled fast!

We took lost of breaks on the switchbacks to enjoy the view.

On the other hand, this man didn't stop at a single switchback, and just trucked steadily along, passing all of us younger whippersnappers! He was proud of Jake for hiking it for the first time, and told him he wasn't a hiker, he was a "Y-iker"! I asked him if he does the hike often, and he said it was his 125th time just THIS year! Holy moly.

First sighting at the top!

Daddy was behind because he had the heavy goods.

Ella Bella was our mountain goat and the first in the whole group to make it to the top! I was so proud of all my kids!

Our whole group of Nelsons and Andrews. 

Official proof that we all made it.

The kids loved the cool gate at the bottom.

Missy Kate fell asleep! Guess the smooth ride made her drowsy.

Back at home that day we got creative to stay entertained and cool. I love seeing my kids play together.

Ty and Daddy went on their Daddy Son date, settling on riding their bikes to the store for ice cream sandwiches, and then the park to play.

That night was more water games. Nothing says summer night like a baby in a diaper.

We are still baseball crazed at our house.

That night Daddy let the kids try out the new tent in the playroom. What a fun sleepover!

The next morning was the official Freedom Festival parade. We woke up early and headed down to stake out a spot. Normally we have a nice saving a spot overnight, but we found a little place between blankets and squeezed in.

The kids enjoyed some Pop-it's before the parade.

While we waited I enjoyed a little {deep} reading. Goodness, these books are amazing, and so applicable to this time of year. I have a much deeper appreciation for the divinity of our founding and freedom in this country after reading about the hand of God in the events and and lives of Presidents Washington and Lincoln.

Gotta love Cosmo and his posse! GO COUGARS!

Of course the kids loved the fire truck and policemen.

I couldn't stand the cuteness of Kate's ruffles and puffy pants!

Always fun to see my people from KSL news. I feel like I know them. ;)

That afternoon we had the Andrews clan over for a BBQ and fruit pizza. It was too blazing hot to play outside so we just visited inside for a couple hours.

In our down time Mike wanted to get out the fancy camera and do some shots with the stars and stripes.

Sure love these people of mine and all the moments like this that I get to enjoy because of the freedoms we enjoy in this blessed country.

That night we gave our babes baths and laid on a blanket in the front yard to enjoy the fireworks. No need to go anywhere, the show was AMAZING right here!!! The entire sky in every direction was lit up, thanks to lots of neighbors that love aerials!

It was pretty awesome to just put sleepy kids in their own beds. Sure love Independence Day and all the patriotic celebrations that go along with it.

A few days later we enjoyed going to see the largest flag ever flown, called Follow the Flag in Pleasant Grove. It's hard to tell how huge it is unless you're under it, hearing it whipping in the wind. Here's the size of just one star!

That night they also had a performance going on by One Voice Children's Choir. It was neat to be there and hear them in person.